GLAD TIDE-INGS

be one with the beach

Random observations from travelling in the tropics: beer made in Hawaii has no calories, Maui Babe suntan lotion doesn't attract any, ears and noses peel regardless of how much aloe vera is put on them, it always takes a full day to travel no matter how close or far, spouses make lousy navigators but they're great at telling you where to go, dinner at any restaurant at sunset called "The Beach House" is spectacular (and a little pricey), suitcases gain weight during travel, Kona coffee is worth the price, good travel guidebooks are invaluable, there are more uniformed security personnel in U.S. airports than customer service people, first class lounges aren't always, ocean breezes beat air conditioning, tropical vacations are better when it is snowing at home, no one appreciates seeing someone's pictures while they are still on vacation, watching first time parents with a tired and cranky baby in a swank eatery is not pleasant for anyone, getting asked for ID in the Maui airport before getting a beer is cool, going through 3 security checks isn't, hearing that your son had to shovel snow off the driveway twice in one day - oh dear, the sound of waves crashing on shore is rythmic, mesmerizing and powerful all at the same time, the early morning sound of birds chirping beats an alarm clock everytime, condos with locally grown coffee for the coffee maker is a nice touch, buying the same brand of "organically grown" fruit juice that has no preservatives that I buy at home makes me wonder, finding the game results for 3 Stanely Cup playoff games crammed into 3 paragraphs on page 7 of the Honolulu Advertiser is unsurprising, buying another suitcase at mid vacation is scary, fresh locally caught swordfish steaks for about 3.00 each a pleasant surprise, roosters crow all day, the fish in the water here are more colourful than the aquarium at home - something about freedom, the view of the Waimea Canyon from the very top is inspiring, shave ice is fabulous, 10 hours of sleep is heaven, aloha shirts should only be worn in Hawaii and I'm going for a swim........

Aloha

PINK FOOTED BOOBIES

There is just something wrong about a man wearing pink crocs!  I am sitting in an internet cafe in paradise and maybe it's the sunshine that fries brains, but I'm watching a man, probably retirement-aged, walking across the parking lot with his wife, who is conservatively stylish and he seems to be oblivious to how weird he looks in khaki shorts, aloha shirt and pink crocs. Vacations bring many strange sights, some natural like unfamiliar plants and animals and some not so "natural."  The pink footed boobie is imported from off island.

We went to see a magic show the other night.  Now that would be an unnatural act for me whether on vacation or not.  Warren and Annebelle's Magic Show, on Maui is not to be missed. Thanks to the advice of friends before we left home, we had booked via the internet several days before departure.  Thank goodness because had we waited, we never would have got in and this show is worth every penny of admission.  A small audience of under 80 people guarantees an intimate show that is as funny as it is mystifying.  A gem!

Another find is the "Maui Babe" tanning lotion full of all sorts of natural ingredients that I am currently sporting.  I haven't figured out if it makes you a "babe" or attracts them.  I will report any scientific evidence when I have concluded my research.  One thing I know for sure, pink crocs are both unnatural and I'm pretty sure, a natural "babe" deterrent.

HANG TEN

be one with the board, not the bored

OK, so this surfing thing is a little tougher than those 20 - something's make it look.  Special thanks to Mike the teacher for recognizing that an aging hippy-wanna-be required a little extra attention to actually stand on the board - on top of the water.  Mission accomplished and yes, there is photographic evidence!  Same evidence will be posted soon after I have a nap or a beer, whichever makes most sense.  A  quart or so of aloe vera on my forehead might be a good idea too.

No Seniors tour surfing scouts were in attendance today, but the other 4 kids in my lesson group applauded my efforts when I finally got up - or were they just glad that they could finally get out of the water?  I'm thinking about a remedial class on Kauai next week.

Still hangin' loose and free on Maui.

Surfer Bob

ALOHA

Hawaii truly is paradise!  

I find it interesting how my body, in addition to my mind, knows that I am coming here before I get on the plane.  I know that sounds strange to some of you but it is nonetheless, true.  Somehow I physically begin to anticipate the warmth and humidity and it shows up in stuffed sinuses and tightened joints in and around my neck. Magically, no matter how many hours on a plane or in airports - 13 this time - as soon as I step into the warm air, all of that disappears.  I know most of you have the same experience when you step into a tropical climate, but I wonder how many notice the anticipation your body goes through beforehand.

There is something pretty neat about barbecuing in the rain, wearing nothing more than a bathing suit and not having Eskimos run screaming into the night in fear of the great white shamu.  That was last night, tonite we will try a highly touted restaurant on Maui's west side and toast those left behind who encountered a snowstorm an hour after dropping us at the airport.

And the open air bar with the live band playing some seriously good 70's rock while we enjoyed a few local libations yesterday afternoon, wasn't half bad either.

Hang Loose!