Flight on a "AA puddle jumper"(scary as hell)_Arrive for connecting Flight in New York's La Guardia Airport,connect in
Chicago,Ill. for a Flight to Los Angeles International Airport_connect to Flight to Honolulu,HI_arrive there to the hanging of Leis around the neck,Music,everyone smiling_it's around 7:30 evening_ "SIX TIME ZONES"_arrive at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort situated on 22 ocean front acres of Waikiki's widest stretch of beach with a view on the balcony of Diamond Head State Monument _aka_ Le'ahi_a crater from an extinct Volcano_AND,I'm expected to do a "MEET & GREET" w/ Food & Drink in hand with the other
approx.2000+ Hospital/Medical Sales Reps for AstraZenca! Breakfast at 6:30am & Meeting at 8am!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm "Fit To Be Tied" & Cray-Cray!!!
BUT,I have to give AstraZeneca a "thumbs-up"_as it turned out to be an AWESOME TRIP! We had morning meetings, Afternoon was YOURS to play_Evenings _Big Dinners w/ everyone,some planned events as groups were optional & the "FINALE" was an authentic Lu'au with musical Guest_"K.C. and The Sunshine Band"...WOW!!!
"SCANDALS" that took place each day for 5 days!!
~ Aloha which means hello, goodbye, welcome,
farewell and love~
Iolani Palace_ first stop.
Picked my ticket up at Fort Ioloni ,just outside the gates of the Palace.The Palace is an amazing place with so much History.I picked up a couple books in the Gift Shop to learn even more....Didn't know the Scottish had such a significant role in the development of Hawaii! "The Story of Scots in Hawaii"_ Edited by Rhoda E.A.Hackler and "Hawaiian Journey" by Joseph G.Mullins tells about the early settlers to present day with over 150 historical photos! The Guided Tour is the BEST! Here's more of my photos...
http://www.iolanipalace.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iolani_Palace
http://www.theguidetotheus.com/honolulu/_iolani_barracks.html
Mission House Museum_
The "BROADSHEET" is the largest of newspaper format characterized by long vertical page of a single sheet.
The Tea Room in the Village Museum
For more information : http://missionhouses.org/
Watch a Tour from link above.
Some of the Views....Balcony Views~
Pièce de résistance..."Afternoon Tea On The Veranda" under the Banyan Tree Court at the "Moana Surfrider Hotel"....PERFECTION!
Postcards.....
"Afternoon Tea" Banyan Court Veranda...
Looking down on the Banyan Tree Courtyard & Veranda _
Afternoon Tea Menu_ click on PDF file
http://www.moana-surfrider.com/dining/veranda/
About those Banyan Trees_
I've been known to HUG -A-TREE or two...heck I'm a leftover from the 60's TreeHuggers...I Love Trees! I kept seeing these magical trees all over Honolulu_ simply Majestic & LARGE! It would be difficult to hug ....BUT I tried anyway.
They are native to India. The leaves of the banyan tree are large, leathery, and used as animal fodder. The tree produces figs which are popular with birds and monkeys, and also produces flowers that attract wasps for pollination. Older trees can reach more than 200 meters (656 feet) in diameter, with a height of 30 meters (98 feet).
~Mystical Breathing Beauties~
This is my HUGGING size_
Bonsai Banyan Trees
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banyan
Finally,here's a couple of photos taken on the last night_where we were treated to an authentic
"Hawaiian Feast~ A Lu'au"
WITH
Entertainment by K.C. & The Sunshine Band!
Can't remember her name _but she was VP of Marketing for
AstraZeneca and from East Texas(where I was born & raised)...we connected!
AND...K.C. & The Sunshine Band!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KC_and_the_Sunshine_Band
The last song they played to fireworks over the Hawaiian Sky was...
And, I did as they suggested....Shake,Shake,
Shake my Booty!
Left the next morning with a deep appreciation
for the 50th state(August 21,1959)! when Dwight D. Eisenhower was President.
The only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia ,occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean.
~ALOHA~
