tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25896218117814239462024-03-05T02:25:12.726-05:00RV'ingJim and Garret had their house up for sale. They received an offer, and that day Jim found out he was going to lose his job. 4 days later Garret found out he'd be losing his soon. They accepted the offer and thought about moving to Texas. Through brainstorming a way to transport the animals, why not rent an RV which became buy an RV, which later became, travel the country for 6-8 months in the RV. This blog is about their adventures and misadventures of full-time RVing.Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.comBlogger1183125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-16078149531912001112017-06-25T11:48:00.001-04:002017-06-25T11:48:36.732-04:006-24-17 Saturday (I Will Call You George)<p>Hello there. I don’t have much to report (I always say that and then it becomes my longest post to date). Let’s see. </p><p>It was my birthday yesterday (thank you, thank you). So at work, my boss lady, Kathleen, gave me this:</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sxD0JvBqEVs/WU_bH_CyeFI/AAAAAAAAln8/mNN0cYczOr8NGO2HcLxS2E7zBmzKJlPnACHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-23%2B003%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img width="439" height="777" title="2017-06-23 003" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-06-23 003" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3BdNK2_ng68/WU_bJQx7_kI/AAAAAAAAloA/wegMetE3VgINzkxXDi_MT5X40-DBDQd5gCHMYCw/2017-06-23%2B003_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It’s cute so that’s why I took a pic of it. It has candy in the bottom glass (she knows me). I should remove this from my post and totally regift down the road. BUT it’s too cute to do that. I probably sounded like a Valley Girl when I said “too cute” so maybe restate that as “It’s cool” (voice deepens). </p><p>Later in the day, the management team from my current project presented me with a Publix cake (yum), some coupons (joke… I think), a card and a dinosaur egg archeological dig thingy. </p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DmXuCIVqAMw/WU_bJ7WH5GI/AAAAAAAAloE/h3d2ZaHsfvAPj7VKqbXmcuyqAn1nM8JhQCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-23%2B004%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img width="442" height="783" title="2017-06-23 004" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-06-23 004" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G8Y7PbcU4nw/WU_bKREk1iI/AAAAAAAAloI/BFoG8C5jkpUoSE056276vs8xmZ4ZkfUHgCHMYCw/2017-06-23%2B004_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">Yes, I worked on it while at work:</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VhbqhF4nuxs/WU_bK-hjfWI/AAAAAAAAloM/9rV1p_7WYs4VKU_DpWHgPuUqXdseGnc3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/FB_IMG_1498246068658%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img width="464" height="822" title="FB_IMG_1498246068658" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="FB_IMG_1498246068658" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yoaZIllgMjY/WU_bLAkeGeI/AAAAAAAAloQ/_GQjZm6qvecm9N9IekcuZoF-vTeqqS2jQCHMYCw/FB_IMG_1498246068658_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p align="center">It wasn’t easy either! </p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ssl10GrHhRk/WU_bL4rVMoI/AAAAAAAAloU/sK2syUAKVk4CS8CfFixqVUWIlUTXqX3UwCHMYCw/s1600-h/FB_IMG_1498247279567%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img width="469" height="831" title="FB_IMG_1498247279567" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="FB_IMG_1498247279567" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zR18z6W2G88/WU_bMJ-CfzI/AAAAAAAAloY/urRsVMHMBe0CSKTZaNuw1S3qeO4ROAx9QCHMYCw/FB_IMG_1498247279567_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above:It’s a boy. I named him George</p><p align="center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ArNz8U7tgU4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>Later that evening, Jessica, Cole, Ashley and Marc came over to celebrate my birthday with even more cake. It was a great day! We had this visitor:</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z8C7EKooIBU/WU_bMv9UKFI/AAAAAAAAloc/ztS-KKN2WW0_VqLqwFJZbUIdkmYNAxX6gCHMYCw/s1600-h/eastern%2Beyed%2Bclick%2Bbeetle%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img width="252" height="445" title="eastern eyed click beetle" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="eastern eyed click beetle" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WkAQGk76HIc/WU_bNEilJFI/AAAAAAAAlog/EsoCDDicBE4dSzDxssTTktl0-z4-8se9wCHMYCw/eastern%2Beyed%2Bclick%2Bbeetle_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>No, those aren’t really eyes. Ashley posted it to Facebook to ask what the heck it was. It’s an eastern eyed click beetle. Jim put it over the fence and we assume it lived another day. </p><p>In other news, we sold our Jeep today. Here’s Jim and the new owner hooking it up to his pickup to tow back to Virginia.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G8P2Va_uHFY/WU_bNREb5yI/AAAAAAAAlok/zWPzo8d5AIorzGqUa6LZZFeeZphCH-xCwCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-24%2B012%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-06-24 012" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-06-24 012" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UmmBmx7txoM/WU_bN09HokI/AAAAAAAAloo/uFWV74UYgG0p3kfY6vnI3UmgHQIRL82cwCHMYCw/2017-06-24%2B012_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It was a 2000 Cherokee, with 127k miles on it. We bought it in 2008 with 71k on it to town behind our motorhome.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LW2tNdTyi6Q/WU_bOYDm6CI/AAAAAAAAlos/mdmMJb7etFgZEe1krAvwLrs4poWl4pUvACHMYCw/s1600-h/2008-08-19%2BLJ%2BJeep%255B7%255D" target="_blank"><img width="457" height="343" title="2008-08-19 LJ Jeep" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2008-08-19 LJ Jeep" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p2W_qWeWm5I/WU_bO_5wg5I/AAAAAAAAlow/TjmG0bQeBBstWtAL5lMWvb_CFCHwlhc5wCHMYCw/2008-08-19%2BLJ%2BJeep_thumb%255B4%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-omyk_4OxqhU/WU_bPMabCaI/AAAAAAAAlo0/SUACy_1G6r85QIxU55ITz1bz609_WFf1QCHMYCw/s1600-h/2008-09-24%2BWY%2BBuffalo%2BBill%2BDam%2B2%255B15%255D" target="_blank"><img width="457" height="343" title="2008-09-24 WY Buffalo Bill Dam 2" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2008-09-24 WY Buffalo Bill Dam 2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0R63slabAQI/WU_bPnDneWI/AAAAAAAAlo4/EswANdBCso8hKfdT5QuT8d-q79FBxKEvwCHMYCw/2008-09-24%2BWY%2BBuffalo%2BBill%2BDam%2B2_thumb%255B12%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uskNwHy6gX4/WU_bQC-EdSI/AAAAAAAAlo8/1e9Olm-mARgOjvpYiR6UDnqeA-Uveux0gCHMYCw/s1600-h/2008-11-17%2BUT%2BBonneville%2B19%255B21%255D" target="_blank"><img width="457" height="343" title="2008-11-17 UT Bonneville 19" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2008-11-17 UT Bonneville 19" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e0WHjKYYgaQ/WU_bQZY-VmI/AAAAAAAAlpA/ZIc3Cpk__hUSlEiGiHMEcHs9_-JEa343wCHMYCw/2008-11-17%2BUT%2BBonneville%2B19_thumb%255B18%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>It was strange to sell it. It had been to a variety of places including Colorado’s Pike’s Peak and Spago of Beverly Hills. (Click <a href="http://jimandgarret.blogspot.com/2009/03/3-29-09-sunday-pigeons-and-other.html" target="_blank">here</a> to see our Spago post). It’s been everywhere we went. We don’t need it. I’ve been pushing Jim for several years to <font color="#ff0000"> <font face="Wingdings">T</font></font><font face="Arial"> Let It Go, Let It Go <font color="#ff0000"><font face="Wingdings">T</font> </font> but he held on. Now that we have the 4 wheel drive Santa Fe, he feels more comfortable about having something that can handle the few inches of snow we get once a year (if that). Sigh. Now we’ll save on maintenance, state inspections, registration, and insurance. </font></p><p>The cool part though is that the new owner and his wife bought a 97 Monaco motorhome and will be pulling the Jeep behind it to do pretty much the same thing we did. The benefit for him though is he’s retired. I was so excited for him. I hope they’ll blog about their travels. They’ve made, as he put it, several maiden voyages, to try things out.</p><p>How am I doing on time?</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PXHDTbRKhF4/WU_bQ6YL9NI/AAAAAAAAlpE/pdkoY6_TYMMppn8W-hXz0tbq_pcUe7ttgCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-24%2B009%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img width="454" height="804" title="2017-06-24 009" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-06-24 009" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BXc0x0bgQLs/WU_bRBRWIbI/AAAAAAAAlpI/VZWNCwPW7Bk6-qJWQB9WihcOlINfb-a0gCHMYCw/2017-06-24%2B009_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p>OK, OK. 2 more photos:</p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ME_Ou2e8YU/WU_bRr80qkI/AAAAAAAAlpM/hEc-tDMS9G4kPEMsxIUk4WBH8dueQECKwCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-20%2B001%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-06-20 001" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-06-20 001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ObtkoU6hFM0/WU_bSBoVG6I/AAAAAAAAlpQ/jIsLNScsLxciT9aQI3jbKQzaUPCLUqybgCHMYCw/2017-06-20%2B001_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Backyard Bunny.</p><p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yPaZvD5Ao40/WU_bSoYc3sI/AAAAAAAAlpU/PqKNI5ulzIcSP51T1R0IU1HIr1aEaDrIgCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-23%2B002%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-06-23 002" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-06-23 002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o2EN6JIRu8k/WU_bS9ETaMI/AAAAAAAAlpY/lh_q_Xx_VSUaCz7FEeYhEba_z9G2mibDQCHMYCw/2017-06-23%2B002_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Yeah, prestige is the first word I think of when I see this car.</p><p>Here’s a close-up on some of the finer details.</p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HdcL1yKT9I4/WU_bTb7SkJI/AAAAAAAAlpc/ivPmWG8us2kFvbINEE0d423pjamISobPwCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-23%2B002%255B14%255D" target="_blank"><img width="426" height="284" title="2017-06-23 002" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-06-23 002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AKB310LpNRQ/WU_bTwGZwmI/AAAAAAAAlpg/BedmrqDFLos3G_RbudPUR78YA73fTitRwCHMYCw/2017-06-23%2B002_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p><p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eKriZe8_hHk/WU_bUC9IVeI/AAAAAAAAlpk/2OkWk4syWqwp_Qhnhd6XhCOGiShn-s38wCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-23%2B002%255B15%255D" target="_blank"><img width="619" height="197" title="2017-06-23 002" style="margin: 0px auto; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-06-23 002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H28GAY7xm9A/WU_bUmf-sRI/AAAAAAAAlpo/rB9mRFRAycITa4l-kgSywbtLGSxWLKGQACHMYCw/2017-06-23%2B002_thumb%255B13%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-68776956767718131312017-06-14T20:11:00.001-04:002017-06-14T20:11:00.876-04:006-14-17 Wednesday (Fraiming Carolyn)<p>First let me show you a few of the pride panels that were done at work. I mentioned them in a <a href="http://jimandgarret.blogspot.com/2017/06/6-8-17-thursday-arts-crafts.html" target="_blank">previous post</a>. You can click on the link in the previous sentence (I’m thoughtful like that) if you don’t know what I’m talking about. Don’t expect the rest of us to wait though. We have things to do. </p> <p>My team was my boss, Kathleen, Unit Leads Carolyn and Leigh-Anne. My brain storming accomplice of the group was Carolyn:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eZe-jEOFzp4/WUHQLgp1NjI/AAAAAAAAlk8/XS8VbyQJ4GoMHnPYStK_h6CqTZxJgKAHwCHMYCw/s1600-h/PhotoFunia-1497485253%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="PhotoFunia-1497485253" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="PhotoFunia-1497485253" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nXA3_hfHRQc/WUHQMptvE1I/AAAAAAAAllA/u0UW1U7fMqYWi7sHue7ZeakmhFm_Gk10gCHMYCw/PhotoFunia-1497485253_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="425" height="515"></a></p> <p>Here’s what we all worked on:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zn0tEKqWrbE/WUHQN5LCIoI/AAAAAAAAllE/xyftxLLe45I_wfGi38c2xR_eewFc9Be5QCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B040%255B9%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 040" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 040" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RMslQcwQo4A/WUHQO0T_wOI/AAAAAAAAllI/F1JXuvmLlmEnJmVUZdYe4zYczz7jGF2EgCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B040_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" width="451" height="554"></a></p> <p>These next 2 are actually my favorites. There’s a contest and I’m pretty sure one of the two will win:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C7A4yrhUEo8/WUHQPmOboxI/AAAAAAAAllM/ScAkL0DHtRUHTmI0Chnv1b6cel54_yQtwCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B041%255B8%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 041" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 041" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sN8-7V53VlE/WUHQQo7K1nI/AAAAAAAAllQ/WqIypzpFTWUmJgeFa6xFv_QQOJRUAI1SQCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B041_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" width="429" height="579"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eRfCzTVfsgU/WUHQRjrthzI/AAAAAAAAllU/yR499zMB7QgtIEDbcJXbve1jzGcERGeFQCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B032%255B9%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 032" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3agSvDZ0yTo/WUHQSmDIC3I/AAAAAAAAllY/Vw4GGoLiNgckEtY3Y-JTd9CTVoSR-w2FwCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B032_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" width="423" height="536"></a></p> <p>Honorable mentions:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y7ig5sdvbCg/WUHQTdvR3CI/AAAAAAAAllc/axRNsEUZ_vAwZr01ad31eCea75f_ms6GgCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B039%255B8%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 039" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 039" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WZgbgpkfmuo/WUHQUJIWHaI/AAAAAAAAllg/xmuvL76F_yQvt2MG4ZQU5w0Qj_HuzvbTACHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B039_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" width="437" height="530"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--6ygZsKKpho/WUHQUx7NlSI/AAAAAAAAllk/y8qPK7WLpCgJEyi2kPbbFKIR1HllHFGPACHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B028_LI%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 028_LI" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 028_LI" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-19S0jI_3i9Q/WUHQWL4RDAI/AAAAAAAAllo/Q7NbpUQlK7sRNkNR--0mMpnhMkVyVSlZQCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B028_LI_thumb%255B6%255D?imgmax=800" width="429" height="539"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jk94kSUlwXs/WUHQXC1eYmI/AAAAAAAAlls/-hrHDFO9feI5bkNQv9-P7DhU-ebSI2CawCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B029%255B9%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 029" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 029" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1eaoQzn60Lg/WUHQYC-l_OI/AAAAAAAAllw/Ls6UyDPg9W4q3z6aMd-atxvjxD-Pf2DMwCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B029_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" width="427" height="521"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RWFR5D4VUNI/WUHQY0iV53I/AAAAAAAAll0/oUsfbt8sbAISg5rhyTmnySkUEKc8iG5XwCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B030%255B9%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 030" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 030" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KonyyDnWRKU/WUHQZqZONTI/AAAAAAAAll4/EfVT9BKeGbkCew-PUrtWXyfoVy-s1DAYwCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B030_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" width="417" height="563"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hAtUyQ_wI4Q/WUHQaudPFsI/AAAAAAAAll8/fiBsbN6PsgEzpalLgnhwHQVOCFZ8uHjdgCHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B031%255B8%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 031" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 031" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l4-gLYGmi4Q/WUHQbo3IHSI/AAAAAAAAlmA/q73lmEkFCb05Ao3tRElZcqpw_Od467LwwCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B031_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" width="422" height="581"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vPaMZoJC6-M/WUHQcSHuxiI/AAAAAAAAlmE/FV-CqlkdEV8AhC9srSnXAtwgYD_c349yACHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B034%255B8%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 034" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 034" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TBPJhTp6WyE/WUHQdWTkBAI/AAAAAAAAlmI/KJVEFLSSym0tndU0syIfD_5l7tUxKF65ACHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B034_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" width="431" height="619"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-emajBHDt58Y/WUHQeFeKORI/AAAAAAAAlmM/69GaRwnNjSwO_7qQ3VH-tQKrc9Z64YF3ACHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B037%255B9%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 037" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 037" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4qB_q5KnWuQ/WUHQfPkzD7I/AAAAAAAAlmQ/66kC-evRuFASBhH0qEzWisybwRx2s7cUgCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B037_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" width="451" height="561"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p1Ihl5FLdiI/WUHQf9f6jiI/AAAAAAAAlmU/gOkMh-vAmhACKsCbLN7Mdo-JZYWAv0IFACHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-06-09%2B038%255B8%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-06-09 038" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-06-09 038" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xq6wR3d_jwA/WUHQgyjQ6UI/AAAAAAAAlmY/UeaspdJznso3hG0eW1QakHJzbhCLlHHGwCHMYCw/2017-06-09%2B038_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" width="505" height="522"></a></p> <p>Enough of that. Here’s that link to the Hawaii photos I promised: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10209409564332047&type=1&l=e78bcf9938" target="_blank">Facebook photos</a>. The link will take you to Facebook but you don’t need to log in nor have an account to view the photos.</p> <p>And finally, here’s a couple of photos I had laying around, waiting to be shared.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jwZPTRNJ5EM/WUHQiBAxeLI/AAAAAAAAlmc/GZW6k0s2QPIWV6KxUjIwHaZDU-oHm6T6ACHMYCw/s1600-h/2017-04-21%2B021%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-04-21 021" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-04-21 021" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9Txm5yX91FI/WUHQi_ANfsI/AAAAAAAAlmg/85jcGe4cY_Q6_4Q2nmsVoy4PZqDOLZLuQCHMYCw/2017-04-21%2B021_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Very professional. Please note the spelling of “framing”.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sgfiZwFG8kY/WUHQjvbW4iI/AAAAAAAAlmk/fuxR6nK73H0zqsunM_IbXUgookLGonJ7gCHMYCw/s1600-h/2016-10-08%2B002%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2016-10-08 002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-10-08 002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hmAzZ4nTVDU/WUHQkl30THI/AAAAAAAAlmo/1oFXNQ859akwxOve9K7cIIuAcgD1CgMMwCHMYCw/2016-10-08%2B002_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a>Above: That’s a bad typo to have.</p> <p>That’s all I got…</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-19129093469545624902017-06-11T09:33:00.001-04:002017-06-11T20:57:41.809-04:005-17-17 Thru 5-19-17 (More Vacation Left Overs)<p>I’m a bad blogger. I just realized that I never finished blogging about our Hawaiian trip. Yeah, I finished about Hawaii itself but didn’t finish about Vancouver. Here it goes: Jim used our introductory Hilton credit card points to stay at the <a href="http://www3.hilton.com/en/hotels/british-columbia/hilton-vancouver-metrotown-YVRVMHF/index.html" target="_blank">Hilton Vancouver Metrotown</a> in an area known as Burnby. It was an nice hotel within 2 blocks from a very large mall. The only problem with the area is it wasn’t in the true heart of Vancouver’s downtown so we didn’t get the benefit of all the cool restaurants within walking distance. This particular hotel was in a Chinatown or at least a very Asian area. Almost every non-mall restaurant was Asian cuisine. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BxE0Of5m8-E/WT1GeaK1pvI/AAAAAAAAljc/YIo_rQPdZoQswXUGmmPYCRb_8iRV9S7VgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-18-0142" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-05-18 014" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-18 014" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p3QfLzmqLdQ/WT1Ge2W1LVI/AAAAAAAAljg/MgYDTpAXrVMmuri4cX7j4g1e-4NMXhLiACHM/2017-05-18-014_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: View from the hotel room</p> <p>We didn’t do very much while here. We were still in Sloth mode from the cruise. We did go to <a href="http://vancouver.ca/parks-recreation-culture/stanley-park.aspx" target="_blank">Stanley Park</a> to see the views and the nature trails/paths. </p> <p>Views from the park:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zomYuLHZMUw/WT1GfEgJuFI/AAAAAAAAljk/UZEuoNtXyTcrSn0ZuWxspL5KtjJlCGuLwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-17-0072" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-05-17 007" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-17 007" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rPFKclQ9wq4/WT1GfnuH_mI/AAAAAAAAljo/dbwHDOnr5jAJmDNzkRD1d49Krd_AkQ3kgCHM/2017-05-17-007_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YNatROrnhYk/WT1GgJslFhI/AAAAAAAAljs/rjaplR8ZQwQbaSnEHjcxioVOuozWY-Q0wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-17-0082" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-05-17 008" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-17 008" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z72tJgA-A3I/WT1GgUsM1xI/AAAAAAAAljw/TXYFsF-9MCMhM9RtOLqY904MRfaEEcmHACHM/2017-05-17-008_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-szD3y7vygU4/WT1GiNLMU_I/AAAAAAAAlj0/oD9l_Od6DXwpRjAycYdRYLDaqXm_muCSwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-17-0092" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-05-17 009" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-17 009" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nf2bI2roi7M/WT1GikKAQCI/AAAAAAAAlj4/D0GuHWdB9K4RH-q_z91Feb4jWBgKByQDQCHM/2017-05-17-009_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tuIHknF7O40/WT1GjHj9BmI/AAAAAAAAlj8/VctB4qT559U_Z4GvgDZX8CYnELvLH5pQgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-17-0102" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-17 010" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-17 010" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6QZHu-jnotA/WT1Gjd525SI/AAAAAAAAlkA/oeikwITnb2kNfjPWnCDBV7Mv7a1aNCG9QCHM/2017-05-17-010_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p>A couple of critters we encountered on the paths:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uq0It6EYE1A/WT1Gj9-IOrI/AAAAAAAAlkE/g-ouQ7g9U6MzRy1s3ME-GJ_C1vZLleONQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-17-0112" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-05-17 011" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-17 011" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6SM0oRVfWnA/WT1GkXnLByI/AAAAAAAAlkI/Nx2DFv74X3om-KzFnO8sbE29h4Db3GJKgCHM/2017-05-17-011_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zBT3ko5wTSA/WT1Gky1NDyI/AAAAAAAAlkM/_eAsAstoyOswWkg5nwiDbames66jvXjQwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-17-0123" target="_blank"><img width="420" height="743" title="2017-05-17 012" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-17 012" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZCmQp2k-PZU/WT1GlKKOcII/AAAAAAAAlkQ/ZxNPb_QOLkousCu1Zcfabumq_N8Kdee5wCHM/2017-05-17-012_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p>A strange art installation somewhere in Vancouver. I later looked it up on Google.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-36-8mk9W70U/WT1Glr_ol2I/AAAAAAAAlkU/jDf0A3Dr_WMGzpnxpGba6VJaMuplDV7iQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-18-0133" target="_blank"><img width="369" height="652" title="2017-05-18 013" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-18 013" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FIFZOZNfm5A/WT1GmOqsW-I/AAAAAAAAlkY/jLSyzmDlV1oHm8C5vQRGS_BsVGWGK_FYgCHM/2017-05-18-013_thumb1?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: “<a href="http://www.vancouverbiennale.com/artworks/trans-am-totem/" target="_blank">Trans Am Totem</a>”</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q0ezRin-dOA/WT1GmmUMNYI/AAAAAAAAlkc/OzXYgj2ZEgoQOhEYxIxEfLqh0ftWVPrjwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-19-0152" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="262" title="2017-05-19 015" style="margin: 0px auto; border: 0px currentcolor; border-image: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-19 015" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O3iOt6pulzs/WT1GmwVsweI/AAAAAAAAlkg/0YlHYyvKNG0bDuUQLj0q-lYeuhMI30fVACHM/2017-05-19-015_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Our awesome return flight First Class dinner. Look at those cute little salt/pepper shakers. The flight attendant told us it was all a brand new design and this was the first flight she had ever seen it.</p><p align="center"><br></p><p align="center">The End</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-11860847131394846952017-06-10T10:36:00.001-04:002017-06-10T10:36:56.242-04:006-8-17 Thursday (Arts & Crafts)<p>So what’s new with me? Not much really. While I was in Hawaii, some stuff happened at work. Our workforce became slimmer. I’m so sad, although it was inevitable I suppose. Some did get placed into new positions already so that’s promising. My ex-boss, Dana, who I consider a wonderful friend, was one of the casualties. She had an infectious laugh (she was always giggling) and was upbeat and positive. I’m going to miss her but fortunately we’ll stay in touch. There’s still life after work. <p>After we returned from Hawaii, on the following weekend, we enjoyed the 3 days for Memorial Day. I mean, we really needed the time off. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3jNsUiMnL8c/WTwD-4WtbLI/AAAAAAAAlis/joAIY2ktBDUg-PSazfQxmgETKZlttyuXwCHM/s1600-h/fm3%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="fm3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 7px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="fm3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yVaJa5ZRFlc/WTwD_ddM1ZI/AAAAAAAAliw/ffiBiSzJxLgUyobkCish917gxza4EP2OACHM/fm3_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="264" align="left" height="264"></a>Most recently, I returned from a long weekend in Fort Myers, FL. Mom’s health hasn’t really cooperated with her to travel to me. She’s having a hard time with getting fully into dialysis. It would seem she has one issue after another with her dialysis catheter. That’s another story. Anyway, I worked a half day Thursday (6/1) and returned on Monday afternoon. Just me. Jim and I typically travel to Fort Myers separately. It’s just easier so we don’t have to worry about CJ. Another advantage is that I can focus on my family and he can focus on his. Besides, we see his family more often than mine. His lives in or travels to Georgia where we’ll usually rendezvous for a visit.<u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p>I like to stay in a hotel when I visit. My parents don’t really have the room for me and although my cousin, Carissa, does and offers every time, I just prefer to stay in a hotel. It feels more like a vacation. I can come and go as I please. I go to sleep and wake on my schedule, not someone else’s. There’s a pool and/or hot tub, which I typically don’t use.<u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c7KAEm8LxFE/WTwD_ituA6I/AAAAAAAAli0/etgCbY0LmG4oOKvJfNNhtElq6pQL3Ok1QCHM/s1600-h/HI%2Bmap%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="HI map" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="HI map" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zNtIhU1qC_A/WTwEANXiPSI/AAAAAAAAli4/5V97WQ65gBsDy-36jEXaSlPUWeJsV6LmACHM/HI%2Bmap_thumb?imgmax=800" width="280" align="right" height="187"></a>I still haven’t uploaded the Hawaii pictures to Facebook. It’s time consuming. I want to clear out dupes and label the photos. I typically take multiple photos of the same thing except that I like to pick the best one out of the bunch. No one wants to look at the same photo (including me) with just an ever-so-slightly different angle or something. Or so many people post a blurry photo and then the same thing only clear. That drives me a little nuts. When I do get them all done, I’ll post a link to the album. Facebook allows using their site for photo sharing even if others don’t have a Facebook account. It’s an actual option within the album to share a public link. Did you know that? Well, as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G.I._Joe:_A_Real_American_Hero_(1985_TV_series)">GI Joe</a> said, knowing is half the battle. That comment is funnier if you watched the 80’s cartoon. You know, when cartoons and TV in general did PSA’s to help build the moral compass. <p align="center"><u></u><u></u></p><u></u> <p align="center"><u><br><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pele5vptVgc" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></u></p> <p align="center"><u></u><u></u> <p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fKegt01gNQA/WTwEAQvIMqI/AAAAAAAAli8/gh1kBP5mHz4du0fLFMoacax4GkV7jzvRQCHM/s1600-h/heart%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="heart" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 9px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="heart" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sX4lFGmfHMA/WTwEAljcOOI/AAAAAAAAljA/MsBC4LlbflYfd725xgVR6Txw091X8y5PQCHM/heart_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="255" align="left" height="154"></a>June is Gay Pride month (I think it’s been renamed to Pride Month so as not to leave anyone out). I’ve been working on different things for work. Teams were given supplies (tissue paper, crayons, markers, poster board, streamers, colored paper, tape, glue stick, etc) and challenged to use only those supplies to create a panel “showing your support of Inclusion and Diversity”. There were some amazing panels. I was paired with my project’s leaders. The 4 of us collaborated and made it happen. I did a lot of the grunt work (I probably have the least work to do as our project winds down). We’ll also be having a small social that all employees can come to and grab a snack. My company does something like this each month for special groups/clubs we have. We have one for military, women, etc.<u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p>OK, a couple of more things on this topic. <a href="http://www.hrc.org/">HRC</a> (Human Rights Campaign) has a list of where your state stands on certain topics/laws. Visit the site, scroll down about half way and you’ll see a section that says “See what’s happening in your state”. Select your state. The page will change. About half way down is this section:<u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-75RrYPzO-dU/WTwEBDmmvlI/AAAAAAAAljE/_25dv7GtG4gVPszTImxv1_kJ0XvnobnngCHM/s1600-h/HRC-state-support2" target="_blank"><img title="HRC state support" style="background-image: none; float: none; margin: 0px auto; display: block" border="0" alt="HRC state support" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iPqXX3saWmg/WTwEBbuuQBI/AAAAAAAAljI/b-cqyf32HhYadRve0Xf_GbSPsCtrsllswCHM/HRC-state-support_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="318"></a> <p><u></u><u></u> <p>And one more. Here’s a list of some companies who are publicly supporting LGBTQ equality. If they’re not on the list, I don’t think it means they’re haters. It’s not just names but rather, social media posts of short videos, animated GIFs or just a simple photo. There’s some good ones! I’m proud to say my company is listed there!<u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p><a href="http://www.hrc.org/blog/companies-proudly-support-lgbtq-equality">http://www.hrc.org/blog/companies-proudly-support-lgbtq-equality</a></p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-67462940267207840212017-05-31T05:54:00.001-04:002017-05-31T05:54:22.390-04:005-12-17 Friday to 5-19-17 Friday (Hawaiian Vacation Remainder)<p>At this point, the rest of the vacation was slow going. 5/12 to 5/16 we were at sea. 5/17 and 5/18 we were in Vancouver. This particular entry is a hodge-podge of left over info, pictures, etc</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z4GYn9f_6is/WS6Slb9kwzI/AAAAAAAAlfc/p3UiBS1ZxlUYnPTuqs61jwzPjpMQk5TmgCHM/s1600-h/sloth%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="sloth" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px 17px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="sloth" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y8qxH9TQZBY/WS6Sl_JJTyI/AAAAAAAAlfg/SdvFB_wN23cknTohE6fe-j6y-mQDpXIbACHM/sloth_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="228" height="172"></a>So what’d we do at sea? Well… we became sloths. We slept many many many hours. Too many to fess up to without being very embarrassed. Most of the time, we missed breakfast, got up for lunch, and in some cases took a nap between lunch and dinner. We had a long multi-course dinner, sometimes saw a show and then drank with friends at the Martini Bar. We had an alcohol package. What can I say? </p> <p>We frequented that Martini Bar with a group of friends we made during dinners or excursions. Our friends were, straight, gay, young, old, Canadian, Australian… it was quite a mix of people.</p> <p>Martini Bar…</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t8LTs18riWo/WS6SmQPqo0I/AAAAAAAAlfk/QQPXt7pl_LE1ODdSV2B7j6CBwqD7CiarACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-13%2B230%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-13 230" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-13 230" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LKxbHBmwx0I/WS6SmrPZsmI/AAAAAAAAlfo/X9sP1Jm1Bxo4pnNvpsnIDYaiGp7dcCyKACHM/2017-05-13%2B230_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>They had many martinis, this was just a sample menu they offered:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-__nyxh1dMH4/WS6Sm3gZKnI/AAAAAAAAlfs/yzKfKizykAED30PXuKS32lXQT6jLoRr3wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-13%2B233%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-13 233" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-13 233" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qg6CbI6u81E/WS6SnattQaI/AAAAAAAAlfw/ee61xtykfiIDm6dGe8f1Ywk2sfQ-hU92ACHM/2017-05-13%2B233_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" width="432" height="766"></a></p> <p>More evidence: </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-loyWLpDF3II/WS6SnguoE5I/AAAAAAAAlf0/TY6-eQVjCHQclyzn2xhsgb5MyttR1KN8gCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-14%2B256%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-14 256" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-14 256" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vKxhE9ZQd5E/WS6SoIx1fVI/AAAAAAAAlf4/KBx0JfUYsQkcAf_HomJ2LSu-VQTNh0e3gCHM/2017-05-14%2B256_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vIff4AQsfx0/WS6SodKt-1I/AAAAAAAAlf8/95BxJb8JUi4bYMDS-Zt5wt362FoZXhzVgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-14%2B253%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-14 253" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-14 253" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2EhNZMhj8Eo/WS6So_c8aKI/AAAAAAAAlgA/ONpEPD9etHQJ8bOah6pbxmnqk7n_W487gCHM/2017-05-14%2B253_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="460" height="612"></a></p> <p>Our favorite Martini Bartender, John from Romania:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jfI470lBCHc/WS6SpOKqf0I/AAAAAAAAlgE/mVIS4WXEezkfm0U3IQCRcIzuc1VAfDZKQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-13%2B236%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-13 236" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-13 236" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2sIZJn3pTVc/WS6SpVUI6iI/AAAAAAAAlgI/oyZJA8-0as0uPsLJn-i-qzL4LQcd8-1bACHM/2017-05-13%2B236_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N9hA0ya73Fo/WS6Spxc0GQI/AAAAAAAAlgM/jenBkRwt7hEo9kMHcRggu6jzd1p6DJvsQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-16%2B003%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-16 003" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-16 003" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KPHnYTYJEYw/WS6SqO6-cGI/AAAAAAAAlgQ/lpMsuqOR72EhJrj0csdpn6eB-M6IzDokACHM/2017-05-16%2B003_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="453" height="803"></a></p> <p>One night they had a great silent disco party. For whatever reason, they had it in the Martini Bar. Anyway, it was fun. If you’ve never heard of it:</p> <blockquote> <p>People dance to music listened to on wireless headphones. Rather than using a speaker system, music is broadcast via a radio transmitter with the signal being picked up by wireless headphone receivers worn by the participants. Those without the headphones hear no music, giving the effect of a room full of people dancing to nothing. <p>In the earliest days of silent discos, before 2005, there would be only one channel available to listen to music through. Over time, the technology moved along to where there were two, and later technology allowed for a third channel that three separate DJs could broadcast over at the same time.</p></blockquote> <p>Our silent disco’s headphones had 3 channels. Depending on which channel you switched your headphones to would make them light up a specific color coordinated to the music type. There was current music, 70’s and 80’s rock… I think. The most interesting thing was tuning into the current dance music tracks, noticing the blue color and then looking around at who else is listening to that channel. It was amusing at how many old-er people were listening to it.</p> <p align="left">Take a look:</p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/90Wof1j6Cic" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="left">One night, a couple of guys with bags came to the bar and started making everyone balloon items. They didn’t work for the cruise line. It was funny:</p> <p align="left"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AljuJ4jxJjs/WS6Sqq81aQI/AAAAAAAAlgU/v_gCUBz4n8M9PXVkx2_rvsoLSPK7WOsQQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-15%2B268%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-15 268" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-15 268" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HgYXjDfXA-M/WS6Sq1JCi2I/AAAAAAAAlgY/UxAz6k583NAIhM6Puy-PAXle7lNP2iamgCHM/2017-05-15%2B268_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kehfAZgg1xw/WS6SrIiiGNI/AAAAAAAAlgc/32HJRxEe4Co8FewpzD1xYZiQ_KJmViYPACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-15%2B270%255B6%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-15 270" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-15 270" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dkBP3pIyJ-c/WS6SrigvpZI/AAAAAAAAlgg/WmqxAMLLC2QC-LWYo7xFHMFio0tkpFYDwCHM/2017-05-15%2B270_thumb%255B7%255D?imgmax=800" width="453" height="568"></a></p> <p>Curious about some of the menus? Dinner:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u11IST-yw0Q/WS6Sr1DWvOI/AAAAAAAAlgk/NYdt7yetZiQ2gr4R_Dv0isSSgDqz8c0iQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-16%2B002%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-16 002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-16 002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e2OjzuZ-n7A/WS6SsIdA-rI/AAAAAAAAlgo/n4YTKXquzZQYUBDuR5OOJvJ9nRfcYpF9ACHM/2017-05-16%2B002_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="442" height="784"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0ppbChTlCBE/WS6SsnqatcI/AAAAAAAAlgs/44pcT6j5Db4AE-L1Ye7-SfbB1LTirj-FgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-14%2B240%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-14 240" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-14 240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I7FJ-g1_RXo/WS6Ss491yfI/AAAAAAAAlgw/I-dU1L6r15wZvJIgIm5OZWyaKYAI1sVaQCHM/2017-05-14%2B240_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" width="431" height="764"></a></p> <p>Lunch:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xcQSglAlYWY/WS6StOtFBNI/AAAAAAAAlg0/TNbXYMjVRh8AID7k5ddktt6XTYizYElqQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-14%2B239%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-14 239" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-14 239" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xSCS34Vx75M/WS6StuuViaI/AAAAAAAAlg4/yL84PUkeVUMzCErClp6unecJ9WNKKlTugCHM/2017-05-14%2B239_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" width="423" height="749"></a></p> <p>One of the many desserts we ate. I just thought this one was pretty and worthy of a photo. Meet Baked Alaska:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dCt7BV3JS1k/WS6SuBPZ1hI/AAAAAAAAlg8/wZTLF5ZakigkODByh4Y1CBNZhn_r-beHwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-15%2B001%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-15 001" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-15 001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fPXAy2C16hQ/WS6SuaCF1kI/AAAAAAAAlhA/nh6c1aap4HU3eKoTy0BuGY2K7x1RVtRsACHM/2017-05-15%2B001_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="386" height="682"></a></p> <p>Here’s a price list to have laundry done onboard. There’s no public facility. Check out the price for a pair of socks!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0cLWWB2Pqsc/WS6SuokO64I/AAAAAAAAlhE/g1sGEYz8_8Mpqvsv2-N5CpucpzDlgxNNQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-12%2B225%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-12 225" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-12 225" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BbZzJOPxn-E/WS6SvL1TVnI/AAAAAAAAlhI/kD5-OabldUsMGsUL1syc3t8lS6S6m5wsQCHM/2017-05-12%2B225_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="368" height="653"></a></p> <p>If you’re curious, here’s a copy of the daily newsletter they leave in the cabin each day.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U9kZnQiaQZU/WS6SvQT4gvI/AAAAAAAAlhM/zLqq4F1rBfIw7XhXK1HGveYofHIQgI8kQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-15-Celebrity-Today-Page-15" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-15 Celebrity Today Page 1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-15 Celebrity Today Page 1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vejGDvSWFFE/WS6SvzGd6hI/AAAAAAAAlhQ/V51w9cvJTsQfe1MsuzA1DMcCnJUxyqPEACHM/2017-05-15-Celebrity-Today-Page-1_th?imgmax=800" width="458" height="629"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rkokxVtf1zk/WS6SwfxU6AI/AAAAAAAAlhU/RwRKUz9O2fMJc3mJJh3eSzoiEw5Yr56EgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-15-Celebrity-Today-Page-25" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-15 Celebrity Today Page 2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-15 Celebrity Today Page 2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QsbN4G1pSJg/WS6SwktYkPI/AAAAAAAAlhY/2DDoXHRC8d0ku7Zwj8GFD4V-xov3ix1ogCHM/2017-05-15-Celebrity-Today-Page-2_th?imgmax=800" width="459" height="630"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FtLOyjdrh6Q/WS6SxBs7JxI/AAAAAAAAlhc/Bmyn4-SmhiAZr2INT-vB0XCLW3QY0llOACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-15-Celebrity-Today-Page-35" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-15 Celebrity Today Page 3" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-15 Celebrity Today Page 3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uf4WrQ29EcU/WS6SydHyENI/AAAAAAAAlhg/lqws2U-IQ1AVfwsm8EGwyRfyBif3nCN9QCHM/2017-05-15-Celebrity-Today-Page-3_th?imgmax=800" width="465" height="637"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NK7U5m6Kqoc/WS6Sy6IgjtI/AAAAAAAAlhk/qnGSjJYN7eoEpfwPCSkNJVaHERy67xi9gCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-15-Celebrity-Today-Page-46" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-15 Celebrity Today Page 4" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-15 Celebrity Today Page 4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n3J_j7BtIH0/WS6SzNOrxYI/AAAAAAAAlho/gjDOTBqDNronoNM_KBNU8wusoMAIm_2wQCHM/2017-05-15-Celebrity-Today-Page-4_th?imgmax=800" width="461" height="633"></a></p> <p>If you haven’t already figured it out, we loved this vacation. It was amazing. Best part of it? The Shaka GPS driving tour. </p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vuZbescVeWc" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p>We’d like to go back sans the cruise. We love cruises as evident by the fact this was our ninth. The problem for us, was we need more time in ports. We had plenty of time on Oahu/Honolulu because we stayed in a hotel for a few days and also the ship stayed in the port overnight. Maybe next time, we do a cruise that stays in each port longer or just spent a week on 1 or 2 islands. I’m thinking no cruise though. We’d definitely rent a car and explore. Maybe we’d take some tours too. There’s many waterfalls we wouldn’t have seen without a tour company. </p> <p>I’ll probably have 1-2 more posts about the trip. I’ll tell you about Vancouver soon.</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-67559523346853880802017-05-29T19:20:00.001-04:002017-05-29T19:20:59.535-04:005-11-17 Thursday (Kailua Kona)<p>Today we have a 9am-3pm excursion on the other side of the Big Island. Yesterday was Hilo, today is Kailua Kona.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yxoUCsGpEBI/WSyslTKbbnI/AAAAAAAAlck/qY9zlgmlSggWd_b3829WJedpejndfN2JQCHM/s1600-h/image%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bZub_r0r4xw/WSysl_Q7paI/AAAAAAAAlco/AZonXBQ-QKg5VvpkyrB4n5xn9ywI4VVmQCHM/image_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="519" height="595"></a></p> <p>Our excursion? Kohala Waterfalls Adventure - Immerse yourself in stunning <strong>private</strong> waterfalls, tranquil streams, scenic coastlines and rugged valleys on this North Kohala adventure. Kick off the fun with an off-road drive to an exclusive trailhead.</p> <h6><strong>Highlights include:</strong></h6> <ul> <li>Ramble off-road in a 6-wheel-drive Pinzgauer (an Austrian military vehicle) <li>Take a relaxed, guided walk through a private nature reserve <li>Cool off with a swim under one of seven cascading waterfalls <li>Walk through a restored ancient Hawaiian agricultural site <li>Enjoy a private picnic lunch with views of soaring seacliffs and remote valleys, at one of the island’s best scenic lookouts </li></ul> <p>This tour was on private lands as well. Our tour guide, Uncle Danny… wait… wasn’t Uncle Danny yesterday’s tour guide? Well coincidence, we got him again. This side of the island is actually where he lives and generally guides. So we took a small bus from Kailua Kona to Hawi (see map below). </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jYydKFkANsQ/WSysmdvtaxI/AAAAAAAAlcs/JsdznAQJgHI9bD3zgDiU7OJqOFxvL03sgCHM/s1600-h/image%255B7%255D" target="_blank"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pFn0BCafPWo/WSysmqkS5aI/AAAAAAAAlcw/sNvLgBWcj10xYtHUhOdgmq3lWLhjWcvjwCHM/image_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" width="446" height="471"></a></p> <p>Pros: We got to see the terrain change. Near Kailua Kona, there isn’t much for landscape. The land is still healing from an eruption years ago. As we drove to Hawi, the landscape/terrain changed. We were back to tropical. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DcZMtI6UT6Q/WSysnLxGjCI/AAAAAAAAlc0/kM3TsuVoGSsFrngw6zFbsVkRT9TiikdGgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B417%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 417" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 417" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bk0UsfKmQbU/WSysnWfBIMI/AAAAAAAAlc4/HRaQX6EvjMQ3vTPRamDfQTMveb1UnO1EQCHM/2017-05-11%2B417_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Scrunched into a Pinzgauer (an Austrian military vehicle) to get to the waterfalls.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hSJxljz20P0/WSysoA4eANI/AAAAAAAAlc8/yr8m-eiyYqUF2uwnTDdSEsM2EM6otNEVACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B427%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 427" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 427" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ca5WnT5Qmwo/WSysospGLgI/AAAAAAAAldA/BIoUFJZAV4wXOVso3Q-in-vPyfkH9lv4wCHM/2017-05-11%2B427_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-732zIk9si_U/WSysozVRZUI/AAAAAAAAldE/Sj95uZrVjq0usEEDm30zJPIGESSkCV-nACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B210%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 210" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 210" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NuewCCZPpvg/WSyspUxot4I/AAAAAAAAldI/Wcekuy6Gfk0R2UIbgavGjRVjauCdLPwywCHM/2017-05-11%2B210_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8vSvoRM-ycQ/WSysplv5d7I/AAAAAAAAldM/nK-LCOR9Pjoja3C_sdW3V4CAYWbEgp-kQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B211%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 211" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 211" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fGdVId43l_Y/WSyspxdszUI/AAAAAAAAldQ/63wUbejA2JgMiyI_X6-69EZXp39UKD-mgCHM/2017-05-11%2B211_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C2MlTxlDH2M/WSysqTwDfKI/AAAAAAAAldU/X9K3zcbiE2UDzZputm3coWmEq0Q3Y_uwwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B214%255B11%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 214" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 214" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MMmiiTIwlT0/WSysq5gJUJI/AAAAAAAAldY/6pxPAKsAJekGitVK27uznWd1v1zRfnNdACHM/2017-05-11%2B214_thumb%255B9%255D?imgmax=800" width="442" height="782"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JTI0HvmLTe0/WSysrdp9eII/AAAAAAAAldc/IY63KOuRUFcnOuxkSEkkvlU4My7qVN7JQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B215%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 215" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 215" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CwsJWs1HLqI/WSysrk2GoYI/AAAAAAAAldg/W0aEpzU0FekOdG6CexN81TBGDmGHHn44gCHM/2017-05-11%2B215_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="406" height="541"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F3xs7CYeZQ8/WSyssQoNeAI/AAAAAAAAldk/dFj_-B1bGUEtGIMJYgZ0Lrh9ShcCmnXBwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B216%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 216" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 216" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cKLcdIvvaOA/WSyssmXBdAI/AAAAAAAAldo/isLTadMYRzAS200AGVM3qQohcgVj8JycgCHM/2017-05-11%2B216_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="432" height="766"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iE24lf0JJWY/WSystCded9I/AAAAAAAAlds/09magRdVT5YAIRDJXj1z6xFI3tJqKWJBwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B217%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 217" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 217" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mv8T91YBk1Q/WSystjH0rKI/AAAAAAAAldw/vRM3ONasGy47a_l8YpsQy0dDGoOytgr1QCHM/2017-05-11%2B217_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dGiDHToZer8/WSysuK6zqII/AAAAAAAAld0/hpUFdprbZfkZb1zBGXQx6-O5vu9RH3L2ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B436%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 436" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 436" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PrEBwwlVlH4/WSysuWnykYI/AAAAAAAAld4/r93rA2HAes8msRl7WLs0xu-Ib4RXx3g-wCHM/2017-05-11%2B436_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="445" height="593"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z9IfgAuuGc8/WSysu4-tGrI/AAAAAAAAld8/DFKi3_AY7n0UXwctPAt6xvICppPKYBfhQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B433%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 433" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 433" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jGGd9pqVx7k/WSysvIVbR2I/AAAAAAAAleA/Yd45kRmLz-4MMwuJXuJZkvYV-c9f11sGwCHM/2017-05-11%2B433_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>At one of the waterfalls, everyone was invited in for a swim. Only a few partook. Jim was one of them. Jim said, “It was cold! Not romantic at all.”</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eNt2hhS21yo/WSysveKZF_I/AAAAAAAAleE/p5TDy0A4gSgrxf3V8GRMc7JrJaNtfcHHQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B429%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 429" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 429" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OWsf6R8xfvU/WSysv9EGOzI/AAAAAAAAleI/d4V-MPPU42000oXGkvIhxrceVVTyu6AYACHM/2017-05-11%2B429_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dtvSvUnUq_k/WSyswMisjeI/AAAAAAAAleM/yncovZpEG4oLXEzi6Gki_Gea9rhk-PbpQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B430%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 430" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 430" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mNDkC-fsQdY/WSyswqFKQlI/AAAAAAAAleQ/d0ZfGjA1SdgWBM2vXi6E3To_JZ7AttQyACHM/2017-05-11%2B430_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sdUDvZi87JQ/WSysxL7zkrI/AAAAAAAAleU/w0ELaRHrJ5ATfJe0RFL_ejWOJcEDBn0nACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B431%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 431" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 431" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KGPiMBblF3s/WSysxd9AJVI/AAAAAAAAleY/SkTFF9tOB84TUCSUsCunFhcR5fUDY-ZewCHM/2017-05-11%2B431_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TXMteXsDQ9A/WSysxx3HgPI/AAAAAAAAlec/qgBR0s0c86wYV1tU4PvI_Akp-QvFFvIJACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B432%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 432" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 432" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LVrOKW6hOPI/WSysydd5idI/AAAAAAAAleg/pV0NSkCexIMZoPxe2wyxa90OrYPff5TawCHM/2017-05-11%2B432_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We ended up here for lunch. This overlook with several picnic tables. Uncle Danny had drinks, chips and sandwiches. What a friggin’ view.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LpdRe7gUEAw/WSysyu8ykEI/AAAAAAAAlek/1oTVfB7yAnQ0lBb-fwa3gJBRLJI_zWb9QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B218%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 218" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 218" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jeGbWMfwyz0/WSyszPembDI/AAAAAAAAleo/9V5-eSnybAwEdVTSWoaPZASycsYe-jK2wCHM/2017-05-11%2B218_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Rl0t06OpZ0/WSyszr2xLKI/AAAAAAAAles/QhPwKUZNMOMJtSWis6j1VQ0h4Dq3UFQ5ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B219%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 219" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 219" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pb2sZcgix0M/WSys0OM86ZI/AAAAAAAAlew/kOYXcl_K2vwHHETbujOU4psrH1TYmOPmwCHM/2017-05-11%2B219_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>A couple of short videos:</p> <p><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/bxCLtw15Qvc" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p> </p> <p><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/alQYNK5jKuk" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center">How do we end a day like this? Back on the ship with a cocktail and stunning view of course:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v3HMskGxtYE/WSys0kLN1-I/AAAAAAAAle0/du_2kSDqsNYyGH5y1qgxOmkPocpc1HmVQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B224%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 224" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 224" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HiLcZOxRVrw/WSys02vEviI/AAAAAAAAle4/B_rnhLB_Mtskr8rKoHehaql9GAYtmy80ACHM/2017-05-11%2B224_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--P8ALYEzWy0/WSys1Vb9ImI/AAAAAAAAle8/BhJtxvygdUkjByRNRKhE0S2FAyHYyx3WgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B222%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 222" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 222" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-w8ipdq69NgI/WSys1nhufnI/AAAAAAAAlfA/MdRFmm5EAuEPC2l8VsSz-AjJuctyt9uIwCHM/2017-05-11%2B222_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2TirvwhWfSw/WSys2E183FI/AAAAAAAAlfE/kfvveozDUGEUn0XZTpKqcnhb7E6FfElRwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-11%2B223%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-11 223" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-11 223" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V-A3Llgvc_0/WSys2mQLXsI/AAAAAAAAlfI/a_GKqifewTQ231bNsvBFOtEMV5CyhVEVgCHM/2017-05-11%2B223_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-71159394038235300482017-05-28T15:19:00.001-04:002017-05-28T15:19:38.862-04:005-10-17 Wednesday (Hilo)<p>We woke up as our ship arrived to Hilo (The Big Island). We have an early excursion booked. Actually, we have 2 excursions. The first is the “Waterfall, Cave and Black Sand Cove” tour. Our tour guide was “Uncle” Danny, a very active native Hawaiian who still surfs! His middle name is quite a long traditional Hawaiian name. He goes by Uncle Danny because of his cultures admiration and respect for elders. </p> <p>Any who, as the name of the tour indicates, we had 3 sights, which were located in different places, different stops. </p> <p>Below: The waterfalls were actually on someone’s private property that the tour company pays to allow us to visit. If I remember right, there were 3 different waterfalls on the same property.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k3xrwrJ78SY/WSsicuwC68I/AAAAAAAAlYE/1mJRujedxfskHsL70EE58C6dve8PPxT6gCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B184%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 184" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 184" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6nInyLerglI/WSsidCUKp3I/AAAAAAAAlYI/6xk2ZXFemkkvENBbEbyxQ83UT8uCUAv6wCHM/2017-05-10%2B184_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UV0AM1yo1_Q/WSsideg_7HI/AAAAAAAAlYM/X24riUBCiNwVXvIlLrj06Gpb9abM0p_0ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B175%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 175" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 175" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-85pmknT9YK0/WSsid2uDonI/AAAAAAAAlYQ/2jfIcOz5FqIYaJE-tuB8QbNGdpb2JVNhwCHM/2017-05-10%2B175_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ipNlXMz3osM/WSsieSHCpAI/AAAAAAAAlYU/Y9GszwmsWrkdcb7etnwtz503nq0JXeXrACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B177%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 177" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 177" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cjmRA1E8bgE/WSsiemT8fsI/AAAAAAAAlYY/LlYoiclrNTwHjDF139jxp5dmJRPP3sIMACHM/2017-05-10%2B177_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VurQcZ4g3m0/WSsiezZk9CI/AAAAAAAAlYc/JvnjnK9i2m87iANrG96hgGC-Vd40Gih-ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B183%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 183" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 183" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8YTM37TJ4LA/WSsifZ1YZ7I/AAAAAAAAlYg/5wr9Zh1fpFA4h4kugOM-EvL_qIR2BLycACHM/2017-05-10%2B183_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RFdN9P-gbC0/WSsifvtN9pI/AAAAAAAAlYk/T1RrrfPqrIUGlrudQiuAm2S5tjeqDv0bgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B386%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 386" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 386" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h61H54Y_mx8/WSsif02AmQI/AAAAAAAAlYo/uiWqoyb_72Ug_RYF6bdHRI2Qk8zsXe8LQCHM/2017-05-10%2B386_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AjWTFaaZuKg/WSsigUvWZwI/AAAAAAAAlYs/K9XMKcqPg0gcRYWjsgYkR42Z0KNU8u5mgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B387%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 387" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 387" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tXyZ3tZuUNc/WSsighOLZ0I/AAAAAAAAlYw/EQ4Ic526s6k1IeKxRYSNiaWkGoTZywLHwCHM/2017-05-10%2B387_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YV5LkbxQpbk/WSsihBP3T9I/AAAAAAAAlY0/Zr8bFx_yRvwNVuIucmo_2fXvDXsHn1AhgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B388%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 388" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 388" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4H3LtE4BeEw/WSsihamT7uI/AAAAAAAAlY4/eIhoC8u4YksNcWMVM4qxLSnX5w_OHVFwACHM/2017-05-10%2B388_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vqreJyIf9YQ/WSsih_xLcjI/AAAAAAAAlY8/94WwE4tm79ESBUdhwgiSwztQmZ_dwFrSwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B389%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 389" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 389" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CjwwAmK61_w/WSsiiKlzfWI/AAAAAAAAlZA/BrMs-qJ9DNkajEbBwwBEtWq5_T71L6RaACHM/2017-05-10%2B389_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Below: We climbed down some steep ass treacherous steps and went a few feet into the cave. We could see others ahead with flashlights. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z8XyQI5zt_w/WSsiiakXS6I/AAAAAAAAlZE/EtSRQHUCbl8I9Ne_si3ZkanRdp4RvFjBQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B185%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 185" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 185" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WbyWBaJS3x8/WSsii0I1JXI/AAAAAAAAlZI/chEC9BLJXZkq3CH-ZGRLiNMkWzcR4TD_QCHM/2017-05-10%2B185_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DAy5n0VjZHA/WSsijLnMN5I/AAAAAAAAlZM/JMcsI-aTP9UEpUzPa2qrNgf-lhsNv9yCACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B189%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 189" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 189" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fFGrsXyiDvo/WSsijqPa0aI/AAAAAAAAlZQ/8JMctifZam0iY4XLPFxwQvRKE_ykdQsVACHM/2017-05-10%2B189_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wo8AKwG24es/WSsij7CtluI/AAAAAAAAlZU/8R9z08JeQwkYqK4eTMLJjB6s1aCMG6swwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B186%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 186" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 186" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cu6qO0iJC2E/WSsikKIG6RI/AAAAAAAAlZY/ZsAVs4yuc6w1VSdjpblYtisqnQIAUnEkQCHM/2017-05-10%2B186_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O2Ou_tEbBKs/WSsikt7UkRI/AAAAAAAAlZc/FIglEWUDMdwdGVzSWtAQbjcwyMxO6l48gCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B188%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 188" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCm7DCPdbjI/WSsik-NO8dI/AAAAAAAAlZg/ggpQ9-14d4cn8o9A8OEyEC5d4YMLY8qjwCHM/2017-05-10%2B188_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="430" height="573"></a></p> <p>The first 3 photos were taken as we walked to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richardson_Beach" target="_blank">Richardson’s Beach</a>. It’s either fresh water or brackish water (I can’t remember). Richardson Beach is the only beach in the Hilo area with black sand and green sand.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sXOvOLD_ytw/WSsilPfqAQI/AAAAAAAAlZk/IRFwZRzkoqwJeTP9vXFrQZ3OJYsASDM1wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B396%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 396" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 396" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dvDuED2rOBQ/WSsilh3lb2I/AAAAAAAAlZo/5NUQgz6UTXohWgVeeMbCV5CxumKoQBb9QCHM/2017-05-10%2B396_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Y_p4-j16MuM/WSsil_LzIcI/AAAAAAAAlZs/8FV1ld_BzvMxyKMaaguS8Gws-yMSqQPZACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B191%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 191" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 191" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-luyPqBsDOoQ/WSsimTCkq1I/AAAAAAAAlZw/MCSK3NM0pN0vEafBDVpeR2VDlDK48Kf1QCHM/2017-05-10%2B191_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mdzPLhfarxg/WSsimvb538I/AAAAAAAAlZ0/TMglmudUJTAilZj8pT3cRn8ZzQa-KgUOQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B395%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 395" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 395" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ewi7rlE27xE/WSsinOGaMVI/AAAAAAAAlZ4/WhGj_DqMh64vbxLGpfrgUrJd_u5sSTcmwCHM/2017-05-10%2B395_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZIDCCa91Xgw/WSsinQTX2MI/AAAAAAAAlZ8/Vlw_87frQ8U19MquqNjYNICB_yCMCFdhACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B192%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 192" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 192" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sXKQgs-DVQQ/WSsinneBv5I/AAAAAAAAlaA/zNVAZ-_gVz8ZzZZPmgEdnSUdpZ0ZlLI-gCHM/2017-05-10%2B192_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-27O9VT7EyiY/WSsin1V5L2I/AAAAAAAAlaE/4sJCBglCkzQgU1mxxpmD2bUI_y6bMxwugCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B195%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 195" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 195" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0sg7TdLiu00/WSsioXXLewI/AAAAAAAAlaI/L6O1E27e7dwlD18N19GAK7jZ4A8DNA4xgCHM/2017-05-10%2B195_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="76"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LnZRRhgjRlw/WSsiorFwogI/AAAAAAAAlaM/Aq57yPIhzcAVIQj8w7CidVFzkYUSp5ojQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B391%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 391" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 391" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cLgpglftyfc/WSsipGliuaI/AAAAAAAAlaQ/LsHAEZe93ZUgEywcjGNkK9QZkqqYbe3yACHM/2017-05-10%2B391_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B-jPQS2j9CA/WSsipZFNgAI/AAAAAAAAlaU/n_rS7KO0iCs0RBNrLwjDuAgGHAfgPUWBgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B394%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 394" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 394" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wwP_Q9HBQOw/WSsipqw83RI/AAAAAAAAlaY/UTpn49HnkcMiZbNwY0Rm2jGFt5ZEIw0rQCHM/2017-05-10%2B394_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We also stopped at a chocolate factory, <a href="https://www.bigislandcandies.com/" target="_blank">Big Island Candies</a>.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kpk1cq0SFIc/WSsiqNj4CpI/AAAAAAAAlac/8IxlGa2jP1EN60q0SkemMMBIjV8D-v05QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B190%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 190" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 190" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q7qEMxpWM3E/WSsiqWmolGI/AAAAAAAAlag/exykqmf0oagRBxcRp8NVIP7n84-QEIHfACHM/2017-05-10%2B190_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Behind glass, workers are dipping all sorts of goodies into chocolate.</p> <p>We saw these chocolate dipped squid “treats” there but did not partake. Here’s a photo from their website:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-74YuX9YYzbE/WSsiqutAMJI/AAAAAAAAlak/n22kezXuVoU1JIEzhLFSm6e6qIIhrzNhwCHM/s1600-h/image%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1tRfat1t8sY/WSsirGm1oQI/AAAAAAAAlao/zUSCL6fij-wpYojTpIjXXDJzB9tOAfaJQCHM/image_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" width="569" height="231"></a></p> <p>The tour ended with a drop off to the ship. We boarded, dropped off our chocolately treats and headed for some lunch. We hit the buffet (excellent as previously mentioned) because we had another excursion to take! Yep. Another. Another helicopter tour to see some lava!</p> <p><strong><u><font size="3" face="Danto">Circle of Fire Plus Waterfalls</font></u></strong> - Tour the most geologically active environment on earth which has been continuously erupting since 1983. Tour emphasis is on the most current areas of volcanic activity. View lava flows, tropical rain forests and cascading waterfalls while learning about the history and culture of Hawaii.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>We bought the $40 video, I uploaded it to YouTube but unfortunately the tour company has music playing in the background that has been flagged as copyrighted. The video from the other day seemed to have passed the filters. I can’t cut out the music since that would also cut out the pilot’s narration so here’s a couple of short videos I took. Besides, were you really going to watch 45 minutes of their video? I think not.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XhS73g-fEck/WSsirjB9DVI/AAAAAAAAlas/5iIJ0OU8E4oKSyAKJZt9SdoDxpgU9YJBACHM/s1600-h/image2" target="_blank"><img title="image" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FXS-8OQR4_g/WSsir10dNEI/AAAAAAAAlaw/AVTd7wn1trYITl-UcDofLJLlELNerezHACHM/image_thumb?imgmax=800" width="434" height="347"></a></p> <p>On the last tour, our pilot was Kristi Hickey. We liked her. While talking to her she mentioned she was going to help on Hilo with some tours with the same company. We said we were booked for a tour around the same time (we all couldn’t remember exact dates). When we arrived here, we asked if she was working. They said yes, we requested her and we had her once again!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4G2Cpas8TbE/WSsisE28VjI/AAAAAAAAla0/PuaQ4qdiwQ8CZ1DwIgSuWXoWWtDCEscPACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B199%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 199" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 199" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BOv0bjmk6rU/WSsisicuV9I/AAAAAAAAla4/KnDf3m2dADoLlz8EjoFVXvcnua5IacHwgCHM/2017-05-10%2B199_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QkiRPg2-UFU/WSsis01HOQI/AAAAAAAAla8/IfjIcpRH710UppFYqvAZQQrwwh3qk0wfQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B398%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 398" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 398" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-evY8MK8mRww/WSsitagWpgI/AAAAAAAAlbA/pvgos_B2AbgOoINGoU2IoCHkpxzcyOGtACHM/2017-05-10%2B398_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vxjVU-5umUU/WSsitmiS92I/AAAAAAAAlbE/MKyPfWDo0f8RBUwOSFDHG9doCKQ-nafLgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B399%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 399" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 399" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K5cbwuvWIXM/WSsitx-FXwI/AAAAAAAAlbI/0ajUEsctX4gjixoMt4_0mhTQAC3m1Y5GwCHM/2017-05-10%2B399_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LwWNnHsPGNk/WSsiuFAdEtI/AAAAAAAAlbM/ifaiXvkUqZMcl4kuxOqIRW5Wrhw1lfX7ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B407%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 407" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 407" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RQq_PELNntA/WSsiul1G4uI/AAAAAAAAlbQ/dhtXakPyCM84_QtMJaMcODfZ0bACTdlQACHM/2017-05-10%2B407_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Those 2 bright orange dots? Lava.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Z5SxKJlMp5w/WSsiu0zl8QI/AAAAAAAAlbU/Yw-cq1HD2B8NTtDtrkExGFabEOaT0ao9wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B403%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 403" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 403" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y9ILsqb0u4s/WSsivbzSUOI/AAAAAAAAlbY/r_V3rxtWHuQMljz0QGv_yusj_Jhc3JSrwCHM/2017-05-10%2B403_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4NQsKu2P_VM/WSsivta0p2I/AAAAAAAAlbc/xMXZualIZDYzlY1SKgasmAqwk8FphINzACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B405%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 405" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 405" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-08v3WjCJfz4/WSsiv2CpJuI/AAAAAAAAlbg/zeKri2L48sYKt64KAIo9zKBZkj0BwRFawCHM/2017-05-10%2B405_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Here’s where it flows into the Pacific. We could only see some orange spots here and there but later tonight, we’ll see the lava at night while on the ship:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RnKS923IOIc/WSsiwH3iI1I/AAAAAAAAlbk/rVY3Ul0Wa5IttMeIAqHGT_CMmk5bqXoaACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B204%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 204" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 204" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P5m4rAE05o8/WSsiwVRs-_I/AAAAAAAAlbo/gl08jF1Js2MMkdM1cqvbNU0xUgH7oMergCHM/2017-05-10%2B204_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p>And on the way back to the helicopter headquarters (airport):</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qLwiKpd2yjo/WSsiw_uz6MI/AAAAAAAAlbs/1mDWx842kpIuPTSjOsJ-r58LKjl_9EvLACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B207%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 207" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 207" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BIfYik0zhVI/WSsixJvjBUI/AAAAAAAAlbw/lu4AxVP-_Ic5FdY0atvbT01Kjkbt1xraQCHM/2017-05-10%2B207_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p>Back on board the ship, we had our typical sit down 4 or 5 course dinner. Mmmmmmmmm. I will post a sample menu sometime in this blog. </p> <p>Around 10pm, the ship approached the lava flow. We were in the theater at the end of a show. An announcement was made over the ship wide PA system stating we had arrived to the lava flow. As soon as that show ended (a minute or 2 later), everyone rushed to the upper decks on one side of the ship; we began to list. OK, we didn’t list to one side. Made you think, didn’t I? We could see the bright orange glow and smoke/Sulphur/steam as it flowed into the Pacific. It was amazing. It was a little heard to see because of some plexiglass rail barriers. We didn’t get a great spot to view from. The gap between the glass was 6 inches which offered a view. The captain announced he’d swing the ship around to the other side. We rushed down to our cabin and watched in amazement from our balcony. It.was.spectacular. </p> <p>My photos and videos didn’t come out that great but one of the friends we made on board, Audley, took some great phots with a fancy camera. He submitted them in a ship contest for best photo and won a photo package. Anyway, I asked him to email me a copy of his best ones:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PihiIpyBwB8/WSsixeitSAI/AAAAAAAAlb0/_Ou6r7GPJGssd9JGQYrpgOu7U-VmPXxvgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B412%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 412" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 412" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xp9BwagItY4/WSsix3yp5UI/AAAAAAAAlb4/EoWw1OWwwgI9usHo7dO7Ok6ibIg8gsvKgCHM/2017-05-10%2B412_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="261"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3VOSnGC7CnU/WSsiyOxhgzI/AAAAAAAAlb8/z9DjfPTfjc8fag48bN_AouQVWUDyoDEuQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-10%2B413%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-10 413" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-10 413" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kA4BkPjTeSY/WSsiyTEcaCI/AAAAAAAAlcA/QaxochkD2hMdXWTT1bzILhKHBovkAQs-wCHM/2017-05-10%2B413_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="261"></a></p> <p align="center">Here’s 2 very short videos:</p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MK4lFhdOvDk" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VcKUeurHo8g" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p>Exciting day… wasn’t it?</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-61222097989338723162017-05-26T19:55:00.001-04:002017-05-26T19:55:20.703-04:005-9-17 Tuesday (Lahaina/Maui)<p>Today we had an excursion. <a href="https://www.nps.gov/hale/index.htm" target="_blank">Haleakala Crater</a> – House of the Rising Sun. First, I give you morning views from our balcony:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yb2-46PmLaA/WSjASoHLNkI/AAAAAAAAlWI/55ANeHeO4aMLIHVccg4etx9hGK0SV73hgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-1552" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 155" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 155" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WQHMSuRAcT0/WSjATHx3TOI/AAAAAAAAlWM/Gsn8aO0Vq4sZIxv8IxNAcW1LNT24T-jygCHM/2017-05-09-155_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="94"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jLDKnUg-9TI/WSjATaPFCFI/AAAAAAAAlWQ/pZmI_dhOrnc306k0Vv3sd_45-Jf-jV02wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-1562" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 156" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 156" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yZGUxAc_m6k/WSjAT7u38HI/AAAAAAAAlWU/fZa4h9v1SIYnl-MeSA28yIjwdvgtY9mvQCHM/2017-05-09-156_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LG5bVN8x16M/WSjAULht3xI/AAAAAAAAlWY/MD0jmvDivj4Ok_Smu3lIhukM-D5GzvEeACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-1572" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 157" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 157" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pJdTnnyxJTY/WSjAUp52V3I/AAAAAAAAlWc/ZRIlkChYw-woX5Etuc1nHF1ErlCzheYswCHM/2017-05-09-157_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Back to the excursion. Basically, it was an old, old, old, non-active volcano crater where life has since respawned. It was pretty but the drive there was too long. Especially the switch back up the mountain bus drive. The excursion took most of the day. Unfortunately, we only had an hour left before we had to be back on the ship. Here’s some pics:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I-HsaZSeBFk/WSjAU44z5YI/AAAAAAAAlWg/m7Nq5McKUvcNj3H4Te_vCMY3mOF9DoJHACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-1662" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 166" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 166" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MkPPHEzHW20/WSjAVVVOHDI/AAAAAAAAlWk/TLeWhUXvCGEwW6ZGef6Cpwmyli-xE3-fQCHM/2017-05-09-166_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="107"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5xVWV5zRRtA/WSjAVoW06nI/AAAAAAAAlWo/z8cAmZbYpzIDb1IUCUU2evzb2lAFibWPwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-1642" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 164" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 164" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7FbksSsw2Gk/WSjAWPHIXVI/AAAAAAAAlWs/gd5FodIA4vUGSbl1EnMqq6Iwc2kanUusACHM/2017-05-09-164_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-esdTmk-9mm0/WSjAWryLDQI/AAAAAAAAlWw/lDIwBNwOmIYg_1hPkkUNAQ2hg1-DVbn7ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-1652" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 165" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 165" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c-CJ_6KJ88Q/WSjAWyR4luI/AAAAAAAAlW0/zPFIGSHnM04g9UwN9TJD2i-spgIJJK5XACHM/2017-05-09-165_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>There was a huge <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan" target="_blank">banyan</a> tree in the port. As a matter of fact, it’s the largest in the US. If you’re lazy and don’t want to read all about it, then here’s a short blurb about it: </p> <blockquote> <p>The <b>banyan tree in Lahaina</b>, in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maui">Maui</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii">Hawaii</a>, United States, was planted on April 24, 1873, in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lahaina,_Hawaii">Lahaina</a> to mark the 50th anniversary of the arrival of first American <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant">Protestant</a> mission. The banyan tree (<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ficus_benghalensis">Ficus benghalensis</a></i>) known in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaiian_language">Hawaiian</a> as <i>paniana</i>, located in the Courthouse Square, which was renamed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan_Tree_Park">Banyan Tree Park</a> covering 1.94 acres, is not only the largest in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii">state</a> but also in the United States. The tree was a gift from missionaries in India. A mere 8 feet (2.4 m) when planted, it has grown to a height of about 60 feet (18 m) and has rooted into 16 major trunks, apart from the main trunk, with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canopy_(biology)">canopy</a> spread over an area of about 0.66 acres (0.27 ha).</p></blockquote> <p>Here’s the full info if you’d like: <a title="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan_tree_in_Lahaina" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan_tree_in_Lahaina">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan_tree_in_Lahaina</a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-y77OO7-ukjo/WSjAXT7yR4I/AAAAAAAAlW4/o3CuT6Y7HPkojvrvy-VSbt5kRCcr6j5EwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-1692" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 169" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 169" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wpnKqVK6pyU/WSjAX_WwLKI/AAAAAAAAlW8/naFeIWoa96QkkE59-yqRRJyrhAS7whXlACHM/2017-05-09-169_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Another shot of it from across the street. It looks like several trees because they drop vines and reroot but it’s the same tree. Of course, you would have known that if you had read the Wiki link.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JNWccnyxdaU/WSjAYMG-nEI/AAAAAAAAlXA/emfkwSsMGkc6ICSw9HBRdzvzGc7TBsTAgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-3732" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 373" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 373" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tu-t0jhNRw4/WSjAYcI_mlI/AAAAAAAAlXE/hPU9y07jY0Q4w_fOKVoFmlsRgOIC4mODQCHM/2017-05-09-373_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Celebrity is fairly upscale. They had iced towels at the port for us to freshen up. A nice touch.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D_Q75nhxF8M/WSjAY86_dOI/AAAAAAAAlXI/yTXHQJAL2PsbU3LN2v99mzOYNdV5Gl9OwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-1712" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 171" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 171" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U5gsiH6vbo8/WSjAZDFm1EI/AAAAAAAAlXM/lASM8bumJnYSe6GgaVVlhnxOBrp-KV1lQCHM/2017-05-09-171_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>A shot of our ship as we approached it via the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship%27s_tender" target="_blank">tender</a>. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-giNV0xU0Uro/WSjAZk2LkKI/AAAAAAAAlXQ/qv2U-JPrleclnprZKFDPx1RHdMPeZN48wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-09-3792" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-09 379" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-09 379" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D7eghsV4Et0/WSjAZ6QaI8I/AAAAAAAAlXU/oB8-BSP5D6Y7hEkqOxEUusFEixqUJhUTACHM/2017-05-09-379_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Back to the ship…</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-18485572389370982582017-05-25T20:57:00.001-04:002017-05-25T20:57:02.223-04:005-8-17 Monday (Honolulu/Oahu)<p>We started our morning with the breakfast buffet onboard. The options were amazing. Several egg stations to create custom omelets, Eggs Benedict, fried eggs, etc. They had waffles and pancakes. They had Australian and English breakfast favorites as well as Scottish, and some others. There was so much to choose from. </p> <p>Once again, we didn’t snorkel again. Most of that was because we were still touring the island and then we had a hard time finding parking. Then it rained. It just wasn’t meant to be. Sigh. No biggy. </p> <p>Finally. we made it to the <a href="https://www.doleplantation.com/" target="_blank">Dole Planation</a>. We had the world-famous DoleWhip®. The ® is a nice touch, right? Oh, and the DoleWhip (Pineapple icecream) was delicious. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9UXHxt2Cz_Q/WSd9RfnVAkI/AAAAAAAAlVQ/B7C0Bjxaq_c3N-vhg_PQWb1JQJKdHMOXACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-08%2B273%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-08 273" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-08 273" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xmccHzLUmxg/WSd9R5negMI/AAAAAAAAlVU/XwLP_UQk4lQ0h9JLNSGfUINeB5vKpUiCwCHM/2017-05-08%2B273_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>The restroom sign was pretty cool. Here:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7POCfniAx30/WSd9SmIEDYI/AAAAAAAAlVY/fMtRMkUX7OMLbdGakE0K1LBgwKzGopkDQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-08%2B152%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-08 152" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-08 152" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-isuk_jYu97k/WSd9TX3bljI/AAAAAAAAlVc/EZcUaAeRTiU_bvq9irp1ktu6JKqgsu7BACHM/2017-05-08%2B152_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We stopped by a Walmart (surprise!) for an underwater camera. We planned to snorkel and I had forgotten the camera on the ship. As I said in a previous post, we never got the chance to snorkel. Any who, it’s graduation time and Hawaii has a ton of leis to commemorate the occasion. The funny, and I mean funny, thing is the lei I found below. It is… Spam with crackers. Seriously. Scroll down and enjoy:</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>a little more…</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-31PSiJI1OMg/WSd9T9_Q4fI/AAAAAAAAlVg/d5wepkCFm58aqmQv7zHC-NAjP_oKFyGpwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-08%2B151%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-08 151" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-08 151" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XrgHjjvG-_w/WSd9UUH08JI/AAAAAAAAlVk/uY_Dc1VJvsY4z9DdYK2R1npMHwMkJKKcACHM/2017-05-08%2B151_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="465" height="619"></a></p> <p>You’re welcome.</p> <p>We returned the rental and caught an Uber back to the ship. We stopped off at the pool bar and had to cocktail first.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BI2KPM-Jy68/WSd9VPt961I/AAAAAAAAlVo/MjNK1utd5JQUrW7kF4lP1OkStdrsTxMKACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-08%2B153%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-08 153" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-08 153" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N_bGHaudPhw/WSd9VlsVgFI/AAAAAAAAlVs/kZ1L2UfjkZIhNfotqj7-dUGbCMDViI7tQCHM/2017-05-08%2B153_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e8szD1W0jRQ/WSd9WdyxutI/AAAAAAAAlVw/y7T67ZE2WUIag5NP_jI872m-ht9DU2N_QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-08%2B154%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-08 154" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-08 154" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h3aI1G0zZU4/WSd9XAS6chI/AAAAAAAAlV0/hm6dkywTKcAtQ8NrIa1Uba7YynmoCnd2wCHM/2017-05-08%2B154_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>I have no idea what we drank. It was probably good. After cocktails, we showered and went to muster. If you’ve cruised before then you know what it is. If not:</p> <blockquote> <p><font size="4"><font color="#333333"><font face="Pare">A muster drill (also sometimes referred to as a lifeboat drill or a boat drill) is an exercise conducted by the </font><font face="Pare">crew</font><font face="Pare"> of a ship prior to embarking on a voyage. The purpose of a muster drill is to prepare passengers for safe evacuation in the event of an emergency while on board the ship and to familiarize crew and passengers with escape routes. In a muster drill, passengers are educated on the use of </font><font face="Pare">life vests</font><font face="Pare"> and escape routes from the ship.</font><font face="Pare"> It is typically conducted approximately 30 minutes prior to the ship's scheduled departure time and all guests must remain silent during the drill so that everyone will be able to hear the safety announcements from the captain. To alert that the drill is in progress, a general emergency alarm is sounded and after the signal, the captain explains what the passengers need to do.</font></font></font></p></blockquote> <p>Oh, and just so you know, the muster drill is even more boring than that definition above.</p> <p>Our cruise came with perks. One of the free perks we chose was a free classic drink package (alcohol package). Unfortunately, we experienced a lot of push back and package differences from one bar to another this evening which made for unwanted vacation stress. We went to Customer Service and were joined by another couple, Steve and Karen, who had the same issue. We all met with the bar manager. Eventually, we were upgraded to the Premium package for free. This covered more expensive alcohols. Long story short, the package we picked changed since we booked and the changes were poorly communicated throughout the fleet/bars which created the inconsistencies. Apparently, many people were affected and had already complained about it. We joined Steve and Karen for premium cocktails to celebrate our “victory”. We enjoyed their company several more times throughout the cruise.</p> <p> </p> <p>Depart at 10pm</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-8458587757833157802017-05-23T18:17:00.001-04:002017-05-23T18:17:26.774-04:005-7-17 Sunday (Honolulu/Oahu – The Cruise Begins)<p>As you can see by the title, today we board our ship. First a quick trip to <a href="https://www.leonardshawaii.com/home/" target="_blank">Leonard’s Bakery</a>. This was a stop on our Shaka GPS tour. We had cinnamon malasadas (donut without a hole) that were tasty. Every order is freshly made to order so we had to wait for our chow.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7ZbEUjLoUB8/WSSzcm1JdwI/AAAAAAAAlTM/MVzFejP8o90dv4OKJ-bobifQLRtx2u_ZgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1283" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 128" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 128" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C7i4oqSS1KA/WSSzdOa9jvI/AAAAAAAAlTQ/zCckRlNacTIOQjgmKcOrFgYM2JJXRRmSwCHM/2017-05-07-128_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="362" height="482"></a></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Danto">Leonard's Bakery on Oahu is not a local secret spot anymore. A once quiet bakery sitting midway up Kapahulu Avenue, is now featured in many tourist guide books, and has become an Oahu attraction itself! All the attention and fame goes to these little special Portuguese style donuts called malasadas! </font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Danto">We owe a little thanks to the DoRego family that migrated from Portugal to Maui for an opportunity to work in the sugar cane fields in 1882. But it wasn’t until 1952, when their grandson Leonard & wife moved to Honolulu, and opened the doors to their own bakery in 1952. </font> <p><font color="#0000ff" size="3" face="Danto">Soon after opening their doors, Leonard’s mother suggested making a traditional treat for “Strove Tuesday”. Today these traditional malasada treats have become a staple phenomenon that we’ve come to love…and the rest is history!</font></p></blockquote> <p>We checked into the ship. Unfortunately, there is absolutely no overnight parking at the port.. This was really annoying. We put some quarters in the meter, unpacked a little and headed to the ship’s buffet lunch. Here’s our cabin for 10 days. We’ll be here overnight. <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oJRpX1J2Ei4/WSSzdh9Ax2I/AAAAAAAAlTU/0zGRDvSdCmcfnG6bbWfGJcaWQTpmmQfRQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1303" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 130" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 130" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PJz2rCjRF9k/WSSzd5k-jOI/AAAAAAAAlTY/5lKUKmz1OhMeUuniApyaF8JG8LsHWK97QCHM/2017-05-07-130_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="387" height="515"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bRluThS5eJ8/WSSzeG1JCoI/AAAAAAAAlTc/pekqAPYJ0l8bsvI0meGXbCr5xEYmKfWGQCHM/s1600-h/Hawaii-Celebrity-5-7-17-Itinerary-22" target="_blank"><img title="Hawaii Celebrity 5-7-17 Itinerary (2)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Hawaii Celebrity 5-7-17 Itinerary (2)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oXyZY_NtGqw/WSSzesZT6sI/AAAAAAAAlTg/hmHETgdiqaU0LMB4jnmoL354-0neJMtiACHM/Hawaii-Celebrity-5-7-17-Itinerary-2_?imgmax=800" width="462" height="176"></a></p> <p>The buffet food was amazing. Pasta bar, Mexican, Indian, carving station, paninis, pork shops, etc, etc. </p> <p>After lunch, we exited the ship and continued more of our driving tour. This was a different tour – The South End of the island.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0oALmX897c0/WSSze5_h6-I/AAAAAAAAlTk/MiYWuVjeY6EJnjraFH4WA_dZr9VOjhgEQCHM/s1600-h/South-Shore-Oahu5" target="_blank"><img title="South Shore Oahu" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="South Shore Oahu" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8BAk7h5f8QU/WSSzfcdHLNI/AAAAAAAAlTo/o-s6C-K_XlQg6p8eWKrYxn8DdUbNFWOlgCHM/South-Shore-Oahu_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="462" height="250"></a></p> <p>Nu’Uanu Pali was probably the most breathtaking view.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t7OY9f1t1Fg/WSSzfjGXlBI/AAAAAAAAlTs/r8KBlHBmmi8x94EYSDEzPwVZmcmHHbJSgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1392" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 139" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 139" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CTPvtoz6SKY/WSSzgEMijtI/AAAAAAAAlTw/o2sH1und_5Y_ssh5LA2ladpq2ztj84rvACHM/2017-05-07-139_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k01VMmuLApI/WSSzgdDEHVI/AAAAAAAAlT0/h7IzGuWYF1EXOfVB5ylmN17vkbbGPOPxACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1402" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 140" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 140" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CanOho7oCaw/WSSzgzFb3mI/AAAAAAAAlT4/Jb9DoTOgXW4ROAXKbP58mslsTWpC1ep4gCHM/2017-05-07-140_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-W33y28qLbtQ/WSSzhKYzWVI/AAAAAAAAlT8/7jCZvf0YPdsMO15cpdaqU5rmKW9Ph1XPACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1412" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 141" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 141" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ftuoWg1MZBg/WSS06MdorLI/AAAAAAAAlUI/e7hz2qdFKrIs9NIUQe3badCa6VG3fE_fACHM/2017-05-07-141_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BOGd4OX_bkc/WSS06jUYA-I/AAAAAAAAlUM/wPbxkUAc-zUjeWDboR7SvzVlY5LqIxuzgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1422" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 142" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 142" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ic41sHXgXWc/WSS07NG7JWI/AAAAAAAAlUQ/Z_sYZroX4AoHZ0FProNnFWT0uQmbb0WfACHM/2017-05-07-142_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="102"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Ow9iWfJ3HM/WSS07SORwqI/AAAAAAAAlUU/aJ1dhNDkDtASKcUTezHZTBCKJxqk8j-VwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1442" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 144" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 144" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4osAIJwqS6o/WSS076orXsI/AAAAAAAAlUY/nPl1HdpjCzgtL7oysMazJgNcGhRKaBiWQCHM/2017-05-07-144_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G_ehhS7sjTI/WSS08HINjaI/AAAAAAAAlUc/2kLsMuAo8BklZy9iPDHT1fdRzSph06gXQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1452" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 145" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 145" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5auVfI2QHEw/WSS08frSEtI/AAAAAAAAlUg/ttv2_Ihp4pIC4U1H9WE7zjIVNw3rdab2ACHM/2017-05-07-145_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hpb9fRJpihY/WSS0899rbfI/AAAAAAAAlUk/vc7xSYE0FTsANYojhNlMuZGTX6c6FaqTgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-07-1463" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-07 146" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-07 146" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GlenJOgdbow/WSS09FrYCuI/AAAAAAAAlUo/9FZQPCFV2ZARnfGaeamPihsJYSR2T_y8wCHM/2017-05-07-146_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="460" height="613"></a></p> <p>It was a great day. We were in Hawaii. What’s not to love?</p> <p>Jim parked the car while I sat in front of the port with stuff that would be too difficult to lug during a 15 minute walk. The closest overnight parking garage was still quite the hike. Back onto the ship to shower and have dinner.</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-46049503988947483542017-05-22T05:56:00.001-04:002017-05-22T05:56:02.586-04:005-6-17 Saturday (Honolulu)<p>Another day at the hotel. No cruise ship yet, remember? Oy. What’s the matter with you? </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--WD8-NubRzI/WSK1WpCBggI/AAAAAAAAlOw/15GeA0EBmm4SveeWj46IYjYgVapLewXtwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-0852" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 085" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 085" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zQ7-7sTjqbQ/WSK1Xeao3-I/AAAAAAAAlO0/uKaO8y1SKsYT2dl7qiGkfiL6NFoDxos7ACHM/2017-05-06-085_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Hotel room balcony with last nights luau lei. </p> <p>It was about 9am Hawaii time but 3pm, NC time and Jim and I were both hungry for a burger. Cheeseburger in Paradise, a US chain, had a breakfast burger (egg atop a burger) on the menu so why couldn’t they do a regular burger? They did. Unfortunately, the burgers were flavorless and we left feeling cheated of our burger craving. Oh well. </p> <p>We had reservations to see Pearl Harbor (Arizona Memorial) and only had a couple of hours to kill so we did more of our driving tour. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ovvmfGIe0qE/WSK1XgI7vmI/AAAAAAAAlO4/xlOvQTHTescW4nwOzqkS-2BQPhMbdLLHgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-0942" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 094" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 094" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ypFQOGaAKOE/WSK1X37nIjI/AAAAAAAAlO8/ULdKeeFnJZA4kHBm_R3ZNF4P64HO7M3zwCHM/2017-05-06-094_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="69"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SD1rmSyI00M/WSK1YaZ01CI/AAAAAAAAlPA/m0bIRd4cOxsC56TjgR30cteBuyCiNGngQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-0872" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 087" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 087" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Aaj7Sgl5yVs/WSK1YqVrT9I/AAAAAAAAlPE/Ps4Vvsiuz7Yi9c2Mdie97r1aDWFacOW7wCHM/2017-05-06-087_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1_KAuE03BSU/WSK1Y6FguRI/AAAAAAAAlPI/4PVSywefLiADmWkr8_agOTtF04IE9HZJgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-0922" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 092" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 092" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fLyHqYRe8DA/WSK1ZOqr-7I/AAAAAAAAlPM/iD42OpClxCs2wMaLETEgAzir8OlDrXs5gCHM/2017-05-06-092_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-45u31pP-0bo/WSK1ZrGW23I/AAAAAAAAlPQ/At3e_U-Hwv8zjcNF_JWihIaH3OvZRH7CwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-0962" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 096" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 096" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hS0Bf0CtmXo/WSK1Z465vfI/AAAAAAAAlPU/nBcv7segE48T4iRi2uGk-sOA5eOj4LxvgCHM/2017-05-06-096_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cZqGMDKtMfQ/WSK1aC4um-I/AAAAAAAAlPY/FVb4hfy2YdU8YgPqrs9-6rIoM07rsjH4ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3442" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 344" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 344" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SrlRp-k3hRw/WSK1abUCIWI/AAAAAAAAlPc/1elm5hV7d8s0rJIhoi445tgEtAwmOqUIACHM/2017-05-06-344_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ToJ1I3p6p0A/WSK1a4aEeAI/AAAAAAAAlPg/NbylxCru08wKBqA0XnC8TUeKKu3JXoB6QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1062" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 106" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 106" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zgz2rOfhI58/WSK1bMVRf9I/AAAAAAAAlPk/Ck8ryyNRkiQNhjdKtJUjSNsGoN7VT42DwCHM/2017-05-06-106_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GfQk3kFjdhA/WSK1bhlEyEI/AAAAAAAAlPo/AvsPRE1r5wwqwFgUAPMI8hUkAH488MUvgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1072" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 107" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 107" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-61hKg2yq5aQ/WSK1b5HjcfI/AAAAAAAAlPs/ntn0aeFWX8goDEm_INS_rk9x8q5sF7EFQCHM/2017-05-06-107_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jKc5tElZIUA/WSK1cNf4dWI/AAAAAAAAlPw/tpt-4HOXppk6RFHWJN0yWawY0DZKQXVTACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1082" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 108" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 108" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QAoJAM10ewc/WSK1cms1HHI/AAAAAAAAlP0/g58tQA4jBQ8EQelfY_IvZOD7cbNJnInkgCHM/2017-05-06-108_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dl6pwB84ZWM/WSK1cwcitnI/AAAAAAAAlP4/-9hvG8-pdCk_2pF9t6Ve2-UHYEDK3hOLwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1092" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 109" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 109" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E7j2VkYjqdQ/WSK1dMG-U0I/AAAAAAAAlP8/6O5uuKyQ4OIsOZbZmDcR2dlazRVzky6AQCHM/2017-05-06-109_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cS1jVDearuQ/WSK1dnyB07I/AAAAAAAAlQA/DAcshf2_xYEFeovKMSwLt9Y3_TbxMc5mACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1102" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 110" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 110" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M50ibZ4f6Iw/WSK1eNJTCUI/AAAAAAAAlQE/Gx6AB2CZRIosEs-XOZaE2YZlgLBDnGlggCHM/2017-05-06-110_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B9G1wKCZNJM/WSK1eT4jWII/AAAAAAAAlQI/Oz8H8Co_HV8NjCAXE61geDjHpu5nQhSTACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1122" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 112" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 112" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Np8_8BQjr5Y/WSK1espwJ0I/AAAAAAAAlQM/gpb-N64xVHEhk-xbRODdAOwntkwjR7NQACHM/2017-05-06-112_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vs083XTCiQw/WSK1fOhMEPI/AAAAAAAAlQQ/VmCGjbZ884IgUYQ7UtAKhiD3BLtOlxl8wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1152" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 115" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 115" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QIh0Qehwu34/WSK1fQKKvUI/AAAAAAAAlQU/bRPgjpImum0uvnhOJSV9rleBqfoflADZwCHM/2017-05-06-115_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pYLnmg2aWX4/WSK1fr2e5CI/AAAAAAAAlQY/Jb7Km8YQMtMjL0nRENtwZp9xtLm5N57AwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1232" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 123" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 123" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rqQHYMKDVZM/WSK1gPGLtyI/AAAAAAAAlQc/5yYskMImRPYv6cNQ56BWto3OtQH1581YQCHM/2017-05-06-123_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vfnvj2U1dtU/WSK1gXU_IlI/AAAAAAAAlQg/5W_Z71eHa9UpUEmgCOH1uuYwvf-cjIXugCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-1242" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 124" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 124" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cT0lG5_Hzgw/WSK1gvO-SNI/AAAAAAAAlQk/ow2XMphxLUIFSeULNV1OgT8mLfHB0DHagCHM/2017-05-06-124_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>The <a href="http://www.pearlharborhistoricsites.org/pearl-harbor/arizona-memorial" target="_blank">Pearl Harbor (Arizona Memorial)</a> was sad… as expected… it’s a memorial, remember? Oil still leaks out of the ship. In fact, visitors sometimes refer to the constant oil coating on the water as “tears of the Arizona” or “black tears.”</p> <blockquote> <h5><strong><font color="#0000ff" face="Lucida Bright">“Is it true that oil still leaks from the USS <em>Arizona</em>?</font></strong></h5> <p><font color="#0000ff" face="Lucida Bright">Yes. Currently, the ship leaks 2-9 quarts each day.<br>The USS <em>Arizona</em> held approximately 1.5 million gallons (5.7 million liters) of “Bunker-C” oil. The ship burned for 2½ days, leaving an unspecified amount of oil on board. Oil has been observed leaking from the ship since the 1940's; however, little action was taken until environmental concerns were expressed.</font> <p><font color="#0000ff" face="Lucida Bright">Since 1998, the National Park Service Submerged Resources Center (SRC) and the USS <em>Arizona</em> Memorial have been conducting research directed at understanding the nature and rate of natural processes affecting the deterioration of the USS <em>Arizona</em>, as well as monitoring hull conditions and oil release rates. Oil release observed during the 1980's <em>Arizona</em> documentation project originated from a hatch on the starboard (right) side of barbette number three, and later from a hatch on the starboard side of barbette number four. Consequently, when oil release monitoring began in 1998, those hatches were a primary focus.</font> <p><font color="#0000ff" face="Lucida Bright">During fieldwork from 1998 to the present, gradually increasing amounts of oil have been observed releasing from forward of the memorial; however, comprehensive measurement of oil release forward of the memorial in the upper deck galley was not completed until June 2006. Measured release rates have gradually increased each year in direct proportion to the number of locations monitored: in 1998, 1.0 quart (0.95 liters) was measured from one location; in 2003, 2.1 quarts (2.0 liters) were measured from two locations; in 2004, 2.3 quarts (2.2 liters) were measured from two locations; in 2006, 9.5 quarts (9.0 liters) were measured from eight locations. The 2006 oil release measurements are the most comprehensive completed to date – increase in oil release over previous years is in part explained by more release locations being successfully measured then previously.</font> <p><font color="#0000ff" face="Lucida Bright">Although observed rates of oil coming to the surface has gradually increased over the past several years, there is no indication of an increase in the amount of oil released from the primary oil containment spaces in the ship’s lower decks. The increase in oil release rates vary considerably with differing wind, tide, and harbor conditions. Although the exact amount cannot be determined, the USS <em>Arizona</em> contains an estimated 500,000 gallons (liters) of Bunker-C fuel within its hull.”</font></p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8RLX98r-0-U/WSK1gxoCMMI/AAAAAAAAlQo/erFrRT3xfb0ZlKjvb6wDLWT53FNt6zVVwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3512" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 351" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 351" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LPkcCUTbK0I/WSK1hQAIpcI/AAAAAAAAlQs/vgr9o64feM0skhS78yrf4HeTHQG-Xre3gCHM/2017-05-06-351_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Next, we did some of the South Shore driving tour. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7DawHan2SiY/WSK1hmFCWPI/AAAAAAAAlQw/DKgFXUgIOrMYWbqobVYh0PwANaFUMoohgCHM/s1600-h/South-Shore-Oahu2" target="_blank"><img title="South Shore Oahu" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="South Shore Oahu" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RikogaDHfb8/WSK1hxIvP8I/AAAAAAAAlQ0/KvkjWVakRYECYEvzdCoNWXVejxJLbsAtgCHM/South-Shore-Oahu_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="250"></a></p> <p>We made it to Hanauma Bay but unfortunately, they were closing soon. Snorkelers are required to watch a video about protecting the reefs. Once watched, it’s recorded that you did so for a year. We did so anticipating time to come back but that sadly never happened.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-78975EXAmu0/WSK1ieOaDqI/AAAAAAAAlQ4/fRmn1pgVTMsOJDszZt6-yDuZCOO0rU6WgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3532" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 353" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 353" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nr2Nea9cgF0/WSK1injwuHI/AAAAAAAAlQ8/dzQgt4IktcUS-XAfE74EmHZXAluoEn6wACHM/2017-05-06-353_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KOF16F2I1fU/WSK1i1lPdqI/AAAAAAAAlRA/NWXE_p-c1PMTdBOzNsbm-sn-5Ry0Wj5_gCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3562" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 356" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 356" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x7fuVMJfVbM/WSK1jcP3kQI/AAAAAAAAlRE/mWSnaZm15QgpkA7_Uc0OWuu3-OrmkGvmQCHM/2017-05-06-356_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kGLaTPNHbTs/WSK1jsLhEwI/AAAAAAAAlRI/Ge5kBuWAfd09xKo8v06eva1_sUGqvI27QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3542" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 354" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 354" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LAeEtUxpQnc/WSK1j6SPkII/AAAAAAAAlRM/cJSmSO6xDy40_GXbycf_N20qy1Y7EihvQCHM/2017-05-06-354_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Jim spotted a something or another run nearby. It was a critter. We didn’t know what it was. A passerby heard our question and told us it was mongoose! We watched for more.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_8KFlEQcTV0/WSK1kAu1B4I/AAAAAAAAlRQ/SQLAJJxmuSApaxNAwYKnCyYZN95oxYclgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3582" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 358" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 358" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rUXutsiE530/WSK1kjt4TxI/AAAAAAAAlRU/okGBGBDy48cVP5h72vxNdA-4h8UtVYNnwCHM/2017-05-06-358_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gs21q2JzdWc/WSK1k29491I/AAAAAAAAlRY/RFLFU-pejBwommgq1K05ftuQ_WWMrtOKwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3572" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 357" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 357" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-e1D0jTvX0gU/WSK1lepQa_I/AAAAAAAAlRc/-zq3zgRePXsrELwye1oK-9yvCItcKrNZACHM/2017-05-06-357_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#0000ff" face="Lucida Bright">“The mongooses found in Hawai’i are native to India and were originally introduced to Hawai’i Island in 1883 by the sugar industry to control rats in sugarcane fields on Maui, Moloka’i and O’ahu. This attempt was misguided, because while rodents make up a large portion of the mongooses’ diet, the their substantial negative impact on other desirable birds, insects, and animals outweighs their minor impact on rat. Mongoose are now widespread on all of the main Hawaiian islands except for Lanaʻi and Kauaʻi, where there are no known populations. Mongooses can live in both wet and dry conditions including gardens, grasslands, and forests.”</font></p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JN9sSbReDNs/WSK1lnQhCKI/AAAAAAAAlRg/aundRqkBurAFimt3GaOc5ysSDNwpFUd4wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3672" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 367" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 367" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--ffUSfAdYb4/WSK1mPvXb8I/AAAAAAAAlRk/-G14mnmJ7aw9TxIn0Ueo55WHMEDBhwrLgCHM/2017-05-06-367_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1AW7ZJvMJNo/WSK1mVNLBrI/AAAAAAAAlRo/M5WOkpqsRJ4UKRgCYkciZVKFlvfNiwbvwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3592" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 359" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 359" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zHbT2KrIgeE/WSK1m5QFwEI/AAAAAAAAlRs/nYpQeiF7C8Iy6hXfvsc975kIbBeR3Hy9gCHM/2017-05-06-359_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BZeBTpIe-fM/WSK1nNSoP8I/AAAAAAAAlRw/yPRxgMNI6PQaoE6BTdHw4Cs6e5DWaXAJQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3602" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 360" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 360" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jyZ3Og6KgGk/WSK1nR_19CI/AAAAAAAAlR0/VXLRWZQlULkIdk4_GuP9syWB9B7e4whfwCHM/2017-05-06-360_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JqU8QQTMBuM/WSK1n0O5dOI/AAAAAAAAlR4/-dYS5jBK6pI5OVeXbD2wpGqLWcur9voBwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3612" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 361" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 361" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LiWUCIUQKRM/WSK1oJq5ibI/AAAAAAAAlR8/yXoqD_moyN45qAV7BCWlWkKGYVwqyZH8QCHM/2017-05-06-361_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xgq7GrBl37w/WSK1oj8PeTI/AAAAAAAAlSA/VNQbUtUQU0cxKrsjThXFTYss5RpmQXk9ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3622" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 362" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 362" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QaBHbYWIaa0/WSK1o1F5QdI/AAAAAAAAlSE/9vcTlCxSe3g-9DgMkC-WDJD1ZzWRxQr5gCHM/2017-05-06-362_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_Wa_5pQ6HZI/WSK1pRmlakI/AAAAAAAAlSI/9WD-G7JjOrwfjjOKQDWCSGSEwsEz2VXbgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3632" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 363" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 363" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fdkmAhah0vw/WSK1pha2jQI/AAAAAAAAlSM/ZoBWIKkFTOEj1FVDch84mApyOSu7ofh1ACHM/2017-05-06-363_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nAJ2S_oY94I/WSK1qHYsU0I/AAAAAAAAlSQ/0DfZzDa__AAE2EeyFN0R93on-p3POSEoQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3642" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 364" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 364" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r9M3musBZC8/WSK1qW_b1eI/AAAAAAAAlSU/KncZJ5NjQWQRY97ORDttLAIyJqI1aSX9gCHM/2017-05-06-364_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qf8afsjslOs/WSK1qiKAbaI/AAAAAAAAlSY/pD0TcrAPGhE2AzTlXaRFFs3WfdoMgijmACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3652" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 365" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 365" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yizTMlLlfmg/WSK1rBr12KI/AAAAAAAAlSc/gwKXFGhS14c65WFVSP5jUfmBcdICv8zegCHM/2017-05-06-365_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0sv7J0kFdPc/WSK1rbYzPZI/AAAAAAAAlSg/_TLdHwVg7xYpS-xNbXVW4rDyrtgERlKMACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-06-3662" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-06 366" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-06 366" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ONlBIAJLJG8/WSK1rvSuwwI/AAAAAAAAlSk/h4siMUvv4zwIvmZ0A6eGmSadDAnB7gFlQCHM/2017-05-06-366_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We stopped at <a href="http://www.konosnorthshore.com/" target="_blank">Konos</a> in Kailua for dinner. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vMx7-i7UGKU/WSK1sKjfZNI/AAAAAAAAlSo/5qUF8bw5qzUTVGAmNWlsPWvu8i7FNbFYwCHM/s1600-h/Konos2" target="_blank"><img title="Konos" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Konos" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h87gK0vT4R8/WSK1sVz9qOI/AAAAAAAAlSs/ZMVLn1WJ5OwG5Y47--kQ2Ky8Cb4TGD75ACHM/Konos_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="143"></a></p> <p>By the way, every time we saw people surfing we were reminded of the Brady Bunch Hawaii episode with the tiki. Here’s that familiar tone:</p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DwvDNpiKUj0" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-83466983823450531092017-05-21T10:38:00.001-04:002017-06-05T17:36:44.526-04:005-5-17 Friday (Honolulu)<p>Once again, we hit a fast food place for breakfast. Burger King or as I like to refer to it as “Burper King”. There’s just too much to do today. I know. Such problems to have, huh?</p> <p>Today was supposed to be a scuba adventure with <a href="http://hawaiiecodivers.com/scuba-diving-oahu/" target="_blank">Hawaii Eco Divers</a> but it turned out to be a flop. A couple of months ago, Jim and I did a swimming pool introduction to scuba. We liked it. We even bought our own masks to be sure we had a comfortable experience. Hell, we even shaved off our facial hair to get ready for this dive.</p> <p>Now mind you, Jim booked this trip back on March 2nd. Because of the 6 hours time difference, we were receiving calls and texts at ungodly hours so we’d switch our phones to airplane mode the night before. On the way to our dive, I noticed Jim forgot to turn off airplane mode on his phone. When I switched it off, we received a text and voicemail from the dive master stating he didn’t have my weight or shoe size to fit me with equipment. I called him back and left a message with a young girl with my info. When we arrived, our Dive Master, Loren said he had tried to get a hold of us and had to guess my size but he did bring a small variety of what he thought would be needed.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-71x3WsfCKR0/WSGmAb9Ip7I/AAAAAAAAlLk/Swrw4KAlnQ074C6PBlHz7b3y6m-WAY_ZACHM/s1600-h/Scuba%2B2%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img width="172" height="109" title="Scuba 2" align="left" style="margin: 0px 15px 0px 0px; border: 0px currentcolor; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: left; display: inline; background-image: none;" alt="Scuba 2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CcSndjRSzyY/WSGmAycErfI/AAAAAAAAlLo/fkk5BnZuroQpqRd-jcxgPGmiNLaph9BwgCHM/Scuba%2B2_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>We boarded a boat with our instructor and 1 other person. There were other groups onboard as well. This was another introduction to scuba. Because we’re not certified, we can’t go down very far. I think 20 feet or so which is still awesome to view coral reefs. Loren first tried fitting Jim into a wetsuit. It was so tight that he had to be squished in. He mentioned the tight fit but was told that if it’s not tight then it’s not a good fit. When it was my turn, he couldn’t get the zipper up. He switched me to a partial suit and it took both Loren, Jim and I to squeeze me into that suit. It was stressful and embarrassing. I felt very restricted.</p> <p>Into the water we went. Loren went over some basic stuff. When we went down a few feet further he was teaching us how to clear our masks of water. I was a little confused because I was taught differently than he was teaching. As I went down, I floated back up, my mask took in water and I had a hard time breathing. I just felt so restricted. I then got skittish and said that I couldn’t do this. He asked if I was sure and I was positive. I just didn’t have a good feeling and was terribly uncomfortable. I told Jim to stay. Jim said he felt the same and we both got back on the boat. We were devastated. </p> <p>Will we try again? I’m not sure. This experience just scared the shit out of me. After we got out, Jim just felt sick and just relaxed. I felt fine.</p> <p>Some good points? I got to see a sea turtle several times! There was a boat anchored next to ours that had people snorkeling. The turtle(s) surfaced many times right in front of the snorkelers. The other good thing? There were a couple of dolphins playing in the front of our boat as we went full speed ahead to the dive spot. The bad part aside from the obvious, we had to sit through 2 40 minute dives before we could move onto a new adventure. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rHSUQR05-Kc/WSGmBOs0FhI/AAAAAAAAlLs/YwWtE7XpCgkQZl8Nh1X2Y86jj591lk69wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B066%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="85" title="2017-05-05 066" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 066" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v0TfEPF2Bj0/WSGmBr2bXOI/AAAAAAAAlLw/XM7961UjPfw0t6bA0VBtixqf2ZvpZM4zQCHM/2017-05-05%2B066_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Panoramic. Click on it to biggerize. This was the view from the boat.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tCFU4vu_tpw/WSGmCCkUQ8I/AAAAAAAAlL0/QM7k5pwFqbohYe-kAcCQeV2wt2sUS49cgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B060%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 060" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 060" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YX3erLyV4uA/WSGmCsmql5I/AAAAAAAAlL4/1RfQKRhsYbMuIPmnCpERDF23h_icYgK-gCHM/2017-05-05%2B060_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Turtle!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cOz5YIT0siw/WSGmDGPylsI/AAAAAAAAlL8/gwiZyi3v0wkklE4BfGI-MF4nJSXNs-8XgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B062%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 062" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 062" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3_dKwOIRPwg/WSGmDchdNRI/AAAAAAAAlMA/fe7HHCfYhdAA5PvyOAPEp-AXkS_nXWF8QCHM/2017-05-05%2B062_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Turtle!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IosoMZh-fDI/WSGmDyigiFI/AAAAAAAAlME/M4HckQ571z8sopM5CsS1vg-iFXq-VUpPwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B064%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 064" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 064" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PKcLB8UhaiA/WSGmEUL9htI/AAAAAAAAlMI/TWnSkpwipSUW6oxxxMULQ6j7lGdAs370gCHM/2017-05-05%2B064_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Turtle!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nTO5CDLHOdc/WSGmExEp66I/AAAAAAAAlMM/94Bdvq2W0lIePbZzdZD82X7pOH1dp3lowCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B065%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 065" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 065" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FbPuzBnWxCg/WSGmFO50mhI/AAAAAAAAlMQ/ohWI_JLbzxEDBZeTLotczLlY6adNPY-hgCHM/2017-05-05%2B065_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Me, Jim and ship’s captain’s mascot, Sushi.</p> <p>We interrupt this post to explain the Walmart runs… Jim’s diet soda addiction. There’s a million <a href="http://www.abcstores.com/" target="_blank">ABC</a> convenience stores in Hawaii. As a matter of fact, our hotel, located at a shopping plaza/mall had at least 4 ABC stores. Unfortunately, the store didn’t have anything but small bottles of soda. Other than that, I will tell you that this store is amazing.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tbwj_Exkexk/WSGmFng7ZyI/AAAAAAAAlMU/5ROGnI5InuQzluJcjzkdV_euh5iNzPVqgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B047%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img width="376" height="501" title="2017-05-05 047" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 047" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E9td2LA_15Q/WSGmGODcdVI/AAAAAAAAlMY/80a61k0BgGwK2lS2bCHw-1RTVoYUSAbkwCHM/2017-05-05%2B047_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p>We now return you to the blog post:</p> <p>With that scuba MISadventure mess over with, we explored a little bit near the hotel. These were taken across from the hotel where our room overlooks. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-hfdWK6XVDp0/WSGmGUuFBsI/AAAAAAAAlMc/O7X6yj5NvOQeU6ru95d2Mh2Ul8InPEPxgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B049%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 049" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 049" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kb6zyET-Kn8/WSGmG8uO2kI/AAAAAAAAlMg/6YNlfYfWZGM4VjdE-k-_GhaA6JU-XtvQwCHM/2017-05-05%2B049_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Huge <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan" target="_blank">banyan</a> trees. Hawaii has a lot of them and they’re gorgeous. We had them in Fort Myers too. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6xs_j1EXsLM/WSGmHcqXS6I/AAAAAAAAlMk/GxVdTIpx3BYdL3dKYOFcjxzyDKbXXcAMgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B054%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="331" title="2017-05-05 054" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 054" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tHXTRfWHEQo/WSGmHhr0yhI/AAAAAAAAlMo/1WY153GG7_8vUQaMuGvw0lZF5XwfzAV3QCHM/2017-05-05%2B054_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: A lava rock “pier” with a look back toward the hotel.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NDu8UDkBETM/WSGmINTFIpI/AAAAAAAAlMs/wtcuWqItZh01YiiNfdPGFuMg5wqzg9GrACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B051%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img width="347" height="261" title="2017-05-05 051" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 051" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xtX46XStDAA/WSGmIkvhJkI/AAAAAAAAlMw/eKY-HrLQJPYc4YC3v_IE4uUydbc6fet0gCHM/2017-05-05%2B051_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: This critter was hanging out on the rocks.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JTPa4gjk55A/WSGmJL_Q0JI/AAAAAAAAlM0/8RMWXfiXAQUFKV_qPNNqwvEtsMKHr96jgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B059%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 059" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 059" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZyMjEXMdEA/WSGmJW4hqYI/AAAAAAAAlM4/D_Ue4LLTO9kUplIlkKeUg7DnyuYQqrLigCHM/2017-05-05%2B059_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: A fish hanging out by the lava rock pier.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0EzG20K4wko/WSGmJ-JuisI/AAAAAAAAlM8/2a0N5i04ITguFlnwOHyqXxBU0SNfY0qjgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B052%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="462" height="288" title="2017-05-05 052" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 052" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UBQPyt-4ZlA/WSGmKSP6jSI/AAAAAAAAlNA/liFsT_bVKRcGjF3VvTGLHdsah76dHoZGQCHM/2017-05-05%2B052_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a>Above: Taken from the pier, a look toward the other end of the beach.</p> <p align="center">----------------------------------------------------------------------------</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B7SuS9cH9UE/WSGmK9y3A-I/AAAAAAAAlNE/NBPBuPlgv1sn1byWtI8uoO5lCV959jl_QCHM/s1600-h/Luau%252BLogo%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img width="458" height="213" title="Luau Logo" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="Luau Logo" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6c8JUgpu1mA/WSGmLMHq3WI/AAAAAAAAlNI/IWZXum15TSckm-cOZuyksqmMbCOMpRPMACHM/Luau%252BLogo_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.diamondheadbeachluau.com/" target="_blank">Diamond Head Luau</a> to be exact. </p> <blockquote> <p>A luau (Hawaiian: lūʻau) is a traditional Hawaiian party or feast that is usually accompanied by entertainment. It may feature food such as poi, kalua pig, poke, lomi salmon, opihi, haupia and beer, and entertainment such as traditional Hawaiian music and hula.</p></blockquote> <p>Jim got us a great deal using a Groupon! 2 for $159! </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YNi5ZwdH2hc/WSGmLtdqIKI/AAAAAAAAlNM/MGKH75SRno8QNYAYCatBOMn0u71RfR7lgCHM/s1600-h/image%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img width="425" height="345" title="image" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="image" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1X7Muub9BHE/WSGmMAEOZOI/AAAAAAAAlNQ/9wlRSRvVabE1f5mxg55MrmuCz4rG-r6WQCHM/image_thumb%255B3%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p>We had a great time. We sat with 2 women from NY. They were a hoot to talk to. </p> <p><font face="Magneto" size="7"><u>The photos:</u></font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-25TzMZkMzvY/WSGmMq4OXLI/AAAAAAAAlNU/MXEaqG2waNcHiAENbRdq4Qlo53A1T-rJACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B068%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 068" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 068" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-loUrYoQdgiQ/WSGmMwAFhtI/AAAAAAAAlNY/k9N3yyX30Pw2r-iUToSK8evo7EXkBXIzQCHM/2017-05-05%2B068_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bpNLaOYQe4A/WSGmNW947pI/AAAAAAAAlNc/iV7FDbxuiTQoqkPlRrbJgPIKUWpnzTHrgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B272%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 272" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 272" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5kb7WGqcPVE/WSGmN4h6rVI/AAAAAAAAlNg/2vLU_DfpwR8EwDPldmeZNT6Ksp1KQCm-QCHM/2017-05-05%2B272_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GudnD9vnpjw/WSGmOJfIdpI/AAAAAAAAlNk/vI5LIKNB6CosACDp_XyA3cYKmMevZGfcACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B069%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 069" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 069" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vc5K6K4b2ZE/WSGmOnS2SlI/AAAAAAAAlNo/KY9cIR3ZhRoXzq-g2CQdxNxY0NwOHsjoACHM/2017-05-05%2B069_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kn844dN3CGE/WSGmPILH58I/AAAAAAAAlNs/OgT1lUszhqUP73Q4hcb3hvCYRhKDxyvSwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B070%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 070" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 070" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zKY6oJ3Dx1s/WSGmPeOwoSI/AAAAAAAAlNw/wjoITJ8_gksH9eTMN0SNEn2d31L4NC6KgCHM/2017-05-05%2B070_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gn-0SrVgeyI/WSGmP82C_uI/AAAAAAAAlN0/QzgbSpHitIUy5HVXqB6xaYxdWIce2NpvwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B073%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 073" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 073" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J6IibG-4RCE/WSGmQNEfHQI/AAAAAAAAlN4/PCrxR0YpSPML2HlsPElE5D0IR_aZOlkRgCHM/2017-05-05%2B073_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OCibdVIPkUQ/WSGmQoCCUWI/AAAAAAAAlN8/ZK6v7dRhuLIqPybDYq2DmrQrG69tzLMiwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B077%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img width="461" height="347" title="2017-05-05 077" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 077" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g5Kd1gVq9X8/WSGmQ1UX8dI/AAAAAAAAlOA/QFJFecimEe46jnlplEqO1Duqcl8kuULJQCHM/2017-05-05%2B077_thumb?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vx_y5d6Fmpw/WSGmRYA41JI/AAAAAAAAlOE/zof3oW7SL80U62HR78jIWXJPKLQTsdTSQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-05%2B078%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img width="456" height="607" title="2017-05-05 078" style="border-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-left: 0px; float: none; display: block; background-image: none;" alt="2017-05-05 078" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LHKk10BuzzI/WSGmR-9vMGI/AAAAAAAAlOI/WVU0fBmE0hAr3Cax10HUakj87hm2DCbTwCHM/2017-05-05%2B078_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" border="0"></a></p> <p><font face="Magneto" size="7"><u>The videos:</u></font></p> <p align="center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rcutayAmc7I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p> <p align="center">Above: Hula dancing</p> <p align="center">Below: Fire knife dancing</p> <p align="center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uHTG_Ow7Otg" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-16438723907192724052017-05-20T21:01:00.001-04:002017-05-21T11:07:11.056-04:005-4-17 Thursday (Honolulu)<p>We’re in the hotel for a few days more. We board the ship on 5/7.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vzmuh6X-_Gc/WSDlVSUJGrI/AAAAAAAAlHE/2yCJXp-Q0dYlO1JEJxVe20sAPRLEpP3mwCHM/s1600-h/Hawaii%2BCelebrity%2B5-7-17%2BItinerary%2B%25282%2529%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="Hawaii Celebrity 5-7-17 Itinerary (2)" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Hawaii Celebrity 5-7-17 Itinerary (2)" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AhPFqeH8_HE/WSDlVq1-QGI/AAAAAAAAlHI/z75s2WnU0k4qcblS0M_gdTQY6ZRyreanACHM/Hawaii%2BCelebrity%2B5-7-17%2BItinerary%2B%25282%2529_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="176"></a></p> <p>We <strong>attempted</strong> to have breakfast at a local restaurant. Attempted. We went to several places only to be turned off by the long lines. Hawaiian vacations are too short to mess around with lines. We went to McDonald’s for breakfast outside of Waikiki on the way to <a href="http://www.bluehawaiian.com/oahu/tours/" target="_blank">Blue Hawaiian Helicopter Tours</a>. We took the <a href="http://www.bluehawaiian.com/oahu/tours/blue_skies_oahu/" target="_blank">Blue Skies of Oahu</a> tour.</p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#0000ff">On Oahu, Waikiki Beach is just the beginning. In one amazing tour, you'll experience the phenomenal scenery of this Island's hidden rainforests, lush valleys, and stunning historic sights. You'll glide over the vivid turquoise coral reefs of Waikiki, look down into the extinct volcano of Diamond Head, view crescent-shaped Hanauma Bay, white-sand Waimanalo beach, Chinaman's Hat and the beautiful coral formations in Kaneohe Bay. You'll soar over the cliffs of the Nuuanu Valley rainforest, then fly along the breathtaking coastline to legendary Sacred Falls and the panoramic Dole Pineapple Plantation. Your Blue Skies of Oahu adventure will also include sweeping views of Pearl Harbor, the Arizona Memorial and the Battleship Missouri.</font></p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SjBg85spwLI/WSDlWOEsfEI/AAAAAAAAlHM/Cxvf2zkxRRkIknIuUlEvqj9ntulzy4CmACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B028b%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 028b" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 028b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7O7Nf-hNpTY/WSDlWsIUyfI/AAAAAAAAlHQ/GNL2uNOECZUxaFDjA2JxfcDrMiyE2505wCHM/2017-05-04%2B028b_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="458" height="324"></a></p> <p align="center">Above/Below: Our helicopter and our pilot, Kristi. The orange things are life preservers.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DpkkuQo3Wxg/WSDlXFL4Q5I/AAAAAAAAlHU/bNCJ0igCVFcM5Ed1x9d_AzOnXgTIU5t6QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B028a%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 028a" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 028a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m5TAddSIpTI/WSDlXuSN-gI/AAAAAAAAlHY/PCa6yoaSLzMIoA7orZw31HbpQQJfxLmcwCHM/2017-05-04%2B028a_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="458" height="325"></a></p> <p>Kristi Hickey was an awesome pilot. She narrated the tour nicely and most importantly, she fly the helicopter like an expert. She was an expert. She’s retired military. She flew helicopters. She mentioned she’d be flying for Blue Hawaiian in Hilo, on the Big Island later in the week. We told her we’d be there and had another helicopter tour scheduled. We asked for her on 5/10’s tour while in Hilo and once again got her! Funny.</p> <p>Here’s some more photos of our helicopter tour. Honestly, the photos don’t do the colors justice. When I wore my yellow tinted sunglasses, the shades of water (shades vary on water depth) popped. It was gorgeous. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--AYky87t3DI/WSDlX6WubfI/AAAAAAAAlHc/TaT6veq0cNA2OCcxZ9FBZb_c1_rQ89W3QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B281%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 281" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 281" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S0iOQWKHF9k/WSDlYdFNgDI/AAAAAAAAlHg/tgZZxyx92t8DgU3MFZuxDsJ4wSF_xQNZgCHM/2017-05-04%2B281_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MtO8uYErNz0/WSDlYzhN02I/AAAAAAAAlHk/3_zvi1cl5r45ONboJwgopBVgl2NlN6f9wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B284%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 284" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 284" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IC5B_ujJzDM/WSDlZHvvd8I/AAAAAAAAlHo/VMgiO9QIZAMp7v9X0b2A5aQHyLVJVUVmwCHM/2017-05-04%2B284_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RoeXCBEKmlE/WSDlZmb3tXI/AAAAAAAAlHs/Ohm3YdlNgXU-3EyhD3qXVV5IQHSAEy_mQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B283%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 283" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 283" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivNF-vvD_mA5CgAaPC0z53gIK_gRE9mNhzUwER3T5X0Q_d3VSaeHR4RwnmoXM6EneX69Fk1pB5PuEotU3r1HTvioBTcmd-1ndUHpvIIUZNZpfmUGmcj5ACrFHJqCbWHVQ3HZHbao1vxTQ_/?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WfDqX-VIOAs/WSDlax0dAII/AAAAAAAAlH0/Iif8KddLS6sB1MrsDzsVEYt7b8KwWpjQwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B293%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 293" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 293" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-M_5FUCcXUFY/WSDlbIC94oI/AAAAAAAAlH4/_dnZUDHMLYsII_0jRJwAOxnOi-0cR0htACHM/2017-05-04%2B293_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g7Mcmr4MBQE/WSDlbjhx6tI/AAAAAAAAlH8/S2YtqogsuacYwghXYTEIL-5tIE4VxigewCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B317%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 317" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 317" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aO2Jj9xXf6Q/WSDlccpDONI/AAAAAAAAlIA/1KVItEH6sGclc4aTLhAVc_s2lZI_EYhRgCHM/2017-05-04%2B317_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qmVJg75CfmU/WSDlcmJ0uKI/AAAAAAAAlIE/NT2_Wbk3ZsgIu-uqYS50YznejvmmOkuIgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B297%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 297" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 297" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-keEgiwmsocU/WSDldJlr7MI/AAAAAAAAlII/A5iuMWlcHogXQQqk9vJ326lzxiEL0MK9wCHM/2017-05-04%2B297_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b--SdZN-sDY/WSDldaEqGfI/AAAAAAAAlIM/x3JqWqLB-8ECRhZVhH13wVKJUSmcKc6dwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B301%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 301" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 301" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-62p7PKCl6Hg/WSDldzGSfpI/AAAAAAAAlIQ/Va2N40Rsu0MKG63taEdYAOAMc1Vq50NTACHM/2017-05-04%2B301_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2i330EfGmWY/WSDlee5eeaI/AAAAAAAAlIU/ezDmool0dR0qj6rJMPEOsAkaUyIp85_dwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B305%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 305" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 305" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U2bWzpxn2q0/WSDle1Dp9YI/AAAAAAAAlIY/UPjjcjpHU-85gLXyl9Ct7VoRreMI-akKQCHM/2017-05-04%2B305_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1c7fVZyWSig/WSDlfK6P-LI/AAAAAAAAlIc/HKCyLJs6NywN7Uu7E7WsJUlgWHVQV_WvACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B310%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 310" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 310" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k-kTy85vL9k/WSDlfgEvZgI/AAAAAAAAlIg/lLcEPglrIekrXi2yEhNLFvnqs0PX4ewfwCHM/2017-05-04%2B310_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6w-gVckis0o" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6IcMVcoSIQ0" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="left">If you’re extremely bored, here’s a hour long play list of the tours professionally done video. You can skim through it. The helicopter had a few cameras including one into the cockpit that’s interesting to see.</p> <p align="center"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/videoseries?list=PLWWlOQFxHWlGx9qodmkj9sSebT2Shiz_B" frameborder="0" width="560" allowfullscreen></iframe></p> <p align="left">After helicoptering about, we started the Shaka driving tour. I downloaded this app for my phone. Here’s the Android store’s description: Shaka Guide is like a local tour guide in your car as you explore Oahu! It works OFFLINE, using GPS to play audio narration automatically as your drive, telling you interesting stories and driving directions, with local Hawaiian music in between.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sO3oiR4LCy0/WSDlgKGaqfI/AAAAAAAAlIk/gGwycTW7k90SiR0Wk1c1beI32aSGdnNtwCHM/s1600-h/Circle%2BIsland%2BOahu%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="Circle Island Oahu" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Circle Island Oahu" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mwNJp9zNU8s/WSDlgdMCvlI/AAAAAAAAlIo/QQu_5-jBQyQrRFTV2pdmNNoTfY7t3uewgCHM/Circle%2BIsland%2BOahu_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="323"></a></p> <p>This tour was absolutely awesome. We saw things we wouldn’t have been able to via a tour bus or without this tour. Around step 4 we stopped for lunch at Koolau Drive Inn. Many places are called “Drive Inns, not even “ins” in Hawaii even though they’re <u>not</u> a drive-up, order and have food brought out to your car establishment. I have no idea why they are called Drive Inns. Anyway, this place was Hawaiian with a typical strong Japanese influence. The place was a dive and we wish we had never walked past the open view kitchen and saw the meat being handled. I bet this place would have failed some state’s health inspections. Oy. </p> <p>Jim had the traditional <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loco_moco" target="_blank">Loco Moco</a>.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p-zmc-AOdsw/WSDlg_CvP4I/AAAAAAAAlIs/y6u6cx9081QeFQlSITB7IlpjfItj-XrBgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B030%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 030" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 030" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3nlpktC69mw/WSDlhIO0F2I/AAAAAAAAlIw/i1yZIlO4xCEp7q-77uLh7Ad90hUZzPHdgCHM/2017-05-04%2B030_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>I had the teriyaki beef. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ALwy0dztxQ8/WSDlhphNFpI/AAAAAAAAlI0/MTQUG051NWYyy0aPUY7K9Jq39kb1egj4gCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B029%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 029" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 029" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QtRC_X6xfQE/WSDliKlm9tI/AAAAAAAAlI4/n4-rbaEz3sAD9NY_lPdG3exb9QiT-zDvACHM/2017-05-04%2B029_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We continued with our tour. We stopped at nearby Japanese temple, <a href="http://www.byodo-in.com/" target="_blank">Byodo-In</a>. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ZVI_eC3aTo/WSDlieaVP7I/AAAAAAAAlI8/aHT8ZTOdldQLEt0vl2Tv_BjeivwuWb4mACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04%2B325%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 325" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 325" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v9FRX78GbGo/WSDmxYy1REI/AAAAAAAAlJE/r6XP8pQ8j78Cbr3CGAPlJ_CYjX-5ytlkACHM/2017-05-04-325_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ADqYkZe7uB0/WSDmx19jb2I/AAAAAAAAlJM/u9c9p5Owvbk3dNqEJfbQj80dQN_7lUEtQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0343" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 034" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 034" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nBQ1gaUOwIo/WSDmySUcnOI/AAAAAAAAlJQ/JKMNS2lp-uwO85zPJEazRMXk9zV346JNgCHM/2017-05-04-034_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="415" height="552"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QszeLvOPEQ4/WSDmy0liMmI/AAAAAAAAlJU/q91Akem5xHEs6jj-RCgHa1KvTYguCTZXACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0312" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 031" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 031" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--rlmAUXWITU/WSDmzK8SVtI/AAAAAAAAlJY/8aheVte3Mq4DaLrs_5g2WX58eh44Gb9egCHM/2017-05-04-031_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>There were many things to see. We didn’t even finish the tour. We did a little of it each day we could. I can’t remember exactly what picture was for each stop but it really doesn’t matter. It was all so gorgeous.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lO8ie_ddv3o/WSDmzihZVsI/AAAAAAAAlJc/-U8QPeP_wMEgvFXy_K28YP2xeJqMCb0PwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-3312" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 331" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 331" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fhGnRqIUk60/WSDm0HWbarI/AAAAAAAAlJg/-fpnGKbZ9koC72W_2xUzGRGio5DL243_gCHM/2017-05-04-331_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-j39Si4TKO0g/WSDm0muUsLI/AAAAAAAAlJk/RzhTgTpxufgA8uoh6f5EYuCx_QC1FSgzgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0352" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 035" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 035" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Mk3vxi0wy9I/WSDm08_P5iI/AAAAAAAAlJo/thkfYIC2hCcpwNm0lr1b9nBk60JDoN1HgCHM/2017-05-04-035_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KflHklFQWMQ/WSDm1eAek5I/AAAAAAAAlJs/U1YoMRPbLP0fnPIGnIzNDMG7XsTjPTuygCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0372" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 037" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 037" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ekLtGyK8bNs/WSDm13ZLtUI/AAAAAAAAlJw/bOULtXc8OskTI0DUu6T9_I6436FKTta6QCHM/2017-05-04-037_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: The islands are full of chickens. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WLbAH0Qc8gU/WSDm2Cj2QvI/AAAAAAAAlJ0/dGDYRDYazQY0fX58VIF6XqwZXbgls9shwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0382" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 038" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 038" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g5AZ73_qDZk/WSDm2jsYjuI/AAAAAAAAlJ4/d6DWc4EBRjcMzurRizF94BoMSolPmwwbwCHM/2017-05-04-038_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2vLcLal5BFQ/WSDm3Fiu-bI/AAAAAAAAlJ8/-fusIVIFEgEjSN5BYxbKxn31DX_x_FIzwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0424" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 042" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 042" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4rjhaEERWuc/WSDm3RCMj2I/AAAAAAAAlKA/Q_A6unbNd4wq57pyIW1_ihCWOXTTofLZgCHM/2017-05-04-042_thumb2?imgmax=800" width="438" height="582"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2VkQxHhY7nY/WSDm31TR2YI/AAAAAAAAlKE/29cI1jfp9VEcVF2c8tyZrYvFORxlCsf3QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0432" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 043" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 043" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KdyXF3smpM4/WSDm4AwsEVI/AAAAAAAAlKI/ltBGH0cFRhMiWts36v_B6acucztL3T5hQCHM/2017-05-04-043_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: <a href="http://www.polynesia.com/" target="_blank">Polynesian Cultural Center</a>. This is owned by the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and therefore their luaus have no alcohol. Although this is the more popular place to see a luau, we chose to luau elsewhere. Aside from no alcohol, they also don’t have the entertainment tableside. You eat in one place and then go to a theater for a show. We thought a beach luau with dinner and entertainment altogether was a more traditional way.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H0eCUnzHECQ/WSDm4kTFOeI/AAAAAAAAlKM/CnCWJHzOrwQjo9_TnhTHc_f5dyjpOQ3ggCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0442" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 044" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 044" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PrNdftzxgls/WSDm482VyDI/AAAAAAAAlKQ/SKVRnJoAyN4se3-Z8NmNgp7oHFIuV0uxQCHM/2017-05-04-044_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FPTh0qXjdC4/WSDm5R1J4hI/AAAAAAAAlKU/7-34UWeKJ3Ijbr813A9oingt6Bm5CpORQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-3262" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 326" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 326" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8kpnE0V3PW4/WSDm5pT70zI/AAAAAAAAlKY/QObs3gTzJ3UJHc30P6yFOFqyIPH9u7h0wCHM/2017-05-04-326_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dSAlEtK9T68/WSDm6FsFx2I/AAAAAAAAlKc/g5BYmWrG7QoTl9TSqMLpQw-lch3qpMJXwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-3272" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 327" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 327" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vBMdUoDwfXE/WSDm6c-POcI/AAAAAAAAlKg/y1ifjyn65uQWxbQPy_pLNKxNs348K8ePwCHM/2017-05-04-327_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vp36H0K31YA/WSDm673yO7I/AAAAAAAAlKk/_998tNOiwnALfZwl0hjGDrCDcSnzLc1iwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-3292" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 329" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 329" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vsO0b-KtrPg/WSDm7MhzCAI/AAAAAAAAlKo/QAdbKp6YdaYDq98vtRvQquRJbg_YEniCACHM/2017-05-04-329_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F5T8mnba-II/WSDm7vtF-1I/AAAAAAAAlKs/lGll_-ma-G00O9vdz2mQaq9ZmWpa5nVUwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-3302" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 330" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 330" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mm7aU9jeid4/WSDm7wuSGsI/AAAAAAAAlKw/OAso6ysE3DAkY7NURDiTSxTuFOj82BrpQCHM/2017-05-04-330_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Another Walmart run sometime during the day lead to these interesting photos. Why are they “locked up”? It’s not very expensive. High theft item?</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l5jVAtX0T_U/WSDm8VJrFUI/AAAAAAAAlK0/Rzjfz3V1QAokts0ZtojqDHFo3b0M8MmUQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0462" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 046" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 046" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-u0E1SqK2zzQ/WSDm8j_xHFI/AAAAAAAAlK4/AztnzvusDIYGmuLol0H68CmH5_8yE_lPgCHM/2017-05-04-046_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o8vUbygyXcc/WSDm9JXs68I/AAAAAAAAlK8/Q0cuckHpzbcFZUIWvWIbyzsbTfyj9EJpACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-04-0452" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-04 045" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-04 045" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KO-Oi_OgfCg/WSDm9py4LgI/AAAAAAAAlLA/w-ZESJdW2zcz6xPFB6N1fluirfHcINl2ACHM/2017-05-04-045_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We went back to the hotel, freshened up and then went to a nearby restaurant for dinner, Flour & Barley Waikiki. Nothing exciting. We had interesting pizzas.</p> <h5><font style="font-weight: normal">Garret = SALSICCE $18 fennel sausage, mozzarella, onion, & Calabrian chili</font></h5> <h5><font style="font-weight: normal">Jim = ALOHA PIE $19 mozzarella, Maui gold pineapple, spam, smoked bacon & Calabrian chili</font></h5>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-64951957700591069612017-05-19T02:18:00.000-04:002017-05-19T10:49:02.639-04:005-3-17 Wednesday (Departure)<p>It’s travel day! We woke up at 4am for our 7:30am flight. We reserved an Uber XL a few days prior. We needed the XL, after all, we did have 8 bags. Yes. 8. 4 large suitcases. 2 “personal” item sized, designed to fit right under the airplane seat and another 2 carry-on size. </p> <p>So… about our flights. We fly American to Hawaii, and Delta home. Why? Because Jim is a master at saving money. Sometime ago, we got US Airways and American Airlines credit cards which had great introductory free miles offers. When they merged, we had plenty of miles. We also had Delta credit cards which offer many miles as well. We were able to get first class seats round trip for around $300. With 12 hours of travel time, this was wonderful!</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sIb9PlKkEDg/WR8FrgidDPI/AAAAAAAAlEw/5gPwZkcZmr0Y-zmxthgmoyJVFQ2x-jT3wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B005%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 005" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pCYKS7919DQ/WR8FsAXBPoI/AAAAAAAAlE0/b2tKdQaYHZMZ4vm5IVgukaTOcmd-RZj3ACHM/2017-05-03%2B005_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>On the first leg of travel, we had a few hours flight time to Phoenix. We had 2 options for breakfast. Continental or breakfast sandwiches. Honestly, the breakfast and lunch selections didn’t appeal to us at all. Anyway, the breakfast sandwich platter came with an egg sandwich, choice of bread, fruit and yogurt. It was all quite good. I was disappointed that there were no power or USB outlets. I was a little worried about the Phoenix to Honolulu leg having the same fate. I used a legal program, Playon, which I have a lifetime subscription for to download several shows and movies for services we have subscriptions to. In our case, Netflix, Amazon Prime and AT&T U-Verse. We watched Key & Peele (Comedy skits). Oh, I almost forgot. We had plenty of Mimosas. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZvapHpNq9hY/WR8FsQAiSXI/AAAAAAAAlE4/GwZotvffAzwFMSWJAJUn0L4MJdwW3pUDACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B007%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 007" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 007" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p4WQP4O5LuQ/WR8Fs_r8VdI/AAAAAAAAlE8/LJQTMQisNqYIC5eJquolgXZFz4C51TyVwCHM/2017-05-03%2B007_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We had no real layover. Maybe 45 minutes or so before we got onto another plane. This time we were seated in the first row of first class. No under seat storage which sucked. It did have electrical sockets which was great for our phones and laptops. We actually watched TV/Movies as shown by United. I played some silly games on my phone. We napped. We drank mixed drinks. For lunch I had fish (strange meal for a plane) and Jim had lentil chili. Both very tasty.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YzTiUEX1kvw/WR8FtPOnM-I/AAAAAAAAlFA/2SPXWDvYDiY5dOG66CZIM1zYsn8shG8bwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B011%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 011" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 011" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TGQy5T2Hfzg/WR8Ftgo48tI/AAAAAAAAlFE/8sdSIAaMl-syNpqVIRTjyCAGk1AvLD2TACHM/2017-05-03%2B011_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kQONeoGsjKc/WR8FtzN7TRI/AAAAAAAAlFI/EqAlMgHG4PIcobaDbGLPtW6hPUTglY2GwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B010%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 010" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 010" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ifo6VEjqmWk/WR8FuVPRjvI/AAAAAAAAlFM/7AMejcJVdaY9zzGR1ehn7AXekFIwV8F7wCHM/2017-05-03%2B010_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We both tried napping but were unsuccessful. I don’t know why. No it wasn’t excitement. Maybe just not comfortable enough? I don’t know. I told you I don’t know twice; stop badgering me.</p> <p>The Honolulu airport was interesting. A lot of it is open aired. Like, no windows. It worked though. I wasn’t hot… for a change. We got our 8 bags of luggage, brought them to the curb and off Jim went for the rental. We thought it would be better if we didn’t have to load all of our crap on and off a shuttle bus. I just surfed Facebook while I waited.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kPEJhOz6Lyo/WR8Fuil-N0I/AAAAAAAAlFQ/K3ZBMFHmu5Af1bXUe0ZsHWrSa-jxHoBVwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B012%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 012" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 012" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TJmh4U1FaMs/WR8FvHz_t8I/AAAAAAAAlFU/VwYorSbMBJsJg39kBFd_kKxrylBvbJlmgCHM/2017-05-03%2B012_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>We set the GPS to go to the hotel and off we went. We stopped at a McDonald’s for beverages and then decided we needed a quick snack for the road. Simple chicken nuggets. I only bring this up because of the unique McDonald’s menu here. They have the typical stuff in addition to sides like SPAM, white rice, and Portuguese Sausage. </p> <p>We checked into the Regency Hyatt. Jim once again applied for Hyatt credit cards and redeemed introductory points offers for 4 nights at $0. We upgraded our room for $75 a night to have a fantastic view of the beach. The hotel offered free leis. We declined since it was so late. We were given <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleurites_moluccanus" target="_blank">Kukui</a> nut leis instead. I like these since they’ll last forever unlike flowers.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eudL-IzYpww/WR8FvcaiMCI/AAAAAAAAlFY/FgaR0J0qeIsGWtAE6THZiNrase42QBQ4QCHM/s1600-h/Jet-Black-Kukui-Leis-300x3009" target="_blank"><img title="Jet-Black-Kukui-Leis-300x300" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Jet-Black-Kukui-Leis-300x300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oHUe8qRoXpw/WR8FvkrrJFI/AAAAAAAAlFc/oasFj4pUflIMW_IGB6hS4LbVho71CUSjACHM/Jet-Black-Kukui-Leis-300x300_thumb6?imgmax=800" width="304" height="304"></a></p> <p>The room is amazing. The view is amazing. It’s still daylight and we’re running out of steam. Being up for so many hours will do that I suppose. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Phc0Nngk5mU/WR8FwLpSq0I/AAAAAAAAlFg/h6Um4GHpAdwB8_NbV5EGSFsqc_LVqaX4ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B014%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 014" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-A_rJOx7Ermk/WR8FwtBHY2I/AAAAAAAAlFk/o_fucrFqNZo-PTKX_CtA5aKofNkApbkOgCHM/2017-05-03%2B014_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center">Above/Below: View from the hotel lobby.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bL8Bf0mZiME/WR8Fw1kOS8I/AAAAAAAAlFo/Y5E-W3WfR7c8CVVWkXB7wutzuXAgamOHgCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B015%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 015" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8CGhcWZoTwQ/WR8FxWlsNXI/AAAAAAAAlFs/UWVO-a-N6QchCx1y1h6pY1hLstIFFThLACHM/2017-05-03%2B015_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GrVU8ZBMlTs/WR8Fx_jFpBI/AAAAAAAAlFw/jFVNJ1GEBewFVH_VbDwQk-nfeIcBA1uRQCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B016%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 016" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gdZKoxExRyM/WR8FyDZ8nWI/AAAAAAAAlF0/7V-pkdvFlrIl-xG2w5ToQhjogaTrf4PyQCHM/2017-05-03%2B016_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center">Above/Below: View from our room.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v8QNRXqCrxU/WR8Fyr4G8_I/AAAAAAAAlF4/R5szY7c3muk-kMJ8pvjr_JWY8-iVymC-wCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B018%255B5%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 018" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 018" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FeuKDELUOxg/WR8FyyZ4ByI/AAAAAAAAlF8/M1OhiJ9dCM0mTEUcz-W9ySpbVqt2jPF4gCHM/2017-05-03%2B018_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>A couple of photos of the room:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AkPYCSghisc/WR8FzBCwSoI/AAAAAAAAlGA/Zkr2OHTLYoUxnzR6eKVO1oFZea_X_1hiwCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B023%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 023" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 023" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-177pzwcApYw/WR8Fzl6QbQI/AAAAAAAAlGE/SGqW_Rm7KY8CX3thuSuEqI91TgWpT0zfQCHM/2017-05-03%2B023_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LFKmI1n6SqY/WR8Fzyi7LSI/AAAAAAAAlGI/K7MAlvU0xPM6TjrrZDPvfq7dYEjPa60igCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B022%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 022" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 022" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tYBh5N0PoQM/WR8F0JsD-PI/AAAAAAAAlGM/UixJOGSf0_gB6H6VwSVzlc5XgN_amzqxACHM/2017-05-03%2B022_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>A supply run to Walmart was needed. We wanted some snacks for the room, Jim’s beloved diet soda (we needed a lot of this), and some other odds and ends. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fshO9iD4pkw/WR8F0gQxpeI/AAAAAAAAlGQ/_3X_nYX7aWo-Dlt2hV1W-XGKMwFLQ7CywCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B025%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 025" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 025" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rvvcjuqz0m0/WR8F1PmPi-I/AAAAAAAAlGU/-FTbA6NIROEZQSTJWmqUMt_E-4cvo_wagCHM/2017-05-03%2B025_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: The Hawaiian Spam craze.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wAqifP5RkG0/WR8F1iFji3I/AAAAAAAAlGY/SNtFKil04ooNAv8LGF8UYaNoFxqjpjZ6QCHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B024%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 024" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 024" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Svv3-Ux-eaQ/WR8F1z4Mo-I/AAAAAAAAlGc/bawAwAyD1p0DiYOZ8E31NXjYO21jHd-rgCHM/2017-05-03%2B024_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: They had a crazy huge section of Hawaiian shirts.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kid2FfFrLbg/WR8F2TV-1ZI/AAAAAAAAlGg/uqev6xlGG4MvjE31yN2k77g7RcQP4SO0ACHM/s1600-h/2017-05-03%2B013%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-05-03 013" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-05-03 013" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9rJ0fFNRmS8/WR8F2rlFtGI/AAAAAAAAlGk/6XEh2fcOhqYG6UivWMMU5F4WNkmXag8XgCHM/2017-05-03%2B013_thumb?imgmax=800" width="261" height="347"></a>Above: Hawaiian state flower… Hibiscus. </p> <p>Once back at the hotel, we started exploring a little bit for a place to eat. A local recommended <a href="http://mac247waikiki.com/" target="_blank">Mac 24/7</a> so off we went. Just as we were seated, the extreme tiredness set in. Honestly, I could have just skipped dinner at this point and went to bed.</p> <p>I bet you want to hear all about the unique Hawaiian dishes we ate. Well, that’s not going to happen right now. I had the chicken and waffles plate. The chicken was low quality, fatty, dark meat chunks. I ate some of it. Jim was slightly more adventurous and had the Hawaiian Moonfish Tacos. Luckily he got the Chipotle on the side because he does not like spicy. I sampled the Chipotle and it was very spicy. He enjoyed his meal. I took a bite and liked it. I have no photo or stock photo to share. Here’s mine ala stock photo from their website.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5hh1LFSTvyc/WR8F27TZE8I/AAAAAAAAlGo/S-4r9MenQr0Ba6f1HlIMNJC47VxOI-grwCHM/s1600-h/chic-waff2" target="_blank"><img title="chic waff" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="chic waff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-elC6Ifz_MIA/WR8F3dMi8kI/AAAAAAAAlGs/_ZpUf9EApOYb7TP5Sc0bPjteXCzV4dXiACHM/chic-waff_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a></p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-2969808963236261912017-05-18T16:32:00.001-04:002017-05-18T16:32:07.059-04:005-2-17 Tuesday (Pre-Vacation)<p>Please pay particular attention to the dates. I say this because as with many past vacations, I blog after the fact, not during. Many times, people will comment about something I should see/do while I’m there but it’s too late… We’re already gone. Also even if I have multiple entries ready, I’ll typically post one a day. So watch the dates. OK, so here starts the vacation blog. <p><font style="background-color: #0000ff" color="#ffffff" size="7" face="Brisk">Mind the Date</font> <p>I don’t have very much to report this week. Jim and I have been packing and organizing for the trip. Jim tends to overpack. Typically, we have at least 1 argument about packing before we go on a trip. He likes “outfits” and I like sensible. I don’t want to look like a slob but I’m definitely not competing for a fashion award. I’m good with a pair of sneakers (tennis shoes for you strange people that might call it that), brown dress shoe (with khakis for dinner attire) and flip flops. He’ll probably pack 7 pair for himself. I take care of packing HBA and the like and he handles the clothes. He’s also a very “just in case” cautious kind of guy. Extra this or extra that… just in case. Sure, I bring an extra pair of contact lenses for us both and with this long trip that includes being in water (contact lens wearers can relate), I’ll bring 2 extra pair on this trip. His extras are sometimes a bit extreme. We’ll see what happens. Every time we pack, I convince myself not to say anything about it but somewhere along the line I snap and let loose. After 17 years, you’d think I’d be used to it. Nope. What kind of packer are you?<u></u><u></u> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9hXMzE-BSSg/WR4EudeYzKI/AAAAAAAAlD4/6C7oqbn4Pe4SnrPCb2PAFQfnneedkKMkACHM/s1600-h/2017-04-29%2B003%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-04-29 003" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-04-29 003" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mmeOjp37o14/WR4Eup0hfVI/AAAAAAAAlD8/wcsEATweXdsfWlD5qTfnV0wAQE8lcpjGQCHM/2017-04-29%2B003_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_cBOtGdf1bs/WR4EvPoOhDI/AAAAAAAAlEA/GaSLcKR--RkYnTfEHeoeV1zXufRFpb4mgCHM/s1600-h/2017-04-29%2B002%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-04-29 002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-04-29 002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oBs2NQ1QWIQ/WR4EvuRkutI/AAAAAAAAlEE/WggOeCJGHAAawDxdwBX_93mtiXt9HZJCQCHM/2017-04-29%2B002_thumb?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a> <p><u></u><u></u> <p>There was more than that. You’ll see in tomorrow’s post!</p> <p>This is a long trip. Our longest vacation ever. We’re gone from work 5/3 and return 5/22. That’s a long time. I’m sure our bosses thinks so too. So what about CJ? We have friends staying at our house to take care of him. Our longest cruise has been 7 days so doing a 10 day cruise is nice. It typically goes by so quickly. The added days on Oahu will be awesome too. After this vacation, I’d like to plan a trip to Iceland to see the Northern Lights or perhaps a Mediterranean cruise. Both are expensive vacations so we’ll plan for 2-3 years from now. In the interim, we’ll do at least 1 cruise a year and take some other small trips. Maybe Vegas, Universal/Orlando, San Francisco, etc. Sometime I’d like a redo of our missed vacation. I’d like to get onto that huge Oasis of the Seas ship. Man, was I looking forward to that. We haven’t taken a full week of vacation since 1/2015. Well, Jim had off for his appendectomy if you want to count that. He won’t be happy if you do though, so don’t. </p> <p>Here’s something we bought at Dollar Tree the other day to excite us:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5JrIhisnzrU/WR4EwDshPBI/AAAAAAAAlEI/L_HFwOhxov0zzQ_cHIK_nqdglexOBHTjgCHM/s1600-h/2017-04-22%2B001%255B6%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-04-22 001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-04-22 001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1V17JqN85nc/WR4EwX7KG_I/AAAAAAAAlEM/ncQN-UaggvAA655u3ym0FupAfitFFaQXACHM/2017-04-22%2B001_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="261" height="347"></a></p> <p>Here’s something to frighten you:</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nOm8voeKMSc/WR4Ew18ZBLI/AAAAAAAAlEQ/4ytomlxmXEE34QL215F-ppdDp8lvkUATwCHM/s1600-h/2017-04-25%2B274%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="2017-04-25 274" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-04-25 274" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Kzkq8LS_lM0/WR4ExMTTAvI/AAAAAAAAlEU/WzaZRZiHMN49LQnt3HBlaSIH94uAq0X3gCHM/2017-04-25%2B274_thumb?imgmax=800" width="339" height="347"></a></p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-60903969891750822022017-04-30T18:56:00.001-04:002017-04-30T18:56:18.423-04:004-28-17 Friday (Work Update)<p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OjPpCmnrPjA/WQZrgnKI4FI/AAAAAAAAlCQ/u8CmEWJb1QU0tGlR67NglWSVbocRuCXcgCHM/s1600-h/work%255B4%255D" target="_blank"><img title="work" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="work" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Ly4xaBSX_OA/WQZrhCJSJ5I/AAAAAAAAlCU/wirFhhVSj246VqoN2rh9_n3QQrlZXRalgCHM/work_thumb%255B2%255D?imgmax=800" width="179" align="left" height="136"></a>A work update. Yep, that thing we have to do for the money, the mullah, the dough. 10/1/15 was my first day where I work. I was hired as a Junior Underwriter/Senior Processor. I completed training but was put into a pilot program within our Closing department. The pilot went well. Well enough that my company decided to make it a permanent team. I taught 2 classes (this was so fun) including my supervisor at the time. Afterwards, I stayed on as an assistant of sorts, helping my manager with the team. Assigning loans, troubleshooting, Subject Matter Expert (SME), etc. I loved the job. We worked so well together. Next I was asked to be a coach for a new software role out. Myself and several other coaches went through a few weeks of training to learn this new system. We learned the underwriting, processing and closing aspects of the system. We didn’t train others but assisted after they came out of training. This position had a finite life span. <u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p>In November, I applied for a position as Operations Support Analyst and got it with a level promotion. I support my manager as well as the multiple manager’s under her. I do a variety of tasks from managing reporting to volunteerism coordination. None of my job duties are particularly constant. Some are just once a month, some one a week. I just love the variety though. This position was to last until 2018 but is ending earlier. At the end of July, If not sooner, I will need to find a new position. Hopefully not a new employer.<u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1SM13nzsCGc/WQZrhyJ0vcI/AAAAAAAAlCY/P_TiHcBNUWg59-peDC-wwZUDv2UpPfYlgCHM/s1600-h/bank%255B6%255D" target="_blank"><img title="bank" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: right; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="bank" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-a-QDXZviLPs/WQZriR3-xLI/AAAAAAAAlCc/oXptTxqO26orHcC3ML4bfCtQYi-1QfBXACHM/bank_thumb%255B8%255D?imgmax=800" width="174" align="right" height="142"></a>You may be asking, what’s with all the uncertainty or you could be just picking your nose and wondering why you don’t exercise more. The company I work for and its division is a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing). Business process outsourcing (BPO) is a subset of outsourcing that involves the contracting of the operations and responsibilities of a specific business process to a third-party service provider. My particular division deals with credit services. Mostly banks. So while I work for Company A, our building has employees working on different projects/contracts for Bank B, Bank C, Bank D, etc. We provide underwriting, closing, processing, quality control, document review and other services. The project I work on, Bank B, its contract is ending sooner than expected due to the recent mortgage rate increases which led to less refi business and in turn dropped Bank B’s first mortgage business. <u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QqKB_deOH_U/WQZrjZTfmlI/AAAAAAAAlCg/GXk96FBzOI0-bLAMOlDh3Ou7gTY3aYzlgCHM/s1600-h/contract%255B3%255D" target="_blank"><img title="contract" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: left; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="contract" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p-6-vnq4EgA/WQZrkN0Bw2I/AAAAAAAAlCk/TGcj4tO3vZIHzX9OLBrX7ELD3gdAqhz9wCHM/contract_thumb%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="222" align="left" height="113"></a>There are many other contracts around me that I may be able to slide into. Am I worried? No. Am I concerned? Yes. Are you still picking your nose? Don’t answer. Luckily, my company isn’t just about credit. I can apply for jobs within our main company. There’s many consultant positions, tech, etc out there. I really want to stay with my company. I like them. No, I’m not just saying that because my manager might be reading (waving hi to her). My company treats us employees well. With my project ending, there were some changes. My company takes care of its employees. They retrained some of them and redeployed them in new areas. For some, they had experts help them with interviewing, fine tune skills, spruce up their résumés, and then have them apply for various positions within the company.<u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p>Wow, I wasn’t really expecting to go so deep. This was meant to be a little back story and then a current status. It just turned into a monster. Sorry about that. If you managed to stick with the entire story, you get a prize. No, not really. Pat yourself on the back though. You deserve that. I mean, heck, this was such a boring post, I didn’t even proofread. <u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p>The point. Oh, the frick’n point. Oh yeah. Well, I may have a job/career change in the near future. AND I’m going to stay positive. Wishing me luck can’t hurt though.</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-5519361124558549962017-04-24T17:22:00.001-04:002017-04-24T17:22:37.486-04:00It’s Been How Long? (Part 2 of 2)<p>Here’s some more updates to catch you up to speed. </p> <p>As is in this blog, in January of 2015 we did a cruise with Beth and Anne. We had an awesome time! Beth has severe motion sickness issues; she wore one of those patches. Unfortunately, when we returned home, she ended up in the hospital for a few days due to dehydration. It’s unsure of if the patch played a big role in that or not. Anyway, a year later, we set out for another cruise. This time on one of the world’s largest ships, Oasis of the Seas. Just like the prior year, we were chased out of Charlotte a day early due to an ice storm. So on 1/6/2017, we left Charlotte and got a hotel in Hinesville, GA. At 4:30am, Jim woke me up. Pains. Off to the Emergency Room we went.</p> <p>1/7/17, an emergency appendectomy was needed. Although modern day appendectomies are easy, we still didn’t want to risk any recovery issues on the boat. He’d also be in pain and doped up so a cruise wouldn’t be ideal. We canceled our cruise and sent Ann and Beth on without us.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dXGuzkRVPdg/WP5sk9g5BhI/AAAAAAAAlBM/R6ZnY27nsPcpOGBbYtjsLROVojKgG-KpwCHM/s1600-h/2017-01-07-0063" target="_blank"><img title="2017-01-07 006" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-01-07 006" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vW_0EeLNKPk/WP5sltNafjI/AAAAAAAAlBQ/nD09CsuI254T1TiAC0D9pHQ84kbZIlYDQCHM/2017-01-07-006_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aNwmdcFYKmg/WP5smpFt_9I/AAAAAAAAlBU/rx4TP5U7a_wa5z6dOW2FJzC8e6B3GEmaQCHM/s1600-h/2017-01-07-0083" target="_blank"><img title="2017-01-07 008" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-01-07 008" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iBz5HrNMsD0/WP5snGLWQWI/AAAAAAAAlBY/7frP4dSW3FEOJlOQI2VqGS03h35vVEwqQCHM/2017-01-07-008_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p>The worst part? No trip insurance. Not even from the credit card. The whole situation sucked.</p> <p>1/8/17, Beth and Anne left Hinesville and headed for the ship. A day or 2 into the cruise and Beth was very ill – motion sickness. She didn’t have patches (she didn’t trust them anymore) and they had to leave the ship in St. Thomas. They got a hotel room and flew to Miami. They rented a car, drove to Port Canaveral to pick up the other rental and drove to Charlotte. They got home a few days after us. </p> <p>Nope, they didn’t have insurance either. It was a lesson learned. There you go. All caught up.</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-84915732573597635502017-04-23T20:00:00.001-04:002017-04-23T20:00:52.885-04:00It’s Been How Long? (Part 1 of 2)<p>Hi. It’s me. I’m back. I’m not sure for how long but at least until after the cruise. What cruise? Patience. It will all be clear soon enough. First, I must fill you in on a few things. If you’ve been a Facebook friend of mine for at least a couple of years then you already know our pet situation. If you don’t then read on. If you don’t care then move on. If you know it but want to see the pretty post then read on. If you’re hungry then you should eat.</p> <p>Pardon (or don’t, I don’t care) this post as I’ve copied and pasted some info from Facebook posts.</p> <h1>4/19/2015. Dasher moved out.</h1> <p>This bit of news is in a blog post so this is just a reminder as it’s key to the next section. As posted on Facebook: </p> <blockquote> <p>We had to have Dasher put to forever sleep while in Augusta. We knew we were on borrowed time since Thanksgiving. He lived longer than typical for his breed. He went peacefully. I'm so devastated.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9tOKCwS-3PI/WP0_-M2jsgI/AAAAAAAAk_c/bQPxlSOUOust1-szgsPnTUrtCw5L-P0OwCHM/s1600-h/Dasher-05-07-d7" target="_blank"><img title="Dasher 05-07-d" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="Dasher 05-07-d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4oCkrgmonuE/WP0_-0u2VQI/AAAAAAAAk_g/5AvK1Wxz89opn5BDfwBkwqFadEuo0WDKgCHM/Dasher-05-07-d_thumb4?imgmax=800" width="327" height="435"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h24FK0pWwTA/WP0__aKS4dI/AAAAAAAAk_k/X-pGYf9jHoM5jMOsQQzMSSWODu8hfbLsQCHM/s1600-h/2009-04-04-CA-466" target="_blank"><img title="2009-04-04 CA 46" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2009-04-04 CA 46" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m4MH-qewxGs/WP1AAV1iyEI/AAAAAAAAk_o/OtVKolFLHx8rZyULMIp19Bmwcz_AMZkAACHM/2009-04-04-CA-46_thumb3?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3iApHDZ-8rM/WP1ABQM649I/AAAAAAAAk_s/U1_rIRsJVXkQM0JWZEaKL4OE8eKJMEk2gCHM/s1600-h/2009-04-29-AZ-018" target="_blank"><img title="2009-04-29 AZ 01" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2009-04-29 AZ 01" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-58b9jt5n608/WP1ACA2ogtI/AAAAAAAAk_w/8egk3WRsH6s5RGvX5nz8CP7vSr9Ko7QJQCHM/2009-04-29-AZ-01_thumb5?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a> <p> <h1>8/13/2016. Ready for the next step.</h1> <p>As posted on Facebook: <blockquote> <p>Warning. Sappy TMI personal story ahead: As <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jim.kelly.31586">Jim</a> and I watch TV, sometimes he’ll surf the internet on the couch from his laptop. At times, he’ll tilt the display my way and say “look at him/her” as he points to a rescue/shelter dog in need of a home. I’ll usually reply, “That’s nice”, or maybe give an “awwwww, no thanks.” My replies vary; my decision doesn’t. I don’t want another dog right now. Maybe never. <p>Recently we bought a pretty memorial frame for Dasher and as we picked out different photo possibilities, it got emotional here and there. Even though the top 10 winning photos haven’t been printed, I still feel as though I have closure I guess. I’m not really sure what happened, how it happened or why it happened but just a few nights ago, Jim, as usual, showed me a dog who needed a home. I looked, and then looked away, but this time 30 seconds or so later, I said “let me see him again” and that’s the start to my story. <p>I'm finally ready for us to have another furbaby in our life. The dog (CJ) that triggered the second look was pending adoption and no longer available. I’m OK with that and have decided, we should continue to look. We saw an Italian Greyhound but although he was a different color, he really looked too much like Dasher. Also those Italians are so hard to understand. I don’t want to blur my memories of Dasher with another of his breed that will typically have similar personalities. I don’t want to replace Dasher. I want something different. We need housebroken in our lives so I’m not willing to train. I’m not a fan of crates (I hate the thought of my baby locked in a cage) but if that’s what he/she is used to, then so be it. I need a small dog. Short haired. A lap dog to smother with love. <p>Since I’m in this emotional state, I just want to add that although we’re worlds apart anymore, I thank Carl and Tim for bringing Dasher into our lives. Dasher wasn’t a good fit for them but he sure was for us. I’m ready to let go but he will always be in my heart. I’m so tearful right now. This would normally have been a blog post but if you haven’t noticed, I haven’t blogged since January. If you didn’t notice then you’re a bastard… just kidding, I needed the humor right now. <p>Here’s the frame and photo we settled on: <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RVuLFis_pHU/WP1ADJZeO5I/AAAAAAAAk_0/nWkOoB4WV6Mdrg5AbJasruTQVSYda-rSwCHM/s1600-h/20170423_1350145" target="_blank"><img title="20170423_135014" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="20170423_135014" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EhSyK2_76Hg/WP1AD21dbZI/AAAAAAAAk_4/fCBusNSnbg4RjbfX3VWdcQvU0_0YHsfbgCHM/20170423_135014_thumb2?imgmax=800" width="477" height="363"></a></p></blockquote> <h1>8/16/16 Adopted CJ</h1> <p>We thought CJ was adopted. It fell through. Jim’s mom, Ann, was visiting from Florida. While I was at work, Jim and Ann went to adopt CJ. Although I hadn’t met him, I was confident that Jim would make the right decision for our next furbaby. He did.</p> <p>CJ had severe Separation Anxiety. He tore up the house. We had to crate him. That was a disaster. Here’s the Facebook posts:</p> <blockquote> <p><strong><u>8/20/16</u></strong> Look closely at the bent rails. One was snapped from it's weld. CJ escaped. Excuse the bare floors (we're in the middle of having them replaced).</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NGVeYLk-uJA/WP1AE1ObhEI/AAAAAAAAk_8/dG6Md490sbsIeConYQst0rD5LSKY-e1MwCHM/s1600-h/2016-08-19-0334" target="_blank"><img title="2016-08-19 033" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-08-19 033" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--KXBS601T0s/WP1AFmp63jI/AAAAAAAAlAA/KLXW7gz8iFQmW2pSjaHvTVCZNw6j5EXtQCHM/2016-08-19-033_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="380" height="673"></a></p> <p><strong><u>8/22/16</u></strong> We put him in the crate for the first half of the day. I came home at lunch and put him in the utility room but not in the crate. When I came home at 6, he had escaped. He tore up the cardboard (it was there along with scatter rugs to be sure he didn't hurt himself on the bare wood). He peed a little in the dinette. CJ 3, Jim and Garret 0.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zP7voYg-aVA/WP1AGpgzJZI/AAAAAAAAlAE/rPmWb1zh84kNmvKTRVOHusW5luYVtvH_gCHM/s1600-h/2016-08-22-0043" target="_blank"><img title="2016-08-22 004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-08-22 004" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2SlF0D-H-Ns/WP1AHD6SchI/AAAAAAAAlAI/TjxnQntYxw47z9ALvKrCotGc_qrT4ZZhQCHM/2016-08-22-004_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p> <p><strong><u>8/24/16</u></strong> If you've been awaiting the next installment of "Destrucules, The Cute Hellion", here it is. We put him in the utility room with blankets, a bed, food, water and doggy soothing music. In front of the gate, we put a "scat mat" that delivers a 9v shock should he walk across it. Jim heard him get shocked a few times as he left the house. At lunch time I came home andCJ had the scat mat at the end of the utility room. I'm not sure how he did that without getting zapped. He did not escape. He ma have peed so I left a pee pee pad in there for him. When I returned at 6pm, the scat mat was moved again, the gate was secure, the pee pee pad was ripped up and he can now hum the notes of the continuous looped doggy music. We're going to make some other changes but we may have found a good combination.</p> <p><strong><u>8/25/16</u></strong> Today CJ was crated. No issues. Hopefully sometime in the future we can revisit restricting him to one room.</p></blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong><u>9/12/16</u></strong> A CJ update: He broke out of the pretty, spacious and $100 pricey crate. He somehow pulled the door inward. We returned the crate and used the type shown in the picture. He can't escape that but the plastic holes prove the struggle is real. I hate this crate. It doesn't let much light in and it's a little on the small side. He seems to be able to walk this entire crate several feet away from it's original location. The $30 pheromone Glade-ish plugin may or may not be working. Who knows. <p>Jim found a metal crate with thick bars made of titanium (OK, not really) that is too big but is doing the job nicely. The smaller the crate, the thinner the bars. We're going to see if we can find something as sturdy but smaller. So far we're on crate 5 or 6. <p>Other than that, he's as cute as a button. He sleeps on the bed with us and never makes a mess. He's so well behaved (when he's not in that crate). I'm tempted to leave him out of it for the day but when he escaped that time, he caused quite a bit of damage. Maybe that was because he was jailed and broke free? Maybe he's a terror when we're not home? I'm not willing to take the chance right now. <p>We have a college student close by that comes to the house and lets him out each work day. She spends about 10 minutes with him.</p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SHz3-yzPJ-8/WP1AHvBaRVI/AAAAAAAAlAM/CxoPtZYZaBYxSXWNZCVOQjJQAX3m7DcMgCHM/s1600-h/14265004_10207230588659017_144668855%255B2%255D" target="_blank"><img title="14265004_10207230588659017_1446688555649734918_n" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="14265004_10207230588659017_1446688555649734918_n" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IiY2t7RrHto/WP1AIYmy7XI/AAAAAAAAlAQ/tjoIqIVXRPsnfy8dkh-34fk9WqN5tdYeACHM/14265004_10207230588659017_144668855%255B1%255D?imgmax=800" width="343" height="343"></a></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#333333"><strong><u>1/13/17</u></strong></font> Another post. This one is positive though. CJ is free from the crate. (If you never saw the photos of the damage he caused, look at my album called “CJ” and witness the unbelievable mess this little 11 pound dog can wreak.) A couple of weeks ago, our fill-in dog lunch time letter-outer, McKenzie, called us and said that she couldn’t get CJ back into his crate. He was growling at her. He ran up to our bedroom. We told her to leave him out and close the gate to the bedroom so he couldn’t get to the rest of the house. I left work a little early. No damage. This occurred the next day but this time downstairs so he had the run of the house. No damage. We have these things called “Tattle Tales” that we bought from PetSmart years ago. They take a 9v battery and screech if they detect any loud noise (air vibration) or vibration. Since our door moldings are already ruined, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jim.kelly.31586">Jim</a> nailed 1 into the door frame leading to the garage and another he used a 3m to fasten to the front door. We turn the alarms on and leave the house. If he should claw at the door or molding, the alarm will screech. He doesn’t like the noise. So far, it has worked. For now, we put up a gate to block the upstairs but will soon stop doing that. We think he probably still has anxiety when we leave but I hope it’s not as bad. He’s such a sweet dog. We love him!</p></blockquote> <p>I’m happy to say that for several weeks, we’re eliminated all sensors, buzzers, screechy thingies, and barricades. CJ has been doing great! </p> <blockquote> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-z3QX4VBivhQ/WP1AJUOvf5I/AAAAAAAAlAU/HUSxtH0-8jUSod2tYWJ3w1LHe3I6lZ3MQCHM/s1600-h/2016-09-20-1032" target="_blank"><img title="2016-09-20 103" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-09-20 103" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Max5TvDzjiU/WP1AKEZ-EWI/AAAAAAAAlAY/ir-1uCfRGaYcnbCgNSvhhgGbUC1bjRQ3ACHM/2016-09-20-103_thumb?imgmax=800" width="462" height="262"></a></p></blockquote> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sUkxDbAZD9s/WP1AKnJe1aI/AAAAAAAAlAc/CviH1MlnIogfBp5s0PtKKiSGdYB4ma1TgCHM/s1600-h/2017-02-04-0183" target="_blank"><img title="2017-02-04 018" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-02-04 018" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-85JC8gLbcGk/WP1ALVrXAfI/AAAAAAAAlAg/ahQuNRf576k_Tb7qqtmSeq6wq0XrFNAPACHM/2017-02-04-018_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="353" height="625"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gqA9UPskXWk/WP1AMHkbaXI/AAAAAAAAlAk/gb1Ascm1OSwl2ButW2eCfLbJ_TEdLb-MwCHM/s1600-h/2017-03-06-0513" target="_blank"><img title="2017-03-06 051" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2017-03-06 051" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oRhO4MIKS00/WP1AMspvF1I/AAAAAAAAlAo/A9va7sRQDFMnylPtsVeKU7NPWeSdppdoQCHM/2017-03-06-051_thumb1?imgmax=800" width="348" height="616"></a></p> <p>Next post: Emergency surgery. The cruise that never was. Stuff like that…</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-19120499822766121302016-02-09T18:23:00.001-05:002016-02-09T18:23:17.609-05:001-29-16 At Sea & 1-30-16 Port Canaveral<p>Today wasn’t very eventful. Some of us took naps, some gambled in the casino, some hung out here and there. Mix this in with brunch and cocktails making this a relaxing day. Oh, we did participate in the 90’s music trivia. No win.</p> <p>I don’t even have photos worth posting. Here’s 2 towel critters.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kyNQXSksUKo/Vrp03uDPF2I/AAAAAAAAj9k/TnLgLYZXLiQ/s1600-h/2016-01-29-1143.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-29 114" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-29 114" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_nZmjNPnpRw/Vrp04DTAbCI/AAAAAAAAj9o/avq3zJ0PscM/2016-01-29-114_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="453" height="603"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rl7C3UeFJmI/Vrp04jRNMDI/AAAAAAAAj9s/uPCwMd5zCeg/s1600-h/2016-01-29-1172.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-29 117" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-29 117" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UpRc0S_4Uzw/Vrp05MTnCAI/AAAAAAAAj9w/TpAgpsS73Mg/2016-01-29-117_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <h1>1-30-16 Port Canaveral</h1> <p>Off the boat we need to go. The worst part of the cruise is disembarkation. It’s typically a mess. The Faster to the Fun pass gave us another great perk… Off the ship faster. We gathered at 8am, was off the ship and through customs in under 30 minutes. Best disembarkation experience ever. We drove home, an approximate 8 hour drive, while I blogged in the back seat. </p> <p>Overall review of mine and Jim’s 8th cruise, first Carnival Cruise:</p> <p>Dining: The buffet was very good especially for lunch. We ate in the main dining room every night. The food was excellent and I hate to say it… it might be the best food on a cruise we’ve ever had. Seriously. There’s few foods that we said “nope, don’t like it.” Most items were great and others surprisingly delicious. The desserts were underwhelming. Service was hit or miss.</p> <p>Entertainment: The dancing was terrible. Always out of sync. Jim and I liked the shows themselves… Beth and Anne weren’t impressed. We enjoyed the trivia. Bingo was a rip off. We paid $40 each for 3 rounds and found the payoff was only $120. There were so many people playing and that’s the best they could do? The bingo MC was annoying. The comedy shows were in the George Lopez Punchliner Comedy Club (George Lopez wasn’t on the cruise) and they were awesome. Several different comedians throughout the week along with different shows made this a winner for us.</p> <p>Ship: The cabins were fine, and well cared for. They could use a color scheme change but nice overall. The ship decor was nauseating at times. The theme is American Heroes. Here’s what Cruisecritic.com had to say “Heads of Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and other patriots adorn the atrium's sculptural frieze, faux gilded eagles perch on pedestals near the elevator banks, and the hallway art often suggests heroic or historic moments.” Enough about that. There was a strange fowl sewer odor here and there. It’s gross. It’s not all over, all the time, but it’s there.</p> <p>The cruise was awesome. The value was there. We’d come back for sure.</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-28819927533913499712016-02-08T17:49:00.001-05:002016-02-08T17:49:07.097-05:001-28-16 Costa Maya, Mexico<p>Today, we’re in Costa Maya. Unfortunately, we’re only in the port from 7:30 to 2:30. We were up pretty late and never made it into port. No big deal for Jim and I since we’ve been here several times. Beth and Anne weren’t concerned since their preference was to relax. We spent a good part of the day on the Lido deck, in the shade, near the pool, near the pool bar, enjoying adult beverages (Peach Daiquiris, yum!) playing Phase 10 and Cards Against Humanity. We hung out with a new friend, Tim, who joined us to play Cards Against Humanity. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P54LeoVbqsI/VrkZJvjaReI/AAAAAAAAj74/VZSHCh0D6lw/s1600-h/2016-01-28-1072.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-28 107" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-28 107" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BqGzXToE4Pg/VrkZNSLgQSI/AAAAAAAAj78/-YdIgd60sA0/2016-01-28-107_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center">Above/Below: Anne</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NwlC9IavxL8/VrkZOBf_DVI/AAAAAAAAj8A/_uICGPKxHbk/s1600-h/2016-01-28-1082.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-28 108" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-28 108" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i6IkaNehC1E/VrkZOqY4mcI/AAAAAAAAj8E/oDXO_e4Ux14/2016-01-28-108_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kBq98VybJOg/VrkZPEGBZII/AAAAAAAAj8I/2lRdzGt7DHg/s1600-h/2016-01-28-1093.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-28 109" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-28 109" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uzEIFPBxW-Q/VrkZPsGSS8I/AAAAAAAAj8M/TqAlA0uZexY/2016-01-28-109_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="592"></a>Above: Beth</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eI3uIznvhB8/VrkZQSY_dQI/AAAAAAAAj8Q/t2-_qc6Ix_c/s1600-h/2016-01-28-1103.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-28 110" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-28 110" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PdHFudAZOtE/VrkZROXZlaI/AAAAAAAAj8U/WtS3RYLtor4/2016-01-28-110_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="574"></a>Above: Tim</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JJFwOywsnQQ/VrkZRq0vNCI/AAAAAAAAj8Y/NwUOSRxbtIk/s1600-h/2016-01-28-1113.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-28 111" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-28 111" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T81-nXtgxQM/VrkZSLyekqI/AAAAAAAAj8c/oOrm2eIrDac/2016-01-28-111_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="563"></a>Above: Jim</p> <p>All week we’ve been playing various trivia games as a group and tonight we finally won with 30 out of 30 points for 80’s music trivia. Basically a Name That Tune game. Beth and Jim did 95% of the work. The Cruise Director, Mat, gives 2 different types of awards. A plastic ship statue which he lovingly calls “ship on a stick” and a plastic gold medallion on a ribbon dubbed “bling on a string”. We won the coveted ship on a stick.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LXBoiKu0JkY/VrkZSs85lEI/AAAAAAAAj8g/-2J97tvp2Zc/s1600-h/2016-01-29-1133.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-29 113" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-29 113" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-K8N2r3_trRI/VrkbVJalX_I/AAAAAAAAj8s/Dham8_dklk0/2016-01-29-113_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="552"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b32P13WfNi8/VrkbVexDamI/AAAAAAAAj8w/6TkERhjHGFQ/s1600-h/2016-01-29-1123.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-29 112" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-29 112" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FRAvQsvl9-E/VrkbWC80_iI/AAAAAAAAj80/BtPgkeEp4Vg/2016-01-29-112_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="559"></a></p> <p>Tonight’s show = “Far from Over”. Another singing/dancing theater show with 80’s music/themed and bad dancing.</p> <h4><font color="#0000ff" size="6" face="AR DARLING">Other photos:</font></h4> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-anDBRb7SxQQ/VrkbW-sVbMI/AAAAAAAAj84/xO_6F56t_ic/s1600-h/2016-01-28-1066.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-28 106" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-28 106" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F00k99hbPd8/VrkbXZCNPzI/AAAAAAAAj88/3CDutj27T0U/2016-01-28-106_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="535"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vhlU-RfsK64/VrkbXorJ7WI/AAAAAAAAj9A/nTBP29NbasQ/s1600-h/2016-01-28-1056.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-28 105" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-28 105" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VfVh7MLAHpk/VrkbYaJy_GI/AAAAAAAAj9E/NnwcGazWq4M/2016-01-28-105_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="394" height="525"></a>Above: Me making fun of the ship decor.</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-65168474193564063012016-02-06T08:25:00.001-05:002016-02-06T08:25:05.207-05:001-27-16 Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan<p>Today’s port of call was Roatan, Honduras. We were supposed to scuba dive here but cancelled the day before due to Jim feeling sick. We weren’t sure he’d be well and the excursions have to be cancelled 24 hours in advance. Beth and Ann stayed aboard. Jim and I decided to check the port out. We got off the boat, the heat/sun sucked. We took a trail through the woods which was a great way to cool off. Up a path, atop a hill, we found a swing. It was a great view point, cool in the shade and off the main path. We attempted to walk into the beach area but it was very hot. We decided to go back to the boat. I was sweat drenched. It felt awful. We found a shady spot to cool off and eventually made it back to the cruise port entry way shops where we browsed around some air conditioned stores to cool off. We got a few souvenirs. T-Shirts and a Christmas Ornament. Nothing spectacular. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TEahTSEGisY/VrUgfeF9oJI/AAAAAAAAj5w/HJpOrV2MXOk/s1600-h/2016-01-27-1042.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-27 104" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-27 104" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XiXln1kGy-Y/VrUggOZFYKI/AAAAAAAAj50/uxeN86G6d-Y/2016-01-27-104_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Back on the ship, we met up with the girls and found a quiet semi-private place to play Cards Against Humanity. Beth and Anne had never played. Jim and I had only played once previously. They enjoyed the game. We had a fantastic time. We laughed. A lot. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RoGxOT67e3c/VrUggtEWYZI/AAAAAAAAj54/3zAQDP6Zw7Q/s1600-h/2016-01-27-1033.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-27 103" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-27 103" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GYntFmOMKfI/VrUghCprRxI/AAAAAAAAj58/tHxcuW3Ee6I/2016-01-27-103_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="397" height="529"></a>Above: Towel critter of the day.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VbCZonePbiY/VrUgh08jFUI/AAAAAAAAj6A/fhAP5vpCTHo/s1600-h/Cat-in-the-Hat%25255B1%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Cat in the Hat" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Cat in the Hat" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--bkqPOUhVRE/VrUgiserenI/AAAAAAAAj6E/Bg9ddSEx6k0/Cat-in-the-Hat_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="488" height="601"></a>Above: A fun photo shoot we did. I loved it and bought it. $20!</p> <p>Tonight’s entertainment = Love and Marriage Show – I think this is another common cruise ship game. Think Newly Wed game only there’s 3 couple with varying degrees of marriage lengths. 70 years (yep and they were so darn cute), 15 years, and 10 days. All 3 couples won.</p> <p>Since this is a light entry, it’s a good time to share Carnival’s daily newsletter. Each cruise line has one. They’re all similar. It’s a list of activities, reminders, restaurant/shop hours, and entertainment for the day. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-07pWFgRJPoc/VrUgjLSo0xI/AAAAAAAAj6I/x8sdOP3BUnQ/s1600-h/Carnival-FunTimes0001%25255B1%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Carnival FunTimes0001" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Carnival FunTimes0001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3gmRyGGeKhA/VrUgjnL4JvI/AAAAAAAAj6M/HLlhr6oN4KY/Carnival-FunTimes0001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="393" height="624"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mMTswbtlw2o/VrUgkCIoT1I/AAAAAAAAj6Q/utWKgzkY2bQ/s1600-h/Carnival-FunTimes0002%25255B1%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Carnival FunTimes0002" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Carnival FunTimes0002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ystNPJfFvck/VrUgkQ06H4I/AAAAAAAAj6U/thA3Jxcw57s/Carnival-FunTimes0002_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="634"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kgFJCfSrxOk/VrUgk9Bi-KI/AAAAAAAAj6Y/5B4MjKFVE9o/s1600-h/Carnival-FunTimes0003%25255B1%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Carnival FunTimes0003" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Carnival FunTimes0003" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jmk7psvD9Qg/VrUglMuO84I/AAAAAAAAj6c/LnlJeXKDzxA/Carnival-FunTimes0003_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="395" height="633"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vY6elEXp1Tk/VrXy-RUfnXI/AAAAAAAAj7M/_qayBJeNPM8/Carnival-FunTimes0004%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" target="_blank"><img title="Carnival FunTimes0004" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Carnival FunTimes0004" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-puksxrZHZHU/VrX0J2uLALI/AAAAAAAAj7U/FqNJl9NRkQk/Carnival-FunTimes0004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="620"></a></p> <p>Below is a tear out (back and front) that has all the activities in a nice list by time format. The reverse side was everything food related. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pHqwNf0hwlU/VrX0KUk2NdI/AAAAAAAAj7Y/pOPskasH5Hk/s1600-h/Carnival-FunTimes0005%25255B1%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Carnival FunTimes0005" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Carnival FunTimes0005" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-x0M6tY62zZA/VrX0K17UiZI/AAAAAAAAj7c/W4EbkWZ0k60/Carnival-FunTimes0005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="1079"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--Qh69nf07-M/VrX0LXuqY3I/AAAAAAAAj7g/tQE0UiHoxsw/s1600-h/Carnival-FunTimes0006%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="Carnival FunTimes0006" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Carnival FunTimes0006" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xhm3tRERPxo/VrX0LmYRsQI/AAAAAAAAj7k/U0Offy0D6SI/Carnival-FunTimes0006_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="1077"></a></p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-46108757174350134012016-02-05T06:01:00.001-05:002016-02-05T06:01:45.325-05:001-26-16 Belize<p><font color="#000000">Jim was sick. He was the only one who drank water from <a href="http://www.xplor.travel/" target="_blank">Xplor Park</a>’s water fountain. Before he swallowed it, Beth yelled for him to stop. He spit it out but if there were any parasites in it, it was certainly too late. I’d like to think that in a big tourist attraction such as this place, the water is filtered. Either way, we now refer to this as “Montezuma’s Revenge”. This is even funnier now since as I researched Mexican water for this blog entry, <a href="http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-tips/safety-and-health/drinking-water-safety" target="_blank">an article mentions that falling ill from drinking it</a> is referred to as “Montezuma’s Revenge”. Well, that just confirms it. </font></p> <p><font color="#000000">He wasn’t able to make today’s excursion to Altun Ha Mayan Site & River Wallace. I went to the Excursion desk to cancel tomorrow’s excursion expecting Jim wouldn’t be 100%. The cancellation policy is 24 hours for a refund… so I thought. Anyway, the desk was closed and Beth, Anne and I had to start our excursion.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Here’s the excursion description:</font></p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#0000ff">Flanked by Mexico and Guatemala on the Caribbean coast, your Carnival cruise destination of Belize offers wonderful natural attractions and ancient history. Altun Ha Mayan Site & River Wallace is just the shore excursion for you if you’d like to visit an important Mayan ruin and see Belize’s wildlife in a lush tropical rainforest.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff">Step aboard a boat and hang on to your hat for an exhilarating ride along Belize City’s scenic coast. Then you’ll enter the Belize River, called Rio Wallace by the Spaniards during the Conquistador rule of the New World. The Maya traders and British loggers transporting precious mahogany also used the tributary. Keep your eyes open and your camera ready for a glimpse at the natural wildlife. You just may spot crocodiles, iguanas, howler monkeys, and even feeding manatees or dolphins during your journey.</font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff">After approximately 90 minutes on the river, your tour captain will tie up at a riverside dock for 30 to 45 minutes. Take the time to purchase a local lunch and browse the gift shop for Belize souvenirs. Then board your air-conditioned motorcoach for the 45-minute ride to Altun Ha, an ancient Mayan ceremonial center that covers five square miles. Archeologists did not know about this ancient site until 1963 when Hal Ball, a pilot and amateur Mayanist, noticed the existence of the ancient site from the air. Three plazas and thirteen structures mark the epicenter with the largest of the pyramids being The Temple of the Masonry Altars. This is where, in 1965, Professor David Pendergast of the Royal Ontario Museum discovered the almost ten-pound jade head of the Sun God Kinich Ahau in the tomb of the Royal Priest. Located only seven miles from the sea, Altun Ha was also a vital trade center during the Classic Period.</font></p></blockquote> <p><font color="#000000">Interesting huh? Even I didn’t read all that. Consider yourself enriched. So anyway, we boarded a small boat. We began the trip in the ocean, transitioned to the river in brackish water and then into fresh water. Our tour guide, Melissa (Mel), was awesome. She spotted amazing sites along the river. She’s been doing it for 13 years. We saw dolphins, but missed the manatees. Iguanas. Crocs. Howler Monkeys. Bats. Herons. </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WoKeBnTLnJ0/VrPzLwpM7uI/AAAAAAAAj2c/6V4V0QhxSok/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0735.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 073" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 073" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jezxldKN5bI/VrPzMfWgYSI/AAAAAAAAj2g/TFmrcPp-XNU/2016-01-26-073_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="391"></a></font><font color="#000000">Above: Beth</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rvP1qf2EjtU/VrPzM9z2q6I/AAAAAAAAj2k/IHxEkPfJn7w/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0623.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 062" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 062" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gJ_OaZEc56E/VrPzNbdNcqI/AAAAAAAAj2o/BA0i_bVcid8/2016-01-26-062_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="297" height="540"></a></font><font color="#000000">Above: Duh, it’s a pelican.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8hBvKJmzfis/VrPzOJR8mRI/AAAAAAAAj2s/h6DchSJzlP4/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0632.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 063" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 063" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bF45i2moPdI/VrPzOqSH_sI/AAAAAAAAj2w/Xx7Zr4VB32k/2016-01-26-063_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></font><font color="#000000">Above: The 3 of us.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Yaa1wJaYOR8/VrPzPo32R4I/AAAAAAAAj20/s0Y_A6JXEu0/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0692.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 069" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 069" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MjieQosVzxs/VrPzQO2oGOI/AAAAAAAAj24/aCtas3SDsq8/2016-01-26-069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></font><font color="#000000">Above: Trees and water. Cool, huh?</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cPyUe9r6QLw/VrPzQinxvwI/AAAAAAAAj28/mZK-BttzCrU/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0703.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 070" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 070" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_1ea9zegCXw/VrPzRh2MiqI/AAAAAAAAj3A/LQjlMmpAAn8/2016-01-26-070_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="463" height="617"></a></font><font color="#000000">Above: Anne</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Now for the nature pics:</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XRuaHNSFgBw/VrPzSeMyHhI/AAAAAAAAj3E/un93VkbjtIs/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0862.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 086" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 086" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DutgMocazZs/VrPzS_e-wVI/AAAAAAAAj3I/jj79Zppn66A/2016-01-26-086_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Crocodile’s head.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4ErIKVOQaOw/VrPzTWNcbLI/AAAAAAAAj3M/NoVP1TAipbs/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0753.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 075" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 075" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dhql0NOFGwY/VrPzTitEPyI/AAAAAAAAj3Q/uSDs9Q2JTIs/2016-01-26-075_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="468" height="342"></a>Above: Iguana</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-flslHxJYtlQ/VrPzUccMN4I/AAAAAAAAj3U/Z6WJPrj4LiU/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0762.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 076" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 076" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rm3osTpLrG0/VrPzVGeWH-I/AAAAAAAAj3Y/LUFWi6sfafw/2016-01-26-076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center">Above/Below: Heron</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ckbtHyWnCdI/VrPzVlT_0kI/AAAAAAAAj3c/8cP7UjBkHm0/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0772.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 077" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 077" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iS5U4GtK7Cc/VrPzWKZIbNI/AAAAAAAAj3g/qYk-Xdya3x8/2016-01-26-077_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QGMmrUPokpw/VrPzWpKNVSI/AAAAAAAAj3k/OhuPuXGKQxY/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0782.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 078" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 078" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3tN7XnB0hcs/VrSA6YLg4sI/AAAAAAAAj4A/DKl5LB3C518/2016-01-26-078_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Baby croc on a branch.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VpX2a83h0Ng/VrSA7PpfJXI/AAAAAAAAj4E/xRrX0Yeza9c/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0793.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 079" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 079" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YNOJHGDafnQ/VrSA7T7n76I/AAAAAAAAj4I/hAMckG-F7Zc/2016-01-26-079_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="362"></a>Above: Iguana.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iuBYSETtQsA/VrSA71QujTI/AAAAAAAAj4M/jMTCpyfcptg/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0802.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 080" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 080" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MqC8klNczKg/VrSA8ZldFDI/AAAAAAAAj4Q/Xzb6f_G6fbQ/2016-01-26-080_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Iguana.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aOGWfzl_Fg4/VrSA8l0_IZI/AAAAAAAAj4U/pR6v4yWE4EE/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0813.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 081" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 081" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3H567oqNmSs/VrSA9Li4SjI/AAAAAAAAj4Y/A1whEZGHgVs/2016-01-26-081_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Croc with its mouth open.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-V7v75VtW03A/VrSA9sviVgI/AAAAAAAAj4c/crH13_YnWuY/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0824.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 082" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 082" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-GTB8GOlnxEk/VrSA98g9zgI/AAAAAAAAj4g/MwuLEeonDWI/2016-01-26-082_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="460" height="612"></a></p> <p align="center">Above/Below: Howler monkeys!</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1Qxx32rvKL0/VrSA-YQjYMI/AAAAAAAAj4k/8-YIm0x8RZA/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0836.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 083" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 083" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uZOpa77Hpxw/VrSA-h1ISqI/AAAAAAAAj4o/7t6qM65rulU/2016-01-26-083_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="335"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8GbXS0w-PqY/VrSA_mDIteI/AAAAAAAAj4s/VdV4yBo7aao/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0842.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 084" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 084" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P2qZcMRtV_A/VrSBAOrkSrI/AAAAAAAAj4w/DBtna9x6fSE/2016-01-26-084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8KebdPbSjdo/VrSBAmCcgTI/AAAAAAAAj40/IMzGbGFdVcw/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0853.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 085" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 085" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tyvf3vOBBgo/VrSBBPIu0kI/AAAAAAAAj44/0WGUC4X3Ulg/2016-01-26-085_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="557"></a><font color="#000000">Above: Bats</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The temps started off nice but the sun started beating down. When the boat went fast, it was OK, but when we stopped to look at wildlife, it got hot fast. After about 2 hours of river touring, we stopped at </font><a href="http://www.blackorchidresort.com/" target="_blank">Black Orchid Resort</a>. <font color="#000000">We ate lunch there, then boarded a bus to continue onto the second half of the excursion, the ruins. A second tour guide joined us. </font><font color="#000000">Mel and Therese gave us a lot of info about their country as well as the ruins. They wanted us to spread the word about Belize since tourism is 25% of their country’s employment. There. I did my part. Look it up. <a title="https://www.travelbelize.org/" href="https://www.travelbelize.org/">https://www.travelbelize.org/</a></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">We got to the ruins and for Anne and I, we were feeling pretty sun beaten and weary. There wasn’t much for shade there and the ruins were cool but you can only look at them for so long. We had a little over an hour there which was an hour too long.</font></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jt4doygdHiU/VrSBB8ODxuI/AAAAAAAAj48/S1jCLSO0Q2A/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0952.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 095" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 095" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lCG4aEvgFfc/VrSBCeafeqI/AAAAAAAAj5A/O5eTQWjruLU/2016-01-26-095_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-znnUCTWLVtA/VrSBC6M3ZZI/AAAAAAAAj5E/ciCnYW2RGLw/s1600-h/2016-01-26-0933.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 093" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 093" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Cq0tCLsD3Co/VrSBDU1o5uI/AAAAAAAAj5I/mtCjtuCpIP0/2016-01-26-093_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="452" height="602"></a><font color="#000000">Above: Sisters. Anne & Beth.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">Once again, the length of the excursion matched the time we were in port. There wasn’t any time to shop. Not that we wanted to anyway. Back onto the ship.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">I stopped at the excursions desk to cancel tomorrow’s excursion. I explained that I tried to cancel within the required 24 hours but no one was at the desk and I had an excursion. They actually refunded the full price of Jim’s missed excursion since he was sick. And as for the scuba diving excursion, they refunded 100% of his ticket and kept 25% of mine as the cancellation fee. How awesome. That was a lot of money back in our pocket.</font></p> <p>We played Bingo this evening. A complete waste of money. $40 a person for 3 games with a low payout of $125. Never again.</p> <p align="center"><font color="#000000"></font> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6_Ue3FDbZyg/VrSBD19WMWI/AAAAAAAAj5M/2SZ6uouW2s0/s1600-h/2016-01-26-1023.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 102" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 102" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oZRfwDofF8E/VrSBEsaumGI/AAAAAAAAj5Q/nuRLitQXLMk/2016-01-26-102_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="358" height="476"></a>Above: Beth</p> <p align="center">Below: Anne<a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C-DOnGGEidI/VrSBE4b3hrI/AAAAAAAAj5U/asshaZkNdAo/s1600-h/2016-01-26-1013.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-26 101" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-26 101" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fOQlRcvoG38/VrSBFsof8jI/AAAAAAAAj5Y/Ynet041ZDrE/2016-01-26-101_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="351" height="467"></a></p> <p><font color="#000000">Jim was feeling better and joined us for dinner.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font>Tonight’s entertainment:</p> <p>We probably saw a comedy show most every night but I can’t remember exactly what night was what.</p> <p>Motown music trivia: nope didn’t win. <p>Jerry Goodspeed Ventriloquist. This was a funny show and done every well. If I remember correctly, he had 4 different dummies. He even managed to have 2 of them sing a duet together and then sing at the same time. That was impressive. Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-75084160232659731902016-02-03T18:29:00.001-05:002016-02-03T18:29:30.870-05:001-25-16 Cozumel, Mexico<p>We booked a great excursion to <a href="http://www.xplor.travel/" target="_blank">Xplor Park</a>. What a fun place. Read the description below, or don’t. </p> <blockquote> <p><font color="#0000ff">Xplor Park is a unique underground world, with amazing circuits that invite you to rediscover your emotions and senses within nature. Feel the excitement of flying between trees and into caves with 14 Zip-lines, an adventure with water landings and bridges. Swim along in a river with stunning underground sceneries and surrounded by stalactites and stalagmites. Discover the ancient secrets of this amazing underground world. </font></p> <p><font color="#0000ff">Take a Raft and enjoy along underground rivers in spectacular caves and grottoes, paddle with your own hands and discover the extraordinary rock formations. Drive through the roads of the exotic Caribbean, where grottoes, caves and bridges will fill your engine with adrenaline. Enjoy the thrill of riding between caves, jungle and water! A portion of the excursion involves driving an easy to operate amphibious vehicle into the trails.</font><br></p></blockquote> <p>It started with a 40 minute ferry ride to Playa Del Carmen where we boarded a bus to the park. Daniela, our tour guide, was awesome. There were 2 groups of 4 for a total of 8 of us in her group. She called each of our groups “family”. When she wanted the 4 of us to follow or such, she would say, “OK family…” in her broken English voice. It was a phrase we used (accent all all) throughout the remainder of our vacation. </p> <p>We started with the ziplines. There were a lot of them. Part of the excursion deal was that we skipped ahead of the lines. There were no more than 3 people waiting their turn at a time. This made it really awesome. Some of the lines were very high up and others were designed for speed. </p> <p>At one of the rest stops, we saw a strange (to us) animal. We didn’t bring our camera into the park due to the water and such so I don’t have a photo. We asked what it was and was told it was like a raccoon to us in the states. It’s called a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coati" target="_blank">Coati</a>. Here’s a photo off the internet. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZABzmwx3EYc/VrKFlRV0oVI/AAAAAAAAju8/ldcJkMEGZp4/s1600-h/5345219158_e2e1a397c1_b2.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="5345219158_e2e1a397c1_b" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="5345219158_e2e1a397c1_b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KYxZa_UYmB0/VrKIavY0bYI/AAAAAAAAjvM/WH0nGmJbrHo/5345219158_e2e1a397c1_b_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="307"></a></p> <p>The next activity was a river float/swim in the caverns. The water was so cold but we got used to it pretty fast. </p> <p>Included in park admission was a good buffet. We had 45 minutes (plenty of time) to eat before starting the next activity… ATV’s. This was fun too. Next activity… paddle rafts. We had these hand paddle things. Anne and I didn’t do very well. We couldn’t steer well and it was just overall miserable for us. Oh well. </p> <p>The park took a ton of photos of us all throughout our activities. They knew who was who based on the helmets we wore which was numbered and had a microchip. The photo package was very steep at $90 for all of your photos. We combined photos with the other group of 4 and split it up in cash. We shared the link and download code with one another.</p> <p>At the end of the day, we hopped back on the bus with no extra time to spare and boarded the ship for departure.</p> <p>Here’s some of the many, many photos the park took (we purchased):</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UqYFntfDNFw/VrKIa_kgnsI/AAAAAAAAjvQ/jro99f1lqrw/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0023.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AT_4teK_ORA/VrKIbQrQFsI/AAAAAAAAjvU/AGBtNPjjT48/2016-01-25-002_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="573"></a>Above: Photo op prior to actually riding the vehicles.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C6EEMcr9Ygg/VrKIb3LQEpI/AAAAAAAAjvY/9QOJogE8Bes/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0342.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 034" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 034" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gXx3KbZDenM/VrKIcosTFDI/AAAAAAAAjvc/ugjZm589FZU/2016-01-25-034_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Anne and Beth. That camera knew just when to snap the photo.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vQt819xC-5s/VrKIcyWkdnI/AAAAAAAAjvg/Vm8wOHcI8Pc/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0352.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 035" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 035" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XcPnOpmSaaI/VrKIeu2-h_I/AAAAAAAAjvk/0l3T_0u5-60/2016-01-25-035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Same photo point as the pic above. This was just as we went through a lot of muddy water which splashed up all over us.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NPGG2-BShwg/VrKIfDHew_I/AAAAAAAAjvo/nDYfgcSquA8/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0382.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 038" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 038" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-t7abtotCUl8/VrKIfoEc3TI/AAAAAAAAjvs/eThgHbLl4eI/2016-01-25-038_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Jim masters the waterways.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dNio_wcLOfE/VrKIgDYTC7I/AAAAAAAAjvw/LUA1nRG8ZJQ/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0492.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 049" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 049" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q3xl7eran0E/VrKIg_RoEmI/AAAAAAAAjv0/FllxQ4KyA5E/2016-01-25-049_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Yep, that’s me all sideways. I didn’t do very well at this activity. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9TD8jMYYd28/VrKIhOmIJ-I/AAAAAAAAjv4/nnU1A6y0yEc/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0422.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 042" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 042" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TQFhBzOYshc/VrKIh6a8x3I/AAAAAAAAjv8/7tfuFKbZ7BU/2016-01-25-042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Beth and Anne.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JsxhcIXSank/VrKIiYM4jJI/AAAAAAAAjwA/991ADeSKW6o/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0602.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 060" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 060" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1RrE0OaVIu8/VrKIjFYoRuI/AAAAAAAAjwE/7WIKym9x1rQ/2016-01-25-060_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Jim and I.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zdOzjR_alT8/VrKIjsGQX1I/AAAAAAAAjwI/30HrM0xBq6A/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0683.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 068" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 068" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YOuNdnnSX-k/VrKIkSvlScI/AAAAAAAAjwM/KFu51mX8qKw/2016-01-25-068_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="690"></a>Above: Jim, me, Beth and Anne.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MD2pzt0WDUk/VrKIk13twqI/AAAAAAAAjwQ/Siyhfp3juwE/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0692.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 069" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 069" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-B-TcbWvCBec/VrKIlhi9aqI/AAAAAAAAjwU/SYqN4OH_Mco/2016-01-25-069_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Beth, Anne and perhaps Jim.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-zHCf8Zc-4/VrKIl3UondI/AAAAAAAAjwY/V795D3HdcRk/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0742.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 074" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 074" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-F5rUUTWXA8g/VrKImTAB8KI/AAAAAAAAjwc/eF9UwVevu_s/2016-01-25-074_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Beth looked like a pro in every shot.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-p2mJbtutXGc/VrKIm30s6jI/AAAAAAAAjwg/KuzzcpFGc8M/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0792.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 079" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 079" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RetqT_1sy6w/VrKNMMnbNAI/AAAAAAAAjxc/ivNTAMD5dSs/2016-01-25-079_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: me</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vnoSTKQuiG4/VrKNMdbnoyI/AAAAAAAAjxg/RzROzcvfIvU/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0802.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 080" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 080" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UTTqHI1V8WI/VrKNNOgsvPI/AAAAAAAAjxk/1924XfhZdXQ/2016-01-25-080_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Another pro shot of Beth.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gZ6eJ0gadcQ/VrKNOD8wgRI/AAAAAAAAjxo/ka97JpxK3w4/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0922.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 092" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 092" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5sYRxBViAmQ/VrKNOmezN5I/AAAAAAAAjxs/SKfynBytr1Q/2016-01-25-092_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Anne.</p> <p align="center"><font color="#0000ff" size="6" face="Jokerman">This was awesomely fun!</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <h1 align="center"><u><font style="background-color: #ffff00">Non-park photos</font></u></h1> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YtqReKqHl7A/VrKNPN9s-LI/AAAAAAAAjxw/IZ8Vq_KblNM/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0312.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 031" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 031" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TTl1ucWapVA/VrKNPQczewI/AAAAAAAAjx0/-Ova5caQYbw/2016-01-25-031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8RwO4sv1wEw/VrKNPyRt5jI/AAAAAAAAjx4/zOueSjeCbMQ/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0042.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 004" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 004" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T2G1XclP1fg/VrKNQRZ9uKI/AAAAAAAAjx8/ghr35yYQ9ec/2016-01-25-004_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WvcSQH-6GEg/VrKNRHKWbUI/AAAAAAAAjyA/N5acRFxKg9A/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0052.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 005" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 005" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b5ih7cBkopw/VrKNRpfaq6I/AAAAAAAAjyE/zpfMCfrml7M/2016-01-25-005_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SdBZiIT8ZAs/VrKNR3u_V0I/AAAAAAAAjyI/HP37bHyE3-o/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0062.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 006" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 006" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DPJGM0r_r1Y/VrKNSl2L7qI/AAAAAAAAjyM/ei-Lbo2iBns/2016-01-25-006_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0mc0_q2wy30/VrKNTNMSP3I/AAAAAAAAjyQ/2fbtuQj4sqk/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0092.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 009" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 009" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-2-6LfjSiGUQ/VrKNTtkP5rI/AAAAAAAAjyU/mfeOIl73aSw/2016-01-25-009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8jbZEy42NwU/VrKNUClBWpI/AAAAAAAAjyY/PBBS-IcaSnM/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0112.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 011" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 011" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gk8QyOqr8fs/VrKNUy7-F3I/AAAAAAAAjyc/UvNNjqTCr_U/2016-01-25-011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Our ship is in the background.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eB9gePhR-l8/VrKNVmyLa0I/AAAAAAAAjyg/3V89M608cPA/s1600-h/2016-01-25-0222.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-25 022" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-25 022" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ekeieboosiA/VrKNWKGjdDI/AAAAAAAAjyk/jaWqAFqeyI4/2016-01-25-022_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Today’s entertainment:</p> <p>Gender Showdown – The audience is split into 2, men against women. They ask each other a trivia question about the opposite sex’s typical interests. For example, men ask the women a trivia question about plumbing. Women then ask the men to answer a question about a designer. The team captains gather answers and are the spokespeople for the team. That’s pretty much it.<u></u><u></u> <p><u></u><u></u> <p>Motown music trivia. Nope, we didn’t win this one either.Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-37441887694113104932016-02-02T18:20:00.001-05:002016-02-02T18:20:18.934-05:001-24-16 At Sea<p>Rough seas. Holy crap. Well, basically a continuation of last night’s roughness. We tried to make the best of it. We went to the At Sea Brunch (or names similarly). I was a little queasy again. We went midship and sat at the lower decks. This tends to have the least amount of movement. It was a great day to nap… </p> <p>By the way, <a href="http://jimandgarret.blogspot.com/2015/01/1-22-15-thursday-cruise-day-5-at-sea.html" target="_blank">previous cruiser friend, Jill</a>, spotted 4 cases of water piled in our room and asked if we carried those on board. Good question Jill! </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3zjqV1fkVno/VrE5lMLUmII/AAAAAAAAjsw/B1FYuBUz9ds/s1600-h/2016-01-23-0104.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 010" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 010" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T8Ks4JYQV2Y/VrE5lrhsxdI/AAAAAAAAjs0/QG45w0d9YU8/2016-01-23-010_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="255" height="251"></a></p> <p>Nope, we preordered them for $2.99 a case and they were delivered to our room. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2015/06/10/news/companies/carnival-cruises-bottled-water/" target="_blank">Here’s</a> an article about it. Oh, and here’s what Carnival says: <a title="https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2634/~/liquor-and-beverage-policy-q%26a" href="https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2634/~/liquor-and-beverage-policy-q%26a">https://help.carnival.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/2634/~/liquor-and-beverage-policy-q%26a</a></p> <p>It’s a great policy and handled very well… I think. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Wr8JN_G0rsY/VrE5mMRQYVI/AAAAAAAAjs4/lYizQEjHgU0/s1600-h/2016-01-24-0183.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-24 018" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-24 018" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0YT2HRxX8xg/VrE5mYmNosI/AAAAAAAAjs8/2ncHdSDRjZk/2016-01-24-018_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="466" height="620"></a>Above: Towel critter.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0BFz9Ml7xR8/VrE5m5lkjSI/AAAAAAAAjtA/SYPtLktr5rs/s1600-h/2016-01-24-0212.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-24 021" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-24 021" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aesCOuHBkOI/VrE5nWN6epI/AAAAAAAAjtE/E0h84ivME48/2016-01-24-021_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: The dining staff put on a quick “show” and had everyone wave their napkins while someone sang “That’s Amore”.</p> <p align="left">Prime rib and lobster were on the menu. Anne and I don’t like lobster so we only had the prime rib. Beth and Jim had both. Both entrees were amazing. Good job Carnival! </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Q_S9nJQomqQ/VrE5oCgRzCI/AAAAAAAAjtI/YPUteTSbIQ0/s1600-h/2016-01-24-1272.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-24 127" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-24 127" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Fq-3umSReBE/VrE5ogS8t5I/AAAAAAAAjtM/nnAIns96_Ec/2016-01-24-127_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Me and Beth</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kORVm7ZGV2E/VrE5pDPUuWI/AAAAAAAAjtQ/XCSDYLYbIl8/s1600-h/2016-01-24-0262.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-24 026" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-24 026" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ClOiVzv-qWM/VrE5pt4yeUI/AAAAAAAAjtU/ds_q3DX8Rrw/2016-01-24-026_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: A view to the American Lobby where all the trivia games were held.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3m3Zl_IuZZ0/VrE5qGEcx2I/AAAAAAAAjtY/-j1V5iag4iE/s1600-h/2016-01-24-0273.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-24 027" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-24 027" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-lbo3qGbbENc/VrE5qydyinI/AAAAAAAAjtc/bZ-gd5h61TY/2016-01-24-027_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="596"></a>Above: Ann and Beth. Making fun of the over-done eagle theme.</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pD4ODHTp7Oc/VrE5rshSWUI/AAAAAAAAjtg/XFq9P8hKWpQ/s1600-h/2016-01-24-0283.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-24 028" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-24 028" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-f0oj7DnAAtw/VrE5sId_Q6I/AAAAAAAAjtk/HfGt_oYDWPo/2016-01-24-028_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="590"></a>Above: Jim, Anne and Beth. Look, it’s an eagle.</p> <p>Entertainment: <p>Show in the theater = Nightclub Express: A journey through music at best known night clubs like Studio 54, etc. I enjoyed the singing but the dancers, as usual were out of sync.<u></u><u></u> <p>70’s music trivia… nope didn’t win. Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589621811781423946.post-57127428959695969442016-02-01T18:30:00.001-05:002016-02-01T18:30:03.917-05:001-23-16 Port Canaveral, FL<p>We bought Carnival’s Faster to the Fun pass. This was pretty awesome. $60 per cabin.</p> <ul> <li>Priority Check-in with Express Boarding -The quicker you board the ship, the quicker you're holding a frosty drink. <li>Guaranteed Stateroom - Your stateroom will be ready as soon as you board, so you can relax or freshen up for the fun you're about to have. <li>Express Luggage - Your luggage will be expedited to your stateroom so you can unpack and get settled in for a great vacation! <li>Guest Services - You'll have a dedicated phone number and line at Guest Services so you can<br>quickly have your questions answered.</li></ul> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OrWMs7VyRJ8/Vq_n9oTu2KI/AAAAAAAAjmo/smKAa8Iroa0/s1600-h/carnival-valor-14.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="carnival-valor-1" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="carnival-valor-1" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aOK-ZG7ErZI/Vq_n-UH1vqI/AAAAAAAAjmw/PqYic94YP0I/carnival-valor-1_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="192"></a></p> <p>We got onboard fast. Jim and I took a chance on an odd shaped large room in the very back of the ship. We read reviews, viewed photos and just generally researched the heck out of it the best we could. We took room 2470. Reviews indicated a lot more noise, vibration and movement. The room was large.</p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PvSYy8OJIuY/Vq_n-39DvRI/AAAAAAAAjm0/7MTm9gUFvQQ/s1600-h/valor_main_aftgif3.gif" target="_blank"><img title="valor_main_aftgif" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="valor_main_aftgif" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4zJWwKBNFNY/Vq_n_PdWFBI/AAAAAAAAjm8/mKdVQ46gkoo/valor_main_aftgif_thumb1.gif?imgmax=800" width="355" height="462"></a></p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SkRlF5fQJ0g/Vq_oABzVRYI/AAAAAAAAjnE/F7MLanFwJmc/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520009%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 009" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 009" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uFlei3yCzQw/Vq_oAjIRZHI/AAAAAAAAjnM/_KZSzx1bJDA/2016-01-23%252520009_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pJHoRx11dnU/Vq_oBPTjSJI/AAAAAAAAjnU/hd4raohb8rM/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520010%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 010" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 010" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oGZg_AtZQhs/Vq_qVVCvTMI/AAAAAAAAjns/tChpw3-fJkM/2016-01-23%252520010_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5HMZ1u1ahiY/Vq_qV_zwv1I/AAAAAAAAjnw/aTs_4JYjLzo/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520011%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 011" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 011" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gNt9Bd3qG60/Vq_qWe_dNeI/AAAAAAAAjn4/TbfzuNTiy0A/2016-01-23%252520011_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a></p> <p>Beth and Anne had room 2400. They liked their room and were happy to <strong>not</strong> have ours. Once they stepped into ours while the boat was moving, they had to leave. It was too much for them. </p> <p>We ate lunch at the buffet, Rosie’s. I was pretty impressed. I don’t remember other cruise lines having unique customer creation stations like this. They had a deli (sandwich) window, burrito window, fish & chips station (fried fish and other fishly things), Mongolian Wok (you put the stirfry ingredients in a bowl and they cook it up). </p> <p>We explored the ship, returned to our cabin and found our luggage had already arrived (thanks to Faster to the Fun). We unpacked and then found a spot to stand as the ship sailed away. </p> <p><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Jy1tKesmUYI/Vq_qWyoKG2I/AAAAAAAAjoA/i2exY2LcwXM/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520122%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 122" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 122" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4knypXjNmIs/Vq_qXAjhKQI/AAAAAAAAjoI/4cKYbWOpS7w/2016-01-23%252520122_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a></p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8jEEMUhl0IE/Vq_qXoeu76I/AAAAAAAAjoU/AWIA5xHlA1w/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520118%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 118" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 118" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Zfc9p2qAZj4/Vq_qYCmRl5I/AAAAAAAAjoY/zTcjYx9Gteo/2016-01-23%252520118_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="462" height="309"></a>Above: Beth, moi, Jim</p> <p>For the most part, we avoided the buffet (although it was tasty) when possible. All dinners were spent in the dining room using the “my time dining” option. The food was awesome. I’m sure I’ll mention it again within the blog later on.</p> <p>The water was so rough. It was horrible. I guess those storms we ran away from were still messing with us. Beth gets extreme motion sickness so this cruise was a gamble for her in general. Oh, she was prepared. We had those pressure point wrist bands with us and she had that motion sickness prescription patch. It worked for her despite some minor drowsy side effects. Me? I was feeling queasy. </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NXdNC1cD8tw/Vq_qYs6hggI/AAAAAAAAjog/GZLDFEK_fOk/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520013%25255B3%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 013" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 013" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FhJYUFNAwug/Vq_qZsMQBxI/AAAAAAAAjos/f53aXO-pfG4/2016-01-23%252520013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="376" height="501"></a>Above: Jim posed with a strange statue in the “Paris Hot” lounge. Strange bar. </p> <p>Pics from dinner:</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bDWY0X5HeKI/Vq_qacQBTPI/AAAAAAAAjo0/GcgHuQ90XYg/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520014%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 014" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-eqbJFlXzplA/Vq_qa5pv8gI/AAAAAAAAjo8/ckj9KAEjlOc/2016-01-23%252520014_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Beth and I</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EH6S62SpA1E/Vq_qb1l87iI/AAAAAAAAjpE/tn2LxCcdLMU/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520015%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 015" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 015" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-S5WH2i6npMw/Vq_qcv6u_XI/AAAAAAAAjpM/YQYII_W_Tfw/2016-01-23%252520015_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: Anne & Jim</p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FrNmpEOYY9A/Vq_qeE0Ix9I/AAAAAAAAjpU/JVOo7Sp1An0/s1600-h/2016-01-23%252520016%25255B2%25255D.jpg" target="_blank"><img title="2016-01-23 016" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="2016-01-23 016" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_oQaiMyIIv4/Vq_qesJhI0I/AAAAAAAAjpY/y5xohRMWy70/2016-01-23%252520016_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="347"></a>Above: If I remember, this was brisket and was delicious. </p> <p>For entertainment, most every night we played some trivia game, saw a show and or a comedian or two. It’s difficult, nor necessary, to name each night’s show. Well, maybe I will. Not sure. OK, tonight was the “Welcome Aboard Show” and the dancers were horribly out of sync anytime they performed.</p>Garrethttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08995228204165767887noreply@blogger.com0