WAIKIKI TALES

 Have always been of opinion is bit rude to tease folks while on holiday.  Daily post of buckets of fun had would be rude, but have returned from holiday and can now reveal all details of the lovely time had.

Early in morn of May 10, Murray and this old geezer caught our jet to the Land of Aloha.  No amount of 'pat down' at airport was going to ruin the 'up' mood we were in.  Truth be told, the business of checking in is a turn off.  Important, but not a fun way to start holiday.  This old geezer has metal in body and has to be given a full 'pat down'....  Horrid.

We wanted to begin from moment one and what better way than to fly on Hawaiian Airlines.  The only airline still providing a meal in 'coach'.  AND an ample supple of guava juice to wet thirst.  This old geezer felt giddy as soon as bum hit the comfy seat.

 The time 'flew' by and we were soon in Hawaii.  Being three hours 'behind' California, time was gained and we landed early enough to have a full day in the islands.

The hotel was charming as always, and we paid the upgrade to have a high oceanfront room for the whole holiday, and to get early check-in.  Murray was quite keen to hit the beach and wet his shorts...

On the first day, took Murray to "Duke's", restaurant on ocean for Mai Tai and finger food.

Being a creature of habit, this old geezer was in bed with lamp out by 7pm.

 The lovely lady on side is Jan, a 40 plus year employee of the Waikiki Circle Hotel.  Jan is now 75 and does not look a day over 50.  Talk about Aloha Spirit, Jan has buckets of and like all of the other employees of hotel, truly belives in 'ohana', they make all guest feel at home and like 'family'.

The Hotel is one of a kind and any one who comes to Hawaii is missing a rare treat if they do not stay in this unique hotel right in the middle of all of the best of Waikiki.

There is a live webcam trained on this statue and folks 'au fait' with, tell mates at home to click on so they can see one on the beach.  MOI and Murray did this throughout the holiday.

 Right, so this old geezer is not as grand as 'Duke', large perhaps, but no one placed leis on...

 Anyone who comes to Hawaii and is locked in on a schedule is missing the whole magic of the islands.  It is only time, and best left to sort self out in the flow of the day.  Whole time there, MOI let the mood dictate schedule.  Truth be told there was time for everything.  Why rush about??

 Placard to left can be found in sub-station of coppers on beach.  They will be ever so kind to and if need be take you to the nick with a smile...

 MOI is a walker and from time to time had to rest me legs.  What better spot than at Moana Hotel on beach.  The rockers were ever so inviting and a grand spot to 'people watch'.

 If flowers be God's smile, Hawaii is massive amount of the good Lord's pleasure.  Bit hard to be down when there is so much natural beauty about one.

 No smell but ever so lovely are the many orchards to be found in public places.  Mind, one enjoys but does not pick.

MOI goes to the birds in Waikiki

Hula Dancers with MOI and friends

 It may well be that this old geezer is right odd, but if one listens to the stories round, Hawaii is one place to hear loads of good stories.  Nary a day went by without meeting and chatting to lovely folks.  Folks from Rome, Oslo, Russia, OZ, UK, Canada and all parts of the states were met.  Some were cheeky and all were special.

There was Fred from North Carolina who lived on beach,  Busty Bunny from St. Louis, who is a 'mistress' for 'cross-dressers'  who flogs goods on EBAY.  Fia from Hawaii who is down on luck and lives on beach with wife.  Native Hawaiian and living on the beach due to lack of affordable housing.  Kim and daughters from Vancouver.  I could go on and on, the number of new memories are almost too many.  Each has allowed MOI to create a new image of the islands to hold dear.

 As with any trip, some folks met are 'special' and this trip was no exception.

Will long treasure meeting Marilyn from Detroit.  Lovely lady who allowed self to drop 'shy' and chat with MOI and others known.  Was first trip to Hawaii for Marilyn and she fell in love with the islands.  The joy in her face was a sight to behold.  Went to Hilo Hatties with and other places and she was kind enough to have dinner with on last night.

Marilyn has heart set on a hand bag from "Coach' and I do so hope she gets one.  The salesperson in shop was queried about what the product be.  Is it proper to call the item a 'purse' or handbag'.  Not missing a beat, Leslie, the lovely salesperson, said;  "Walmart and Target have purses, Coach has handbags.  Fancy that.  Mind, were this old geezer to swing a 'handdbag', best to have one with cache...

Karen and Chip from Victoria, BC were another 'special pair met.  Karen with the 'laugh' and Chip being so understated.   They were in Hawaii to enjoy selves and see daughter graduate.

Karen and MOI just hit it off and it was with undiluted delight that we met up each day to chat, share a meal or go somewhere.

Holiday was booked with Murray but schedules were so different.  I am day person and Murray is a night person.  He saw his Hawaii and I saw mine.  I like to think he got as much out of the holiday as MOI.  If not, OH WELL!

There are other snaps yet to make way on blog, some will be coming from Marilyn and some from Karen.  This old geezer did not have time to take endless snaps.

This trip was spent visiting the Mighty MO, royal palace, going down in ocean in the submarine, visiting mates and just enjoying all of the love felt.  No matter how many visits have been had or will be had, each is different.  Each allows MOI to create new memories to further colour the ones already held dear.

You, the dear reader, will just have to check back to get more information about the holiday and see more snaps.

In reply to many emails received about the block party held in Linda on May 8th.  There are snaps of and a story to tell.  Was getting sorted out for holiday and wanted to reflect on the event to give full import to the day.  Have no fears, there is a story to tell...

Aloha for now and do check back, the last has not been said of Waikiki.  More Tales from Waikiki to come.