Mahalo Hawaii.................

"Mahalo" (thank you) Hawaii for sharing 

your beauty and history.  

Here's to the memories........

......of all the fun times we spent with your friendly people on 

four of your picturesque islands. 

No, Bob didn't actually surf, but the exciting 

ziplining experience will remain in our memories as a really fun time..........

.........AND when I armed "I take no prisoners photos" Bob with my small digital Canon during our Maui whale watch and he caught this great humpback fluke shot, he was as proud as Punch!

The lovely places we stayed........and surprises such as waking early to unexpected visitors who arrived under cover of night and anchored just beyond the garden!

Shopping at a very fancy mall on Maui.........loved this window display.

The stunningly beautiful grounds of The Four Seasons Resort on Lanai........

.........and the crashing surf over the volcanic rocks on Maui.

A lovely new, but practical, sun hat by Wallaroo - a treat from Hawaii - looks like fine straw but is polyester, can be hand washed and packed flat.......and will be going on the Queen Elizabeth with me for those hot, sunny days in India and the beach at Phuket!

This is Mrs. Teaupa, the friendly Polynesian lady who handcrafted my beautiful wreath of Tapa flowers in Kona. 
Tapa is an important part of the culture and traditions of the Pacific islands and is presented as a gift of high value on birthdays, marriages, funerals, and religious occasions. It is made by many hours of beating (with a wooden mallet) the long narrow strips from the inner bark of the Paper Mulberry tree. Before the availability of textiles it also served as clothing material.

The freshest foods for roadside snacking....including pineapples and coconuts.........

.....the thrilling evening at the Luau on Maui, more great food, dancing, and the story of Hawaii presented so beautifully.

Hawaii's topnotch restaurants.......the fabulous salad......

 ...............and my best ever fish dish featuring Opah, a new fish to me,(and probably my best ever complete meal in any restaurant anywhere, the others concurred) the first one on the above menu at Mama's Fish House on Maui!  Love how they shared the fishing boat details. If you're interested, 'upcountry style' was a bed of the most delicious flavorful black mochi rice, a wonderful addition to the rich fish and caramelized Maui onions, cooked to perfection.

Yes, Hawaii was a spectacular treat in so many ways.............Aloha!