Luau Time 11-11-11

This is the front lobby at Aulani. 

I loved the wall of living orchids.

The outside grounds and pools were beautiful as well.

My tiki God friend at Paradise cove.

We wove our own headbands - it looks so easy but it is not!

The sun had just set and I captured this shot of the sun's rays.

What luau would be complete without hula dancers.  It was a great show.

After visiting the new Disney resort, Aulani, we went to a luau at Paradise cove.  There were all sorts of crafts and music and Carroll and I danced a rumba in the sand.

Dole Pineapple Plantation 11-10-11

The Hukilau beach.

You know I danced the hukilau in the third grade for the entire PTA!

I still remember it!

Trains were not a big thing in Hawaii but they did use narrow gauge trains for hauling both pineapple and sugar cane from the fields.

Choo choo!

The Dole gardens were spectacular.

An egret that let me take his picture.

No trip to Hawaii would be complete without a trip to Hukilau beach and the Dole Plantation.  We had a bit of rain on this day but it was so warm it actually felt good.  Dole Whips are pretty yummy!

Hiking in Koko Crater on November 9, 2011

Carroll was interested in doing some hiking this trip so here was our first foray into Hawaiian hiking.  Koko Crater has  been planted with a botanical garden so I thought we would both enjoy it.  Mostly I took pictures of the native flowers but there were plants from every continent.

The heavenly scented plumeria.

Bougenvillia

Touristus vulgaris

It was a beautiful hike and only a couple of miles long.  Very peaceful.

Aloha!

Well it has been a while since you have heard from me but I'm in Hawaii now.  We left on November 7 and were totally ready for some beautiful tropical weather.  This photo was taken at dusk and we can see the pool and the ocean from our lanai at Turtle Bay Resort.