When you get off the plane - they put a lei necklace around your neck.
When I was teaching earth science - one of my favorite topics was time zones and jet lag. It takes your body a few days to get adjusted to the local time zone. It is always 5 hours earlier in Hawaii than it is back in Florida or Pennsylvania.
This morning I got up at 3 AM - I was wide awake but when I went out on the porch - not a creature was stirring - not even a mouse. The wind was still - and the street lights twinkled as they went up the mountain.
Some people do not like the busy-ness of Waikiki - the condos - the restaurants - the glitz - the culture. We have been to almost every Hawaiian Island and we love Oahu best. It is like going to a foreign country - that take USA money - your iPhone works - you have wifi - and you can watch familiar TV shows. You can choose between eating at chains or trying the local wares. The people are the most gracious - and Lulu says they are the most industrious students she has had. If you want to
get out into the wild - the north shore is a short car or bus ride away. There is so much history on this island - museums - places - government buildings - military bases - and short plane rides to any of the other islands. You can shop Cartiers - Coach - Macys - or any other famous store in the Ala Moana Mall - or pick through the flea market type stalls downtown or at the stadium. Several times the University of Hawaii has asked Lulu to be a full time professor there. If family and friends were not so far away - this would be our home.
I can't decide whether I like summer in London or winter in Hawaii best. Throw in a gathering of the Everhart 8 in Virginia - and the world is just about right.
At 3 AM - We are on the 12th floor - this is a picture of town going up the mountain.
Across the way is the Waikiki Banyan Condos. We stayed there many times. Our friend Doris rents us her condo there. That pool is on the 6th floor.
This is sunrise over Diamond Head. It is a famous extinct volcano at the east end of Waikiki Beach.
Our porch wraps around on two sides so you can see the ocean - the mountain - and Diamond Head.
We are about one block from the beach.
That is Jefferson Elementary School in the foreground. Lulu used to teach up that hill at the University of Hawaii.
We had breakfast at our condo - the Hyatt Place.
We walked 7.5 miles today - and it is only 1 PM.
Our last 4 nights will be spent in the Moana Surfrider Hotel - it is the oldest hotel right on the sand.
The bottom floor is wide open and the wind blows thru it.
Hawaii loves Christmas and the decorations are still up.
Santa in one of the shops.
At 1 PM - it is 75 - sunny - breezy - and low humidity - perfect weather.
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