We had to travel to Kaneohe on the Windward side of the island for this which meant driving on H3 through a long tunnel that is drilled through the Koolau mountain range. That was quite a feat of engineering but cut the commute between the two sides of the island dramatically. When I was a child we almost NEVER went to the windward side because it was too far away. In the islands "too far away" means more than 30 minutes. H3 is the Interstate highway which is hilarious since.... uh... we are on an island.
The windward side is the wetter side of the island and is more lush and green.
Unfortunately, it was extremely HOT and MUGGY! I don't remember how many glasses of water and ice tea we drank but it was considerable. We saw this poor dove outside in the parking lot and it just seemed too hot and bothered to fly. It just lay there and wouldn't fly away even when I approached it. As I snapped my photos, it finally just got up, fluffed its feathers and walked away.
I got a kick out of a Hawaiian's definition of "too far away," Kay. The markings on the dove are just beautiful, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how we think of things. Thirty minutes to drive is way too far away, the city is too busy to be nice to visit, or a freeway has traffic that travels too fast for comfort. Then, as we venture outward, our perspectives alter: a two-hour plane ride is short, a freeway is a convenient way to drive, and big cities have cool things to do.
ReplyDeleteFrom my mother's point of view, the first ideas are more her attitude. It's an experience thing I think.
I want to see pictures of those mynah birds! That Mickey Mouse plant is intriguing. I never saw anything like it!
ReplyDeleteWhat spectacular scenery - I can't wait to see more.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful dove and what beautiful scenery also. The climate there must be so different from Illinois. I'm sure your future posts will hold many wonderful details and events. I'll look forward to dropping by.
ReplyDeleteHello Kay... I found your blog through the Camera Critters meme. My son and future daughter-in-law (who was born and raised in Pearl City) are planning their wedding in Hawaii next year. Your posts are wonderful (the photos are gorgeous!)... I'll be visiting your blog on a regular basis. :)
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, it's starting to sound and look exotic N O W !!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet dove.
we've driven on that freeway, my husband complaining all the time about the traffic last january but the weather was delightful then. guess you'll have to struggle through some mugginess to have snow free weather all year. it is so lovely there with all the green things and flowers! wow, thanks for the encouragement about my computer, hopefully i'll find out something tomorrow about it....
ReplyDeleteIs it truly not the heat but the humidity? I don't do well in hot, muggy weather as we are having now..
ReplyDeleteI guess it will take a while for you to adjust to being an island girl after life in the Chicago area. You've kind of gone from one extreme to the other. I think as a Hawaiian you're supposed to just slow down and let it happen, aren't you?
ReplyDeleteMichelle: I was never quite sure about that humidity factor but sitting here with 80% humidity, yes, I do believe I feel loads more uncomfortable with the higher humidity. I didn't feel quite so bad in Santa Fe.
ReplyDeleteLinda Reeder: Friends do tell us that we're supposed to slow down....BUT... I really would like to have doors up (especially the bathrooms) and sofas for the livingroom wouldn't hurt. Then there's bedroom furniture to get, legal papers to file, arrrghhhhh!
AppleDebbie: Hi there! Nice to meet you. There really are a lot of beautiful places to get married in the islands here. I think there are even businesses that specialize in out of town weddings. I'm enjoying your blog, too!
Everybody: THREE MORE days before high speed connection. I can't wait! This is driving me crazy. For some reason I can't even see some of your blogs because it gets hung up.
Hi Kay, beautiful pics as usual. Also great postings. Glad you were able to take us along with you. I don't know if I would be able to get much done surrounded by such natural beauty. I'd get labeled "daydreamer" for constantly staring at it instead of working.
ReplyDeletePoor little dove. It may be wet and hot and humid, but is sure is pretty.
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