What is Aloha? A dictionary definition will indicate that it is a type of greeting, so it can mean “hello” or “goodbye,” but locals will tell you it means much more than that – it is the essence of beIng, a feeling that peace and harmony surround us. Greeting a friend with an “aloha” is an expression of love, mercy and kindness. The direct translation from the Hawaiian is” the presence of divine breath. “
It’s always good to be here. I came as a tourist for the first time in the mid-70s and returned many times . My sister and her family moved here in the 80s, when my brother-in-law was transferred here with the United States Air Force. They retired here after that – better than shoveling snow in his native Pennsylvania, he said.
I flew out of San Francisco on Monday and had a smooth flight, landing as twilight was coming to the island.
We decided that I should take a taxi, though normally my sister picks me up. The island is lovely, but traffic is not, and rush hour is worse here than almost anywhere in the fifty states. I had an experienced taxi driver who knew the way with little difficulty. My sister and family live in Waikiki, about a twenty minute walk from the beaches. Like the Kings of Hawaii, they knew the best place to live when they purchased their high rise condo over thirty years ago . It is a bustling metropolis and they’re in the hub of all the action: movies, theater, restaurants and museums ate not far away.
I was treated to a delicious home-cooked meal with a sparkling present of silver earrings and a dark chocolate birthday cake. Even though my birthday is mid-month, I’ll spend the entire month celebrating it. I settled in for a good night’s sleep in the guest room. As I glanced out at the lanai before turning in, I could see that the traffic had subsided a bit.
I woke up the next morning and peeked out of my guest room window.
Here’s a view of Diamond Head from my room – not bad! Good morning, Honolulu.
After a light breakfast, we went wandering and did some shopping at a new TJMaxx and Nordstrom Rack, met friends for lunch at Whole Foods, then picked up some goodies there for a light dinner.
We visited a new shopping center that replaced a quaint area called Ward Warehouse that we used to visit. The skyscrapers were a bit of a shock ( progress?) but, fortunately, the new area retained some of its local flavor, with unique shops showcasing artisan arts and crafts.
My nephew also lives in the building and it’s been nice seeing him drop in from time to time. He lives in the 33rd floor so he has a higher view, but the view from my sister’s house is extensive, as it is an end unit, so we can see a variety of landscapes, from Diamond Head at one end and the mountains on the other side. There is often a change in the weather with rain in the mountains and sun at Diamond Head. My sister’s place is on the 26th floor.
Today has been low- key, as my sister works on packing and I make the arrangements for our flight, like checking in and looking at possible excursions. I’m grateful that we aren’t running around. We will need our strength for our ten hour flight.
We leave at noon tomorrow and arrive in Sydney at 7:45 pm Friday. We will check into the Amora Jamison Hotel and will, unfortunately, only have time for a morning tour of Sydney before we board the ship, rhe Holland America line’s Noordam,
I’m glad we’ll have a sea day after leaving Sydney. I hope to be blogging when we’re at sea. I’ll get the Internet package and I’ll have phone coverage. My sister will text photos back to the family.
Getting excited yet?
As the sky turns pink, I’m thinking of tomorrow: the taxi will be here at 7:45 AM, so we’ll be up early. It’s now time to eat dinner, re-pack, re-organize and get ready for the next leg of the journey, this time with my favorite sister.
Aloha from Hawaii!