Gilligan and the Skipper cast off from here, and the Brady Bunch and Home and Away cast's also visited - that's a sign of true geographical importance

 

having tasted between 40 - 60 different local draft beers on the mainland, other delights awaited us in Hawaii

 

moi and my teacher

 

I waited 4 weeks for my huge ass burger at Hard Rock, Waikiki

 

sunsets here are truly amazing, 'though a bit monotonous

 

the view from our final hotel room - that's an airport in the distance - and while this was one of my last views for the trip, nothing will take away the memories and thousands of other sights and experiences. Thankyou America. God bless you all!

“I still call Australia Home.”

TBR was a womderful place to stay. Do yourself a favour, and if you get the chance, stay at least 2 nights to get the ectivities in. L and N dis paddleboarding and really enjoyed it. Me, I got lost on a beach walk and ended up walking round a golf course trying to get my bearings. It wasn’t my fault, there’s just no signage. Saw another turtle on the edge of our private beach.

We ahd to leave eventually and we continued around the island. A funny day weather wise – it heated up quicly, rained a little, got hunid, brightened up, another shower… just like home, really. Came across a number of shrimp trucks and tiny roadside cafes not far down the road, so had to stop for a feed. Shrimp is popular here. No tummy troubles as yet, so I’m assuming the hygiene standards may not be as bad as first seemed.

We saw unbelievable beaches, and surf in particular. Theres nothing better to do here than surf, and nowhere was better than Sandy Beach where the grommets showed us how it’s done. With big surf and dumpers on the beach, they breed them tough in these parts.

We also did a tour of the Kualoa Ranch – the working cattle ranch that has been the site of many films over the ages, inc Jurassic Park and Lost (and no, I don’t look like that guy in Lost…), some great and dramatic scenery here with sheer cliffs and coastal views aplenty. The drive around Oahu is not long, nor is it difficult and is recommeneded. Plenty to see and the scenery changes every few minutes.

We made it back to Waikiki in time to return to one of our favourite spots, another glorious sunset, huge meal, finishing with the obligatory Hula Pie. Washed down with a bottle of Vasse Felix chardonnay, all felt very good with the world.

Unfortunately, as I type this, we are holed up in our final destination, at an airport hotel, awaiting tomorrows final journey home. We are due in about midnight Thurs Melb time. Please feel free to greet us at the airport if you wish. I’ll be the one  wearing Bermuda shorts, an Aloha shirt and sandals with socks (and possibly a henna tattoo).

“I’m enjoying two beautiful visions tonight. Watching you stand there against a marvelous background has to be the most intriguing sunset I have ever experienced”. – K. S. Collier

So here we are at Turtle Bay Resort  (TBR) at the northern end of Oahu. Far from the madding crowds we sit, surrounded by 5 star luxury and very few Japanese tourists.

We set off this morn in our oversized people mover for a 2 day tour of the island. Road Trip no. 4! Four adults woulf fit into most cars, but we opted for the largest available to ensure we could carry the girls shopping bags as well as our suitcases. An easy drive saw us visit the Dole pineapple plantation (think Wobbies World with pineapples), Banzai Pipeline (which today had waves akin to Port Phillip Bay on speed), bought the T-shirt, Waimea Valley botanical gardens (beautiful) and TBR. The resort’s a fair size, with several bars and restaurants, and plenty of activities provided. There are further activities provided for additional cost. The surf is perfect, the beaches are great and we will certainly make the most of it tonight and tomoz.Stand up paddle lessons have been booked for early morn for the others. Me? I’ll just take a walk along a magical beach, alone, and sit by the pool watching the mermaids play.

Then later, we prepare for our last night in Hawaii, our last night of the trip. Unfortunately all good things do come to an end. But we are all looking forward to our return, as we are exhausted. We’re also looking for some healthier meal options. Myself, I can’t wait for a roast leg of lamb.

“Without music, life would be a mistake.” – Friedrich Nietzsche

Breakfast has been problematical for a couple fo days now; what where when…? So we did what any Aussie would do – we went to an Australian owned/themed restaurant – Bill’s of Sydney – aka Bill Granger. A good start indeed with an actual flat white… and toast, and muesli’s and granola etc. But served with a Hawaiin touch. While the food was good the service was terrible, and while Americans are employed, or, until properly trained, a four star experience becomes a 2 or 3, I may write to Mr Granger hisself.

With that off my chest, we proceeded directly to the beach for some fun in the sun. A better 2 hrs has seldom been better spent. It took a lot of discipline to keep my camera in my pocket.

Then the girls went shopping – again, while the boys ventured to the Hard Rock for a bit of enlightenment. We were later met by the girls for dinner and I finally got to have my huge ass burger!!! I had waited 4 wks for my first burger, and I enjoyed the experience. The mood was enhanced by a band featuring 3 young ladies accompanied by a male drummer – the first band I had seen for 2 weeks. How I miss those heady days of band after band after band (where are you Gary?).

So the wrap up is, girls happy having shopped heavily, boys happy cos the girls are happy. Oh, and the beer…

Now a word of advice from a seasoned traveler; when packing, don’t select your shoes in the dark, cos you may end up wearing unmatched shoes for the duration of your journey. Not that I’ve done it, mind you, I’m simply making an observation. Be warned!

“At noon I observed a bevy of nude young native women bathing in the sea, and I went and sat down on their clothes to keep them from being stolen.” – Mark Twain

When you struggle to find something interesting on the breakfast menu (and this is Day what, 29 or something?) you know its time to come home. Our trsvels have found us very much on the go, with my weary head – by the time of returning home –  having seen 15 different pillows, eaten about 80 meals in restaurants and hotels (skipping the occasional lunch), 10 air trips and a full day spent in airports. But we wouldn’t have done it any other way!

We arrived at our Waikiki hotel  yesterday – 2.5 stars only, but clean and confortable. I have only had to request a change of rooms twice, both within the first week (and there relates another story). We are 2 blocks from the beach but its cheap and close to everything. Had a huge arse lunch yesterday at one of the seemingly hundreds of beachside hotels. For those that don’t know the lay of the land, the hotels occupy the length of the famous beach.  Our refreshments during the course of the day are spent in an array of posh establishments with excellent views and sometimes cooling sea breezes.

Yesterday we dagged around a bit, getting our bearings. Today we visited the Pearl Harbour Memorial – very good, and very poignant. Just had a bevy overlooking Waikiki beach – I must admit, I like people watching, and there are many sights to be had here. And not all the sights are in bikinis, either.

But a few are.

The girls are off shopping somewhere on Oahu, the boys playing by the hotel pool. Theres not too much else to say, the weathers perfect, 90 degrees each day but a more comfortable in the evening. In fact we would have only had 4-5 days where it hasn’t been 90+. While much of the country is now cooling down as they enter their Fall (pronounced FARL), the best of the weather has followed us across this broad nation. It is fairly accurate when I say , as we depart each city, the weather turns for the worst. Lucky us.

So as the sun sets, we get to thinking of where we are to eat tonight, hopefully somewhere new, something different. All I know is, as much as I’ve tried to sample something different for every meal, I have still to get one of them good ol’ USA huge ass burgers into me. In our 4 plus weeks away, I am yet to have a burger (OK, so I've had a cuppla sliders but they don't count); I'm saving it for last. We’ll be having a great time, fo’ sure, y’all, no matter what I end up with for supper.

 

a bride, a groom and one of the best men

 

fortunately a doctor was available at the abbey infirmary the morning after

 

the little lady livin' the dream in the NW of Big Island

 

our ATV, complete with flood emergency devices

 

one of our private waterholes during the ATV trip

 

a neat picture, that!

 

the view from our condo, Kona, Big Is.

 

I betcha you've never been so close to an active volcano. We have.

“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” – John Steinbeck

Thanks for that John – you’re correct. For today we spent 11 hrs on a guided tour of the volcano park in the SE corner pf the Big Island. We learnt heaps on volcano’s in general, and in particular the latest lava flow to come from Kilaeua. A government warning was issued in recent days as a 2 mtr wide lava flow has sprung (that’s my term) 30 kms away from the volcano itself. Travelling at 250 yds a day it is expected to become a nuisance in the coming days. It has the potential to cut off as many as 10,000 residents from the rest of the island. The home of our driver tonight said his home is likely to be threatened, having purchased it only a year ago.

While we were learning of the reality of life on a volcanic isle, our tour was indeed interesting. We did a crater rim walk, viewing the open crater from a distance of about a mile – it lokked a helluva lot closer. WE walked thru a 100 ft long lava tube, which is where a hollow cavern was formed upon the lava flow cooling, and is like walking thru a mine. We got up close and personal with the steam vents – this is where moisture drops into cavities or fissures, creating steam to spew forth. You stick your head above one of these to get your “facial” – I tell y’all, within seconds, if you can stand the heat, the moisture drips from your skin and your clothes stick to you from the intense steam temperature. Do not do this commando! Then the biggie – we viewed the volcano opening (from a safe distance) and in the inreassing dark saw the red hot glow of the latest eruption. Fascinating stuff!

I must say, our young female guide was a walking talking encyclopedia on all things naturist, horticultural and historical. She is a well learned person that is putting her efforts into sustainable living by growing her own produce – an interesting story herself.

But the winner today was certainly the magic of the volcano. This island has several volcanoes, which when measured from the base (underwater) are the worlds tallest mountains. It’s a little weird listening to your radio and hearing emergency warnings on lava flows and the possibility of the need for evacuations. Especially as you could outrun it. But in all seriousness, we hope our hosts remain safe and well. The reality is, one day this island will come to an end due to volcanic activity, maybe in our lifetime, but probably not. Ponder that as you eat your raost lamb on your back deck.