Amazing Pace Now Slowed

I'm writing this final post from my own couch, having arrived home this afternoon. 

Everyone wants to know the highlight of our month long, three country, adventure. The answer is easy - seeing old friends - Pam & Bruce, Vic and her parents and making new friends - Sarah, Nicholas, Cathleen, Marc, Jo, Gareth, and Bob!

We feel so fortunate to have had people along to way to host us - share stories and laughter, organize activities for us, keep us safe, fed and pointed in the right direction!

Thank you everyone!

Vic and I are keeping our capes for future adventures! I encourage the rest of you to don your own capes. Send me a photo!

Take care everyone!

Good-bye Vic & Bob

Thanks for EVERYTHING!!!

Emelia's Mom, Lisa and brother, Jack were waiting for us at the airport in Vancouver. 

Emelia has to get up at 3:00 am to catch a flight to Arizona with her family for the rest of the week - globetrotter!

Bellows's Beach

Later, Vic and Bob scooped us up at the top of the hill so we could go back to Bellow's Airforce base and use their private beach. One last chance to swim and try out the new boogie boards.

What a great finish to an epic trip!

When we were at Bellow's on Wednesday I lost my thumb split and then on Monday I found it!

Hanaumi Bay

Vic dropped us in the morning at Hanaumi Bay to do some snorkeling. 

It was sooooooo beautiful!

We saw a mongoose drinking from a fountain. We thought it was cute but they are pests. 

We saw sooooo many fish!!! It's a bit of a hassle to get to the park but well worth it. 

Getaway Car

Vic and I finally have a car to go with our capes. 

Super heroes with a cool ride!

Dinner at the Williams'

Rianna and Willie had us over for dinner last night. 

Lots of stories and laughter!

More Pics of our Ride

Willie actually has five MG's in his collection. Four are here in Hawaii and one is at his son's place in California. Willie goes to classic car conventions/rally in New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the US mainland. He has won many awards, including "Best in Show."

He showed us pictures of the MG his parents gave him for his 16th birthday. Later, he searched serial numbers of MG's in the US - found it and had it restored and thus, began his collection. 

Vintage MG's

Vic's Dad, Willie collects vintage MG's and said he would take us for a ride. We cheered when we went over for dinner last night and saw them parked out front. 

This one is from 1948 with a right hand drive. 

And this one is from 1952. 

Just Another Day at the Beach

We parked at the "club" and then walked to Waikiki. We stopped to listen to the Royal Hawaiian Band play in the Kapiolnai Park. 

We did some last minute shopping in Waikiki. Then we went out in an Outrigger canoe and rode the waves in. No picture - too busy paddling!

The girls went surfing while we jumped around in the waves. 

Lunch at the Club

Willie and Rianna treated us to lunch at The Outrigger Club. 

Then we did some boogie boarding and bobbing in the water but it was very windy no the waves were huge!

But wind is good for capes!!

Rianna's Book

Vic's Mom - Rihanna Williams wrote this book about Hawaii's last monarch, Queen Liliuokalani. It was featured in the gift shop at the Bishop Museum. 

Bishop Museum

Today we explored Bishop Museum which showcases Hawaiian history and culture. 

It is a beautiful museum and full of fascinating stories and artifacts. 

This feathered cape was given to Captian Cook. Unfortunately, later when they realized he wasn't a god - they killed him, but still, it's a great CAPE!

Coconut Island/Gilligan's Island

We boated past Coconut Island which is where they filmed Gilligan's Island. 

Vic (experienced boater) had lots of helpful hints for Bob. "Speed up Bob, I could walk faster!"

We bought some new water toys - full face snorkel masks and upgraded boogie boards which the girls decorated. We'll "store" them here. 

Nani means beautiful and it's Vic's cat's name. We thought it would be a good name for Vic and Bob's B&B (friends and family only).

Nani View - we're working on a logo and t-shirts. 

Cape Abilities.

At first, Vic was mocking me about my cape, then she was helping me, then she wanted her own Hawaiian cape. So we bought some fabric and yesterday I got up early and sewed her one. 

And this is Vic's favorite picture because she thinks her hair (done by Cayley) looks good in it. 

She said, "I love this one! I look great!"

Friday - Kaneohe Bay Sandbar

We drove to the Marine Corp Base in the North Shore where we rented a pontoon boat and drove out to a sandbar. 

We anchored at the sandbar and did some snorkeling and swimming. 

This One Was Way Better

We ate!

Emelia had been to a Luau before but she said this one was WAY better!

The show was outstanding!

More Luau

We danced. 

Cayley and Emelia were brought up for a hula lesson. 

Cayley did some modeling for them. 

We drank. 

Luau at Hale Koa

Thursday evening we went to a luau at the Hale Koa which is only for military personnel (again riding on Bob's VIP pass).

It was AWESOME!!!

The girls learned how to make leis.

Vic and I got tattoos. I got a shark and she got a flower. 

Ford Island

Bob took us out to Ford Island with his military pass. 

This is a Black Hawk - the type Bob used to fly. 

There were still bullet holes and shattered windows from the Pearl Harbor attack. 

Arizona

We went out to the memorial for a somber moment of reflection. 

Bowfin Sub

Hard to imagine the courage needed to be a submariner in WWII. 

We learned that 52 subs were lost during the war and read some of their stories.