Mother’s Day, 2016, Hawaii

8th May 2016


On Mother’s Day, the children bought tropical flowers and made pancakes for breakfast.


We walked the five minutes to Lanikai Beach where Alec found a pre-dug hole.


In no time at all he had expanded it.


Zoe and Pedram were going surfing.


Waiting for the right wave.


Here it is!


Julia and Alia.


Another digging project.


Action shot.


The two babies.

Waikiki

7th May 2016

Raining today, so instead of going to the beach, we packed up the three cars and headed for Waikiki.

 

First stop in Waikiki was Bill’s (Sydney) for lunch.  My choice was tuna

poke, a traditional Hawaiian food prepared with raw marinated tuna.  I think

it’s the sesame in the marinade which makes it so delicious.

 

Downtown Waikiki.

 

Approaching Waikiki Beach.

Paul was drenched by a large wave here.

 

 

 

 

 

In 2013, the Waikiki Sheraton received a donation of 25 renowned Nishikigoi (multi-coloured ornamental

carp, or “swimming jewels”) from Nagaoka, Japan, Honolulu’s sister city. 

Nishikigoi are also known as a symbol of peace because they are non-aggressive by nature and always get

along harmoniously in a school even if Nishikigoi from different places are suddenly put all together into

the same tank or pond.

As a part of peace exchange programs between the sister cities of Nagaoka and Honolulu, Nagaoka’s

Nishikigoi were presented to Sheraton Waikiki with wishes for everlasting peace in the world and for the

citizens of Honolulu to enjoy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zoe admiring the “swimming jewels”.

 

“The hula is pleasing because of the drummer.”

This Hawaiian proverb states the importance of each role in the hula performance.  Although the attention is

given to the dancer, the drummer and chanter play an important role in the dance.

This principle could apply to many aspects of life.

Haleiwa Joe's Restaurant and Haiku Gardens

6th May 2016
Twelve of us going out for dinner together was a major logistical feat involving
three cars and some complex navigational issues, but we made it!

Waiting to go in.  Well, some of us.  I’m still hoping to have a picture of the twelve
of us together on this holiday.

The restaurant overlooked a beautiful tropical garden:

This was the view from the restaurant.







Turtles in the lake.









This cocktail is called “Lime in da Coconut”……..


…….. and this is what you call a Hawaiian – sized steak!

Back to Lanikai Beach

6th May 2016

Next morning began with Ruby playing a little pool, supervised by Alec.

 

Laura’s panorama shot of Lanikai Beach.

 

Our laneway to the beach.

 

Beach fun:

 

 

Alec and Paul dug an arch and waited for the sea to come in.

 

Three men digging and one supervising.

 

Grandma in the shade.

 

Enjoying the beautiful clear water:

 

 

Hawaii: First Trip to Lanikai Beach

5th May 2016

Our house is a five minute walk from Lanikai Beach, which means "heavenly sea." This small strip of beach is consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world, so we set out to explore while it was still light.

 

Laura and Zoe with a backdrop of some distinctively Hawaiian-shaped islands.  These two, called Nā Mokulua, are commonly known as “The Mokes”.

 

The larger of the two islands is Moku Nui.

So much fun:

 

 

 

Feet.

No feet.

 

Julia and Alia.

 

Anna.

 

Alec.

 

11 of us.  Zoe was too busy playing in the sand to join us for this picture.  I’m hoping to be able to get at least one picture of the 12 of us on this holiday.

Hawaii and San Francisco May 2016: Getting There

8th May 2016
On Thursday 5th May 2016, three groups of our family comprising eight adults, two children and two babies, flew to Hawaii from Brisbane, Sydney and San Francisco, and amazingly all arrived in Honolulu and met up within half an hour of each other.  Here are some of us on the plane:

 

Alec and Zoe meeting up at Honolulu airport.