Thursday, July 28, 2011

snorkling and diving

We now have Tony's Son (Graham) and daughter (Amanda) and her husband (Roger) with us. All here for Tony's 70th birthday on July 29.  They can be seen in the right hand corner of the boat.
Be patient.....dolphins seen more towards the end of this video.......  more impressive videos from U tube in side bar......

The dolphins were surfing in the bow wave as the boat was being turned around.  Sorry, no spinning captured on my video.

The most amazing feature today were the spinner dolphins. They're a smaller variety of dolphin and literally spin out of the water. 

Tone checking out the dolphins.
Today it was snorkeling for us and diving for the youngsters.  Unlike Australia the reef here is volcanic rock. 





Hawaiiam vacation 2011

Away from winter in Australia and a world away from the US debt crisis, in spite of being on U.S soil, Hawaii is  truly a holiday destination.  The people, whether local or tourist, are really friendly and chatty. I have been given discount coupons by strangers who have found themselves with an excess. Information is given freely and  the staff, wherever one goes, bend over backwards to be helpful.  Some of  these photos will amaze Australians who are used to excessive regulation.


What? 
No helmet!
Because the beaches are private property (but public usage) you've been warned. There's no compensation for being an idiot. A respect for private property.



 Another good idea. Pier/walls using the volcanic rock extend out from the shore and a short wall has been built between these pier walls to form a large pool area making it safe swimming without netting.   
Didn't know you could seat 3 in the front any more!

The arm rest in the front seat...........

becomes another seat......This was one of the large American cars!









Can you 
guess what
this is?










A microwave! yes it's a drawer built into the kitchen units and has no turn table!
Extremely efficient too. 


Not just a speed limit but a minimum speed limit as well.  Keep that traffic flowing.
Even in Honolulu workers have to deal with the end of day traffic heading home!

So, is there a downside?  One thing you don't come to Honolulu for is the food!!!!!!   If you're into hamburgers tacos and the steak house...that's it! 
But....if you're into shopping, I thoroughly recommend Ala Moana shopping centre. We must have walked 10klm and that doesn't include the detouring into the shops or the looking around.  We were there from 10a.m 'till 9p.m when the shops close here. We felt like we had dragged our eyeballs across the beach and for the next 24 hours looked that way too!!! We had shopped and we finally dropped!!!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

UP AND ABOUT AGAIN

Tony is up and about again having had another hospital stay.  At least this time it was at home. The upgrade at Pindara private hospital is fantastic and still on going.  Old scar tissue from 40 years ago had to be severed from organs and it was very successful. Both surgical procedures, the gall bladder removal in Cairns and now the scar tissue problem (this time via laproscopic surgery) were done by South African surgeons. Both surgeons immigrated to Australia 5 years ago.  Tony now takes pancreatic enzymes with every meal and snack. His huge loss of weight was due to non absorption of food. I'm happy to report he's now putting on weight.

SO FIRST TRIP WITH TONY FEELING MARVELOUS, WAS VALENTINES DAY IN SYDNEY.  OUT ON SYDNEY HARBOUR FOR DINNER AND CABARET CRUISE AND STAYED AT SEBEL PIER ONE UNDER THE BRIDGE IN THE ROCKS AREA OF SYDNEY.
A PIECE OF ART ON THE ROUNDABOUT WITH TONY OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND?


VIEW OF THE BRIDGE FROM HOTEL FRONT DOOR

SYDNEY CITY FROM THE BOAT. THE OPERA HOUSE WOULD BE ON THE LEFT.
 I WAS TAKEN TO SEE THE JERSEY BOYS. FABULOUS, SLICK, LOUD, BRILLIANT PRODUCTION. IT'S THE STORY OF FRANKIE VALLI AND THE FOUR SEASONS.
A BRILLIANT TRIP.


Behind the Harbour Bridge, Sydney

Darling Harbour from our lunch table. Facing west.

 The back of the ciyt from Darling Harbour, Sydney. Facing east. The restaurant (above)  is over there, on the right!

Sunday, October 10, 2010

More bird stories

Tony found the nests and we've been following the progress of these little birds commonly know as Willie Wagtails but Tony says more correctly they are Fantails.  Three speckled little eggs in the nest, mum sitting patiently all day waiting. She's having a real go at us for interfering! Another pair are busy finishing off a nest in the tree where we're parked. Tony allows them to swoop him and take hair to help build their nests.  They're after anyone with grey hair in the park so people are walking around covering their heads with anything available!


This little family have been child minding constantly, doing what all conscientious parents do, protect.                                                         

We're being "growled at" by dad.

How about the colour of this beetle? Can't find "emerald coloured beetle" in the Google search so if anyone feels they have the time to search please help. It's 3cm long.