Aloha

Last week we got away to the island of Oahu and spent three days at Turtle Bay Resort before embarking back to Honolulu and the Hilton Hawaiian Village. They should really call it the Hilton Hawaiian Zoo. It was so much more relaxing at Turtle Bay. There aren’t turtles in Turtle Bay, it’s got good snorkeling, and the atmosphere is something that makes you want to return, time and time again.

Turtle Bay Resort Oahu Hawaii

Sunset at Turtle Bay

Waimea Beach Park Hibiscus

Beached Driftwood & Shells

The food on site was wonderful. We were even able to share a rather nice showing of a green flash with the other people who were staying there. It was a bit like the reaction people have to fireworks. You could tell that everyone had seen it. 

I just wanted to share a little of the aloha spirit today as you all started your week. I know you weren’t there to share it with me but these photos depict the feeling well. Open them to a larger size and remember your fondest memories of any one of the islands. Do you think that it’s time that you return to Hawaii?

Parading

After years of wondering what it would be like, we finally found ourselves at the Rose Parade.  It was a better experience then I had ever dreamed it would be.  We did get up at 5:30 to get to the parade on time.  Wouldn’t do it that way again, but we weren’t sleeping on the street to see it either, like so many people do.  This float caught my eye.  It could have been that the sun was starting to warm my back.  Everything about it just seemed friendly.

City of Los Angeles “Discover Los Angeles”

 

This dragon was fire breathing and a spectacular sight.

Singpoli Group “Marco Polo East Meets West”

The longest float, by far, was the Disney float.  It seemed like it went on for miles.  The magnitude of the hours of volunteer work,  practice, planning, and plant growing that goes into this parade is frankly, unimaginable while you are sitting, watching it travel by.

Disneyland Resort “Diamond Celebration”

My favorite band was from Japan.  They had smiles on their faces as they danced and jumped about, backwards at times.  Their enthusiasm was contageous.

Toho High School Green Band Nagoya, Japan

My favorite float had zip-liners floating from one end to the other.  They would reach one side and the tree would grow and off they would zip again.  Very nicely done.

Dole “Soaring Over Paradise”

I would have included my favorite horse, which looked as though it’s spots had been painted on, but it is quite true that I ran out of battery power on my camera and had to cease taking photos.  I loved just about everything about that weekend.  From the opening B-2 flyby to the sky writing at the tail end of the parade, I know that all those colors will remain with me for a very long time.  Happy 2016 Everyone!

A Magical Moment

I recently went to Disneyland to celebrate my grandson’s birthday, Disneyland’s, and my own as well.  Disneyland and I share a birthday….that’s hard to imagine, I know.

Magical Colors

I was so touched to see Walt Disney’s face on the walls of, It’s A Small World, as it brought back childhood memories of watching, The Wonderful World of Disney.  Walt would say something to the viewing public each and every week.  We looked forward to hearing from him.

Remembrances of Walt Disney

The fireworks were truly a show that shouldn’t be missed, if you’re one of those people who loves fireworks.  They definitely outdid themselves with this show.

Magnificent Fireworks Display

California Adventure had a parade and show that was just as engaging as Disneyland’s was.  It was even rather nice to get a little wet from the show after a long hot day.

Brightly Shining Mickey

But my favorite time was when the crowd went a bit silent as they eagerly awaited the festivities.  The Tea Cups looked so inviting to me, sitting quietly under the brightly colored lanterns.  That was the most magical moment for me.

Silent Tea Cups