HOLIDAYS 2013-14

Christmas

            In spite of everything going on and a late start, we got out a few paper Xmas cards and many e-cards, hoping people appreciate their paperless good wishes.  We had a quiet Christmas Eve at home after several pre-holiday parties, we are still trying to take it easy.
  
Cracking macadamia nuts from our tree
Then we roast them, yum!



We got the tree up late but really enjoyed the sparkles

Downtown Lihue

 Christmas at Anini Beach, Gil just helped get the tent up for the musicians

 Festive hats

 Beautiful side dishes to go with the turkey and ham

 Anna Myers cutting her ham - she is responsible for the party - go Anna!

There was seating in the pavillion but on such a gorgeous day, many ate al fresco 

Anini Beach Band - L to R:  Anna, Debra, Lei (seated), Laurel with her ukes

MERRY CHRISTMAS!



New Year's Eve  

Gil with his new Scorpius OC-1

            It was cold and rainy when we woke up but by the time we got all our food prep done for later that evening, it was gorgeous and we went for a quick paddle up the river (30 minutes each way)

I'm really happy with our older, heavier Naia (on left) 
She's far more stable


            We decided to go to Poipu this year where they do real fireworks at the beach every NY Eve.  We would bunk with our friend Marion in Kalaheo.  Once we got to her house and realized we could see all of Poipu from her place we elected to NOT get into the traffic with 4,000 other people!  We would be able to see them from above.

 The splendid sunset at about 6:10 from her balcony

            Marion set up Skype and we called our mutual friend Siglinde in Santa Fe (see previous blog for Santa Fe).  It was hilarious as we did the countdown for Mountain Time.  Marion's other guests didn't seem to mind as we passed the computer around!  The fireworks were right on time in Poipu, 9:20.  We enjoyed them from above and we were already home when they ended.  Fogies or what?

Midnight sparklers
We figured out we ate from about 5pm to 1am
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
rabbit, rabbit, hare, hare

If you really love fireworks, 
go to UTube Dubai 2014 fireworks  
watch all 6 minutes on your biggest screen.  
Guinnes Book of World Records: most fireworks from the tallest building in the world.  
WHEW!  It's great.

New Year's Day 2014

 Sunrise over Poipu 
January 1, 2014

            After trudging all the empty bottles down the stairs we had a leisurely breakfast and said our mahalos and alohas to Marion and headed down the water to visit our other very special friends on New Year's Day.  Gil got great shots with his mask camera, here are three.

 Saddleback Butterflyfish 8"

Orangeband Surgeonfish 12" 

Tear drop Butterflyfish 5"


Blessings for the new year one and all,
large and small