Yesterday we had several playful whales, mom and baby too! Some of these were taken at quite a distance so the resolution isn’t great, plus it’s hard to get the camera in position quickly enough! But we thoroughly enjoyed the show!

We have settled in to a quiet routine, coffee and breakfast watching the waves, some sunny mornings sitting at the Lagoon on the sand, some days just reading and knitting on our large lanai. Watching Jeopardy and watching for whales (today we saw an amazing breach right in front of our room, but of course to quickly over to get a picture! ) We turned in our car, so walking to dinner or a Gelato after dinner we are getting more exercise. Picnics for lunch on the lanai with sandwiches or salad from the grocery store. Nothing spectacular to report, but enjoying life. I am readying Eric Metaxas’ book Bonhoffer, a great biography of the Pastor, Myrter, Prophet, Spy. Maybe I will give you a book report when I’m done! Stay tuned!

A storm from the north hit the northern islands Wednesday night and waves from it are hitting all of Hawaii now, even the west shore of the Big Island, where we are. 8 to 10 foot breakers, but they look higher in person!

We did a dolphin swim today and had a wonderful added treat, a Manta! The video will follow, as I got a migraine after the trip so rested all afternoon. Here are some stills from our great trip

Here is a 2 minute sample of our excursion. https://youtu.be/UbryLvq2pa0

There is a wood carver here at the hotel named ‘Auhi’a whose family has carved Tikis, Turtles, necklace,  and other souvenirs.  His family carved and gave the giant Tiki to the Royal Kona that greets you as you enter the drive.     The lockout devastated his family business,  as it has many family restaurants and businesses all over the islands.   I loved this fish hook and Auhi’a personalized it with the honu, the sea turtle, his name and the year on the back.   The wood is curly koa.  I will add some more pictures later of other objects he has carved.   it will be a wonderful addition to our carved hawaiian wood articles at home.

I’m practicing with the GoPro today in the little lagoon, getting ready for a great fun experience this week… stay tuned. Here my refresher video, reviewing all the buttons on the camera, uploading the video, and using the quick editing program etc. I haven’t mastered picking the music tho….🤑

The kids all sent me this gorgeous tropical bouquet! It will really brighten our room! Thank you, Liz, Laura, Mark, and all the grand and great grand kids!

Huggo’s is closed Monday and Tuesday so we began celebrating a day early. Fritto misto, calamari and shrimp, I had a wonderful macadamia nut crusted mahi mahi, but devoured it before the picture. Birthday key line pie!

When high tide is early we have our coffee listening to these waves, with this spectacular view

We visited the local Salvation Army thrift store and purchased a full size coffee maker – $10! And all the snorkel gear for both of us, fins, goggles and snorkel plus a net bag to carry them, $36! Just need a couple pair of water shoes. We needed A couple plates and bowls for breakfast eating in the room! We did our fresh market shopping at the local farmers market for papaya and the small Apple bananas, as they are called and visited Walmart for water, Milk, yogurt, and some snacks. Our next, and most important stop, visited our friend, Emmerich Grolsch, for our 100% Kona coffee and macadamia nuts! Lastly, Huli Chicken for lunch! We are ready to camp out here, listening to waves!