Monday, March 31, 2014

March 2014 Scavenger Hunt ~ Honolulu


Aloha from Honolulu!
I feel a little guilty
enjoying the tropical sun,
when so many of my blogging friends
are still looking for spring!



Honolulu and Waikiki
(from the Top of Diamond Head)



What a difference for me ~
When I posted my scavenger hunt last month, I was enduring fog, spitting snow,
and a ground blizzard swirling and dancing.

Now I’m enjoying warm sun,
waving palms, and sparkly water.



Nothing Between Here and Australia
but Lots and Lots of Water!
(from the Top of Diamond Head)


I hope everyone had fun
hunting for photographs this month.
May my Hawaiian photos perk you up,
if you’re still waiting on a reluctant spring!



Sunny Hibiscus




March's List


1.  M is for ?
Mai Tai, of course!


We arrived in Honolulu 
on my birthday and celebrated 
at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel
with umbrella drinks and 
pink coconut birthday cake.






Birthday Mai Tai at the Royal Hawaiian



2.   9 am
That's Me!


I came to Hawaii determined to
Stand Up Paddleboard
on Waikiki waves.
I had a lesson at 8 am, 
and was soloing by 9 am.


Stand Up Paddleboarding on Waikiki




3. Berries

There are Farmers Markets 
somewhere, almost every day,
along the streets near Waikiki Beach.
After a lot of searching, 
I found strawberries among 
the mangoes, pineapple, and papayas.

Farmers Market
King's Village Shopping Center
 



4.   Lit up
Sunset on Waikiki
3/29/2014


I kept looking for 
The Perfect "lit up" photo,
and last night 
I knew that I had found it!
The setting sun had lit up the sky.
In places it looked on fire.


Sunset on Waikiki 
3/29/2014



5. Grate

Grate in Diamond Head State Monument


Grate was a challenge!
There just weren't 
any beautiful grates to be found, 
even though I searched and searched.
Finally, I settled on a cool location ~
inside Diamond Head crater.
The grate is located to the left 
of  the entrance to 
the  Diamond Head State Monument.










The grate is to the far left of the 
visitors entrance.




Since I was asked by one tourist 
(who was standing 
in the middle of the crater) 
where the crater was, 
thought I'd post photos 
of what it looks like inside the crater.  



Two Views of Inside Diamond Head State Monument


The above left photo is the tunnel 
visitors walk or drive through 
to enter the crater.  
The rock wall in both photos 
is the wall of the crater.  
The crater floor looks benign, 
so it's hard to imagine 
it's explosive origin.


Diamond Head Crater
Source:  wikipedia ~ also geology






6.   Working
Hard at Work in Honolulu


These two were hard at work 
practicing their surfboard stunts 
at Sans Souci Beach in Honolulu.


7.   Brickwork
Dove on Brickwork

You don’t see a lot of bricks around here!
I finally found 
inlaid bricks in a sidewalk.




8.   Cutlery
Cutlery and Chopsticks

The cutlery comes 
from the same spot 
as the brickwork:  ME B-B-Q.
It's a little local Korean restaurant 
not far from our hotel.



Exploring small ethnic restaurants 
is part of the fun 
of visiting
a new place.




9.   Flowers

Makua and Kila




There are flowers everywhere in Honolulu.
Hawaiians decorate the many statues 
up and down Waikiki Beach 
with leis and other flowers.  
This statue of Makua and Kila 
has fresh flowers every time I see it.  
The statue is based on a children's story 
by Fred Van Dyke.  
Makua, a young surfer, 
befriends Kila, a Hawaiian monk seal.  
The statue honors Hawaiian values 
of love and respect for family and the ocean.


10.   Crisp
Crisp Tempura

A cook sets out freshly fried crisp tempura at Marukame Udon restaurant in Honolulu.



11.   Ticket

These are my plane tickets for my two flights to Honolulu, Hawaii!


12.  A colored door

Terry actually spotted this door in one of the shops on Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu.

I couldn't resist adding one more picture taken this morning along the Ala Wai Canal.  
This little family was too cute!





April’s List:
A is for?,  11am,  Smooth,  Scale, Tile,  Logo, Scrap,  Match,  Path,  Layers,  Carry,  Truck


Thanks to Jill and her Made with Love blog 
for setting up the hunt.


Hunt:  http://suzzie43.blogspot.com/p/scaerngera.html


Tomorrow is my last day in Honolulu, followed by a long flight home, so I'll visit all your scavenger posts after I get home.  And I'll respond to any comments then also.


ALOHA!

48 comments:

  1. What a wonderful birthday celebration. Looking forward to seeing some more of your photos from your trip. Loved the colourful door.

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    1. Thank you, BL! I've found a few moments this morning to do some replies! I'll be doing some future posts when I get home. Have a happy day!

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  2. Wonderful photos! What better place to gather up pictures than this place. And what better place to celebrate a birthday! Glad you're having fun. Don't feel guilty. Okay, maybe just a little...hahaha... Still waiting for spring to spring!

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    1. Thanks, Martha! As I stare at returning home, I'm not feeling one bit guilty! Tee Hee! There are so many things to photograph ~ You would love it here! Have a good one!

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  3. Happy birthday to you. I love that you challenged yourself to find things to photograph even on vacation. Great pics. I love the duck family. I've never been to Hawaii but it certainly looks beautiful. Have a safe trip home.

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    1. Thanks, Peggy! I have a few minutes after all to reply! I love the Scavenger Hunt because it challenges me to look at things more closely. Hawaii is lovely! Have a good day!

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  4. haha yes, you should feel guilty, feel very guilty haha wow, they are sure agile as they practice their stunts

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    1. Guilt is rolling off me like water off a duck's back! It ain't sticking where I'm at! Terry actually saw them on their surfboard in the water. They fell, so they came in to practice. I've seen a number of surfers doing stunts; one person was standing on his head! Surfing is my challenge for next year! Sending you tropical vibrations!

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  5. How lovely to see so much of Hawaii. I love the door and congratulations on learning to paddle board. I would like to learn to stand up paddle board but it wouldn't be as nice learning in the North Sea, a little bit colder to say the least.
    Gillx

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    1. Thanks, Gill! Burr! The North Sea would surely require a wetsuit! It is so much fun to do. I'm going SUPg for the last time very shortly. I thought the door was really neat. Have a happy day!

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  6. Some wonderful photos. And looks like a fun birthday for you. Bet you had fun on that board.

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    1. Hi Alex! Paddleboarding was a blast! I loved it! I can't wait to come back next year and do it again! It was a fun birthday ~ and the Royal Hawaiian gave me the cake at no charge ~ totally unexpected and very much appreciated. I have some catching up to do on your blog! Can't wait to get back in a regular routine. Take care!

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  7. Don't be feeling guilty!! I would be soaking all of that up as well if I were you :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

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    1. Thank you, Keith! I'm soaking up as much as I can. It's awesome to be able to spend some time here! Have a good one!

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  8. I'm so envious! What a great way to celebrate your birthday - a beautiful place and photos to match. It seems strange not to have much brickwork as almost every building is made of it here. Love the shell blind and those strawberries look so tempting. x

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    1. Thank you, Julie! I had a fun birthday! I think they must have to import bricks here, because Hawaii is mostly lava and coral, but I don't know for sure. The farmers markets are filled with scrumptious fruit and vegetables. I can get delicious strawberries at home, so I've been gorging on pineapple, papaya, and mango! Take care. x

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  9. Thanks for taking part in this months scavenger hunt. What a great group of photos so nice to see another part of the world, I really like your photos of door, crisp, lit up well all of them really. Greenthumb.

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    1. Thanks, Jill! You are always so kind about my photos. Seeing other parts of the world through the SH's eyes is fascinating. It's such fun to hunt things down. I carry a list in my purse all the time. Have a good week!

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  10. Don't feel guilty. It is the sun look of nice blue skies and blooming nature that keeps us freezing folks happy and warm.

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    1. Thank you, LL! When I lived in Newfoundland, people would put plastic flowers out just to add a bit of color in the stark winter! I get what you're saying! Have a good one!

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  11. What a fabulous collection of photos as always, the weather looked great! A belated happy birthday to you.

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    1. Thank you, Louise! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the photos! It was so much fun to gather them and do my post! Can't wait to see yours! Take care!

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  12. What a wonderful birthday celebratory trip and a superb location for a scavenger hunt! Thanks for taking me for a re-visit to Waikiki ~ my drink of choice ( in 1998) was a Mango Marguerita under the Banyon tree! Looks like those two are doing acroyoga which you can see here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xECiTdgy9nE
    As for the ticket picture...I would have loved to be able to have that choice :)

    Just loved looking at all your spectacular photos, and that last one of the duck family is precious. Pleased to hear you had a wonderful time.

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    1. Thank you, Glo! Mango Margarita sounds delicious! I'll check out the yoga site when I get home. Terry actually saw them on a surfboard, but they fell in and came back on land to practice. I wish I had seen them on the water! I was impressed that the woman was holding the man up! Thank you for the kind words about my photos! That made my day. I hope your week has gotten off to a great start!

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  13. I am sure you got over that guilt pretty quickly, Louise!
    WOW! What a beautiful state Hawaii is! Looks like you both had a great time.

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    1. We had the best time, Jim! Today when we got to the beach, I raced into the water with my paddleboard and jumped on. I couldn't wait to get out on the water. And, I carried my own board in and out! I was very pleased with myself! Hawaii is gorgeous ~ in the big city sometimes you have to look past the ugly and focus on what is beautiful. I can't believe we're going home tomorrow! We're coming back for three weeks next year. I can't wait! I may not feel too guilty, but I never forget how very fortunate I am to be here. We worked hard and lived below our means and saved, saved, saved, but I NEVER take it for granted. Have a happy week, my friend!

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  14. Happy birthday, and please, don't feel guilty! Enjoy! Thank you so much for sharing these gorgeous photos, just what I needed right now. :)

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    1. Thank you, Linda! I'm so glad that you enjoyed my photos. That's why I post them ~ to share the beauty of our world and to hope they bring some measure of pleasure to people. Have a good week!

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  15. Hope you had a great birthday. Being there, hard not to

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    1. I had a great BD, HGW! Thank you! But, then, every day of life is a gift! And, today was spectacular. I paddled and paddled on my board. It is the best, best fun! Take care!

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  16. Thanks for the little trip round Hawaii, somewhere I've never been...it looks stunning.

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    1. Thanks, Fiona! Hawaii is wonderful, and I hope you have a chance to go there someday! Take care!

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  17. Aaaaaaaaaaahhhh, now I feel relaxed and so much more calm ~~~~ needed that for sure!!

    Now to go out and deal with THE SNOW!!

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    1. Snow's coming on Thursday! We're waiting on our shuttle to the airport. :( But it's been grand. Glad you're feeling relaxed and calm! Take care!

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  18. Muitas felicidades....
    Belas fotografias...Espectacular....
    Cumprimentos

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    1. Obrigado por suas amáveis ​​palavras, Fernando! Tome cuidado!

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  19. Lovely photos. I have never been in this part of the world but would definitely love to visit. The coloured door and the strawberries are my favourites. Happy belated Birthday. Cx

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    1. Thank you, Christina! It's a wonderful place to be, and now I want to see other parts of the Pacific Ocean islands. Have a great week!

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  20. Ooooh I fancy some temporal!!!! What an interesting and beautiful place to visit, I am a little envious!!! X

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    1. Ho Kezzie! Tempora is the best, isn't it! Hawaii is lovely ~ It was hard to leave. I hope you get a chance to see it too! X

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  21. So many photos to love! I hope you had a wonderful time. The crater blows my mind how amazing! I like work too but my fav was the statues with the flowers thanks for the back story I love knowing these things :)

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    1. Thank you for your kind words, Hannah! Backstories are always cool to dig into! Have a good one!

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  22. It looks like you have had a lot of fun!! Beautiful photos, thank you for bring tropical sunshine to Ohio. Happy Belated Birthday!!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle! We had so much fun! The highlight for me has to be gaining confidence on a stand up paddleboard! Take care!

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  23. Love, love, love tour photos, every single one of them. And it's probably unnecessary to add that I'm extremely jealous!!! Looks like a great birthday trip - hope the rest of the year is just as good. And nice to see you too.

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    1. Thank you so much, Mairéad! My birthday was awesome, and I won't forget it ever! Have a good one!

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.