We are in our new temporary home on Kauai, the point at Poipu. We even saw a whale spout off our shore from our lanai

It was a great day to watch the waves….. but a bit rough for most surfers. In fact, we didn’t see any!

Overlooking the beaches of the Northshore is an ancient Heiau, or sacred site, just a few minutes drive off the highway. We’ve visited a few others over the years but this one seems less well known, and we had not heard of it before! Puu O Mahuka Heiau

We visited Kualoa Ranch in Kaneohe for the Jurassic adventure tour of the ranch, the movie sights for many movies including Jurassic World and Jurassic Park.

Besides the fun movie parks, the views were spectacular of Koolauloa Valley as well as the stunning coastline, the Kaneohe mountains and the Bay.

We started early and were able to jump on the 2nd boat leaving when we arrived at Pearl Harbor, to visit the Arizona Memorial. It is always a moving experience.

The visitor center also has other exhibits

After Pearl Harbor, we visited the National cemetery of the Pacific

Altho Diamond Head now requires reservations to enter, we were able to drive in, thru the tunnel to see the view from inside, and afterward, the view of Koko Head on the other side.

We’ve arrived! Our 3 night stay in Honolulu is at the Modern at the marina at the West end of Waikiki. We’ll explore and have more pics for you soon

Our short walk along Waikiki

We’ve had a great few days in SoCal with grandson Dawson with family meals, whale watching…. well, actually only a couple dolphin watching, but fun

But off to Hawaii now! ALOHA!

Over Christmas, we visited our Nebraska family and had a beautiful white Christmas! It was a busy week with events and family visiting. Now that we are home, here are a few pictures of the snowfall and drifts, and our family gatherings.

And after 3 days of blowing wind and flurries

But inside we celebrated! Sugar cookie decorating, an old family tradition!

Church on Christmas eve, while the snow was still just flurries

Christmas eve dinner with the Mollendor family

My estute editor reminded me I missed posting any photos of Ngorongoro Crater! So I’m inserting a post out of order!

We entered the conservation area long before we got to the Crater itself. East Africa is doing a great job now, conserving is natural resources, including animals. Our first views down into the Crater as we approached our lodge. It was overcast this day and the next, when we entered.

I posted already about the camp we stayed in on the western rim of the Crater, so you can go back to see that. In the morning when we rose early to enter the Crater, we were far up in the clouds.

Our guide in Tanzania Conrad Kessy, was just as wise and good as our Kenyan guide, Antony Njuguna! As most trucks turned right, he turned left! We saw many of the animals as the only vehicle there! There are many birds species there, on the Lake and marshes

And of course many of the same animals we have seen in other parks

We drove clockwise around Lake Magadi, under a thick cloud cover, so our day was cool. As we approached almost 360° , we took the one way brick road out and headed to our next lodge to the southeast of the Crater for an afternoon of rest! No afternoon game drive! A swim in the pool, relaxing and enjoying Acacia Farm Lodge, and great food

Our last evening at Oltukai lodge and our last afternoon drive this evening was spectacular, as usual! Antony did not disappoint us and found more Lions to say goodbye to us! One even blessed us with a couple squirts, marking his territory on our mudflap of the right front tire! We laughter so hard! Wherever Antony goes now is that lions territory!

We visited Observation Hill for the great view

The animals came out to see us off

But the big male lion walking away, in the sunset light, toward Kilimonjaro was the best end to our safari drive ever!

All this was possible because of our great guide Antony Njuguna

Being first out at 6 AM has its benefits, if you have a very good guide! Antony knew exactly where the pride had spent the night and where they would be heading at daybreak! And we were the only vehicle there to see them!

We also caught elephants traveling from the protected woods to the water

But best of all! Kilimonjaro was opening up to us!

The mountain did not disappoint us today!

We had a wonderful welcome to our first park, Samburu by an elegant reticulated Giraffe, and a goodbye from Amboseli from these 2 handsome Masai giraffes!