Sunday Dec 25 2011

Well we are on our way and that's OK. The car is turned in and bags are checked, so we have to say good by to the island of Kauai with great fondness and look forward to the next time when ever it happens next.

We arrived in Seattle at 7:30 looking forward to being in the Board room to change and have a drink and snack but  nope it was closed for Christmas surprise surprise surprise. Oh well life carries on, and the Alaska was still open so not all was lost. I noticed not much was open but a few stores were so that was good. 

We arrived in Victoria just before midnight a bless her heart Linette was waiting for us, what a sweat warm welcome home. 

This is pretty much the end of our holiday for this one so the next one is in February to the Caribbean I have a few things to finish up booking on that one but the major parts are done see you then.

Sat Dec 24 2011

We ended up in the light house mall for a pizza lunch to have the best pizza on the island that we have tried, although the Brick Oven is almost the same only a single IC (Iron Chef) point between them. I then picked up a couple of last minuet gifts. Then to  Hanalei for last minuet shopping for my personal favorite Mac Nut Liquor.

We got back to our unit mid afternoon in time for a long soak in the sun and hot tub and to chat with some replacement holidayers. Even tough it was fun warm and beautiful I am missing the dogs and won't mind getting home to our house and friends and get a refill hopefully by the new years weekend. Oh we go tomorrow guess I better pack for the Transportation Steal Agency and make sure we have every thing.

Friday Dec 23 2011

Here it is Friday  already can hardly believe it. The weather has been unsettled to say the least mostly dry but a lot of wind and some rain, it has also been the same almost all over the island so there has been not much winning that battle.
            I have been stewing about something that happened last Sunday on our way to Kauai from Maui. Of coarse you have to send your bags through TSA for inspection well I got my bag inspected and I forgot to remove the taxi money to get home from the airport home in Victoria and yup it was gone when we got to Kauai. I figure that since this is the fourth or fifth time I have been ripped off that the special XRAY equipment is there to make it easier and faster for TSA to find and STEAL what ever they want. Oh and by the way they  leave you a note telling you that they stole something, it is the official TSA form but they are so secretive there is no indication who it was that checked your dirty shorts. They also make it impossible to report it after trying for half an hour to contact them on there web site I gave up in frustration. So lesson learnt don't leave anything you want to keep in your checked baggage.

Tuesday Dec 20

4 Amigos return from death defying flight

Today was an awesome day for sightseeing. Laura and I Got up early and headed to Poipu to pick up Linette and Mark, then carry on to Port Allen airport to experience the island by open door helicopter. We left the room about 8:00  and got to Port Allen about 9:40 in plenty of time to get started. After the usual FAA stuff it was off to the skies in a Hughes 400 quite a nice helicopter and I think very new.

Port Allen

One of many waterfalls

 We toured the whole island as best we could as the wind chased clouds around and our pilot kept ahead of them, except for a couple of quick duck in and duck out of a rain.  Saw a full circle rainbow, many waterfalls, and valleys, mountain peaks hawaiian sacred sites, beaches, turtles, and lots of clouds.

Napali Coast

Hanalei Bay

Sunday Dec 18

Alex

Sunday Dec 18

Today is a travel day for Joanna and Harry and us. Joanna and Harry have to say good bye to paradise and return home to Victoria and Laura and I are heading to Kauai for another week. We were too early to say good by to the parrots in the lobby but I am sure they have lots of folks  to entertain and be-friend

I discovered today that I forgot the USB cable for the cell phone so I don't have pictures of the parrots. I will try to procure one on Kauai and get the pictures off the phone.





We are expecting to meet Mark and Linette for lunch at the Dukes in the Marriot Hotel kind of a swanky place, realy good view of the bay and  good food. Then up to the north to our usual place in the Bali Hai and the rest of the day just bummin about getting settled for the week

Saturday Dec 17

After a morning walk down the boardwalk for coffee at the castaway cafe and tanning by the pool we decided to head out to the windward side of the island, and the little town of Paia which is stuck in the 70's I say this because of the sign at the start of town "Don't Feed The Hippies".  First a walk around town, after a good rainstorm, and then into a little gelato store for some treats.  Mango, Lime and Cheesecake were chosen by Aaron, Harry and Joanna.  Laura tried all three!

There are a lot of arts and crafts in this town.  overlooking the gelato store is a fabulous Koa wood giraffe.  A short drive out on the road to Hana was in order and we passed by great surf at some of the beaches. Didn't do the side trip to the town of Haiku, but maybe another time. 

Koa Giraffe in Paia

Quickly we headed  back to Lahaina to enjoy our last Maui sunset with great friends,  drinks, pupus and desert on a deck overlooking the harbor.  The mai tai's get special mention for taste and presentation,  fresh orchids on top take these one's over the top in our opinion.

Time to pack up, tomorrow is a travel day for all of us.

Friday

Harry and Joanna went to Molikini snorkeling so Laura and I have had a lazy morning and I am getting caught up on the blogs. I thought I would catch up on news at home but I forgot it was Miracle on Broad St so not too much to hear.

An old friend of mine in Victoria worked with a fellow that owns a pizza place in Hawaii  Called Paradisio Pizza and guess what , yup its across the street from us, so we are trying it tonight for dinner. we are all ready for a low brow type of dinner, good for me or not.

Mark and Linette left for Kauai this morning and we will meet up with them on Sunday at Dukes for lunch, looking forward to Kauai again

We are sitting pool side in the shade in a gentle breeze scented with the herbs from the chefs herb garden. What more could you ask for as a day in paradise.  

Thursday

After the long and tiring day yesterday it was time for a chill day. So we went for a drive to Keihei to show Harry and Joanna the beaches and other stuff down there and to have lunch at Fred's Mexican Restaurant, it was indeed as good as I remembered. then back to the room for pool side time.

Wednesday

Sunrise on Haleakala Road

 Today was our day to go to Haleakala for sunset which meant getting up at the obscene time of 3:15 to be out on the road by 4 to get to the top of the mountain by 6:15-30. All 6 of us got going and got the last two parking spots at the lower parking lot. It was about 34 degrees F and very windy and cloudy, thank heaven the gift shop was open so every one could rotate at getting warm and out of the wind.

Waking up

Silver Sword at top of mountain

Science City

Linette,Joanna,Harry,and Mark, burrrrrr

Monday

Today was quite a neet day.  Started with a get up and checkout the e-mail in the lobby then catchup with Mark and Linette.

We were going to have a breakfast in our hotel but when we got there it was over and the other s hadn't opened up yet, one of the wait staff suggested that across the street at the Java Jazz, have to admit not the place I would have gone on my own but it was very good and reasonably priced. We will probably go there again in the next couple of days.

Once on the road we went and had Harry added as a driver of the car, some shopping and a trip through the aquarium, very well done and educational. by the end of all that it was time for my nap drinks and dinner with the 6 of us and finally a hot tub and bed time.

Maui in December

Well we made it to Maui yesterday and were greeted with heavy rain and high winds, not what I expected  but thats ok too.  Mark and Linnet were on the same plane as us so we had fun in the airports.

Once settled Laura and I tried to get a hold of them but the storm took out the phones in the area so no luck. We were just about to go looking for them when they arrived at the front desk. We decided to take a run into Lahainia for snacks and a drink. The rain had stopped and the wind wasn't blowing so it was a nice evening after all. We stopped at the Pioneer Inn, one of the oldest inn s in Hawaii, and had our snacks then wandered around town, with good friends and each other.

After getting back to the room Laura and I had a short nap then a quick hot tub and went to the airport to get Joanna and Harry. We arrived just as they got in so less than 15 min we were heading back to Ka'anapali. and to a well deserved sleep.

Lexington KY didn't happen  this year so we decided to go to a flyball tournament in Longview WA instead. It was a good time and the dogs had a good time too placing first on Sat then well lets say not as well on Sunday. It was nice to go for a short holiday with them anyway. I don't have any pictures of the tournament or getting there as it is old hat to us to go through Washington State and run at a tournament. It was a great time with great friends and team mates.

The next holiday is to Hawaii in December. A week on Maui then  week on Kauai places we have been many times but still enjoy the time we spend there. We are traveling with four other long time friends, two are going for a week on Maui and the other two will stay on for another four days on Kauai.Should be a really good time for all of us. 

I have also made arrangements to go to San Juan Puerto Rico in February then do a southern Caribbean cruise after a few days in old town San Juan. We have only spent a single day there and looking forward to a return trip to get to see more of the country. Thats what the first cruise was all about, to find a place we wanted to return to. San Juan really fits that bill for us.

The Cruise is a 7 day cruise that takes us to 5 countries including St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John's, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; Bridgetown, Barbados. Keep tuned for the travels of the Hughes'. ( oh its 136 days away ).

A final wrap up

Well its been a couple of weeks since we got back from Cabo. As an epilogue all I can say is it was a lot of fun, thanks to Dr Dougi I had a reasonable amount of energy which allowed me to do lots of things.

The most fun was the Zip line tour quite different to the one we did in Hawaii a couple of years ago. We had a wonderful time visiting with our cousin and it was certainly the high point of our trip.

We are not sure when the next trip will be. We might be in Kentucky in September not sure yet, but for sure December 11 to the 25th in Hawaii all the reservations are made.

The last day blues.

Here it is our last night in Cabo. Being Sunday night alot shuts down early in the evening so the town is very quiet. After dinner we tried to print the boarding passes but was unable due to printer problem. Probably someone had finger trouble and did something and let the smoke out ( electronics is all smoke, let the smoke out and it doesn't work anymore), easy to do since the letters on the keyboard were gone and the menus are in Spanish. We will have to try again in the morning.

Some final pictures of the Cabo area that we found to be interesting and would like to share.

Marlin Statue on the Malecon

Some one has too much Money ( Note Helo on back of boat)

Del Sol is gone sniff sniff.

Playa Grande Penthouse Suits

Dolphin Pool

ATV Ride area

A night with family and other things

Last night Laura and I had the most delightful night. Laura has a cousin that lives in San Juan Del Cabo and after three days ao trying we finally connected with Geoff. The long and the short is we had dinner at their place just outside town, we met Geoffs wife Claudia and there 4 month old baby, Jack, what a lovely family. I just hope that we can return their hospitality sometime soon since they are such nice people.

I have discovered that there is something in Mexico that causes my skin to turn red then flake off, don't know what it is but I will have to make another trip to further my research. Probably in a couple of years so I can do some research into the causes before I come back.

Since today is our last full day I am not sure what we will be doing. All I need is some real Tequila (100% Agave Azul) so I will have to spend some time looking for it, other than that not much planned.

I have noticed a new fashion trend down here, first there are a lot of MJ Thriller style hats and they seem to be everywhere, secondly and more scary is the fashion of running around with the top button of their shorts undone and the zippy more than half undone. At first I thought it was because the ladies had their bathing suits on but no that was not the case. Unfortunately I know what happens when I don't do up my belt,button and zipper, not a pretty sight I will leave it at that image. They must be using double sided sticky tape to keep them up, how scary is that, especially when it is usually the ones that shouldn't if you get my drift.

Fun in the Cactus

What can I say about Mi Casa, simply the best mole chicken I have ever had. Laura's Michoacan diner made of slow roasted pork shoulder with tortilla's and the fixin's was also a big hit. Certainly the best meal we have had here by a long shot a little pricy but that's OK only once in a while and worth every penny. Oh yah the 20 oz margarita was good too. The tortillas here so are totally different than the ones at home, these are very thin, light and flaky almost like a good pie crust wish I knew the secret.

On the way back to the room we stopped at a tequila store, there were close to 200 different types on display and thousands of bottles, a grown ups candy store for sure, prices starting at $80p for a 26er to $890p for an 8oz bottle . Quite a range, I just  have to figure out which one I like the best, and price is not the determining factor , I imagine that some of the bottles are really pricy to make and is a large part of the final price ie the gun shaped bottle all marketing.

This morning was kind of a lazy day with a walk down the beach to the west of the resort past the new "privet living club" (time share) that was built in the last couple of years. I do have to admit they are very nice but they are on my beach and they didn't ask me if it was OK.

We went ATV riding this afternoon and had a ball, unfortunately it wasn't a good afternoon for others as two of the others on the tour collided and one I am very sure broke her leg. It really showed how dangerous the activity can be. I was quite impressed with the guide and how he handled it, there was an ambulance waiting fo them in less than 10 min quite close by and we were on our way in less than half an hour. The rest of the tour was really fun, riding around in the sage brush and skinny cows on the sandy range, with nothing but dirty socks as a casualty.

On the way back we walked the Malecon to see what to do for dinner, of  course every one tried to get us in. As we walked by one place that didn't try we noticed Hockey night in Canada. Too good to pass up so we got to see the lat half of the third period and Boston score to take the series. As a note it was realy good food too, a large mexican pizza with jelapeno's and beans, yes beans, wasnt bad to start with and quite good once we got used to beans on a pizza.

A day of Zip-Line activities

Here we are, half way through the week in Cabo already.  Another glorious sunny day and we started early heading out into the desert canyons about an hour from the resort.  We were about 20 tourists and 5 local guides going off for a couple hours hiking, and riding the zip lines over and across he canyons.  Nothing but cactus and rocks.  Certainly not a place where you want to go wandering off the path, or fall from the zip line. A swinging bridge took us up a mountainside that really was impassable,   After an hour or so we all assembled at a platform built out over the canyon and were required to give up our pulleys and now received some very large leather gloves, time to learn to rappel.  Instructions were detailed, then demonstrations by the guides, then we took our place on the platform,  Two rappellers at a time were sent down the cliff,  We were 3rd and 4th tourists sent off. Leaning backward our over air, suddenly it seems like a bad idea,but, it's too late now,  then a little push and off you go, just like Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible!  It's over in a couple seconds, hardly time to be scared.  No photo's today, cameras, phones, blackberries all had to be locked up before  heading out to the desert

A snack back at the sign in place and then a lesson in Tequila.  100percent pure agava.  This is the only thing you need to know.  blanco  or amber, it's a matter of taste.  Of course flavored tequilas are also available.  Tequila is imported here, none is made in Baja California, only in Jalisco.  If made in another Mexican state it is called mescal.  If i isn't "stamped" by the Mexican Gov't it is "tequila"/rotgut, where some tequila is mixed with sugar cane alcohol.  That will cause a headache and not taste good either.

Time for a late lunch and a siesta once we are back in Cabo.  Tonight we will sample the dinner at Mi Casa, a favorite from previous trips.

A nice easy third day in Cabo

Wednesday in Cabo, warm, sunny and windy with about 90 as a high.

We walked to town again and found some salsa (hot sauce), it is only about a 10 min walk to the heart of the harbour, checked out the leather shops and got a piece fixed as well as getting a replacement fanny pack for the one that I had stolen last year. Ya ya I know they are the gear of geeks but when I have no problem going through an airport security line who's the geek now EH!!!. Besides it allows me to keep my testing stuff and insulin in a good place with easy access.

One of our previous delights was a bakery that  had the best apple muffins but sad to say it is now gone for ever,  a sign of the times I suppose but in a town that is changing as rapidly as Cabo is it has to be expected , sad anyway. When we first came here in 1999 there was the Finisterra and the Del Sol on a beach about 1.5 miles long, there is now 8 or 9 that take up the full length of the beach, and  Del Sol has a fence around it with a wrecking ball inside. Too bad the second hotel has to go like this, since it was supposedly the place of question in "Rumor Has It". The Finisterra has been taken over by the Myan group and the have plans to redo the property.

I have found writing the blog this time a bit challenging, the only place I get good enough WIFI is in the lobby which is OK but the Blogspot web page is in Spanish I am unable to get the english version, I got a fatal error and still can't figure out what it was on about.

Tomorrow we are off to Zip-line for the morning then a lazy afternoon and dinner at Mi Casa at 7:00. Then Friday we will do some ATV tours so lots to entertain us.

Day 2 A day of getting re-aquainted with Cabo

To day we ended up in Los Cabo and had an interesting morning just looking arround . On the way back we stopped at the local Walmart and got some essentials (Beer and Coffee) then returned to the room and to the pool for lunch. The shrimp ceasar and the fajitas were terific next to the pool, interesting the number of people that have their laptops and are working on their holiday. Yes we have our laptop too, but email and blog is all it is being used for,,, really it's the twuth.

Malecon Neat the Dolphin pool

A walk into town and looking at the new Malecon was wonderful. After a trip to the local store and coffee filters (forgot them the first time) and granola bars we headed back. Some things change but others stay the same, the look of the Malecon has changed but the Sales people are just as aggressive as before,  and still won't take no for an answer, so tactic 2 is in order, just be rude that is all they understand it seems. After a few hurt feelings we stopped for a drink at a local out side bar, after asking if the hockey game will be on and a very blank look then a "oh sure what ever you want" chat it was clear that he had no idea what we were after, the long and short is we never did get to see the game.

Cabo San Lucas City Square

Our final stop for the day was the Whalewatcher again for a light snack for dinner. I discovered  a new hot sauce that is very smooth and not super hot just right for almost everything. I will see if I can find it in the store and bring a bottle home. I call it hot sauce they call it salsa which ever it is it is great stuff.

Day 1 Getting there

Travel day arrived Yeahhhh !!! We started by leaving the house at o500. To use a line of Robin Williams in Good Morning Vietnam, “What does the o in o500 stand for? O my god it’s early”

Things went real smooth and the only notable thing was the view of Mt. St. Hellen from the plane, quite spectacular to say the least. The snow and clear weather made it stand out like a sore thumb,



An hour and a half in LA and time for the last part of the journey I am looking forward to the 90 degrees and sunny what else could we ask for, oh……… dos Margarita por favor, all in good time grasshopper.

Once we got through the TS sales vultures we ended having a nice ride (with Grayline) to Cabo with a couple from Vancouver (on their honeymoon) and, another couple from Minneapolis. We chatted about every ones travels and plans for the week. Driving through Cabo both Laura and I noted that a lot of things have changed and look forward to exploring the town again.

After a visit to the pool, off we went to the Whalewatcher bar for a beer and a couple appies before we called it a day.  Amazing how 90 degree weather improves one’s view and attitude.  Now to plan some activities and maybe a tour or two. Maybe go ziplining and visit the canyons, or ATV riding on the beach, and a trip to Walmart to get some beer perhaps, but, it doesn’t really matter, we found spring finally.

 

Its getting closer and closer

It is just a few days before we leave and packing is about to get under way. We usually pack light so this time I think we will pack lighter than usual. Last night I got my pre trip boost so I should be all ready to have a good time and do some activities while we are there.

I have the airport transportation all set up and hopefully won't have to deal too much with the timeshare demons, my least favorite part of going to Mexico. We have about 30 miles to get to the Finisterra from the airport and it depends where the others are staying as to how many stops we have, so we should be there about 6:30PM just in time for a leisurely dinner at the Palapa and pool  that's the hope anyway.

Tonight I will try to book a couple of activities on line. I was thinking of Zip lining for one and maybe a day to La Pas not sure about that one as it is a 10 hr day not sure I can do that one without problems. Or maybe a day in Todos Santos  not quite sure yet. Anyway the next post will likely be from Mexico next Tuesday

Next Trip

                                                        Down Town Cabo

Our next trip is to Cabo San Lucas in May. We have been to Cabo many times and it is our favorite in Mexico, we have always stayed at the Finisterra which is overlooking the town of Cabo and the Pacific Ocean.  I highly recommend it as a place to stay. I have heard that Cabo has changed so we will see if it is as good as the last time three years ago.

                                                        Cabo North Shore

 

Sat night at the car show Kissimmee FL

Saturday night was the last night in Orlando and during the week we had heard about an old car show held in Old Town Kissimmee. So we thought we would go down and investigate cars, you know how I am a car kind of guy. When we were there on Thursday there were hardly any shops open and hardly a soul about. I can tell you things are different on Saturday night. The cars started to arrive about 3:00 in the afternoon and arrive well into the evening (we stayed until 7:30 and they were still coming in), when we left there were at least 250 to 300 cars in Old Town quite a sight to say the least.

 Early afternoon

The break down was that there were allot of North American Muscle cars and a very good representatives of restored and good originals there. the surprising thing was there was only 2 English cars, a Bentley and a Bradford, there was 1 Italian, a late 60's Fiat Spider, several VW beatles and one 1934 Citroen the rest were American.

1934 Citroen.Unfortunately it was very dark and this was the best picture I could get. The owner was Roger a very nice man with many cars I hope we can connect and get a better picture.

There was about 10 Hudson's and they were having a club meeting in the restaurant we stopped for dinner at. Quite the demographic mostly over 65 into the late 80's. There was a gorgeous 47 Hudson that I drooled over, there was also a Nash Metropolitan in a sweet light yellow with white accent.

1947 Hudson

Nash Metropolitan

 
1952 Hudson Hornet 
Twin H Power

 

Through out the area's there were allot of stingray Corvettes and finally just before we left a 1960 arrived and was just stunning. Laura and I talked about it on the way home it was a toss up between the 59 T-Bird and the 60 Vette. Sorry for the poor picture of the vet it was the best I could do in the dark.

 

After the ride home we sat in the hot tub for a while and finished packing as the taxi is supposed to be there at 0h 600 the 0h stands for "oh my God its Early.