We were in Hawaii in February and March; had, as always, a great low key and relaxing stay. We have been going for so many years that truly, we feel like locals. We don’t do any tourist stuff but simply have early walks, then beach mornings, and lazy afternoons…
Oh yes, and shopping of course; lots of looking and looking but not really purchasing anything; lol
This photo was taken on one of our early morning walks…
We just got back from the beach.
It was one of those beach days which start out rather dubiously; weather wise, I mean.
When we went for our walk prior; the skies were clear and it was glorious out.
But when we got ready to go down to the beach, the skies were clouding over and by the time we got there, the heavens opened in one of the common monsoon like drenchings.
We loitered under the beachboys surfboard stand and waited while the rain pelted down, while rainbows came and went interspersed with brilliant sunshine.
Finally we hit the beach and endured two more rainstorms before it was suddenly gorgeous.
No complaints; we sunned and swam and realaxed after that….
What a life!
We love going to Hawaii; have been so many times that it feels like our home away from home.
One of the minor reasons that I love going is for the shopping(!)
Oahu(the island upon which Honolulu, the capital city of Hawaii is located) has lots of good places to shop; Ala Moana being the biggest and finest.
But it is because Hawaii is part of the US which makes the shopping so great. There are so many stores and items in Hawaii (and the US for that matter) that respectively either don’t exist or else one simply cannot get in Canada.
I have NEVER understood marketing, and have a sneaking suspicion that it is is based on ill advised , stuffy “old men in suits” opinions.
As a consumer, I can say that IF the stuff is provided, people will buy it, simple as that.
It works the other way too; many things here in Canada are unavailable in the USA. I KNOW how frustrating THAT is for many of my US pals.
I remember being in a discussion group for Brtish Comedies and the topic of conversation turned to British food items and how they WERE available here in Canada but not in the US. People were BEGGING the few Canadians (as it was a predominately US audience) to mail them certain covetted items.
I don’t know how well this worked for each party but it was rather sad to think that a person couldn’t just trot to their corner market and find what they wanted there.
Sure these days, many things in the world are available online BUT MANY sites will NOT ship to Canada. (and probably not to other countries either.)
Unfair?
You bet!
Ok I am now officially back!
I was in Hawaii on holiday; and had a wonderful time. It is truly our home away from home.
I am now battling a bit of jet lag(3 hours, which is minimal I know) and a tiny cold which I picked up about 2 days before we came home.
But I don’t go back to work until Tuesday so have some time to rest up(LOL seems ironic but the process of travelling by air and enduring AIRPORTS is enough to make recuperation totally necessary )
We have been so many times(not to brag, but it is true) so tend to think of Hawaii as one would about a visit to their summer cottage.
Hawaii is the true melting pot of races. As H and are a mixed race couple we find that people think we are local(go figure) Well H does look Hawaiian and apparently has some unsearched for relatives in Maui but that is as far as it goes. We do fool people sometimes though; once H was asked, “what island are YOU from?”
He replied, “Vancouver Island” and the questioner looked puzzled and said to his companion, “That must be one of the smaller islands that you never hear about”.
LOL!
I think that only in Hawaii can one have such a diversity of races and cultures PLUS experience the love, tolerance and the aloha spirit.
It is a unique feeling; like receiving a warm hug. One is immediately more relaxed. Perfect strangers on the bus and in the street smile and chat to one. People go out of their way to help each other. YOUNG people get up and give their seats on the bus to women and elderly people.
Is it any wonder that we love going there?
