Got Beach?

When you go to Hawaii, you've got to schedule some beach time. We did just that and had a blast. Our favorite hangout is Bellows Beach in Waimanalo on Oahu. Of course, you've got to get past the "rent a cops" at the gate entrance, and then the beach is all yours. There is a small Air Force Station there at Bellows, but the beach is awesome.

Our family got to swim, boogey board, bodysurf, and make sand castles on the beach. Lucky, the weather was fine and the water had no jelly fish which sometimes are found. But no worries, we spent the time well.

Our grandchildren had great fun there and we even had a picnic. When our children were younger, as a family we would spend up to a week of our summer there at Bellows. Talk about some tanning time, wow. Anyway, it's a great place to spend some of the vacation time.

Return from Paradise

I guess everyone has their own idea or interpretation of what "paradise" may mean to them. Years ago, we chose to leave paradise for a more manageable life on the mainland. Looking back, we feel we made the right decision for our family. We visit the islands whenever we can get their for a reasonable price or when we may have too, say for family reasons.


Two weeks ago, we took the opportunity to travel back to the islands again for a family vacation and to see my mom who is not getting any younger. We got to see the sights, eat the food, enjoy the weather including the higher humidity, shop at the swap meet and the courtesy of the local drivers, " eh! go ahead, I give you chance." Wow, it was great.


We were also accompanied by two of our daughters and their families. We all met up in Laie to stay with our youngest daughter and her family.

Instant mayhem, or just lots of family in one home. It was great to see the young cousins play together. Maybe to others, it was instant insanity, but we all managed, and had fun. Got to see our extended family, you know, cousins, and other friends. Such a choice opportunity.


We took a trip to the Big Island or homeland, and visited my mom, sister and her family and other family members like my brother and his family, aunts, cousins, and dear family friends. Such a memorable time there. We celebrated my mom's 87th birthday early and had a great time.


Our time at the swap meet seemed too short, or at the beach, or being with family. In all, the trip was worth it and makes us long to return again very soon.