Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Aloha to Queen Emma, Hawaiian Flowers, and the USS Stennis




Today the Hickam Travel Club (Renee, Nadja, Ivy, and me) drove up the Pali Highway to Queen Emma's Summer Palace in the historic Nu`uanu Valley (at this link).   Since I have already visited it twice, I stayed outside with Ivy.   We played in a nearby park, walked the gardens, and smelled the flowers.

Ivy in the garden. The summer palace is also called
Hanaiakamalama - foster child of the moon.

We spotted cat like statues at the Daijingu Temple

 

It is a Shinto shrine and we prayed for peace.


This is awapuhi - ginger root.  It produces 
the moisturizing gel that Paul Mitchell 
mixes into his shampoos. 

Flowers come in every color ....


... and shape in Hawaii.


We just happen to drive by the Liliha Bakery. 


Naturally, we popped in for a Coco Puff. 
  
On our way home, I suggested we drive through the Navy base to see if the USS Stennis was still in port.  As we pulled up to "Hotel Pier", we could see the aircraft pulling away.   To take the best photos, we drove to the Hickam Officers' Club on on the Pearl Harbor Channel.   Let's jump to extra large photos.


Several families lined the channel for their own photos.


The sailors "manned the rails".


Behind them are family members on a "tiger cruise".
Since the USS Stennis is sailing home, family members
can join the five day Pacific crossing.


The channel begins to  narrow so the ship is close.



It is an impressive sight.


The ship is escorted by two tug boats,
two Navy patrol boats,
and Coast Guard helicopters.


Anything exciting happen to you today - visit a palace?  Savor a heavenly puff?   Get close to an aircraft carrier?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs will win a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers.  Comments are open through Saturday, February 25, 10 pm in Hawaii.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, February 26.


Mahalo,


Kim  in Hawaii





14 comments:

  1. I had a delicious home-cooked meal from my mom.

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  2. Green tea puffs!! Best ever. Ivy licked the icing off.

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  3. beautiful pictures. Any chance you have pictures that are more close up of the men in uniforms? lol :D One exciting thing happened today. I found a new author! Right now, im in the middle of reading her book and its awesome! :) Im enjoying it.

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  4. Nothing exciting happened today, but we do occasionally see a celebrity on the street. It's been a while since I bumped into one.

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  5. Met old friends today, it was nice to get reacquainted and then we were nostalgic listening to Kool and the Gang at a concert!

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  6. nothing special today.. but i enjoy your pic posted ;)

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  7. Nothing special for me but I am going to clean a fish tank. I imagine that is special for the fish.

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  8. A cousin I've never met wrote me an email after my dad sent her (his niece) a picture of all of us at Christmas. She was surprised at how much I look like her mother (my dad's sister) and wants to keep in touch. Which I love.

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  9. The most exciting thing I did today was to put my son and my d-in-law's dog out so they could go out after work. lol

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  10. Great pics as always! Today at bowling one of the ladies had her daughter and 2 week old granddaughter - It's amazing how small they are lol.

    catslady

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  11. Cute pics, had a great birthday for a great teacher,80 th
    Kimh

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  12. I always love the photos! And I've been on the Stennis! When she was here in San Diego, my friend's sister was the Captain's cook. She gave us a tour. It was really cool, and it is nice the see the photos of the Stennis on your blog. And as for excitement this week, my stepson's girlfriend had their baby! He was born on Monday, weighing in at 8 pounds 14 ounces. Mom and baby are doing well. And tomorrow we have a family wedding! Lots going on this week. Hope you are having a great day!

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  13. Nothing too exciting today. To my oldest girl to a basketball game where she cheers at then to the grocery store! Thanks for sharing with us!

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  14. These are wonderful pictures. I can only imagine how emotional it would be to see the ships pass 'up close and personal'! My excitement for Tuesday was getting a permanent crown. I know - you're all jealous of just how exciting my life is!!!

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