Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Our Visit to Paradise...

We just returned from a fantastic family vacation in Hawaii, and it was just as lovely as I remember. We visited the island of Oa'hu, and stayed on Waikiki Beach at the Hilton Hawaiian Village (which I highly recommend). Everything you need is there at the resort - shopping, restaurants, and yes, Starbucks (actually 2 of them)! Downtown Waikiki is just a short 15 minute walk away.

These pix are from darling daughter's digital, cuz I'm still an old-fashioned girl with an old-fashioned camera (uh that's code for no digital camera). I still have several rolls to develop, but here are some of my favorite photos so far...


This view below is at sunset, from the hotel lobby looking out to the pool and the beach just beyond.

This is beautiful Hanauma Bay, the popular snorkeling spot. The bay is actually a volcano crater, filled with ocean water long ago after a volcanic eruption. We visited here just a day before Hurricane Felicia was due to hit the island, so the weather was rainy and the water a bit murky; not the best for snorkeling. Beautiful, nonetheless...

These photos were taken on the same day; you can see how the weather was changing. Rainy, then sunny and blue sky, but still humid...

I know, what WAS I thinking??!! Hey! I was on vacation!!


When in Rome...

3 comments:

  1. ~WOW!!! Rhonda what a truly stunning and magical vacation you all just went on! I just LOVE all of your beautiful photos! You and your family look wonderfully happy.

    Thanks for your sweet visit. It was great to hear from you.

    ~Blessings to you and yours this Labor Day. ~Warmly, Melissa ;)

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  2. Rhonda thank you so much for your sweet and encouraging words today! I can't even begin to express how much they mean to me.

    I thought I was just borderline high as well a few years ago and it snowballed. If you are even one reading above 120/80 they call it "high" and want action to be taken. I ingnored the warnings and am embarrassed for sure.
    I am eating so much better this past week and have begun to lose weight already and feel better. I'm still getting used to the medicines.

    I can relate...with a Marine Corps hubby I truly had NO excuses either. Sigh...

    ~Blessings my friend, ~Melissa :)

    PS We'll motivate each other! Let me know what you do and if you make any changes.

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  3. I'm so surprised and thrilled Rhonda! You can do it my friend!

    I am on two different meds for the B/P and one happens to be a water reduction pill. My doctor seemed to think it was part of my problem hence the "no salt diet". I'm sure that's why it fell off so quickly these last few weeks. I'm expecting it to start slowing down now for sure....Bummer. :)

    We've been eating lots and lots of salads for dinner with spinach leaves, fresh veggies and using our GF grill for chicken strips and LEAN steak strips. We made a VERY healthy shrimp dish too. I'll post it soon. It's delish!
    NO extra salt, NO caffeine and drinking tons of water. The Mrs Dash flavorings have been delicious for sure.

    For breakfast I have two scrambled eggs with olive oil for cooking and a small bowl of cereal. Usually "Total" or Raisin Bran.
    Snacking I have carrot and celery sticks, a bite of cottage cheese and some nuts like almonds or maybe sunflower seeds.

    It's working for me so far! I may need to adjust the food choices later since I still have much more to lose.

    ~Good Luck! Let me know what you decide to do! ~Melissa :)

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