11-6-13

 Martin: A fine day.

Me: A few more leftover Hawaii pics. These are from the Hilton at Waikoloa. The Hilton has the "dolphin experience" where kids or adults can get in the water with a dolphin. These kids were super cute & excited to rub the dolphins belly & learn some dolphin facts.

The dolphin was happy to do tricks for the kids too. Dolphins sure are cute and smart!

11-5-13

Martin: Smoke effects.

 Me: We're back on the mainland but here are a few leftover shots from Hawaii. Sea Turtles - love 'em! They are rare to see when snorkeling so when you do it's special! They swim with grace and just cruise the ocean or reef in their own laid back way.

On our last day in Hawaii we got lucky and saw EIGHT turtles. 2 by the Lava Lava Beach Club and 6 at Kahalu's Beach in Kona. We even face timed the turtles to Bob's sister (in CA) so our 8 year old nieces could see how cool the turtles are!

11-4-13

Martin: Mid afternoon but it may as well have been twilight. Everything had a dull orange glow from the bushfire smoke around Sydney.

Me: Posting photos from yesterday's cliff jumping adventure. Kimo, his sister and his 2 nephews took us cliff jumping! This part of our group were spectators.

This part of our group were jumpers! Yikes, that's high!

 There goes John! 

And Bob!

 Thrilling to watch too. This place is called "End of the World". Hmmm. :-/

Even I jumped (from a bit lower spot - but still up there)

Success. What a blast!

 A beautiful topper to our Hawaiian vacation!

11-3-13

Martin: Daniel's skylight cracked when a possum jumped on it during the night. Had to replace the polycarbonate dome. Good to look up in his bedroom and see the sky. A shame it's not possible to leave it that way.

Me: This morning Bob and I went on a hike from the Hilton to Lone Palm.

The trek took a few hours.

 No one was around.

Maybe because it was too early for most Hawaiian vacationers?

 Another beautiful day in paradise!

Jumping for joy - Hawaii is cool. :-)

A lot of lava rock all around. Very different from the other more lush Hawaiian islands.

Found it - LONE PALM.

Just one lonely palm tree in the middle of lava rocks.

 Good job, honey! I enjoyed the hike!

11-2-13

Martin: It's not cloud but smoke from the bushfires around Sydney. This was taken in the north of Sydney where I was working. We had to switch the lights on inside and the smell was obviously from burning gums. Black ash was falling out of the sky along with whole charred leaves, yet the closest fire was around twenty-five kilometres away. Strong gusty winds helped spread the fires rapidly and hundreds of homes were destroyed just outside of Sydney. We have had very little rainfall throughout most of the winter months leading into spring which means a lot of dead undergrowth. It's not even the official start of the bushfire season so it looks like an interesting summer ahead.

 Me: WaipioValley.

We hiked in Waipio Valley today. Once to the main parking area it took some creative driving to get everyone a couple more miles to the trailhead.

We were quite a crew going on this adventure! Kimo's twin nephews picked the hike and were our local guides.

Thank goodness they took good care of us...it was a jungle out there! :-)

A gorgeous jungle!

 We crossed a stream.

 More than one.

 We climbed over rocks...

until we arrived at this fun swimming hole!

 Sometimes there is a waterfall flowing but it's been too dry.

Our group had lunch and a few (like Bob) jumped off the cliffs.

What a cool place!

After the hike Kimo's mom and dad brought food to the beach for everyone.

Black sand beach by the way. Very fine, powdery and soft.
We all had a great day!

11-1-13

Martin: The bottlebrushes are out in the garden - must be spring.

 Me: We made it to Hawaii!

Got in last night in time to join Julie & Kimo (bride & groom) plus their family and friends at a Luau. Delicious food and a Hawaiian Hula show.

 Bob wasted no time finding a place to relax this morning. :-) 

 We are staying at the Waikoloa Hilton. It's a BIG property including a pool with dolphins.

All dressed up and heading to the wedding. Today is Julie and Kimo's big day! 

4:15pm beach ceremony at the Lava Lava Beach Club followed by an amazing dinner under the stars.

 Here's Kimo before the wedding, along with Bob, Julie's sister from Minnesota and our friend Highly. I love the lays everyone gets to wear!

I didn't snap any photos of the ceremony but it was lovely! After the wedding we all took sunset pics before the reception began. It was a spectacular night...just perfect!

Kimo and Julie make a beautiful couple. So happy for them! Congratulations!!