My travelogue and pictures of the three islands of Hawaii

will be waiting. I just today returned from that shith ole of the South, Charleston W Va. so I am badly in need of some coal free photos.

Have a good time, CI - look forward to your photos.

Safe travels, ci. Have a wonderful trip.

Bon voyage and enjoy!

C.I.--

Aloha.

Have fun, C.I. I can't wait for your pictures!

forgive the lower case writing and no spell check, because i'm writing from q mini laptop. we sorta have a free day today, because my wife and son wanted to return to our hotel to watch the super and to rest. we took the bus to ala moana shopping ctr where our son got a haircut and we had lunch at the foodcourt. we then walked a bit around the shopping ctr and window-shopped before catching the bus to aloha tower. we took the elevator to the 10th level to the observation deck, and got some viewing of a NCL ship docked close by. I had a gelato for a little refreshment, then we started walking back to the bus stop, but couldn't find one, so we took a taxi back to our hotel. I'm on the sixth level of the hotel where they provide free hot spot with a large screen tv.

yesterday was a full day; my cousin violet picked us up at the hotel, and took us to lunch in the older section of honolulu - where most of their family grew up. although one of my cousins treated us to lunch, he was unable to join us.

her nephew, Scott, was gracious to show us around Oahu in the afternoon. We visited Nuuanu Pali where there was a battle fought, but I'll need to do a web search to learn more about this spot. we then visited a buddhist temple that looks more like an Eastern Indian architecture. He then took us to Punchbowl, the cemetary for American service men and women from WWII, Korean war, and the Vietnam war.

to be continued later.

Arrived home late last night, and I must go to an appointment at the hospital this morning. Catch up with same urgent stuff, then will get to working on the uploading of pictures and the travelogue. Have a surprise photo for those who stick around till the end., ALOHA!

Thanks, c.i., I want to see your photos.

(I hope your hospital appointment is nothing serious, though.)

C.I.--

How was your hospital appointment?

Noddy, My hosptial appointment was just to measure my bone density; I had back problems last months, and my doctor is doing all kinds of tests and medications. She's the best doctor I ever had, and takes very good care of me. I asked the radiologist how my xrays looked, but they're not allowed to say anything to the patient.

I chipped my tooth in Hawaii, and called this morning to see my dentist, and she was able to see me within ten minutes of my phone call. I just wanted to find out if it would be okay not to do anything, because we already spent a small fortune on our teeth last year. ha ha ha,,, She said I can leave it alone. Good!

Now preparing my VISA applications for my trip to the MIddle East in May - all five will cost about $750. OUCH!

Really? I am not entirely antiKaiser, though I started out that way years ago. Have a friend who was a department head there, and he is sharp and well meaning, and perhaps there are others there like him.

But your radiologist can't talk straight with you? What the fuoooey?

TWELVE WONDERFUL DAYS IN PARADISE

February 1, Friday: Our flight to Honolulu was on time, but it took us over an hour to get our bags and wait for another couple in our reception group of seven; we all stayed at different (3) hotels, but we got a lei greeting and transportation to our hotel in a large bus that holds 50.

This trip started out right; our two bedroom suite had an excellent view of Diamond Head. My wife and I did the short walking tour of Waikiki after unpacking, calling my cousin and nephew, walking through some shops, the International Market Place, and walking in the sand by the beach (in our shoes).

This travelogue will be a little different; I'm just going to post some pictures with some explanations with them. I can't possibly compete with pictures from Paradise.


 This one doesn't need one.


 Diamond Head from our porch.


Our first sunset in Hawaii.


Dinner view.


L-R: Scott-my cousin's nephew who drove us around after lunch
me, the wife, son, and cousin.


Nu uanu Pali (cliff) where a big battle was foungt.


The view from Nuuanu Pali.


Monk statue at the buddhist temple in Honolulu.


A Cyclad plant; existed since the time of dinosaurs.


Bodi plant from the origial in India.


Canon ball tree.


Iolani Palace: The only state residence of a royal in the US. King Kalakaua (1882), and his sister Queen Lili Uokalani.

Thanks again for the report(s) and photos, c.i.!

Punchbowl: The memorial cemetary of the Pacific. Many from WWI.


My pancake breakfast at the Mac 24/7.

Hula show at the Ala Moana SC center stage.


Bringing down the flag at King's Village.


Aloha Tower. This is where the cruise ships dock. We went up the elevator to the tenth floor to get a 360 degree view.


At Valley of the Temples. This one is a replica of the one in Japan called Byo-do-in.


This is the famous Matsumoto makret on the north shore, known for their snow cones with azuki beans and ice cream.


The Dole Pineapple Plantation; everything costs a lot more. They expanded with a maze and train ride.


The Royal Hawaiian Hotel.


Surfers.


Duke Kahanamoku; famous surfer.

This was our first four days in Oahu. The last few pictures represent a drive my wife and I took around the island.

Will continue tomorrow with our four days in Maui.

Wonderful pictures, c.i. Thank you.

And what? You are already planning the next trip. You are amazing!

C.I. Why is it that you and the Mrs. never age? Great photo's, buddy , and your son is one handsome dude.

I'm planning to slow down from 7-8 trips/year down to 5-6 this year, and 4-5 next year. My age is catching up with me!

Gained over five pounds in Hawaii.