Life in Waikiki

We're really enjoying our days here. We love to take long walks and see what we can see. We have rediscovered live music, which both of us love, and never seem to take in at home - what's up with that?? We love the flora and fauna of this place, as well as the warm, moist, tropical air and the wonderful sun that you can rely upon to shine, almost always!

On a walk to Ala Moana park today, we passed these fan palms. Their names are very appropriate, as they look like a fan that you could hold in your hand.... wonder if they'd grow in Moss Beach?

Ok, make this picture big, and you will see the sea turtle! We were at Ala Moana park, sitting in the shade on a park bench, and Lee said "what's that?" - about that time the roundish shape lifted its head, and it was a sea turtle, or, honu. Sea turtles mean good luck - too bad that Hawaii doesn't have a state lottery......

This shot was taken on Sunday morning. We put our morning coffee in our travel mugs and headed to the beach. We walked out on a stone jetty, and this was the view looking back in towards Waikiki. You can see the pink Royal Hawaiian, dwarfed by all of the high-rises. The Royal Hawaiian was the second major hotel built on the island - the first was the Moana, built in 1901, and then the Royal Hawaiian was built in 1927. The Halekulani was built in 1917, originally as a privately owned estate, but was converted to a hotel in the 30's. A lot of history here. Waikiki was once the private playgound of the Ali'i, the Hawaiian monarchy. Now WE get to play here!

Ok, make this picture big, too. You will see "pencil fish", and a humuhumunukunukuapaua'a fish - the state fish of Hawaii! We had to look at Lee's t-shirt to get the spelling!

This is the sky we saw last night! We've had two days of clouds wandering through - brief showers yesterday, but mostly sunny today. It's cooler, too - probably about 80, which FEELS cool - I'm going to freeze to death when we get home!

One day last week we walked to the Ala Moana shopping center, along the Ala Wai canal. We couldn't believe it, when we looked in the canal and saw MOON JELLYFISH!! We'd only ever seen them in aquariums before! But there were dozens of them, pulsating around. They had clearly come in with the tide! You can see that something has taken a bite of this one..... We also saw baracuda, but didn't get a picture.

On the way home from Ala Moana, we stopped at the Halekulani for some Hawaiian music. This trio is excellent, and the hula dancer was great, too. You can see some pink in the clouds as the sun is setting.

We've been walking 4 to 5 miles a day, and making sure that we get plenty of beach and pool time! We've done enough shopping that we're wondering how we're going to get it home! : ). Yes, life is good!