It's been 17 years since I've been home to the islands of Hawaii and it was a lovely vacation, but home is sure HOME SWEET HOME after living out of a suitcase for 10 days.
Day 1:
We arrive in Honolulu after 12 hours in the air, slightly worn out and still wondering what I forgot to pack or turn off or lock up or water or feed . . .
My Auntie Bea greats us with fresh leis, I get one of my favorites, a yellow ginger, VERY fragrant and delightful to the nose! Ono! (Yum!) My husband gets a vanda orchid, very pretty, but inside the rental car it starts to smell like dog pee, so off it goes, and gets hung around the rear view mirror. :)~
We're off and running in the car in 10 minutes or less. (Hertz Gold Card Membership is well worth it's fee!) We head for the Hale Koa (military luxury hotel) located on 16 acres of prime beach land that was once considered the trashiest land around until it was developed with non-appropriated funds to accomodate military staff on their leave. Our deluxe (full) ocean view room over looks the botanical grounds of old banyan trees with plumeria, boganvillea, shower trees, coconut and various palms bordered with ferns, gingers, antherium, bird of paradise, haleconia and more. I've never been in the Hale Koa before and this is a real treat! Being married to a retired military man is starting to pay off.
The air is balmy and the wind is causing the fronds of the coconut palms to rattle musically in the late noon breeze sweetly scented with the blooms of white plumeria. The waves can be heard as a constant distant thunder and the water is as deep blue as I remember when I left the islands 17 years ago. Diamond Head is to the far left of us hidden behind the assortment of highrise hotels but a glimpse of the historic pink walls of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel peak through the neighboring buildings to give a sense of olden times.
We unpack our "dress" clothes we brought for the wedding and leave the rest and change to scout the territory. The hotel is modern and spaceous and aesthetically designed to please the eye. There are orchids in bloom spraying in abundance in the open air lobby that leads to the different levels of the hotel's restaurants and shops. There is a circular pond creating a moat around an inner walkway in front of the driveway that houses tropical waterlilies ranging from white, yellow, pink, lavender and blue. I am wishing I had a tropical pond! The inner planted area has various ferns and bromeliads to drool over.
We have dinner with my relatives and afterwards the two of us stroll along the beach enjoying the night air and listening to the waves beat upon the shore. The wind is strong but still balmy, not chilled nor sticky like the Eastcoast humidity. Up at the room we can view the grounds from the lanai (patio) and spy on strollers along the pathways between the lush plantings. The pool is lit in a cool pale blue although it must be closed off as there are not swimmers. We spy a pair of resident cats enjoying the night air like a pair of local lovers watching the tourists go by. Being mid September there isn't much activity and it's very peaceful considering we're in Waikiki.
Time to moi moi (sleep).
Day 2:
My body says I'm exhausted, but my mind won't let me sleep. I've awaken several times during the night and slipped out onto the lanai to enjoy the solitude of the undisturbed night. The two cats were still meandering and the sprinkler system started up during the wee hours. The sun is now rising and I can't wait to get about and see the sites, anxious to compare what's still the same and what has changed over the years during my absence. Now, should I wait for my sleeping husband to wake or get ready and go on my own or wake the Snore Monster up so we can play? I choose to make a pot of coffee and see if that stimulates any activity. Patience and perculation pay off, he stirs and is willing to start the day with a cup of java on the lanai watching the doves fly over the coconut palms with the ocean bluing the horizon.
We finally make it down to breakfast and enjoy sitting in the open air restaurant. The sun warmed breezes of the new day are refreshing for the soul and senses and I have to remind myself that we've finally arrived and can start to relax to enjoy our vacation. It's Saturday and the wedding is later this afternoon, but meanwhile we can relax and get familiar with our surroundings. The tradewinds are blowing nicely through the restaurant's lanai and the doves are bravely skirting around for crumbs. Some are even perched on the trays of dishes that are to be taken back to the kitchen. Fortunately they are small and clean looking, their coo's are actually quite soothing to hear while we wait for our meal.
There is a volleyball net and barbeque stand being set up just outside on the grassy area as it looks like a weekend tournament is going to be held later on the beach. The waves are reminding us that the ocean is alive and inviting us to come and partake of it's cooling therapy.
The island's high schools were all represented by their bands dressed in their school colors and their cheerleading team preceeding them all clad in smiles as they marched down the boulevard. Despite the heat of the mid-day Hawaiian sun they all play with enthusiasm and keep a spirited pace.
Each island is represented by a designated princess and her court, all on horseback dressed in gowns of the color of thier island draped over the horses as they parade by.
Each horse is also decorated with a special haku lei that is handmade using many flowers and botanical implements all localy found, that create a plush shawl like body sculpture around the animal's neck.
Accompanying them on horseback are some paniolos, Hawaiian cowboys and the Hawaii Police Force in official attire. The smiles are all so geniuine on everyone, even the horses seem to be smiling as we stare in awe of the beauty and elegance, as surely they must know they are quite a stately presentation.
Aaowhe! (Yikes!) It's getting late and the parade is over, the traffic has tailed behind the last participants, the horse poop scoopers that are ceremoniously garbed in theme of the parade cheerfully cleaning the "organic residue" from the four legged marchers. We rush back to the hotel to shower and change into our formal wedding garb. It sure is hard to want to get dressed up in this tropical atmosphere.