NOTE LEFT ON BED

When I read this, it made me think of life at the Hilo Bay Hostel.

Some years back I helped out at a friend's hostel and quickly discovered that travellers who snore are the bane of the hostel business.  Nothing can clear out a dorm faster, than a man or woman who snores.

I remember that one young chap snored so bad, that the other men in the dorm threw change at him to get him to stop.  The change throwing did not work...

You would think that folks who snore would not place themselves in a dorm.  Mind, many of the travellers were a bit on the young side, liked to have a few drinks.  Seems the heavy drinking can make the problem of sleeping 'quietly' more difficult.

Not that I ever slept in the female dorm, but there were women who snored so loudly that others would leave the dorm and sleep in chairs in the lobby.

The old geezer does not snore.  Having shared rooms and cabins with others, have never woke with change on the floor.........

Mind, there was the odd dollar.....

since arrival back have been running around like the proberbial "nympho in a frat house"

DATELINE - HILO, HAWAII

I have been up since 4 prepping the breakfast for the 32 students from Canada.  It is not the usual Hostel continental shit either.  They are getting orange juice (okay Sunny Delight with a convincing sliced orange floating around in it) boiled eggs.  Bagels/cream cheese, tinned fruit, lots of toast! Little  muffins, coffee, tea, cocoa and oatmeal!

This update comes from the Big Kahuna, back from one of his many trips.  The headline is pure 'more colourful language'.  Is there any other kind?  The old geezer misses the chin wags had with the Big Kahuna, the real treat was to chat with one who was not afraid to be colourful...  Mind, the Big Kahuna also goes on to say; "....Been thinking about you lots of late (Jesus! starting to sound like you ).  MOI has that effect on folks, right funny how me sayings do crop up in the language of folks exposed to the old geezer.

Gentlemen of the orchestra, a little music for the folks from Canada.

Truth be told, the Hilo Bay Hostel adores hosting groups from round the world.  The Big Kahuna and staff go all out to make groups feel special.  Well remember groups from NZ, Japan, Australia and parts of US arriving and being very surprised at the welcome laid on for.

Rather think that when The Big Kahuna was finished with the table it might well have looked like the snap above.   Mind, The Big Kahuna being ever so straight, would never use doilies...

When so large a group arrives at hostel, there is much prep to be done.  32 in a group means that the folks from Canada have taken up much of the space, there are but 58 beds total.

The old geezer truly misses being 'Tea & Tidy", what grand fun it was.  More the reason to heal self and see if there be a space for a deaf, lame old geezer to meet and greet folks from round the world in the future.

Some 32% of visitors to me blog come from outside of the United States.  Folks who are planning a trip to Hawaii need to know that Hilo is a perfect place to see the real Hawaii AND have a real experience of Hawaiian hospitality.   Allow MOI to remind folks of what lies in store for a visitor to Hilo Bay Hostel.

My dears, if you have the great good fortune to book accommodations at the Hilo Bay Hostel, the stairs shown in this snap are but the first step to experiencing a true ALOHA welcome to Hilo and all of Hawaii.

It may not be the grand staircase of the Titanic, but then the Hilo Bay Hostel is far from a sinking experience...

As you climb the 100 year old stairs, taking in all of the lovingly restored wood, you begin to feel that there is something special awaiting you at the top. Chances are that you will be greeted by Terry or Pam or if lucky, Scott, the owner himself. Beautiful wood floors, singing birds and the many interesting pictures on the wall will surely draw you in, making you want to drop luggage and just absorb all of the comfort that awaits you.

The hostel has private rooms, as well as the ubiquitous bunk beds in the dorm. There is ever a premier private room with private shower and loo. Fancy that...

Fresh coffee and tea is always available and complimentary. There is a rather smart kitchen area, where guests can place things in the icebox and cupboard to use for a light snack after touring or to make up one of the many brilliant smart dinner parties guests prepare among selves. Truth be told, there is many a day that the smell of wondrous meals being prepared waif through the hostel.

You never know who will ascend the staircase, what friendships will develop or the adventures that will be planned or shared with others staying in the hostel.

This old geezer likes to think that the Hilo Bay Hostel is the 'Ritz Carlton' of hostels and most assuredly the only hotel in Hilo that envelopes all of its guests with the true spirit of ALOHA. Rather like to think that Scott, Terry & Pam daily make each and every guest feel the 'ohana' of the Hilo Bay Hostel.

MERRIE MONARCH 2011 REMEMBERED

Dateline - Hilo, Hawaii

It was announced today that the Hilo Merchants Association is presenting the 'Te Tu Mataora', a Maori performing group from Palmerston North, New Zealand, with its 'GOLDEN CASH REGISTER AWARD'.  The award is presented to the person or persons who contribute most 'lolly' to local merchant's shoppes.

The 54 member strong troupe landed on the Big Island on April 24, 2011, Easter Sunday and the local economy was never the same again.

The New Zealanders were the closing act on Wednesday, April 26, 2011 of the Opening of Merrie Monarch Celebration.  Capturing the sell out crowd's heart with an electrifying performance that brought the crowd to feet begging for more, the Maori went on to become a force to be reckoned with in the local shoppes.

The Merrie Monarch Festival is to Hilo merchants what 'Black Friday' is on mainland.  Many a local business turns its yearly profit on this event.  This year, the 'Te Tu Mataori' was the not so secret Santa to local merchants.  The 54 member strong troupe of performers pumped tens of thousands of dollars into the tills of businesses through out the Hilo Area.  Not the least of which was the Hilo Bay Hostel that hosted the troupe for 8 days.

Blane's Drive-In, Bear's Cafe, Sharky's, Sack and Save, Tattoo shoppes, Kress Theatre, Ross for Less,Walmart and many others got a much needed boost in sales from the visiting troupe from Palmerston North.

This paper says Ross is having a sale

Peter, one of the troupe leaders, reading list of things to do and prepare for in Hilo.  At top of list was the list of shoppes in Hilo prepared to separate the troupe members from their dash.  Never was there a group so eager to hit the shoppes in search of deals.

Cash needed to shop local shoppes

 Our merry band of Maori do not like to use credit.  Cash is so much easier to hand over, and rumour has it can produce a extra savings. 

Guys shop as well

The chappie with the trolley knows a good deal when he sees one.  Proves the point that the ladies were not the only shoppers in the troupe.

What a lot of SALES....

Did you ever hear of 'shop till you drop'?  It must be an American saying, as the deal seeking New Zealanders could not contain selves from going back over and over for more things to take home.

Rumour has it that management at Macy's was gutted at the amount of lost business and has sent staff to a seminar to learn how to capture visiting Maori...

Sweets are a good buy as well

Less one think the deals were just for the adults, there was plenty of time to hit local shoppe that caters to the sweet tooth.  Rather think all of the youngsters were over-joyed at all of the boiled sweets.

Make that 54 orders

Shopping can make one right hungry and our troupe from New Zealand was no exception.  Local KFC must have been gobsmacked at so many hearty eaters coming in at one time.

Take Away - Hilo style x 54

Rumour has it that local chickens breathed a sigh of relief when the visiting Maori returned to Palmerston North, New Zealand.  What with the taste for fried chicken and using a massive number of eggs daily for English style Breakfast, the demand had taxed the local farmers to the limit.

I think we need a bigger plane

What a mountain of luggage.  AND this is but part of the departing collection of bags stuffed with loot returning to New Zealand.  Rumour has it Hawaiian Airlines was over the moon at the extra fees generated by our lovely Maori troupe.

POSTCARD FROM THE EDGE?

It is rumoured that WC Fields said on deathbed; "all in all.....I'd rather be in Philadelphia.".  Even on me worst day that would never be the wish of this old geezer.  Yuck...

The silly video came to be as many who follow me channel on YOUTUBE banged on about no new offering.

Being a whore to public opinion, I thought I would slap something together to stop the emails begging for another filmed bit.  It is not me best but it allows one and all to see quite clearly that I am very much alive and kicking...

I do miss Hilo, the Hilo Bay Hostel, Ron, Bill and Margie and of course The Big Kahuna.  More than I let on.  Life goes on and one has to adapt...

I read all of the mail from faithful followers and ever so appreciative of the many suggestions for future posts to the blog.

There are many tales yet to come...

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE AN ENGLAND

My dears, there are times that emails and posted comments dictate the course me post will take for the day.  Last two days faithful readers from UK have been following the trials and tribulations of the old geezer in large numbers and feel obligated to chat about that.

The blog gets hits from all over America and Europe and some places that still gobsmacked the old geezer.  Given that the old geezer is right proud of his English roots, it warms me heart to have so many from across the pond do a peek in so oft.  This morn, checking me stats revealed that there were 33 from UK reading at that moment.   London to be sure, but there were hits from Manchester and Brighton as well.  Over the moon the old geezer is when so many take the time to peek in.  Mind, given time time difference, it must be a bit of a wind down for many.  Truth be told, there are times when the old geezer feels that the offering of the day is a wee bit like a stale biscuit.  I do tend to worry...

There are loads of questions asked of the old geezer and I shall try to answer many of them now.

In a few days, the old geezer will re-pack his Gladstone bag and head out for the small town near the Oregon border.  2000 souls live there joined by one, ME.  The offer to collect meself from a dear friend in his mountain retreat is an offer much appreciated.  Nothing grand, just a warm place out of the cold night air and full of ALOHA, coming from the concern and affection of the offer maker.  Sorry, some do not like the old geezer to bang on about in public, rather think you will know who the lovely chap be.

Do I miss the hostel and Hilo?  Too right you be if you guessed I did.   Circumstances conspired to make "Tea and Tidy" difficult, the stair were too much and getting use to the hearing device was annoying.  I miss me chats with Justin and Hilo Hattie.  When the old geezer was laid up they were ever so kind to.  I miss all of the lovely folks who came to visit the hostel and the different stories of the world heard on a daily basis.  I miss Albert and even miss Norman.  I miss Terry at the cafe and am knackered at hard feeling that seem to have come with another thought to be understand to me 'old geezer condition'.  Sadly, there be some who think the old geezer a wee bit too dramatic at times and present conditions of illness smack of the old geezer being an idle layabout.  That is the way of it.

I have made much of me feeling that I had no value, but the comments and emails tell me otherwise.  I am ever so touched by all of the love flowing my way.  Truly.

They tell the old geezer that the small town travelling to is lovely this time of year.  Month of August and September will be nice, there is no doubt.

Offers have come in for the old geezer to cross the pond and settle in UK.  One has to take all of the offers with much thought.  Crossing the pond at me age might well lead to me never returning to America and am not quite sure that is best at the moment.  I am considering and still need to work out how cash would hold up in a very dear place to live.  Mind, as one told, there is always a summer caravan in Brighton going unused.  Fish and chips on wheels...

Rather think that my not mentioning the name of the town going to is a bit trying for some.  No great secret, just do not have me travel brochures ready to lay on you.  Rather think I will do quite a chat up on when it is time.

The plan is for James and the family to load up the van and drive me to the new town.  They want to do a road trip and see the old geezer arrive safely.  There is always another day for the train.

I will keep all posted as to me progress.

WHAT IS A LIFE WORTH??

Robert - A puzzlement

 Dear Reader, you who be 'au fait' with, know that there is always a point when the gloves come off and the true 'sharing' flows across these pages.  That time has come again and the old geezer has much to share today with you.

I would suggest that you settle in with a nice cuppa and read.  Mind, the tale to tell will be wordy so one might have to read it all in several sittings.  That be OK, as the old geezer can always use the 'hits' to me blog...

Truth be told, LIFE for the old geezer has not felt worth the effort of late.  Medical worries added much stress and the well meaning email from a reader about the orphanage the old geezer grew up in did not lighten the stress,  added to, to be sure.  That is the way of it...

Readers know the old geezer to have PTSD, and the attack had did much to change me life of late.  The email sent opened memories of trauma felt in past and it felt like it was happening all over again in the here and now.  Flashbacks did me in and it did not help that the old geezer was coping with lame leg and loss of hearing at the same time.  Right, a regular trip round the 'pity pole'...

The 'Big Kahuna', "Hilo Hattie" and others much loved did all they could to help in hours of need but ti was not enough.  It was time for real hands on professional help.  I packed a small bag aid disappeared to the mainland.  Not to party but to get things all sorted out.

The old geezer went to hospital.  In London, hospital would be call the 'Priory', where Susan Boyle went when she had her famous melt-down.  "The Funny Farm"...

Two weeks of help and the old geezer was sorted out.  Or was he? 

Sort of, but it was time to put the pieces together and make some sense of what is to come in life.  Was living in Hilo the answer?  Was the hostel chat up of world travellers the answer?  Did the promise of the future lie on the mainland?  What was the old geezer to do?

My dears, the old geezer listens to the folks met in life.  Of late, the stories heard the loudest have been from the superior folks passed through the doors of the hostel, The Big Kahuna, Ron, Hilo Hattie, James and to be true, others who do not like to be mentioned publicly.  I forget little and remember long...

Robert - Work in Progress

Sorting out the stories, the old geezer asked self if he had 'value'.  Was there worth to the days to come.

For some time, MOI was not sure.  Doubt.   Is that the way of it from time to time in life?

There was a time when the old geezer thought he could save the world.  Or at least change it.  Truth be told, globally never, but on the small patch occupied certainly.  I can live with that.

Some thought was given to living in a small town in California.  Way up North.  For a spell that looked like the answer but have come to realize that it was for all of the wrong reasons.  I would have put someone much  cared for out too much and that is not right.  Last thing wanted is to cause worry.  Worry to the point of calling out the coppers ti find the old geezer and being listed as a 'missing person'.

The past always hold the answers to the future.

James and Chandra, in Sacramento, being visited as I sit and bang away on me machine, have provided the old geezer with a view of a future less troubled.  Not without some rocks to kick out of path but certainly less worry.

The old geezer is out on queer street at the moment.  Cash has been depleted and funds will not arrive until next month.  Me bad.  No one to blame but ME.  Were it not for the kindness of James and Chandra, the old geezer would be sleeping uncovered.   The lovely couple have been put upon by the old geezer and it is a shocker to find out how much they love the old geezer, as do the children.

The old geezer did warn you at the beginning that the post today would be wordy.  Did I fail to warn of the intimate details to come with?  I do so apologize.

Cheeky buggers that many of the readers of me blog be have oft told that the pages of this very public diary touch most when the old geezer reveals much personal side of me life.  Granted, I do tend to use colourful language and play tricks with, but that is done to keep you interested AND to be odd and different.  Truth be told, the old geezer can write quite plain and correct.  Fancy that, but what is the trick in that?

The old geezer has lost much of late along with the pounds carried.  Must do updated snap, I am so very much thinner...

My life will have as much value as I allow.  I do passionately believe that.  I have a strong feeling that James and I will do battle for the good of folks in a community once lived.  James being much more the leader that the old geezer.  I think that is where the future lies.

I never meant to cause the Big Kahuna worry.  Never was there a more gentle man.  One should never put folks loved to grief and this old geezer owes him too much already.  The life at the hostel as 'tea and tidy' was lovely.  Not being able to walk robbed me of that.  No pay packet but buckets of ALOHA.  For The Big Kahuna(folks are not travelling as much), Albert(job lost), Norman.  The list could go on and on, you get the picture, the old geezer is not the only person to have grief.

I may be down at moment but know now that I am not 'out'.

CHICHI HAS SUNG LAST SONG 2007-2011

ChiChi - 2007 - 2011

'Chi-Chi', the Hilo Bay Hostel Lovebird, has sung his last song.  With great sadness it was discovered early this morn that Chi-Chi had died some time during the night.

To the thousands of folks who have stayed at the hostel, Chi-Chi would have been the unofficial greeter that most met while waiting for toast to brown or porridge to heat.  Chi-Chi's place of honour was on a perch just off the kitchen area of the hostel.

Quite the showman was our Chi-Chi.  He had a loud song and a clever little dance that sort of drew attention from one and all.  Many is the time guests could be spied crowded round his perch listening to his cheerful noise and light pecks upon the finger of folks who dared to draw near.

Chi-Chi was a wee bit bizarre.  Mind, he was a bird living in a cage in Hawaii and might have felt the need to vent a bit.

I will always remember the cheeky little dance Chi-Chi would do with a plastic barbell in the bottom of the cage.  One never quite knew how to take the dance, or what message Chi-Chi was sending.  So clever were his moves that many moments would slip by as one was glued to the spot, wondering what strange ritual it might be.  The more one stared, the more Chi-Chi gyrated with the plastic barbell.

For my part, the kitchen will seem a colder place without the warm greeting of Chi-Chi to greet each morn.

THAT WAS THEN...

HILO BAY HOSTEL

DATELINE - Hilo, Hawaii, Date: Friday, March 14, 2003, 3:55pm HST, Pacific Business News

Hilo gets a hostel

Hilo Bay Hostel, offering a bed at $18 per person, officially opens for business Friday with a grand opening scheduled in the evening.
The hostel is located at the corner of Waianuenue and Keawe streets and can take in 50 people. Prices at the hostel start at $18 for a bed in a dorm to $38 for a private room for one and $48 for a private room for a two.
Hilo Bay began taking in guests the last couple of weeks and has seen occupancy range from 3 to 12 people a night.
"I thought Hilo could use a hotel, especially for young travelers or people coming for a weekend from Kona and the neighbor islands," said manager Scott Owens.
Already, the hostel is fully booked for a couple of days around the Merrie Monarch, starting April 23. The hostel has 32 double-beds and plans to increase that to 50 beds soon, Owens said.
His brother's company, Shelby Rose Ltd., owns the property, which was acquired three years ago and extensively renovated.
Owens, who joined the project last year, invested over $60,000 and worked on restoring the plantation-style interiors, remnants of the building's original existence as the Burns Hotel, which opened in 1911. Hilo Bay employs three part-time people.

Considering 8 years have past since this story was told, prices at the Hilo Bay Hostel are still very low.  The loving restoration of the Burns Hotel is on-going, there is always room for improvement.

Dorm beds are now 27.00, with private rooms at 67.00, still with tax included.

Thousands of people from all over the world have ascended the grand staircase of the hostel, with many thousands to come.

In a ever-changing world, the Hilo Bay Hostel has remained a constant, still ready to accommodate 'budget' minded travellers.

'LIKE DRAWS TO LIKE' - ONE WONDERS

There is an old adage that "like draws to like," and the antithesis of this would be that unlike keeps as far away from unlike as it is possible.  Fate, who seems to take a malignant pleasure in worrying humanity, throws them together, and the result can be an eternal conflict between the two.  Fire and water if you will.

This old geezer had a chat with a person well known to recently, and the consensus between our two great minds was that it is far more important not to be a moralist, rather be true to own beliefs and allow others to live as they will.  A lesson hard learned by this old geezer.

This old geezer does not suffer fools easily, and is not one to accept anti-social behaviour as the norm.  Drugs and alcohol have been the undoing of many a person known to this old geezer.

A lifetime has been spent being open to all sorts of folks.  What is the trick in surrounding one's self with carbon copies of self.  People who are different from, can be a pleasant surprise.  There is real value to being open to folks who at first glance seem the wrong sort.

Allow this old geezer to explain...

There is nary a drop of ink on the old geezer.  Tattoos, while intriguing on others, do not play well for MOI.   Society can be most unkind to people with multiple tattoos, on neck, face and arms and legs.  Makes a statement no doubt, one that is not always well read.

Recently met chaps with many colourful tattoos, some very permanent and others added for dramatic effect in performing.

The Maori group from New Zealand that booked into the Hilo Bay Hostel were by all appearances, 'unlike' as group of folks one would expect the old geezer to fall in with.

Being of 'open' mind, allowed this old geezer to get 'up close and in person', with a group of folks who have had a lasting effect on.  Never were there a more lovely group to be met.  If lived to be 100, rather think the days spent in the company of the Maori will be long remembered as a true high point.  Truly...

If being 'open' of mind applies to the old geezer, it also was much marked among the Maori from Palmerston North.

Being an avid reader, the old geezer came upon a quote that seems to apply to new best mates met from New Zealand;

'E koro te tino tangata e ngaro i roto i te tokomaha' which translates - A noble man can not be lost in a crowd.  Rather like to think it applies to both the male and female members of the group.

THE OLD GEEZER'S HILO, HAWAII

If one is going to live in a place,one should LIVE. This old geezer is passionate about Hilo, Hawaii. He is also passionate about the Hilo Bay Hostel. No apologies for shameless advert of place lived.
So it rains a bit in Hilo, it does in London as well, and that did not turn the old geezer off.
This old geezer remembers a Hawaii of 40 years ago, and it still exists in Hilo. Hilo the true home of ALOHA and OHANA. The truly clever traveller to Hawaii comes to Hilo, Hawaii, where dreams are made.

OLD GEEZER VISITS CAFE IN HILO

OLD GEEZER VISITS CAFE ROUND CORNER FROM HOSTEL IN HILO,HAWAII.

LIFE IN DOWNTOWN IS INTERESTING AND THE HOSTEL IS CLOSE TO ALL THINGS OF INTEREST.  AND THE LOCALS ARE RIGHT INTERESTING AS WELL.
WHAT IS NOT TO LIKE ABOUT HILO, SMALL TOWN WITH CHARM THAT TAKES YOU BACK TO OLD HAWAII.

CALAVERAS CRUSADER REMEMBERED

Robert DeFrees - Calaveras Crusader

Being laid up with a lame leg has given this old geezer ample time to read many more emails that pour in due to his posts. 

An avid reader with buckets of time googled me and came up with the below story from 3 years.  It was done by a featured columnist with the Fresno Bee, Bill McEwen.

Bit of a shock to see how huge meself was, and growing daily.  What a difference three years makes.  The old geezer is shadow of former self and has given up trying to save the world by living in a very wicked neighbourhood.

CALAVERAS CRUSADER THROWS BLOCK PARTY

When I made it out to the Calaveras Street block party early Saturday afternoon, the Fresno High jazz band was kicking out sweet sounds and scores of children were having fun at the Sciencemobile.
Organizer Rob Defrees had hoped to attract at least 1,000 people to his "road" and make it the biggest single-street block party in Fresno history. The crowd didn't reach four figures, but he declared the six-hour event -- a celebration of the street's efforts to oust drug-dealers and build community pride -- a success nonetheless.
"All the smiling faces and the people trying to make people feel brilliant made it worth it," said Defrees, manager of the El Capri apartment complex, just north of Divisadero.
"The U.S. Marines stayed to the bitter end even though they didn't get any customers that day. My surprise violinist was a 7-year-old boy. He brought tears to people's eyes with his performance."
The event was billed as "Evening of Music -- Hands Across Fresno." At 7 p.m., with one hour left in the party, Defrees asked the crowd to hold hands in a link of unity against drug dealers, graffiti and poverty.
"It wasn't a huge circle, but folks of all different colors and ages held hands," Defrees said. "What more can you ask for?"
Tuesday, he announced that there would be a march against drug dealers and their customers on May 27 in the alley behind 433 N. Calaveras. Wrote Defrees in an e-mail:
"This alley is important as it is being used by drug dealers selling 'poison' and is also being used by punters seeking 'poison.' The coppers are doing all they can to get them but they come back.

"Drug dealers hate the bright light of television cameras and the noise of angry neighbors. Doing a very public march will draw attention to them. More important, it will let their punters know that they are being watched. If the drug dealers have no punters for the 'poison' they close up shop."

KITCHEN CHAT AT HOSTEL IN HILO

The guests come and go, but the questions always remain the same.  Makes for interesting meetings in the kitchen with new guests.  Slice of life at Hilo Bay Hostel with a British sense of humour...

BREAKING NEWS - 'I am NOT Dead Yet'

Dear reader, have a laugh at me expense.  Above cartoon is animated 'slice of life' of the old geezer's world.

Yesterday saw the old geezer do a "Death March of Bataan' like crawl to various doctors and health facilities.  The NHS does not make it easy to be laid up and in pain.

Nevertheless, the old geezer has insurance and folks were ever so kind to during the day.  Took from 10 in the AM til just past 3pm to sort all things out.  Still not done, have to see another doctor today.

My fall has not gone well.  Not listening to good advice has made problem linger.  I do have bone disease and at times feel it is just to be dealt with.  Were it not for that silly chair breaking, this old geezer would be just fine.  Right, not fine but better.

I am to stay off leg, keep to suite and pop pills  This old geezer does not do 'sick' well.  Bed is for sleeping and sex(latter is forgot matter).

Am blessed to have such lovely folks concerned about.  The Big Kahuna was right all along.  Obtuse the old geezer can be at times.

Truth be told, 'Life is Beautiful', what matters a little trouble, me day is still brilliant.

Makes one way to end post with a Broadway tune...

ANTHURIUMS GREET GUESTS AT HOSTEL

Brilliant Floral Display at Hilo Bay Hostel

What a lovely sight to be seen as you ascend the grand staircase of the Hilo Bay Hostel.

Truth be told the brilliant floral arrangement is a bit hard to miss.  'Hilo Hattie', the ever so lovely local girl who toils away at the hostel has a father-in-law who has a knack for such things, the testament of his work can be seen in the stunning display of Anthuriums, a local flower of the Big Island, that graces the display case at the top of the grand staircase.

This old geezer was gobsmacked at the very bright arrangement and is of the opinion it will bring many smiles of delight to the road weary travellers who arrive at the hostel.

'Hilo Hattie' is a shining example of the ALOHA that exists at the hostel.   Her new found passion is making sure that guests who book into the hostel get the best feeling possible of the wondrous things to come while they are booked into the hostel.  'Hilo Hattie' loves coming to work and members of her family try to help create a pleasing place for all to enjoy.  How do you put that sort of 'employee' spirit into words?

'OHANA' is what you will feel at the hostel.  Treated like one of the family...

How is that for 'banging on' about a place and a group of folks this old geezer has come to be ever so fond of...

'SPITTING IMAGE' OF THE OLD GEEZER

Caveman Has Been Retired

 Without so much as a hint, this old geezer has sprung a real shocker on avid readers of me blog.  Clever readers will have noted that the Caveman 'MOI' did not stare back at this AM, when you settled in to read your daily fix.  There is a story, and just know that the old geezer is going to tell it...


The 'REAL' MOI Captured

 There will be some who read these pages who will forever believe that a hostel is but a pit stop for the 'great unwashed' frugal traveller.  It has become me passion to educated you.

There booked into the hostel a chap from the UK,  fancy that.  This chappie is quite the story and only hope that me loaf does not fail me in details.

Simon does moving murals.  That is to say that his works of art can be found on wheels.  Simon is just recently returned from a stay in Norway, where he was hired to do a bus that had been entered into a competition.  It would take far to long to tell just what he did so am going to provide you with a link to Simon's YOUTUBE channel;

Needless to say the bus Simon decorated, placed FIRST...

Chatting with Simon, the old geezer quickly knew that he had got it right when first laid eyes on at the computer table.  Simon is from Cambridge, mind, he did not go to college there.  He did managed to get a superior education and went about perfecting his ability to tell a rather COLOURFUL story in pictures.  He is multi-talented, being able to practice his wizardry at the computer to bring life to clay or canvas.

MOI wasted no time in telling Simon that he, the old geezer,was on YOUTUBE and kept a public diary .  Made sure that Simon went to both places and saw me efforts.  Of late, the old geezer has been trying his hand at animation and wanted to get an opinion from an expert.  Simon was kind, there is much room for improvement in my ability to create a clever film bit.  I do rather think that the dialog is good...

For a lark, Simon asks the old geezer to sit a spell and allow him to get a sense of.  Simon felt that it was time to splash out with a bold new look to the blog.  The caveman, while clever, had seen best days and it was time to join the 21st century.  Simon wants to see the old geezer go viral...

Simon knows a thing or two about good story telling, having been a part of the 'Spitting Image' telly programme that was massively popular in UK some years back.  He also has travelled a bit and the bus was not his first project.

Simon has a 'Terry Thomas' grin that belies that he is really a 'kettle on full boil'.  Simon fancies self quite the 'vagabond traveller' having been to OZ and other exotic places to rest a spell and ply his magic.  He is going to travel to very exotic locales when he decamps from the hostel.  What to say about a chap who walks into a travel bureau in London and asks for a 'round-the-world' ticket and when queried as to where to land first, picks Hawaii as a good enough place to collect self.

Simon appreciates money, just refuses to become a slave to it.  He sets his own agenda and most defiantly marches to his own tune.  Staying at a hostel suits Simon, what better place to meet other interesting people.


Bold Look to Future of Blog


What seemed quick, Simon had captured the old geezer on his computer.  Gobsmacked I was to see MOI staring back at MOI.  Quite unnerving to know that one can be 'read' that well by one only just met.  The finished product was brilliant, no strike that, it is LEGEND....

Simon even did a filmed bit of the whole bust, that he made of the old geezer;

For some strange reason, the thought of readers being able to hurl objects at, is not flattering.  One wonders what curses will be set to that filmed bit by me enemies...

Simon Buck is the brilliant chap's name.  Look at his works.  Can not believe that he did this commission for the old geezer to while away time as he waited for a package.  One can only imagine how dear such must be and am flattered to have been given such a rare gift of friendship.

I am feeling rather grand about the new look and me bust.  One could almost put a copy on a stand and pass them out as an award by the old geezer to folks he remembers in his blog.  We could call the award 'The Bobby'... (RIGHT, A BOBBY FROM A BOOB)

There you have it, another adventure had by the old geezer due to his willingness to say 'Hello' to another met on the path of life.

ARE YOU WHAT YOU EAT?

Nary a day goes by that guests of the hostel, do not run off to the market to purchase fresh fruits and veggies.  Being that it is Hilo, Hawaii, where a Farmer's Market exists and a fully stocked 'health food' store are but steps away from the hostel, this is quite easy to do.

Regular snobs some of the guests are about food.  There is always someone in the kitchen cooking up newly bought roots, grass and such.  There is a run on the blender as many want to make up a 'smoothie', using loads of fruits and veggies.   Right odd how so many of the smoothies' have a decidedly 'neon green' colour.

The topic of conversation at the common table is quite oft about food, 'healthy' food.

Remembering many of the chats, it was a surprise to find a collection of notes on different fruits and veggies and what role they may or may not play in a healthy life.  I will leave it to the dear reader to come to own conclusion.

Some thoughts on fruits and veggies;

Did you know that a sliced carrot looks like a human eye?  That it is believed that carrots enhance blood flow to and function of the eye?
A tomato has four chambers and is red.  Tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are pure heart and blood food.
Grapes hang in a cluster, sort of shape of heart.  Each grape has blood cell and it is believed grapes are profound heart food.
A walnut looks like a wee brain.  They think walnuts help develop neuron-transmitter for brain function.
Kidney beans look like a human kidney AND yes, is believed they help and heal kidney function.
Celery and rhubarb look like bones.  They target bone strength.
Avocadoes, eggplant and pears target female function in the womb.
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos.  Fancy that...  AND helps, it is believed with sperm count and its mobility...
Sweet potatoes look like a pancreas.
Olives assist health and function of ovaries.
Oranges and grapefruits look like mammary glands  AND help in that area.
Onions look like cells of the body.  Is believed that onions clear waste materials from body cells.
Garlic is not just to ward off vampires but also eliminates waste material from the body.

This old geezer has seen a massive amount of 'healthy' fruits and veggies these past 6 months.  Truth be told, many of the guests do seems to be quite thin and have a certain glow.

In truth, the guests that cook up a steak, fry up potatoes, mash potatoes with butter, drown fruit with cream, scramble eggs and burn toast are me favourites.  I do so like the look and smell of food one is 'au fait' with...

GLOWING PRAISE FOR HILO BAY HOSTEL

NEON SIGN OF HOSTEL 'GLOWS'

'TO ALL OUR NEW FAMILY AT HILO BAY HOSTEL......WE ARE ALL LOST FOR WORDS, WE HAD THE BEST TIME DURING OUR STAY AT HILO BAY HOSTEL, THE STAFF ARE TOP QUALITY AND THE HOSTEL ITS SELF WAS ABSOLUTELY AWESOME....TO BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE 54 PEOPLE OVER 8 DAYS AND MAKE THEM FEEL AT HOME IS SO AWESOME.....WE JUST WANT TO THANK ROBERT FOR ALL HIS WORK DURING OUR STAY, GOING OUT OF HIS WAY TO MAKE THINGS EXTRA SPECIAL DURING OUR STAY, TO JUSTIN THANKS HEAPS FOR INTRODUCING US TO THE NEW FRUITS AND SHOWING THE CREW AROUND HILO, AND ALSO A BIG THANK YOU TO GLENDA FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND SHOWING THE LADIES AROUND HILO.....FINALLY TO SCOTT, THANKS HEAPS FOR LETTING US STAY WITH YOU GUYS AND MAKING THINGS PERFECT, OUR OVERALL FEEDBACK FROM THE GROUP WAS THAT STAYING IN HILO WAS OUR BEST PART OF OUR STAY IN HAWAII AND CANT WAIT UNTIL THEY RETURN!!!!!......SO ON BEHALF OF "TE TU MATORA" AND MYSELF - MAHALO -  NATE PONGA

 

The welcoming glow from the neon signage just got heaps warmer.  The above needs no words from this old geezer to add to.

HAVING A CUPPA AT HOSTEL

My dears, this old geezer works very hard to keep your readership.  Fancy that...

This the first attempt at making a cartoon about life in a hostel.   Looks as if it might turn into a winner.

The voices are a bit off, but it works.

Imagine the old geezer and 'Hilo Hattie' having a cuppa and sorting out the day...

JAG TALAR SVENSKA!!

Jag talar svenska. Var annars men ett vandrarhem skulle ge möjlighet att tala med män och kvinnor från Sverige och Norge? Nyligen återvänt från Honolulu, hade denne gamle man chattar med underbara kvinnor och män från Stockholm och Oslo.

Jag kommer att berätta sanna, har denne gamle man glömde mycket av språket lärt mig så många år sedan. Men det kommer tillbaka.
Det gjorde denne gamle man mycket glad att kunna hjälpa besökare till Hilo upptäcka den verkliga Hawaii. För många år sedan var människor i Stockholm samma sak för mig.
Den Hilo Bay Vandrarhemmet är den perfekta platsen för människor från hela världen att lära känna varandra.

 Möte den vackra damen från Stockholm kom tillbaka många glada minnen och låtit denna gubbe för att ge ett gott skratt eller två på egen bekostnad.
Jag lovar en sak, i tid, den gamle mannen kommer att få hans språkkunskaper tillbaka. Tänk dig att ...

Right, outside of Sweden, who in bloody hell is going to understand the above?  There be some who think the old geezer makes it too difficult already.  MOI will translate;

I speak Swedish.  Where else but a hostel would provide the opportunity to talk to men and women from Sweden and Norway?  Recently returned from Honolulu, this old man had chats with lovely men and women from Stockholm and Oslo.
I will tell true, this old man has forgot much of the language learned so many years ago.  But it is coming back.
It made this old man very happy to be able to help visitors to Hilo discover the real Hawaii.  Many years ago, people in Stockholm did the same for me.
The Hilo Bay hostel is the perfect place for people from all the world to get to know one another.
Meeting the lovely lady from Stockholm brought back many happy memories and allowed this old man to provide a good laugh or two at own expense.
I promise one thing, in time, the old man will get his language ability back.  Imagine that...

Ha en underbar dag....

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