Snorkel Day.
Things have quieted down a bit so Karen and I were able to begin our daily morning walk routine. It felt really good to stretch our legs and see all our familiar sites. The highlight was a stop (along with many other people) to watch the commotion out at sea: probably several male whales fighting for a female’s attention.
After our walk, Cal and Susan picked me up to go snorkeling at Kapalua Beach, one of our favorite spots. It’s close to our condo, the beach is gorgeous, the fish are beautiful, and it’s easy getting in and out of the ocean. Today the sea was very calm and the sun just pleasantly warm. Most impressive was one of my fellow snorkelers: an above-knee amputee who used a walker to get around. The woman with him scouted out the easiest place for him to get in. He then hopped with his walker down to the ocean, sat down on the shore, and scooted himself into the ocean. Several of us asked if we could help but he just smiled and said he was fine. Wow, what determination!
Hawaii’s annual whale count hasn’t been done yet, but judging from our lanai there are far less whales than even last year, when the counts turned out to be dramatically lower. What is going on?
Brief but stunning sunset this evening.
Now a post script to yesterday’s post. Here’s a much better photo of the keawe blossoms from which our honey came. Wikipedia reports that this invasive tree can live for over 1,000 years; the hard wood is a source of long-burning firewood and charcoal; the keawe pods can be ground into flour, turned into molasses, or used to make beer. And the light yellow flowers attract bees that produce from them a sought-after white honey. Indeed! The honey tastes like it has butter in it.
The beach looks fabulous! I’m glad you got to see the whales too.
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Beautiful!!
Going to meet Scott and Chris at Mumm’s and Rutherford Grill for lunch in St Helena today to finally celebrate Christines Birthday
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Please give Scott and Chris a hug from me.
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Now we get to follow you and Karen in our favourite spot! Love the photos and such interesting information you share. Way better photos than I am getting with my cell phone camera and often while driving 😊
Iain and I used to enjoy snorkeling but with age we get more and more tentative trying to get into the ocean if waves are to high or the slope of the beach is too steep or it’s to rocky…..boy are we picky! ☺️
We have not snorkelled Kapalua for years and years but it looks like a good place to maybe try it again in 2019.
Enjoy!
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Aloha Kim! I love your postings on your trips! Let’s go snorkeling together at Kapalua Beach. 🙂 The far end of the beach is sand and has a gentle slope.
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Sounds like a great plan! I am having some challenges (senior) with your reply comments back to me. Lol I briefly saw where Karin gave me the recipe but it disappeared and now I can’t find it. Could you have her kindly send it again or email it to kimepetrie@gmail.com? Thanks so much! I got as far as reading the ingredients and poof it was gone ☺️
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