Woke up surprisingly early after the late flight. It was hard to get out of comfy beds after such a long flight and a short sleep. Had a brunch of macadamia nut banana pancakes that Sue had lovingly made for us. I love macadamia nuts in baking, but I'd never expected them to be good in pancakes. Apparently macadamia nuts are a staple in Hawaii. I wonder what a macadamia nut tree looks like. The nuts are definitely cheaper here than in Edmonton. We'll probably have to bring a bag home. And to top off breakfast, there was coconut syrup. I love coconut, especially when actually in a tropical place (and not in snowy Edmonton where you know they're just NOT grown), so the sweet coconut flavour really brought home that we're in Hawaii. 

After breakfast Sue and Dave wanted to take us on a tour around the community. We didn't see much coming in at night, and it was such a lovely morning for a walk. Already there's flowers surrounding the lanai (lanai=open patio area). The lot across from our condo is empty, so it's just green grass and then ocean. Inside the road that runs through the gated community are condos, and on the outside, right on the ocean, are gorgeous million dollar houses. The whole complex is kept perfectly groomed. We stopped a lot on our walk to take a look at all the flowers that were in bloom. We walked around and down to the gated pool area that part of the complex. There's a swimming pool with an infinity edge, a large hot tub and a wading pool for kids. They have cabanas and lounge chairs set up all along the poolside, and they also provide towels. Spiffy. 

Walked down through the lava rocks to the beach. We share the beach with the Marriot hotel that's next to us. There's a place you can rent sea kayaks if you want to go out on the water. The water itself is fairly clear, but it's obvious there aren't any rocks or reefs out in the water, so there probably isn't much to see for snorkeling, which is a shame I guess. Between the road and the beach is a 'fish pond'. I guess there are pretty usual along the beaches. You get stagnant water just off the beach that pools in the spaces the lava has left that fishes inhabit. There's a swarm of little fish that follow you as you walk along the bridge, hoping you'll throw something their way. Not tropical fish, just regular brown fish. 


It's really pleasing to be able to see spectacular flowers after being in such a dead white winter this year. Victoria is so different from Edmonton - you don't get the snow. You still have blooming flowers in the winter (though not quite like Hawaii). Being back in dreary Edmonton has been a shock to the system this year. Hawaii was exactly what I need to get me through the long winter. My poor pale skin got a little red even from the short mid-day walk.