Driving About

I think I took this one our second day here. Needless to say, the youngest has new shorts as of today. I couldn't stand seeing him in jeans (he pretty much dislikes the two he brought with him and has never liked shorts to begin with; however, he sweats relentlessly and says it doesn't bother him, but it makes everyone else sweat seeing him sweat). Kissteen: he will not be a future carpet layer. *wink* Got him some shorts from the worlds largest Navy Exchange today in Pearl Harbor. Pretty wicked. He's very pleased with the ones he got.

This is the classic shot most people get on postcards from folks on holiday here: Diamond Head from Waikiki. It's pretty impressive and you get a closer look from the zoo.
Regan may like this picture. It's a Bird of Paradise. There are different colour variations, but they all look like birds. I love birds and I appreciate this flower immensely.
I'm not sure if this is the statue for Duke Kahanamoku (surfing legend) or not. There's another statue across from the entrance to the zoo, which is lovely but we couldn't get a good shot from across the road. The surf is something else at this beach. It will be a long time before my kids surf it . . . if ever.
A view of Northshore from the passenger seat of our car. It was calm according to my husband, who said in the cooler months the waves are impressive. I didn't read that in my O'ahu Revealed book (by Andrew Doughty) - yet. I'm on that section.
That van sorta fit in with my idea of surfer wheels.
H-3 going back to Waikiki/Honolulu. The kids thought it would take a long while (an hour? more?) to get back to the hotel . . . nope . . .
. . . we looked over our shoulders to the right and looked back upon a very beautiful town/city called Kane'ohe Bay. I could see us living on this side of the island.
. . . we approach the tunnel . . .
. . . we pop out the other side about two minutes later (if that!) and about fifteen minutes later we are in our hotel parking garage.
Seriously. O'ahu is not large by any means of the word. But, what makes it special? The weather is always nice, but it's the people. People here are just about the most friendly I have ever met. I'm sure there are some real classic stinkers, too, but I have yet to meet any. I bet when I do, they'll be imports (like us) who haven't learned to relax and let the aloha spirit embrace them. For some it takes a lifetime. I'm so there already.