Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Hawaii - 17th Dec
We drove back through the pineapple fields. These two pictures are of an actual Dole pineapple crop.
We went back to the beach looking for a high surf. We didn't find large waves, however they were warning of a sever undertow and rip tides.
Hawaii - 16th Dec
Hawaiian Soil
We were told by the landlord that the red soil marked the flooring. We were asked to take them off and leave them outside. The soil is volcanic and is much like our PEI soil.
Today we went to the Dole Plantation. We had fresh pineapple and Alan had fresh pineapple ice cream. They had a large garden with a large selection of pineapple plants. Some were old varieties no longer used in large plantings and some were the modern day pineapples. Pineapple Production
We drove to the beach where they had Big Wave surfing earlier in the week. Apparently they don't get these waves every year.
We were told by the landlord that the red soil marked the flooring. We were asked to take them off and leave them outside. The soil is volcanic and is much like our PEI soil.
Today we went to the Dole Plantation. We had fresh pineapple and Alan had fresh pineapple ice cream. They had a large garden with a large selection of pineapple plants. Some were old varieties no longer used in large plantings and some were the modern day pineapples. Pineapple Production 
We drove to the beach where they had Big Wave surfing earlier in the week. Apparently they don't get these waves every year.
The Hawaiian quilt is quite unique. The quilt is traditionally white in the background and the appliqué is a solid colour. They take on many Polynesia
an themes, which include the pineapple, turtle and hibiscus flower.
an themes, which include the pineapple, turtle and hibiscus flower. Our afternoon was spent at the Mormon Polynesian C 
entre. That was a cultural centre that includes the different Polynesian Islands. We had a great day, dinner and finally show. I would recommend this spot to visit.
Hawaii - 15th Dec
Alan took this picture of Waikiki from the crater we climbed. Boy was that a climb. It was incredibly hot and hundreds of people were walking it with us. No one could stop as there were no spots available. We climbed up hundreds of steps then continued the climb up a tunnel into the crater side. Then we climbed a spiral staircase up into an old WW2 gun turret. Finally, we climbed out of the gun turret onto a narrow ledge the led up top to see the view. It was very challenging.
This wreath is just a little bit of Polynesian Christmas.
These air vents are covered with a motif that is typical to trad
itional Hawaiian quilt patterns.These surf boards are stacked on Waikik beach.
Hawaii - 14th Dec
Downtown Honolulu
The horse sculpture is made from palm leaves that have already fallen from the trees.
W
We saw a number of fountains in the city. These two were quite nice.
Also, we were constantly looking for christmas decorations. This was a wreath made from traditional Maori flowers and objects.
The horse sculpture is made from palm leaves that have already fallen from the trees.
W
We saw a number of fountains in the city. These two were quite nice.
Also, we were constantly looking for christmas decorations. This was a wreath made from traditional Maori flowers and objects.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Week 12 - 10th 11th & 12th Dec
Papamoa & Mount Maunganui 
10th Dec
We went back to the Mount and hiked the trail around it one l
ast time. It is such a beautiful spot. Once again we met up with many school children on camping holidays with their classes. Today we saw a group out snorkeling....can you imagine! They were having such a great time finding the crayfish...they are like small lobster. They were also examining the jelly fish we could see from the shore. 
We have to do the se
rious packing today. Much of the equipment we purchased for our holiday has to be donated as we do 
not need to bring back pots & pans!
11th & 12th Dec
Tomorrow we are driving to Auckland to return the car. We will spend the night at a hotel near the airport as our flight to Hawaii is in the morning. Hard to believe that our NZ adventure will soon be over!
10th Dec
We went back to the Mount and hiked the trail around it one l
ast time. It is such a beautiful spot. Once again we met up with many school children on camping holidays with their classes. Today we saw a group out snorkeling....can you imagine! They were having such a great time finding the crayfish...they are like small lobster. They were also examining the jelly fish we could see from the shore. 
We have to do the se
rious packing today. Much of the equipment we purchased for our holiday has to be donated as we do 
not need to bring back pots & pans!11th & 12th Dec
Tomorrow we are driving to Auckland to return the car. We will spend the night at a hotel near the airport as our flight to Hawaii is in the morning. Hard to believe that our NZ adventure will soon be over!
Week 12 - 8th & 9th Dec.
9th Dec. - Mount Maunganui - hike
d the trail. Saw a freighter leave the harbour and travel through the narrow opening out to sea. Saw a stingray along the shore. Lots and lots of jelly fish. Also, we saw school camping trips that were hiking the trail and playing on the beach. They were camping at the base of the Mount. 
The New Zealand Christmas tree is called the Pohutukawa. They are in full bloom all around the mountain and all over NZ.
In the downtown we saw these christmas trees!
Also, the palm trees are quite spectacular with their orange clusters o
f flowers.
8th December - Mount Maunganui - hiked up to the top. We took the difficult stair climb up and walked back on t
he easier track. What a spectacular view! On the way up we passed a grade 10 class hiking the mountain...they were exhausted as it is a diffiult climb. At the top we met their bus driver who said it would take that group ages to get to the top. 
d the trail. Saw a freighter leave the harbour and travel through the narrow opening out to sea. Saw a stingray along the shore. Lots and lots of jelly fish. Also, we saw school camping trips that were hiking the trail and playing on the beach. They were camping at the base of the Mount. 
The New Zealand Christmas tree is called the Pohutukawa. They are in full bloom all around the mountain and all over NZ.In the downtown we saw these christmas trees!
Also, the palm trees are quite spectacular with their orange clusters o
f flowers.8th December - Mount Maunganui - hiked up to the top. We took the difficult stair climb up and walked back on t
he easier track. What a spectacular view! On the way up we passed a grade 10 class hiking the mountain...they were exhausted as it is a diffiult climb. At the top we met their bus driver who said it would take that group ages to get to the top. 
At the top we find the California Quails.
Below are pictures of the views from the trail as we climb up then down Mount Maunganui.
Us at the top!
This is one of the easy stair cases in the sheep's field as we climb up. They have these fields to act as a fire break, protecting the top of the mountain.
Us at the top!
This is one of the easy stair cases in the sheep's field as we climb up. They have these fields to act as a fire break, protecting the top of the mountain.
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