Bloomin' Tuesday

We are fully into fall at our house, so our blooms are going to be hibernating until spring. However, here's a photo of blooms that will take me through the winter! This is a picture of flowers my husband bought for me while we were visiting the Hawaiian Islands a few weeks ago. The flowers were purchased on the island of Maui. The "Bird of Paradise" is exquisite. The red flower is a type of orchid grown in the islands. This bouquet lasted over a week and was still blooming when we had to discard it. Truly beautiful.

More Hawaii photos--Pearl Harbor

Our tour of Pearl Harbor and particularly of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial was a time of deep reflection. There was a large number of people in our tour group, and no one spoke a word. It is a sacred place and a moving experience.

This is Pearl Harbor, where the entire U.S. Pacific Fleet was parked

when Japan attacked on December 7, 1941

The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial

The U.S.S. Arizona, along with many servicemen who could not be brought to the surface, sleeps beneath the Memorial. It is very easy to see parts of it. The Memorial itself lies cross-wise above the sunken Arizona.

This is the base of the forward gun turrret of the sunken U.S.S. Arizona that remains slightly above water.

This is the U.S.S. Missouri, a battleship similar to the Arizona. The Missouri was built after the bombing, and the surrender of the Japanese took place aboard her in Tokyo Harbor on September 2, 1945 . She stands today at Pearl as a Memorial to all who perished in World War II. There is a museum on board.

Polynesian Cultural Center--Parade of Canoes

Na Ali'i O Hawaii

Tahiti

Tonga

Hawaii

Aeotearoa

A Little Peek at our Floating Hotel

Boarding The Pride of America

Our Stateroom

I've been trying to catalogue some photos from our Hawaii trip today. Definitely, it's going to take a little time. Help, Lisa! ;-} But here are a couple I like. There's a standing phrase in our family that goes something like this: Vacations for Mom are all about the hotel. And it's true. I love having my meals cooked to order, having my bed made and my room cleaned every day, ordering everyone around, then giving them a huge tip. Heavenly, I tell you. Well, imagine a hotel cruising the ocean, stopping every so often to let the passengers do some sight-seeing. I have found a new passion! Bob is turning white. . . .

Sweet "Aloha" -- Hello again

From our Hotel on Waikiki Beach

I love the word "Aloha" because it can mean just about anything--Hello, Goodbye, Love, or I'll-trade-you-my-itty-bitty-blanket-for-your-place-in-the-airplane-bathroom-line. Yes, we're home. We're both still a little weary from the red-eye flight back--let's see, we left Honolulu at 9:30 pm and arrived in Salt Lake City at 7:30 am the next day, just in time to see all the movers-and-shakers with their shiny laptop cases in hand, ready to take on the day. They, however, were met with 325 people who looked like they had fought for their side of the bed with unkempt strangers all night long. The contrast caused me to laugh, making me appear even more idiotic, I'm sure. Anyhoo, we're a little saddle worn after the flight, but rested and relaxed after a beautiful 15 days in the Pacific. Photos to come.