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......

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

Sans Souci Beach ... finally

Sunshine very promising this morning so took off for the beach I know, Sans Souci at the New Otani. Stayed sunny for the two hours I was there, moving my mat back as the sun moved forward, until lunchtime. So good, at last! Reading The Echo Maker and swimming and looking at the sky. . . .
Thinking about lunch in the Hau Tree Lanai, one of my favorites! I remember it was the first restaurant my friend took me to so many years ago....I still see the impressionist painting of my first view of this tree as we were seated.
Then lunch: Ahi Cobb Salad ... yum yum! Lovely leisurely lunch. If I can figure out parking (weekends may be out for the beach!), mornings on the beach are the ticket...the sun is from behind so sun-phobics can really enjoy! Not so crowded and safe to leave belongings while swimming, this is the perfect beach. But I'd like to try some others, too--if only I could teleport! When I came back to the house at 3, it was raining. More showers in afternoon, but mostly clear today! Beach/lunch was enough for me, could not tack on my overdue shopping....next week!