Yes, my eyes are closed, but I still love this photo of us. It was such a special evening. I swear, Hawaii is special, no matter what, but wow. This sail boating dinner cruise was perfection.
My husband's sis, Terry, treated us to a trip on the Allii Nui
I expected a nice evening, but wasn't prepared for the total luxury and deliciousness of the boat. Great food, beautiful and spacious surroundings, whales leaping up a few feet from the boat to surprise us while we ate, frosty foo foo drinks, and of course, the best company. Terry, Dale and Rich are a fine set of companions.
We took another whale watching trip earlier in the week, and saw quite a few blows, fins, waves, and splashes.
But my very favorite part were the Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins. They have pink tummies, and leap into the air while doing pirouettes. We were followed by a few of them on our way back from spying on whales. Then, on my last day at the beach, a huge flock (school, pod, bunch?) of the pink bellied cuties, swam along the shore to tell me goodbye, while showing off their jumping skills and twirls.
Both of our trips out to whale peek, were on smaller trips, with few passengers. This boat was only half full, so was the sunset cruise on the catamaran.
Seriously, though, even if we hadn't seen any whales, the scenery is so lush, it's worth the trip out on the water.
Heck, you don't have to take a boat to be surrounded by beauty. This is the land of never ending rainbows.
Here is the view off our balcony one morning. It was a partial rainbow and a gold glow across the mountains. The rainbow seemed to be so colorful that it just couldn't contain itself and had to escape from the confines of its arc.
This is looking the other way from the balcony.
Every day, I did a sketch with my Ipad ap, Hello Watercolor. I was definitely hooked on that plaything. It's such a quick and easy, no muss way to paint. My plan is to print all the images, embellish them and make a travel journal with them.
It was a lucky choice to take two iPads with me. The one I got for Christmas, that was new, fast, and held a good charge, but didn't support the watercolor ap, and the older one with the painting toy on it. My husband left his iPad in the seat pocket of the airplane, and he was able to read books and play Words with Friends on my extra one during the trip.
He also lost his prescription sunglasses in the ocean. Seems like Hawaii is expensive enough without these additional costs. And today we realized that we are missing his brand new workout pants too. Unless they are lurking in one of the suitcases that were put away, they sure aren't in the piles of laundry I finished up after getting home.
My guess is that they are hanging on the back of the bathroom door of the hotel. Oh well, at least they didn't cost as much as sunglasses.
And he is such a hunk, I couldn't be mad at him.
By the way, Lenscrafters shops seem to be anywhere you happen to be when glasses get lost, and they can replace them in an hour. Unless your prescription is more than a year old. Like his was, even though it was only by a few days…. But there are doctors there too. Still a quick fix, just another-gulp- $100 to shell out.
I'd hate for him to have missed any of the beauty around us. I'm glad we were able to replace the glasses.
I'll have more pics from the trip coming up. For now, I'd better start tackling all of those holiday decorations that are still dangling forlornly in my studio. They are ready to go back to their box till next year, they are looking a bit tired.
I’m so glad you had a wonderful time in Hawaii, Karla! So sorry for the things that were lost. Argh. I know that was so frustrating. Hopefully the thoughts of the lost this-es and thats will be overshadowed by the sweet memories.
I loved seeing the scenes from Hawaii both through your camera lens and through that talented watercoloring hand of yours! Your ability to paint just leaves me amazed!
Karla, it looks like a magical trip. Your watercolors are wonderful. What a nice addition to your travel journal. I’ve never wanted an iPad, but that app (and you) produced amazing artwork. Might have to check it out. Nice photos too!
welcome home,
~Marilee
Ugh!! too bad about the losses. I just got prescription sunglasses. Why did I wait so long? They are amazing.
I am tempted to get that App but I know my art would look like a child’s finger painting compared to yours. Beautiful!!
Glad you enjoyed your trip.
Debra
The ap is really fun, Debra. And good for all skill levels. If you already know how to handle water colors you can use it like real paint. If you dont have watercolor experience, it does a nice job of blending colors for you and makes a pretty look.
Looks like a fabulous romantic — and artistically productive — time! Losing things is a yuck, but it looks like the holiday may have made up for it, at least a good deal.
Beautiful pictures, Karla. What a fabulous trip you had. Our son left his Game Boy in the pocket on the plane too. We’ll never forget that. That watercolor app is really cool!
You two are just a beautiful couple! Those are all such great photos, I just love that first shot with you two posing on the boat with the sunset, actually all the shots with the beautiful sunset! You all look very happy. I had no idea you could get an app like that! Your sketches are an incredible way to capture your Hawaiian memories! Those are going to be so neat to print out. So sorry about all the things that got lost, that stinks, but it sounds like you made the best of it. Thank goodness for Lenscrafters being everywhere! I bet those Dolphins are something to see! Did you do a watercolor of that incredible sunset?
Oh how wonderful to share your pictures with the rest of us lounging on our sofas in snuggy pj’s and cups of hot cocoa!
Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation….I lvoe your art you are so talented.
Sounds like an amazing trip. My boyfriend is taking me on a whale watching cruise next month and I have been researching other whale watching experiences ever since. I can’t wait to be able to take me own pictures and videos. You are very talented! That watercolor looks great, thanks for sharing Karla!