Sunday, January 6, Hawaii-2012

These past few days have gone by so fast.  We have had some wonderful experiences, however.  During our recent trip to the south end of the island we stopped at the PU' UHONUA O HONAUNAU Park which is a historical place where the royal chiefs originally had their residence. It is truly a beautiful location which we felt would be an enjoyable place to go the following day to just sit and relax by the ocean.

Can you imagine the Polynesians traveling many miles over the open ocean to arrive in Hawaii.

The next day we returned to the park to relax under the shade of the tree and read. Then the excitement began.  We noticed a whale spout about 300 feet off shore.  What followed was a 90 minute show of at least 4 whales (perhaps some babies)     spouting and breaching right in front of us. Sometimes skimming along the surface as though chasing schools of fish. This is the time of the year mama whales come from Alaska to birth in the warmer waters.

 Yesterday, we went up north and visited the beautiful Four Season's resort

On previous trips up north we had noticed several large jets parked at the end of the local airport.  Apparently they must store the unused or older jets here, which  surprises me they would be here with the salty atmosphere.

Some pictures of the spectacular Four Season Resort.

Two turtles taking a rest

The end to another beautiful day in paradise

After close to a month of just relaxing, reading, eating, and enjoying the beauty of the island of Hawaii we must head back to the real world tomorrow.

Until the next time,

Aloha, from

The Traveling Huntley's

Shirley and Roger 

Thursday, January 3, Hawaii 2012

The past few days we have seen exceptionally high tides and very big waves as a result of the recent full moon.  

As you can see by the debris the  waves approached our condo.  I would love to see the ocean during a good storm.

This is in front of our condo where most of the surfers enter the water by timing their jump with the passing of a wave.

Alex getting the feel of an ukulele from the shop owner Richard.

The price on this bike was $3,000. Notice the wide tires, it is for riding in the sand.

The girls preparing our New Years eve dinner.

Cooking the lobster.

The happy couple.  Happy New Year everybody.

Aloha, from

The Traveling Huntley's

Shirley and Roger 

Wednesday,January 2, Hawaii 2012

This is the little church where we have been enjoying services.

 I never get tired of the beautiful and fragrant flowers that are so plentiful here.

We had a visitor wash up on the beach.  After a short visit he went back out in the water.

We experienced a full moon last week and was able to catch it as it was setting in the early morning hours.  The next picture shows the sunrise on the same clouds which occurred about 10 minutes later.

We took a drive to the south end of the island to see the volcano. Along the way to took a short detour to see the most   Southern tip of the United States.

There were several wooden platforms with a line attached to a buoy out in the water.  I assume they were for launching a boat from this point.

Wind generators as it was very windy the day we visited.

I assume these were satellite tracking dishes. They did change directions while we were there.

Steam rising from the Kilauea Caldera, the most active vent. 

I am so impressed with the little "point-and-shoot" camera I purchased last summer for our trip to Italy .  This picture was taken of some hikers on the floor of the volcano, approximately 700 feet away.  The next picture, taken from the same location using the built-in zoom actually shows the people resting on the ground.  Excellent quality for a little pocket "point-and-shoot" camera.

The lava flow from the most recent flow actually terminated the loop road around the volcano. This is the area where it still flows into the water but you must either use a boat, helicopter or walk about 8 miles on the volcano to see anything.

Finally dinner at a local restaurant after a long day.

Sunset from our condo.

Monday, Dec. 25, Hawaii 2012

Merry Christmas to all our friends and family.  

We celebrated Christmas Eve last night by attending a wonderful candle light service at the little church next to our condo.  We had gone there the past two Sundays and they encouraged anyone planning on attending the Christmas eve service to get there early as  they anticipated around 1500 people. We arrived 40 minutes early and the seats were already half filled.  We left that evening feeling so enriched from the beautiful music, singing and a minister that seems to always have a wonderful gift to share.

The view of our condo from the church grounds.  Our unit is 3rd floor, center of the building

The Living Stones Church

In the afternoon preparing for the service. They had over 1000 chairs set up and they needed more.

We hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas with their families and friends.  This is the first Christmas we have had away from home and I must admit, while we are enjoying the weather and company, it does seem like something is missing, that being close to the ones we love the most. 

Merry Christmas from Shirley and Roger, 
The Traveling Huntley's