First day in Oak Bay - Victoria, B.C.

First thing Saturday morning we headed over to Victoria with Sue and Derrick, the sky was kind of cloudy but the water was nice and calm.  Things are looking good!

Ted made use of his time on the ferry to practise his Scrabble skills.

 By noon we had arrived at Wayne and Lynn's in Oak Bay, what a great place to sit look out at the ocean -  the view they have is breathtaking.

After lunch we went to the Butchart Gardens where we spent the late afternoon and evening.  It's been many years since we've been there and I had forgotten the beauty of their mass plantings of flowers.

 

 

Check out the huge bees on this sunflower!

 

 

The Italian gardens reminded us all of great memories from our past vacation together in Tuscany.

 

 

 

 

This is the view of the Sunken Garden from the top of the steps leading down into it.  After the sun went down we went back, it was all beautifully lit up with indirect lighting beneath the shrubs and flowers. 

 

 

Sue, Lynn and I decided to take an evening ride on some wild animals:

 

 

 

 

Before the night was over we had a great dinner at the Blue Poppy restaurant, sang along with an enthusiastic crowd watching a band called Tropic Mayhem that was playing at the Concert Lawn, and then finished our day with the best firework display I'd ever seen. 

The finale!

Summer 2013

Another trip - another island, apparently we like them!  Eleven hours 'til departure....

 

 

 

...can't wait.  :)



PS

It's been a busy last few days for us and I forgot to post photos of two other highlights of our trip, so here goes:


DOLPHIN QUEST

Rick and the kids went for an amazing swim with dolphins in the Hilton Lagoon while the rest of us we were able to sit nearby and watch the fun. 

 Dolphin Lagoon

 Orientation hut before the actual swim

 

Patting the dolphin

 

 



 

 

Although it was a short period of time fun was definitely had by all three of them!

 

 

 

 

Hualalai Resort - aka Four Seasons 

 

 

We decided that we needed to have an evening out to see how the 'other half' live it up so we headed out one night to check out the Four Seasons Resort.  Upon reaching the place we turned off the highway and drove up to the 'check-in' hut with a gate that is manned 24 hours by hotel staff.  Here they ask if you're checking in, in a veiled way to to actually figure out why you're there.  We advised that we were there for cocktails and then we were graciously let through to spend our vacation dollars.

 

 



 

The open hotel lobby was the epitomy old traditional Hawaiian opulence, complete with soft music and fragrant flowers.

 

 

 

We raised our glasses to toast another memorable vacation (with cocktails the price of a dinner!)

 

 

 

So that's it - the last of our Hawaiian holiday.

Sun, Sand and Surf

We've spent a lot of time both in the pool and at the beach.  I think these photos are pretty typical of a day at Hapuna beach on the Big Island for most people!

We've learned a few things on this holiday;  the power of the waves (translates to don't wear a two-piece swim suit), how much sand a person can bring home from the beach and not know until you're in the shower, and also how good it is to make memories of fun times with our family and friends.

Today Ted and I head back home to real life, our Westcoast sunshine (rain), and regular routines.  I know I'll be looking back at this photo journal of our trip several times over the next couple of months while we wait for our summer! 

Are Sea Horses Real??

When I was growing up I really wasn't sure if there was such a thing as seahorses or not.  To me they seemed like such magical creatures that it must be just a fable.  On this trip I found out for sure that it's true - there really is such a thing as a seahorse. 

I came across a brochure for a seahorse conservation station that was not far from where we're staying and it detailed the work that they're doing in raising seahorses.  Well right away I knew I was going to go check that out and take my grandchildren to see them as well, and I'm so glad I did.  They showed them in various growth stages, and at the end of our one hour tour we all were able to hold them in our hands underneath the water.  The adult seahorses are approximately ten inches long, and they are very social - they wound their tail around our fingers and perched there. 

See the way the seahorse hangs onto the coral, that's the same way they curled their tail around our finger when we had our arms plunged into the tanks.  It was an amazing experience!

Lava Lava Beach Club

Usually while on holidays you find a spot that's just fun to be at.  Here on the Big Island we found this little beach front eating establishment, which was the scene of many laughs, the best Mai Tais, and a beautiful sunset.

Lava Lava - or 'Lulu's' which is what I call it - has a great happy hour daily from 3-5pm.

 

 

 

 

Even the little ones have fun at Lava Lava!

 





Adam family heading out...stopping at the beach though to take a look in the water for fish.

 

 

Things get a bit livlier as the late afternoon sun fades, live music and even a hulu dancer appears.

Just another day in paradise coming to a close.  :)

Glass Bottom Boat

 Anaehoomalu Bay - or 'A Bay' as it's commonly referred to on the Big Island, is a beautiful sandy stretch of beach with a variety of available tours to go on.   I think everybody loves the idea of going on a glass bottom boat and rarely does it, to me it was a no brainer - let's go!  Off we headed to A Bay.   

Turn around guys!

 

That's better.

 

 

Rick, Jen and kids

 

 

Sand angel

 

 

Wondering if it's ever going to be our turn  to get on the boat...

 

 

Finally it was our turn to board the boat and head out onto the water. 

The Captain took us out into the Bay and slowly guided the boat over the coral reefs so we could see the beautiful fish below us, we even saw the odd turtle now and again.

It was a great way to end Barry's stay in Hawaii,he was heading back into Langley in the morning.  Maybe next time we'll go deep sea fishin'!