After a surprisingly fast--and surprisingly gray and squally--passage, we arrived in Honolulu on December 6. Though by now we were well versed in checking into countries, the procedures required to completely clear into the USA were unexpected. Five (yes, five!) days after arrival we were finally allowed to move to a slip at the state-owned marina, Ala Wai Boat Harbor in Waikiki. It offers few services but is in an ideal location--who can argue with a 10 minute walk to great beaches--so after some initial disillusionment we are appreciating our new home.
 |
We arrived just n time for the
Pearl Harbor Day Parade on December 7, |
 |
and the Honolulu Marathon on December 8.
The event is hosted by Japan Airlines
and many of the annual 20,000 runners are Japanese--
confirmation (should any be needed?)
that we can all get over past conflicts and learn to work and play together. |
The transition was made more delightful by Katelinn and Camden, joining us to celebrate the holidays in Honolulu.
 |
| The mast stands in well for a Christmas tree |
 |
Oahu has many beaches,
so one can swim in waves large... |
 |
| and small |
 |
| My first time on a paddleboard; what fun! |
 |
Some people prefer sand to water
(This is Waikiki Beach, by the way;
it's not as crazy crowded as we'd expected) |
 |
| Iconic Diamond Head from Waikiki... |
 |
| ...and from the top of the crater, looking down at the city |
 |
| Turtles bask in the sun at Laniakea Beach |
 |
| Fireworks light the sky every Friday night |
 |
The forest is just as spectacular as the beach;
here we're on the muddy but fairly short hike to... |
 |
Manoa Falls
|
 |
| Would it be Hawai'i without hula, |
 |
or rainbows?
(Thanks to frequent showers, the Rainbow State nickname is well earned.) |
Next on the agenda is a trip to the mainland to visit family and friends, scheduled around Nancie's dad's 90th birthday. Back in Honolulu in February, we will work on boat projects until our departure for Alaska in June. Our pre-passage sea trial will probably take us to Molokai and Maui, so the next blog post will show highlights of that trip (date TBD but the goal is April).
Until then, fair winds to everyone in 2020!
