Fun things to do on the water

Happy Groundhog Day!!!

Since today's forecast was 50-50 chance of rain, we decided to stay near hotel .....played tennis early ( Tommy and Lynn are the current champs- no surprise there:)

David headed for pool...
I headed to "our beach"  and I had the beach all to myself!!  What a nice treat...reading, relaxing, watching the waves..then:

2 windsurfers headed out; then a kite boarder ( very colorful and the sail  is a lot bigger than it looks from shore).....they were riding the waves and were air-born for a bit....huge waves and 20 mph winds..it takes a  LOT of strength and skill to manuever sails on the ocean....
Then,  3 more windsurfers ( I've never seen so many of them here, due to currents and surfing waves and shore breaks that can be tricky for boarders)...and - lo an behold-    several more kite-boarders popped their sails and off they went..it was really exciting to watch them tossing and turning and criss-crossing each other ( is that part of the sport- seein how close they can get to each other? ).   One guy went all the way across the harbor to the other shore....whoa..and he made it back " upwind" ( sailors know it can be tough to sail into the wind and , you can only get a certain angle of sailing)...quite the skill involved..... so, I was tired out just watching them. 
It was nice of them to provide hours of activity for my viewing pleasure...they were still out there having a grand ole time... 

And, I'd like to take note of some of the "little things" to ponder:

sun sparkling on the water..
A single fish in a cove....looks a bit lonely, but surviving on his own..
A deserted beach..ahh- no radios or people or hub-bub...
Strolling the beach with sand between your toes....
Leaving windows open at night and NOT using air-conditioning...

That's all for now ( computer is a bit loggey).
I may try to add photos to postings when I get home ( Sachin, can I do that?)   

Underwater life

The world under the water continues to amaze me:  the fish look like someone painted them neon colors: one had a purple and orange bullseye and the rest of him was shiny silver; another one was coral and turquoise; and then there are the jewel tone ones....it's so interesting to watch them feeding on the coral, swimming around holes in the ocean floor and playing with each other.....a spectacular show for all to see!

A monk seal decided to take a little rest on the beach at Poipu ( about 45 min away..spent the day there yesterday); they're huge..and endangered, so the lifeguards come right over and cordone off the area...then the seal takes a nap, rolls around, and eventually waddles back into the ocean...we've seen them here before..not sure where else they call "home"

The waves looked perfect for surfing yesterday ( not that I would be an expert), but surfers were getting a smooth, long ride- then swerving away and doing it all again.  The guys that stand on the boards and paddle out must have a great sense of balance...it looks like they just perch there and glide along....harder than it looks, I'm quite sure.

Wed is Market Day ....the local artisans gather to sell their goods.....some interesting things and some kitzy...After chatting with one of the artists, I did buy some fire corals- set in a necklace- it seems they harvest the coral, rather than disturb the balance on the ocean floor--the color is fire- orange and it's a gift for a friend who will be "putting us up" for a few days when we visit AZ....I needed a treat, too, of course; so, I bought light green jade stones, set in a chunky necklace..it's a beautiful color....  

It's funny how you can sit and just gaze at the water and waves and sun sparkling ( not to mention watching for those whales) for hours on end..I didn't even open my book yesterday...kind of meditated on the beach.

Off to tennis in a little while ( David is still winning most games, but it's getting better).
Bye for now.

beach day

Despite the weather forecast yesterday, we finally got a day at the beach..or several hours anyway...blue skies and mild breeze..even got in the water ( which I didn't expect to).  Some lady was feeding the fish, so there were bunches of them swimming around my feet...sooo colorful and fun to watch.  Lydgate State park is a great spot: protected swimming area, long beach and picnic spots...and a path above the beach in case you don't want to get tooo sandy.
It felt good to be warm...and watch the hardy surfers..and kids playing in the sand ( one little fellow just plopped himself right down next to David...they must know that he likes the little tykes!)
We timed it perfectly: no sooner got back to condo and the skies opened up.....
content to be in last night and heat up the grilled chicken that I had cooked on the grill earlier...before the rain.

Our friends Tommy and Lynn arrive Sat..hoping they have lots of sunshine for their few days here.

Will check email and try to keep in touch with all of you.

fun outdoors

Hawaii in January has changeable weather: clouds appear of nowhere and winds can be high...regardless, we're getting to play outdoors:
tennis is a great way to start the day....so, we're lucky to have courts nearby...
And, walking outdoors along a path overlooking the ocean is sure relaxing..
When the clouds break up a bit, we head to a nearby beach and stick toes in the sand.
Like I said before, people don't swim here in ":winter"--just little kids- who always like to swim...and the surfers who have to swim out to the big waves.

Last night, there was jazz at another hotel..so, we  bought a bottle of wine and appetizers and listened to jazz, while looking at the wild ocean kicking up...that was a pleasant evening.
I had a tiny setback with tooth acting up ( the one that "almost" needs a root canal)...thanks to Diane S for getting my dentist's #--and to the dentist for calling in a script....just twinging now...fingers crossed that it will be okay for another 2 weeks ( hard to be serious about a dentist wearing a lei here:)

Know that we're thinking of y'all back home....
Happy Australia Day today ( we were in NZ last year to celebrate).
Find some fun things to help you throught the wintery days.
Bye for now-

thoughts on chilling out

Hawaii conjures up images of palm trees, ocean, white sand beaches ( as well as green and black sand), and a kick back feeling..... And, you get that feeling no matter what the weather is doing.  "Winter" in Hawaii can be a bit damp- rain, not snow- and windy...the waves are unbelievable.
Yesterday, I watched some folks taking surfing lessons ( does that bring back memories, Pat?)  ...it was really, really wavey...looked impossible to get up on the board, let alone stay up...some of them did okay....looked like they were having fun, at any rate.
Then, there were the guys trying to sailboard....whoa!  Between the high winds and rolling surf, it was tough going...one guy did manage to get sailing, BUT he ended up coming towards shore.....oooh--turn around and go the other way.....again, it looked invigorating.....fun to watch.
Some of the surfers stand up and paddle out to the huge waves, then use the paddle for balance when they catch that perfect wave.
And, there are the fisherman along the shore...usually they have several poles baited at once....not sure how they can tell when they have a bite, as the waves keep the poles bobbing around...
So, there are lots of passive activities..... like watching all the active ones:)..
And, Of course, there's the a.m. tennis playing that we're into....yesterday's games were better yet..each day helps with "the moves"  David's friend Tommy ( from Honolulu) and his wife will be visiting later next week for 5 days...he was on a tennis team, so we KNOW who'll be chasing balls when we play doubles with them:)

Also, we visited a falls ( when WE think of falls, it's Niagara Falls- near home)---but the Wailua falls are surrounded by lush foliage and steep, green cliffs....a Kodak moment to be sure.
Kayakers were bringing their kayaks in from the river, so we chatted with several of them.  Wailua river is calm and it looks like you can't get lost. So, a kayak ride is on the "list" of things to do (of course, the folks we talked to were out for 4-5 hours)-we'll take one hour at a time.....don't want to overdo the "fun"  

In keeping wityh our warm thoughts of everyone back home, we'll do pina coladas tonight ( sounds more Mexican, I know- but add a pineapple slice and it's Hawaiian)..so, everyone have a pine colada at whatever time HH is where you are!!

vacation mode

Well, vacation mode is setting in...very relaxed...no real plans..the days are filled with tennis in the a.m.- good to get moving; lots of exercise chasing those balls; we were actually a tiny bit better yesterday...watch out Chris Everett.
The cooler weather ( with some high winds) has given us a chance to do some different things: check out some falls, different parks for picnics, maybe some gardens....It is a LOT better than shivering in the cold NE and checking the windchill factor!

It's funny how you never get tired of watching the ocean: the different colors, the waves crashing, kite surfers, whale watching ( no sightings yet), and the mts in the backround....It's a wonderful way to start and end the day.
Strolling along the sand or paths through the lush grounds is "food for the soul"....no thoughts of the world..if only they could bottle it:)

Our pool is protected from the wind, so reading time will be spent pool-side..
there's a nice barbecue area; so, last night we grilled steaks...cooked baked pot and fresh green beans, red wine---sat in our own dining room and chatted and looked out at the green expanse towards the ocean.  ( speaking of chatting:  thanks Kate for giving Dad the book on the Greeks....dinner talk  is filled with things about the Greeks that I NEVER knew- imagine that!  )..My book is "Loving Frank" about Frank Lloyd Wright and his illicit lady love; it's well-written and interesting and takes the reader to different countries...not sure how it ends, so stay tuned ( actually, I'll post a review on my other posterous site: janetmarie.posterous.com...check it out and add your own book reviews and comments).

People here are lovely..alohas all around....it would be easy to get into the Aloha Spirit here, but I'm not sure how folks afford to live here- groceries are pretty pricey ( even at the big stores); gas is higher; houses are out of sight.....the price for paradise, I guess!

I'll leave y'all with warm thoughts ( and the offer of that pull out couch)....
more later 

Hawaiian vacation continues

The day started off yesterday with a rousing game of tennis....rousing cause we were mostly chasing missed volleys...but, it's good exercise and counteracts the lazing around for the rest of the day...
Strolled "our" beach for a while; gorgeous to walk along and watch the waves...sand is very soft--kinda like quicksand..extra energy needed...not many people in the water ( locals don't swim here in winter..bit chilly); we'll see if we're with the locals or will venture in...want to snorkel, though, after bringing snorkel stuff from home.
A few guys that I did spot in the ocean were "spear fishing"- they swim out with only snorkel gear (not diving tanks) and very long, scarey-looking spears; then, they spear away at whatever poor fish happens their way.....guess that's fishing the old, old way.

waves are mesmerizing.....mountains all around just draw you in....
afternoon was pool time; pool is protected from wind ( which has been high the last couple days); no one ventured in the pool- maybe the hot tub? one lady at pool was from Chautaugua..small world, huh?
Later, I strolled back to beach to just gaze at the water...never get tired of that view!
Dinner at a really cute place: Palm Island restaurant..pretty wood, relaxing setting, good food...and hotel gave us 10% discount card...every little bit helps...I had pesto past with macademian nuts ( local flavor) and  David had a seafood dish that looked like a picture: you know how they pile up veggies and swirly things and "create" a dish...
After dinner, we strolled to a nearby art gallery whose main artist is someone in our sailing club...Ray Massey is a nautical artist who depicts authentic scenes with intricate detail...amazing work.  We chatted with the owner of the gallery for quite a while.....and left a note for Ray ( guess he was here 2 weeks ago for a show)...that was a fun evening!

Warm thouughts to everyone back home!
I'll scoot for now--someone else would like to use computer.     

Hawaii

While flying here for many hours, 3 flights, 5 time changes, and airline food ( err- NO food--good thing we travel like the Beverly Hillbillies and bring our brown bags with lunches!). we were wondering if it was worth it...
As soon as we stepped off the plane in Honolulu and felt the warm balmy night air, we knew it was!  Then the next morning when we flew to Kauai. it was extra worth it....76 degrees, blue- blue sky, cerulean water ( as Megan would say), and gorgeous flowers growing wild....ahhh, you can feel yourself relax immediately....throw in a little sand between your toes and a stroll along the beach and it doesn't get much better!!!  Yes, we traded white snow for white sand....
Spent the afternoon relaxing poolside ( David dove in for a long nap; it is vacation after all)..
Last night   we wanted to catch some of the inauguation recaps, but not too much activity in our little plaza nearby.  They did have young hula dancers performing outdoors..boy, they can really swivel their hips ( it's harder than it looks)..so, that was fun to watch.  Later, a school choir sang a few patriotic songs- a tribute to Obama, I'm sure!
It actually got a bit chilly ( probably low 60's and breezy), so we got some oriental chicken "to go" and brought it back to the condo..perfect with a chilled glass of chardonnay. 
Bedtime came early, so did wake up time today ( I think it was 5:00 when we were brewing coffee)....oh well, that's what afternoon naps are for.

Hoping to find tennis courts nearby in a little while...then a stroll on the beach.....water seems a mite chilly ( I know we're big babies), so we may stick to hot tub or one of the pools.
Speaking of "up with the chickens":  they have lots of roosters here: did you ever see them up close?  Very colorful....and bigger than you'd think, and they move very quickly.....they start to "sing" about 6:00 a.m.    gotta love starting the day like that....

I'll try to highlight some of the beaches and areas of interest- in case anyone else is traveling this way ( and to pull out to read when we get bback to the snow).
Aloha for now.

Did everyone catch some of the inaugural ceremonies???

Christmas in Eden!

It was a white Christmas -cold and snow-filled- but warm and cozy indoors..
enjoyed lots of special time with family and friends, we talked and sipped wine and ate and then chatted some more.
Kate and Sachin win the prize for coming the farthest ( just like the high school reunions).
Megan and Rich get extra hugs for driving over hills 'n dales for 6 hours:)
We sure are glad everyone made the trip and we loved having a full house!!

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