Winding down at "Home Sweet Home"

Mele Kalikimaka (pronounced may-lay ka-lee-key-ma-ka) Merry Christmas!
Hau'oli Hanukaha (pronounced how-oh-lay ha-new-ka-ha) Happy Hanukkah!
Hau'oli Lanui (pronounced how-oh-lay la-new-ee) Happy Holidays!
Hau'oli la Hanau (pronouonced how-oh-lay la-ha-now) Happy Birthday!

Aloha oukou!

Jim and I have spent the last weeks of November enjoying this beautiful home, swimming and biking around Kailua town and spending time at the beach watching the kite surfers, a new sport to us but quite popular here.

Before she left, Kathy treated Jim and I to dinner at a great Italian restaurant in Kailua called Baci's Bistro...delish! We enjoyed it so much we went there again last night for dinner enjoying a bottle of an organic red wine!

I have included some photos of various sightseeing spots, one being The Byodo-In Temple which was created on June 7, 1968 to commerate the first Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. The Byodo-In was built entirely without nails and is a scale replica of a temple at Uji Japan that was constructed over 900 years ago. The statue towers over 18 feet and is an original art work by the famous Japanese sculptor, Masuzo Inui.

Another cool spot, Laie Point, an awesome rocky outcropping just north of Kailua is hidden behind a neighborhood and unmarked to tourists. There are five small "islands"  of mostly cliffs scattered nearby and the point serves as a fishing and swimming spot for locals and visitors alike, if you dare! We saw several young people jumping from the edge and just watching them took our breath away! They proceeded to climb the jagged Puka rock up to the top of land mass to jump again! Apparently this was a movie location for the movie, "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" before my time...lol!!!

Halekulani Hotel, at "House Without a Key," was our Thanksgiving dinner spot...beachside...beautiful sunny day with a table in the shade by the sea! A Thanksgiving we will not soon forget! Brendan and Adam spent the day at Lisa and Mike's with the rest of the family...my mom was able to join them :o)!

Next stop....Waikiki Wyndham Resort for the month of December. We are looking forward to the Christmas festivities and holiday activities in Honolulu and Waikiki and especially excited that Brendan and Adam arrive December 19 and will be with us through New Year's! The other exciting news? Adam graduates from UNH mid December. Congratulations Adam!!!

Jim, Brendan, Adam and I will spend three nights, four days, on the Big Island in Volcano Village. This is their busiest time of  year and we were fortunate to secure a place to stay with the help of our new realtor friend, Ingrid! We will be traveling to Big Island before Christmas as there were NO cars available for rent after Christmas, the time we had originally hoped to visit.

Love to all of you...miss you all,

Robin and Jim

Catching Up from Kailua

Aloha nui loa!

Where does the time go?

Jim and I had a great visit with our friends Karen and Dick at the beach house, the end of October. Most days we rose early and spent our time outdoors swimming, snorkeling, hiking and touring around the island. Our week was filled with intimate dinners for four at home on the lanai as well as festive dining at a few of our favorite places, some "beach side" in Waikiki! NOTE: Dick, the "dogs" are missing you on the beach but we are enjoying them for you ;o)! Love you guys!

"Home Sweet Home", our November residence is truly a sweet home!!! Ingrid, our new friend and realtor graciously offers her personal property to clients and we were fortuante enough to secure this gorgeous place for the month. Ingrid has an office off carport area and resides in a mini retreat of her own, upstairs, called "Ingrid's Loft" if you are inclined to view online through Pacific Island Reservation...check it out. Both residences are tastefully decorated in an open Asian design creating an easy comfortable living space for her guests as well as herself.

Our home has three spacious rooms with ample seating throughout for doing whatever it is you want to do: watching TV/movies, reading, creating art or just relaxing and admiring your surroundings...which I do from time to time...pinch me please! Home Sweet Home offers many ammenties you will not find elsewhere including dvd movies galore, books, games, beach chairs, snorkeling equipment and fully equipped kitchen if you are inclined to cook...oh, and do not forget the large cobalt tiled inground pool, steps from the master bedroom....just another day in paradise!!!

Cousin Kathy has been with us since beginning of November and she is having the time of her life! She and I rise every morning for a morning swim and girlish conversation and giggles, rain or shine! Hawai'i had a rainy spell for a few days upon Kathy's arrival but it gave her time to recup from her long travel day from the east coast and to ease herself into our restful island life!

Kathy and I begin our days leisurely enjoying the cool morning breezes and hissing palms...both of us agree, we could get used to this...lol! Some adventures Jim and I have shared: "Duke's" for dinner at Waikiki, Kailua Beach, Lanikai Beach, Honolulu state house, Hawai'i State Art Museum enjoying  Hawaiian dances and entertainment, massages and Sal's Boutique, a local Salvation Army store with many Hawaiian shirts for purchase. Paul will be wearing his new Hawaiian attire all winter long!

Jim toured us around to the Northshore and Haleiwa (pronounced halA-eeva) town, one of our favorite spots to visit and bring guests. Kathy and I spent some time shopping, shopping and more shopping...lol! Jim you are a saint!

One day she and I took the scenic ride around the east side of the island along the seashore stopping at several photo opts of the picturesque rocky shoreline and thunderous crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean on our way to pick Jim from work in Honolulu.

Kathy is winding down her Hawaiian adventure now...I know she is reluctant to leave her spa retreat get away and I cannot blame her! The Hawaiian bug has struck...Arrrnold, she will be back!

Jim and I want to wish all of you, family and friends, a very Happy Thanksgiving from Hawai'i!
"Hau'oli La Ho'omakika'i" (how-oh-lay la ho-o-ma-key-kah-ee which means Happy Thanksgiving!)

Love you all,


Robin and Jim