Honolulu, Hawaii (continued) - Nov. 20-Nov.30

We visited Waimea Valley. Waimea Valley is significant in the history of Hawaii and continues to be a repository for Hawaian spirituality and traditions. It has a main trail of about 1.5 kilometers leading to waterfalls. It is worth the visit : it is like a botanical garden, except that it is absolutely incredible. Flowers of all colours, of all shapes and sizes, extraordinary trees. It is a serene walk to the waterfalls where you can even bathe yourself in the fresh water. We met there on old lady "Auntie' that is very well respected by the Hawaian people who know her. She tries to be a model for the Hawaian and talked very vividly about their believes and their customs.

Our days have gone by quickly otherwise, as we have been at different beaches again. Needless to say, that after almost 3 weeks here, we are starting to have some nice suntan, (especially Alain, who is also enjoying not to have to shave every day). Does not he look like a younger version of George Clooney ?

We have also been through Chinatown a couple of times. Chinatown is not very big here, probably about 10 blocks, but we felt like we truly were in China with all the stands of fishes, vegetables, fruits and knick-knacks. By the way, 2011 will be the year of the rabbit. Close to Chinatown and Honolulu port, there is the Aloha Tower. This is where you have the cruise ships that arrive regularly either from the mainland or the other islands. Some Hawaian singers and dancers greet the tourist aboard and perform Hula dances before they sail.

Last Saturday we spent the morning at the KCC (Kapiolani Community Center) market, which is closed to Diamond Head. It is surrounded by different gardens of cacti, from the smallest to the tallest one.

Waikiki and Honolulu are starting to get ready for Christmas.The trees are up already and last week, the huge tree for City Hall was escorted from the neighboring mountains by about 15 motorcycles. In the streets, you have some choirs singing Christmas carols in English and Hawaian language. It is a little bit weird as we are running around wearing shorts and T-shirts all day long. We are not in the Holiday spirit yet.

Alain and I started running again in Ala Moana Park yesterday and it has been difficult on our legs. We cannot believe how quickly we loose our ability to exercise without strain and pain. Especially because we have really been walking a lot, we had no clue that it would be so tough. On the news front, we have arranged for our oldest son, Thomas, to meet us on Big Island between December 30 and January 10, 2011. We are really looking forward to seeing him again as it has been over one year now that he visited us in Montreal. In 2 days, we will be On the Road Again as we are leaving for the Island of Molokai.