Friday, February 29, 2008

Message in a Bottle

My wonderful writers' group in Alaska does a creative exercise to get the juices flowing at the beginning of each weekly meeting. This is the one from last week (here with permission).

Topic: You are stranded on a tropical island. You have a small note to send in a bottle. What would you say on the note?



My favorite "note" among the group's responses is:

~I’M PERFECTLY OK . . . STAY AWAY!

p.s. This is NOT a secret message to my faithful readers who comment (you know who you are!) or to the shy ones who email me their reactions!

It's just a "moment in paradise".

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Mother Nature Won't Email

If only Mother Nature would send email weather alerts I would have done Chinatown today or tomorrow in overcast cooler weather and in yesterday's blazing heat have gone to the Contemporary Museum (5 minutes and $3 from here) up in the lush green chilly mountain. Instead today was the museum and I was alone to enjoy it, taking in the powerful Misrach exhibition of huge photographs (you can see some here). Enormous grounds with sculptures and lots of paths winding among the gardens and nooks. Calming afternoon. In the lobby is a work in which, standing in the right place, you can see 144 reflections of yourself.

And at dinner tonight, there'll be sea asparagus from the market. Market was after breakfast at Andy's--best spinach-cheese omelette in town and Andy's homemade wholegrain toast and fabulous coffee--all in air-conditioning.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Chinatown

After yoga at the Community Center ended at noon, I decided to give Chinatown a whirl. One wrong turn = learning a LOT about Honolulu streets, but made it to Chinatown and went to the Vietnamese Pho 97 in the historic Mendonca building. This is a photo blog about a different Pho 97, but the owners and dishes are the same. I got the beef rib-eye steak noodles described in the blog (seen in my own photo here), except the meat (red, just put in) was already in the bowl. My plate of bean sprouts, basil and chilies were just like in the blog you can click to. It was so good,even the bean sprouts were like nothing I've ever had and the soup was divine. Decided against pastries, but did get rambutan (like lychees).

Passed Indigo and Tea at 1024 that I saw in today's paper (photos at their site), but just kept going today. It gets really hot in the middle of day now, even though the nights are cold and early mornings call for a long-sleeved shirt plus a sweatshirt. So, today, just the heart of Chinatown, which is only a few blocks square and a real treat. Well, the rambutan should be cold enough for a delicious bedtime snack. . . .

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Lomilomi, at last

Drawing blanks on recommendations for lomilomi from locals, I resorted to the Web and chose Aloha Lomilomi. It was a fantastic massage, a little different from others I've had (sea salt rubs, hot stones along with massage) and it has left me a completely limp dishrag. I'm hoping all the nasty toxins and stress were released and I'll be able to stand up and make it to yoga class tomorrow.

Afterwards, since the place was a block from where I usually go to the beach I hung out for a good bit of the afternoon with the other folks choosing the grass under the trees right on the beach. Then back for errands, including a finally successful treasure hunt for Poi Pancake mix and Coconut Syrup (a story in itself, but I cannot type any longer).

It's 7 p.m. and I'm down for the night . . .

p.s. I'm sure everyone knows photos can be clicked on to see them bigger......

Monday, February 25, 2008

Queen Emma's Palace

Why does Queen Emma's Summer Palace fascinate me so? Small, quickly seen, it is a place I cannot wait to go back to! That's a kukui tree on your right as you look up the steps. No photos of interior--but the calabash bowls are marvelous, all sizes, many very large. Used to store bed linen and clothes. The cradle, to only mention one piece of furniture, is astounding. The Hawaiian owl feather standards in the entry are worth a return trip.

The palace visit was only one piece of the day, though. It's Monday, so early morning yoga in the beach park under the palms. Stopped by Leonard's on the way to get malasadas (this is the haupia, coconut). Worth the wait! Ate two(!) on Waikiki watching the surfers after yoga was over.

Two things to do in Manoa Marketplace before setting out for the afternoon, so got a Roast Turkey sandwich (pink paper middle right of menu wall!) at Andy's Sandwich Shop, a landmark. So healthy! Yep, that is the woman who made my sandwich, right there in the photo. This is what an Andy's sandwich looks like (scroll down).

Yellow hibiscus at Queen Emma's palace, biggest hibiscus I've seen (state flower). What a beauty!

Pali Lookout is only 5 minutes further, and even though the gray clouds were rolling in I went to see...and glad I took a sweater. Yes, the wind is strong.


The photo is of the Ho`omaluhia Botanical Gardens! Both palace and lookout small and quickly seen, but very powerful and memorable.

Roast duck pancakes from Manapua Factory for dinner ... fighting the local cold virus, so early night.

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Slow Sunday

Sunday is a good day to walk on campus, and then jump in the car to go up to Manoa Marketplace for the farmers' outdoor market, and then a few doors down to the Manapua Factory shop for coconut Jin Dui (Chinese sesame balls) and mochi (pounded sticky rice balls) for breakfast with Kona coffee. Both of them had treasures of coconut at the center--so good! Also got some Dim Sum for lunch (menu here). Great cartoon on the subject from today's paper is here. Breakfast with the local paper, lunch with the New York Times. Ah, sweet Sunday.

Lucky to have gone out from 7:30 to 8:45! By 10 a.m. darker and grayer clouds and stronger winds rolling in, by 10:30 a.m. driving rain so intense French doors have to be closed--far more dramatic rain than in the first week I was here. Hmmm, cancel Queen Emma Palace/Pali Lookout today?

But, at least it is cooler! The local Sunday Paper Travel Section is on . . . wait for it . . . Alaska! Talk about cool!

Asian lunch today! The potstickers were the fattest and tasiest I've ever had.

The handmade soft tofu as good as always, and the Tokio flavored tea an elixir.
Clouds aren't lifting so no Tantalus or Pali lookout today, but a delicious Asian lunch sort of makes up for it.

No, I didn't eat the pink-tinged frangipani on the left. The underside is a surprise! They fall face-down on the path sometimes, and they are gorgeous. Here's the paler top side.
I have to walk through the fallen blossoms on the last few feet in front of the door---tough, huh.




The Academy Awards started at 6:00, so it was popcorn for dinner tonight. And I got to watch the whole Oscars show!! It was fun this year.

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Doing or Being

[originally written 2/6]
"Should you be taking your foot off the accelerator for a spell? If you sense that your best strategy is to lay low, don't talk yourself out of it." I always wonder how "they" know ... but time's winged chariot will whisk this precious time away before I know it (Week 1-and-a-half is gone!! at this posting, 3 weeks left) and I don't want to regret any lost chances to do things! Of course I am here to BE something, but it seems the two will never co-exist. It's the worse choice, but I give up the BEING part and just stay in the DOING part -- it doesn't feel OK, it feels like more of the same. But the whole situation is too overwhelming to give up the doing of things and seeing of people when there is a chance ... endless conflict.

But, like my good friend and Blog-Guru, Badaunt, I "do not normally write about my feelings here." I don't know what to do with my feelings, which keep threatening to bubble over somewhere. Maybe I can go to Pali Lookout and scream them into the wind as I toss a coin?

In the new book from the library, Paris Hangover, fluff after the dense, beautiful and powerful The Echo Maker, there are some insights via an American in living in Paris. Page 307. "[Here] it's not so important what you do, especially what you do for a living. It's just important that you be. Be in the moment, be who you are, be consistent in your rituals and habits instead of always chasing the trendy and new."

The other day, sitting on the outdoor balcony of the cafe at Borders, watching people with notebooks, computers, etc., realizing that in the Big City one drives to a place with a parking garage in order to hang out, the City Girl and the Country Girl had a bit of a face-off.

Sunday (2/10), after wallowing in the newspapers with Kona cafe au lait, I recycled, got gas, checked out the Farmers' Market at Manoa Marketplace, did the big sale at Longs (all this within 5 minutes of the house, so convenient), swung by Walmart downtown and easily was back in time for leftover Egyptian curry for lunch. In the afternoon I cooked the beets, and made Edamame Salad from a recipe in the paper and goodies from the Farmers' Market -- dried cranberries instead of currants. So delicious for dinner (2/22: I haven't cooked anything since)! But I was barely able to stand up by 4, though not so really tired. Had to lie down the rest of the day, except for dinner. Stronger, but still not able to make it through a whole day (2/22: still not; 2/23: did not get out of pajamas all day). Maybe more Being is in the cards?

Friday, February 22, 2008

Hanging out with Don

This photo, taken on the quick, doesn't do justice to my charming friend, Don--sorry, Don (who was about to tell me something!) He's my good (translator) friend from Kitano-cho, in town now, and we went for brunch to Eggs 'n Things where he's been a regular for 20 years. Their photo page shows non-Japanese tourists, but it was almost exclusively Japanese tourist clientele when we were there (and a lot of the time). Super good (cheap--this is Waikiki!) food. Kona coffee is their "regular"--lucky me. We hung out the rest of the afternoon cruising Ala Moana Beach and then swung over to his condo on the 42nd floor with the killer views of Honolulu from Tantalus Mountain to Diamond Head. It was a really fun day!

Don's gift: Punahou Carnival Mango Chutney! Something like 10,000 jars sell out in the first 2 hours! Burleigh's daughter Linda had lamented that she was a little too late to get any (having come from Santa Fe!) and Don had no idea mango chutney is in my top-5 food favorites. I'll hand-carry this with me! Thanks so much, Don!!

Early Morning Lights Out
4:16 a.m., something wasn't right. Aha, no air...the CPAP mask wasn't working. Aha, again, the electric clock was out, the lamp wouldn't turn on....lots of clues for an outtage. No lights around the neighborhood--whew, it wasn't just here. Got up later and it is amazing how dark it is in Hawaii at 7 a.m. Down to the street to get the paper and sure enough, the traffic light wasn't working. To make a long story short, a bit after 7 I opened the fridge to get Piha's food and the fridge suddenly turned on. I jumped a foot, then relief set in. Much more relief when everything worked, the Internet connection, etc. So nice to have a little scare that turned out to be a non-event.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Who Knew? #2

Medicare on the Bus
To get the half-price Senior Discount on the bus, one must show one's Medicare card (yes, the one with the social security number on it!). Guess who paid full fare?

iGoogle is Way Cool
What's my favorite feature? My Paris WebCam? My Twitter map for the primaries and caucuses? How To of the Day? YouTube Recent Features? My To Do list? Or...

Behind Every Great Chef There's a Mom
Well, some of us know there's always a Mom in there somewhere. . . . check out chefs' Moms (by Christopher Styler, who also did The Desperate Housewives Cookbook: Juicy Dishes and Saucy Bits. (Alibris says: "From Bree's ber-gourmet repasts to Susan's what's-a-spatula simple suppers, and from Lynette's meals in a hurry to Edie's food for seduction and Gabrielle's epicurean delights, 125 recipes inspired by the Ladies of Wisteria Lane. Color photos throughout.")

Why
did I buy an apron (because I forgot mine)
with a pocket yet!--only to never wear it,
leading to multiple sessions with
Stain Remover? What's with me
and aprons anyway?







Jimmy Buffet's Waikiki 'Margaritaville'
There's to be a new Margaritaville, in Honolulu, before Christmas this year. Toasts all around! One can then spend an afternoon buying a cute bathing suit at Macy's and round off the day upstairs at Jimmy's.

No Walking on Campus
A security blocked my way this morning to tell me no walking on campus! Crimps my style for sure. The alternatives are not very attractive, but I could always masquerade as someone with business on campus (in the land of flip-flops, my running shoes and sox would inevitably give me away, though!).

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Yoga and Beach Day


Headed to Waikiki Community Center for 1 1/2 hour ($3!) Gentle Yoga class. 21 people! Mostly floor work, eyes closed the whole time, positions and breathing--really nice. At noon, when yoga was over, hit the beach at Sans Souci and Waikiki (yes there are parking spaces at noon!) for the afternoon and another fabulous ice cream cone before the little store at New Otani closes for good. My new lunch bag is a dream; the Cool Ice kept the cottage-cheese-and-mango lunch cool, and nearly 6 hours later the ice was not all melted and the inside of the bag was still cool. On the beach(es) I sat in the little chair and read my book when I was not eating or in the ocean.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Kailua Simply Beautiful

Today I went to Kailua, directly north from Honolulu on the Windward coast for an appointment there. To my surprise, the drive took only 20 minutes through a cool rainforesty canopy of green. Passing through two tunnels, the vista opened on a distant view of Kailua and the blue ocean. After my appointment, I went to Kailua Beach, said perhaps the best in the world with its powdery white sand, its immensity, its crystal blue ocean. And lots of shade! May be worth the quick drive to go the beach there! Plenty of easy parking, non-clogged highway, small town feel.....and, yes, the bumper-to-bumper return from work in Honolulu traffic I saw on the way back showed how many people were willing to drive for the simple beauty of Kailua.

As for my "Mamasan Curry" at Mekong last night, it turns out that's a typo; it's Massaman curry, a "Muslim" curry with a Middle Eastern rather than Thai flair. Dark brownish red, spices so unfamiliar in curry, not Indian or Thai, it had chicken, carrots, onions and sweet potatoes! First ever sweet potatoes in curry! But it did have coconut milk (lite). The Bangkok Wings were deboned chicken wings stuffed with mushrooms, pork, carrots, long rice and spices and served with a thick peanut satay sauce. My leftovers tonight were just as delicious as the originals last night!

Monday, February 18, 2008

Pihalani, the Huntress

Went to early morning yoga class in the park next to the Aquarium on Waikiki.
Having forgotten to water the cat, then forgotten my purse, my third re-departure was the charm and I was just a bit late. Joined in and stretched out. Only Mondays from 8-9 a.m. View of palm trees from yoga position was restful! Walked down Waikiki to get a coffee, and caught a few rays on the beach along the way. Holiday today so lots of groups and grills, even at 9 in the morning!

Piha seemed glad I got back around lunchtime with various supplies for her gleaned from one end of Honolulu to the other. While putting things where they were needed for her, I did glimpse a lizard like the ones always on the walk outside sprinting across the back room and sure enough, a few minutes later here came Piha with her prize. No, she did not want to relinquish it. And yes, dear readers, I didn't post the photo with the full prize on display, but if there is demand to see it......can do! To give her a treat after having her prize taken from her, she got to go outdoors for as long as she wanted. I dogged her steps, if one dogs the steps of a cat, since if she ever got out of my sight I'd faint.

During my lucky Walmart stop (downtown/has parking garage!) for Piha's supplies that were not in stock the last four times I tried, I found what she needed and also got myself a cool little lunch bag for beach days (it looks huge here, but it can hold a sandwich and a drink). Now, I can stay and stay and stay on the beach of my choice! Discovered there is lots of shade on Waikiki, so may add some more beaches. Beautiful day but I am oomph-less, so taking it easy in the house.

Did manage some needed sleep in the afternoon, so went out for dinner for the first time--to Mekong II Thai just down the street (no Web site). Details tomorrow with leftovers.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Burleigh at Waioli Tea House


My farewell lunch with Burleigh and her daughter Linda (who "doesn't do" photo ops) at Waioli Tea Room was full of chat about and little slices of life of Doris Duke (Burleigh lived nearby many years ago), info about Ono Hawaiian Food "hole-in-the-wall" and the best here, where Linda goes to to get them lunch, and many other snippets of life in Honolulu. Lomi Lomi massage in times gone by, the film evenings at Doris Duke Theater in the Honolulu Academy of Arts, and life in the times when the only way to get here was by boat. The first Pan Am flights (Linda remembers!) that took over 8 hours, and life on the windward side of the island in summer. Lively, delicious and silently tinged with the shadows of good-bye until we meet again in Pennsylvania.

It's lovely having good friends, even if they have to move away. Burleigh is one of the very best!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Shangri La, or, Another Day in Paradise

There was a tropical cornucopia of things to do today, beckoning from every side: Chelsea Clinton boarding a bus just down the street from the house; Sports/Health/Fitness Expo with chefs (like Alan Takasaki of Le Bistro) demonstrating healthy approaches to food (of course, offerings like 'injury-free running' are on the program, too); the book signing of A DASH of Aloha at Macy's kitchen demo. A play, "Aging is Not for Sissies," alas, only on tonight and tomorrow, is sold out. Disappointments here are quickly replaced with another pleasure in tropical island fashion, but this no-room-at-the-play was a real disappointment. But, no tears, today was Shangri La Day!

In the end, I was glad of my previous reservation to visit Shangri-La today, since quiet and beauty seem what I need now, more than rush and din. Doris Duke, whose father, J.B., invented the paper-rolled cigarette and bankrolled Duke University, was the wealthiest woman in the world for a good while. She created a dream house that was top-to-bottom her own work of art. A majority of treasures were found at auctions all over the world, but these camels, stationed at the unassuming entrance to the house, were bought at a Honolulu department store. You can see beautiful pictures, including the bedroom and bathroom which we couldn't visit, at the Web site (link above). I put four of my photos on Flickr so they could be seen BIG (click on each one to enlarge it).

The living room features an Otis Elevator window that slides completely down into the full basement (they opened this window for us!). Miss Duke usually kept it halfway open because of the many dogs (from the pound!) she owned. Every room has a fireplace, and they were used. The basement, unusual for Hawaii, kept pieces of art, or remnants of fabric like what was used on ceiling and walls of the dining room to make a tent effect. When the house was uncared-for during the 9 years of will litigation, this blue-and-red striped ceiling and wall fabric rotted, but she had kept the leftover in the basement so it was all re-created. Doris Duke recycled, kept everything. Many of the floors are crushed coral from the hollowed-out private harbor, now part of public access as these local boys are enjoying. An avid and skilled surfer, she also had a one-person sailboat she launched here.

The master bedroom wing is not open to the public. Miss Duke didn't keep a diary or journal, nor did she have a close friend or confidante. Her father had taught her not to trust anyone, and since he died when she was 12, she stuck with that early advice. She also wanted her own space--the staff, very well taken care of, had little interaction with her. I'm sorry I didn't see Susan Sarandon starring in the movie about Doris Duke shown on HBO earlier this month.

I love this balcony across from the bedroom wing. Everything in the house was detailed and exquisite and mixed and matched (French baroque ceiling in the Turkish Room). On a short hallway wall, an unusual mixing of tiles features one empty hole with the plaster showing through. Miss Duke was still deciding on this one when her final illness took her to LA and the hole's been left unfilled.



What she called her "playhouse" had guestrooms and a large living room with her piano, as she was an accomplished jazz pianist. She also loved yoga and belly dancing, as well as designing every bit of Shangri-La. The saltwater pool (16 feet deep) is refilled every Monday morning. The diving board was hydraulic, so it could be lowered like the living room window and give a living-room-lanai feel from the house to the playhouse.

My outfit matched a good bit of the decor, and I felt glad, since just being inside the house was unforgettable. This picture was taken during our drink-of-water break on a lanai, but it was raining so we couldn't go into the garden. We moved in groups of 10, so could ask questions and it all went too fast. One woman was there for the fourth time! I can see why. It is a magical place...if you look closely at the red walkways in the Mughal Garden, they look like they rise in the middle in a little peak, but they are perfectly flat. Like the whole house and grounds, they're a feast for the eyes.

I want to learn more about Doris Duke now, just seeing this glimpse into the home she created, and lived in roughly six months a year, from September to April. I'd like to look into the travels she did, the interests she had and the great love of keeping herself to herself (she did very little entertaining at Shangri-La). There is some fascinating background in this Smithsonian article. The photo gallery in the article is wonderful.

Today was a beautiful day.

Friday, February 15, 2008

Beach Day

Spent most of the day on the beach, first at Kahala Beach, long and lovely beach without much shade (I was in the shade of the one tree in the second photo from top). But there is a large park with grass and lots of trees, just a few steps from the beach (tiny part of it 4th photo down). Spent time in the crystal-clear ocean, too. Reading Joanne Fluke's Peach Cobbler Murder made me hungry, so I went to Sans Souci where I knew there were sandwiches and fabulous ice cream cones. Forgot camera and hat, but this was a super beach day! Rain only in the late afternoon, and thunder in the evening, keeping the cool excitement going.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Who Knew? #1

Zen Habits Fail with Lawmakers
Zen Habits is brilliant, and Amy Brown seemed to be using them for her road repair bill:

"[Amy] Brown, an associate professor of medicine at the University of Hawai'i Manoa, had gotten lawmakers to introduce a bill that would require the state Department of Transportation to set aside a percentage of the state highway fund each year for road repairs and maintenance. The department would also have to identify the 10 most critical highway repairs each year and then commit to do the work, and do the same with 10 critical repair projects in resort areas." Derrick DePledge in Honolulu Advertiser

But Hawaiian lawmakers found lots of (silly) reasons why it just won't work here -- "too restrictive" and "mixing state/county responsibility" -- so it's back to life-with-potholes.

The Devil Does Honolulu
A New Yorker cartoon is here.

A DASH of Aloha, the Cookbook
"Healthy Hawai'i Cuisine and Lifestyle," being autographed all over Honolulu for the next month!

Swim Suit Doubles as HeavyHands
Jantzen's TrimSwim suits trim and tuck and hold and mold, and to do that they have 4-way-knit-with-tummy-panel lining that weighs half a ton and takes two days to dry! Anything for a fashionable silhouette, though, huh.

Fresh Tofu To Be Had
Fresh tofu in a Japanese shop, made Tues, Thurs, Sat. Got the curry tofu dip, too (out of garlic). The soft tofu, perfect with green onion and tofu soup (cost of tofu soup 10 cents--so good, and I could never make it with all 5 ingredients!). What a discovery -- I pass that store constantly in Manoa Marketplace since it is in front of Safeway. The woman there automatically speaks Japanese and all the customers were, too. The taste of the tofu = divine!

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Iolani Palace: Full Story

Front Page of today's paper features a photo of David Kawananakoa and Abigal Kawananakoa, descendants of King David Kalakaua, in the front-page article about the coronation anniversary ceremony! There's a photo gallery (I'm way in the back of photo #3) and video; I don't feel so bad that I didn't get the perfect pictures I wanted! They're all here to remind me of a truly memorable day!

p.s. Cloudy and gray today--sure glad it wasn't yesterday!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Iolani Palace

Day started early with walk to Credit Union--an hour through the U of Manoa campus and then old residential area back here (some houses have Historic Residence plaques!)--and no, CU will not cash the check made out to "Kay Vreeland"--no such legal entity. But that is a great walk--could become a regular. Quick did chores and Piha got her greatly desired time in the yard.

Headed out to park at Ward Center and take the bus to Iolani Palace for the 125th Coronation Commemoration -- goose-bumpingly fabulous. We got fancy programs with photos-- full 1-1/2 hour ceremony in the coronation pavilion that's been there since 1883) and there was a 21-gun salute, famous music (Kalakaua March is my favorite--so perky and fun!). Princess Abigail Kinoiki Kekaulike Kawananakoa herself who came out to the Rolls Royce in front of where we were lined up to visit the Palace (and I only got some attendants photos!), and the ladies in white with kukui-nut necklaces (yes, I had mine on!). Women had feather leis, and men had long leaf strings hung around their necks--easy to tell the VIPs!

We then got our free entry to the palace to see the throne room, but most especially the coronation gems and medals (my very favorite is the tiger's claw necklace!!--not shown)
on display today. Breathtaking--even the dishes and the kitchen! Not to mention the crowns, the sceptres, and that jewelry!

Back to Ward Warehouse and late lunch--Kalua Pork Pizza (homestyle Kalua pork, lomi tomato relish and Island fruit salsa)--delicious. At Borders Books the sales were worth it--just what I wanted for $4 and $5--went for a coffee on the terrace; when the barista asks, "Do you want that Americano hot?" you know you are in Hawaii!


Motto of the Day: Thank God for sunscreen and a floppy hat!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Honolulu off the tourist path

My sister sent me, thanks to her friend, Sunset magazine's February article on "Hidden Honolulu". Yes, Sans Souci beach is there, and so is the New Otani Kaimana's Sunset Lanai Lounge (best for seeing the pale yellow Pacific Island sunset). I've betaken myself to both of these favorites already, and the article shows another favorite (once a gift dinner from my friend and yearned for ever since), Indigo restaurant. The Honolulu Academy of Arts is a great love, and Iolani Palace is on the agenda February 12th for the 125th anniversary of the coronation of King Kalakaua and Queen Kapiolani. But what makes the article worth its weight in Alaska-Hawaii postage (besides the priceless photos) is the Chinatown piece. Now, at last, I feel confident about getting myself down there. Thanks, Susans.

Hawaiian Tapas

After Monday's wonderful day of beach + girly shopping, routine errands easily ended with Hawaiian tapas and a glass of (cheap) California champagne. The Salmon (or Ahi) Poke costs almost nothing (well $2), the ikura is on tap, edamame salad keeps well, and the delicious beets are so good alone I have not used the ingredients I've collected for my renowned Beet Salad (basil, capers and yellow pepper figure therein). A long morning, started early to get free parking at Sans Souci Beach (OK, with a hot dog at 11), afternoon at Ala Moana Shopping Center (obligatory stop in Makai Market Food Court). Success at last with my long-long-held list of 3 items: face cream (desperate), high-neck bathing suit (so hard to find), and waterproof keys/ID/cash case (for the single girl): scored all three. The lava-lava on which they are displayed is my friend's and I rack my brain for what I can trade her for it (assuming it does not have special meaning to her!). The pants were the only ones in "my" color left on the sale rack ($12), and ABC stores had the waterproof valuables case. Good haul! Procrastination can be very valuable; I took my time getting to daunting/huge Ala Moana mall; lo and behold, from today the face cream came with 2 gorgeous (free/full) goodie bags, zip hung with Eiffel Tower (the cool Maui bag is from the swim suit shop)! So, with shopping now in the bag, so to speak, Iolani Palace, Queen Emma's Summer Palace, my two favorite museums, and the Botanical Gardens beckon. Stay tuned.

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Burleigh

My good friend, Burleigh, now 92, is moving back to the mainland and I visited her yesterday in her stripped apartment -- everything went with the movers the day before. Lovely Burleigh, so on top of things and ready for the next adventure. I hope I turn out like that at 92!

I learned from her friend there that being at the Farmers' Market at 6:30 or 7 is to pre-buy; many vendors will sell-and-keep so when the gong goes at 7:30 one just picks up one's shopping and heads out. We discussed 100% Kona coffee, too, and I am still unclear on the advantage of 100% over the 10% blends--but there is time for testing! This morning I did my luxury-Sunday, both the papers and Kona cafe au lait.

I also learned, at Burleigh's, that the man working with the Japanese woman from whom I bought the Egyptian curry is her Egyptian husband--no wonder the baklava is so flaky and delicious! And the curry is different from others I've had. Sure will get other dishes next week!

Among the few things left and for sale was a kukui necklace her daughter had made in Girl Scouts--the very daughter visiting then and there. Kukui nuts from Hawaii, too (it's the state tree)--rare now that most are from the Philippines. Since I had not even thought about bringing my coral jewelry to Hawaii, or any other jewelry, having gotten out of the habit over these years, the necklace is just the accent I need! And I learned that earring backs can be had at bead stores--who knew?! So soon I'll have two items of jewelry to wear in the Islands.