Garden Island

Kauai is the garden island and you would certainly know why once you have visited. With it's deep rich tones of green and foliage of any color that gives way to the it's majestic topography. Boy it has been a fabulous few days. Nancy (sis) and I have an amazing condo on the sea with a view you would never want to forget. The waves crash continuously with its own special lullaby. From Haena to Kalalau Lookout we have traveled. 

It is a special, serene and spirital place. Brian and I were here when our cruise ship stopped in March of 2011. But it was too short of a stay and we only had time to see the Wiamea Canyon and Spouting Horn. This time Nancy and I rented a car and have traveled to many interesting spots. The following pictures are of some of our travels. Enjoy!

Sunset from our lanai

Waimea Canyon

 

Next are of  the Na Pali Cliffs

 Kilauea Lighthouse 

 Opaepaa Waterfall

Feral Hen and her brood

Sunset and Pu Pu's (appetizers) at the Saint Regis Hotel, Princeville, Kauai

Oahu

This has been a week of many different focuses. Anticipating getting to Hawaii has changed into settling into a more warm relaxed atmoshere...I think. At least it is warmer here than there. News from home was that it was in the 20's and snowing. Here in Honolulu it is in the lower 80's and sunny. The weather is great! However Nancy's friend Jim has been in the hospital since last 

Wednesday, causing some concern and stress to us all.

Jim has an infection that needs to be treated for many weeks. It is going to take a long time and much time for the area to heal. He is on the SNF wing of the hospital for therapy and IV antibiotics. Sad news for him that he might be there over 6 weeks or more. Praying for healing hands and that he can keep his spirits uplifted during this long recovery period.

Bellows Airforce Base Beach

Yesterday was the annual drive around the Oahu. This time I got to go see 3 different places. First was the beach at Bellow Airforce Base, then the large Mormon Temple at Laie, and finally Turtle Bay Resort beach on the north shore. We ate garlic shrimp at Fumi's Shrimp Shack that was cooked fresh right in the old blue bus. 

 

Surfing was great at Turtle Bay while Nancy and I sipped on our cocktails. No spam was found for pupus (appetizers), thank goodness. It is a Hawaiian tradition to eat Spam. They wrap seaweed and press rice to it and call it Musubi. It is a delicacy around these parts. I suppose Spam is so well liked being so preventant around here during the war.

ALOHA!

Aloha!

I am finally getting time to do a little blogging. Aloha and Happy St. Patricks Day! Its has been a couple very windy days, even in Hawaiian weather. Maybe the Nebraska wind blew me in and stayed a few days just to torment me. It is a beautiful today and not as breezy and 75. 

This is the Chef who was entertaining as well...


Nancy has kept me fed and entertained. We went to the symphony yesterday afternoon and went out for a wonderful, very personal dinner with staff making our salad in our veiw and then later carving our rack of lamb (yes lamb to all my cattle people in my life). It was simply DELICIOUS!

Unfortunately for Nancy and I there has been some stressful events also. Jim, Nancy's friend has been in the hospital and has an infection that won't be easy to treat or heal. I am glad I am here to help with deciphering some of the medical jargon that is presented. 

This morning we weren't able to do our 5:30 morning swim due to the pool being too cold from the electricity going off in the wind yesterday and the cool breeze this am. It is an invigorating workout in the best of mornings. Ambulating to the elevator and then into the pool with eyes half shut and the warmth from the bed still clinging to me.
  
Aloha to all on this day that Brian left this world on the coat tails of a Leprechaun two years ago.

Celebrate My Dear, For Lent Is A Coming!

FAT TUESDAY

Its Mardi Gras and the celebration is calling me.  A little history of the spectacle is forth coming.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=R9XM0bsjLMw

The warm sun has finally paid us a visit! I spent last evening soaking up the rays while cleaning the spa and later listening to Pandora radio on my porch sipping on a martini. It was my way of celebrating Mardi Gras and the hint of the coming spring. 

Baboo vs  Breqkon with a bone of contention!