Q & A

Here's a beachside open-air dining establishment on Waikiki:

If you click on the image, you'll note a mesh screen surrounds the eating area. A darn shame, if you ask me; I love the feeling of outside dining.

But a few years ago, American tourists complained (they complain a lot) about all the birds which swoop around. Note that the Japanese tourists like the birds, and think they're good luck. That's probably a happy thing, since there are so many birds.

So what does the mesh do?  If you ask the wait staff, they'll tell you it keeps the birds out.

Can't you see how well it works?

A Celebrity-Laden Vacation

Well, not exactly.

But we had minor brushes with the famous or infamous (you decide) while on vacation: Al Roker was leaving Alaska (and good riddance, Mr. Globular Warmening) when we departed.*

Mike Love of the Beach Boys got on the hotel elevator with us a few days ago. 

And Alaska legislator Eric Croft was wandering around the baggage claim carousels when we got back.

Only one impressed me, and you probably don't need to guess. But he's the one in the ballcap.

* It should be pointed out that while Al was in Alaska to report on global warming in the Arctic, he was wearing a parka while walking through the Anchorage airport. And he was "reporting" about how warm Alaska is getting.

As I Sort Thru the Vacation Pics

... there are a few I can share right away. As always, click to embiggen.

Down To One

It's our last day in Hawaii for this year, and that brings a certain amount of melancholy. But we're ready to be home again, when that hour arrives. We've done all that we planned to do, and spent as much time sun-baked as we wanted. So now we just kick back, relax and engage in a bit of people-watching.

Another Day in Paradise

Looking more-or-less south. No land masses between here and Antarctica...

Nothing but vacationers of all types, sizes, shapes, nationalities ... and lots of sun and sand. And all that ocean - let's just say it pulls powerfully on this old sailor's heart. 

--

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Beeyootiful

Today it dawned bright and fair, as the saying goes. After several days of muggy humidity and passing showers, it's clear, dry and breezy. This is the kind of day that keeps Hawaii famous!

In That Great Gettin' Up Morning

2We took a different route to get to Hawaii this year. We've always taken the direct flight from Anchorage to Honolulu, which is only 5 1/2 hours. But the airline keeps moving it later in the day.

The first time we flew here, years ago, arrival time was 6 pm. Not early in the day, but still had the whole evening ahead of us. But after a few years, they started playing with the time, and now it doesn't land until 8pm.

There's nothing like spending the first day of vacation waiting all day to go to the airport, and not arriving at the hotel until nearly bedtime.

So we flew out at 0230 to Seattle.  After a 3 hour layover, Another 6.5 hrs to Honolulu, arriving at 1330 (that's 1:30 pm for you non-military types).

A MUCH better arrival time, as we reached the hotel at 1440, and had time to grab something cold while waiting for our room.

And now, with a good night's sleep uner our belts, we're enjoying ourselves immensely. No agenda, and no plan except to rest & enjoy.

Want to Feel Better?

Want to feel better, Lower-48ers? Move to Alaska or Hawaii.

Hikers near the top of Bird Ridge above Turnagain Arm in July. Anne Raup / ADN

If you want to improve your sense of well-being, leave the Lower 48.

A new report ranking all 50 states based on residents' sense of well-being puts Hawaii at No. 1, followed by Alaska, which held the top spot last year.

Hawaii has been No. 1 in the poll five times since 2008.

"Alaska and Hawaii are both beautiful states in their own way but distinctly different," said Dan Witters, research director of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index.

Montana, Colorado and Wyoming rounded out the rest of the top five in the State of American Well-Being: 2015 State Rankings report, compiled from a non-scientific telephone survey of residents across the country.

The survey listed the bottom five as Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Kentucky and West Virginia, which has been last in the rankings for the past seven years. Kentucky has been No. 49 during the same time.

The ratings are compiled from questions to residents related to five areas, which a variety of questions:

— Purpose (with an example question, do you like what you do each day?)
— Social (do you have loving relationships?)
— Community (do you like where you live?)
— Financial (are you managing your economic life to reduce stress?)
— Physical (how's your health and energy?)

 

Follow the link to read the whole article.

    

by Taboola by Taboola 

Sponsored Links Sponsored Links 

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All Good Things, Part 2 (Pix!)

Just Another Day in Paradise

Today hasn't been quite as nice as others, due to very high humidity. Having said that, it's still better than working. :)

We got up at our usual time, drank coffee to our hearts' content, and breakfasted on the lanai. 

After a short swim, we headed out to the Ala Moana mall, where my wife picked up all the clothes she'd set aside for the day.  You see, the 25% off sale began today. 

After lunch at the Pineapple Room, we came back to the room for a long session of tag removal & folding, to prepare for packing later. 

A bit later, we walked out to the Barefoot Bar for awhile, enjoying the afternoon sun and ocean breezes. 

Now we're on the lanai, watching rain sweep down the mountains toward town. 

It's a tough vacation, but I'm glad we're here to take the hit for the team. 

One Thing I Haven't Figured Out

is why the mention of rain fills Hawaiians with such dread. 

If it were a cyclone, I could understand... but just a rainy day?

When we were here in November '13, it had just stopped raining, and the transportation captain outside the airport was apologizing for the taxis being an hour behind schedule. 

When Anchorage received 39" of snow overnight in 2002, the airport shut down... for 45 minutes. Then things went right back to normal. 

Nope, I don't get it. 

We Don't Have These In Alaska

... but we hear good things. 

How do we order these, exactly?

Fog and Humidity

It was foggy and very humid with low clouds at 06:00. The fog has thinned to a light haze now, and the low clouds blew away, revealing a higher layer. 

The morning temperature was 70 but AccuHunch guesses it will be the standard 82 and sunny today. The weather guessers have a somewhat easier job here, for the most part: if you predict 82 in the day, and 72 overnight, you'll be correct at least 98% of the time. 

The March of Dimes is conducting a "March for Babies" this morning, so the main drags along Waikiki will be blocked for several hours. Not a good day to try to drive around this part of the city, so I suspect we'll stay put today. 

Your Humble Correspondent

Here's a picture my wife took this afternoon; I hope your screens survive. :)

Doing the Obligatory

shopping trip of the day. While my bride looks for shoes to match the dress she just bought, I'm firmly ensconced on a cushy couch nearby. 

It's 81 and mostly sunny outside, with a nice breeze to keep the humidity at bay. 

We had a good lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen; I mention that only because there are none in Alaska. The whole point of vacation is to do things one can't do at home, isn't it?  :)

Friday Morning

All of the scheduled activities are done, and nothing remains but to continue relaxing, soaking up the sun and having fun. 

Since I posted a photo of the hula dancers last night, this one's for women  of the feminine persuasion. 

We're headed to the pool now. Aloha!

Thursday Night

Reason #21 Why We Vacation in Hawaii

What's not to like?

Not Always What You Think

So you know that we're in Hawaii. 

"How exotic," you might think. "How beautiful and exciting!" And it can be all that. 

But right now, I'm in a chair outside the fitting rooms at a HUGE Macy's, while my lovely wife tries on in excess of a dozen outfits. 

"Exotic" doesn't quite cover it. 

Sometimes it's not where you are; it's what you're doing. 

Wordless Wednesday