130827 Dolphin Tour

Honolulu 130811-130902

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© NF Photos 130827 Wednesday

130827 Tuesday

Dolphin day! I woke up as planed and went to the meeting place at 5.50, My granddaughter just came around the corner worried I overslept. Impossible to oversleep a day like this. :) We were the only ones picked up at this location And the last ones so the bus headed to the Leeward coast. Most of the others was Japanese so my granddaughter was pleased. She could practice the language. Great opportunity as she will soon move to Japan.

At seven we were at the location, close to where we were yesterday, and ready to embark the boat that will take us out. We were welcomed by the staff of Dolphin and You as the boat headed out. To begin with we had a small ceremony where everyone was given a flower that we throw out to the water for good luck.  Those of us that did not have the equipment for snorkeling was given one from the staff. With instructions if needed. And we did. But I soon found out I remembered how to do it since I was in Kenya.

The boat was slowly moving around to try to locate the dolphins and it did not take long. Around 8 o´clock we were in the water. Lol, a bit tricky to get into the water with those BIG FEET! But  I manage and the breathing was OK too. And waterproof camera tied to the wrist. Ready to find some dolphins. And I did despite the fact I was not used to snorkeling I got shots of both dolphins and family. Happy me! Soo much fun! I was not able to come close to the dolphins as I could not go deeper into the water. But I am pleased with the experience. I think I saw at least 15-20 of them.

After about 30 min we went up on the boat again to change location. We headed slowly up north a bit to a coral reef and to dive for corals, fish and turtles. And with my granddaughter at the steering wheel. :) o, almost forgot, we spotted some flying fish during the ride too. Shimmering during the flight.

The next dive was as fun as the dolphins but more to look at. Some Green Turtles swimming or lying on the ocean floor. Colorful fish, corals and people. And of course my cameras battery run out. But luckily that was at the end of the dive. My granddaughter also takes shots with her cellphone  camera. She was given a waterproof casing for it as a gift from her brother. The camera with casing worked quite well.

Finished diving and up on the boat again I noted somebody trying out the paddle board. I think that is what it is called. So I asked if I could try it too. And I could. And I managed to stand up for a moment without falling into the water. And my grandson tried it too.

On the way back we were given breakfast and purple bread! I don´t remember what gave the bread that color. But it was rather good. But strange. And we were entertained. The staff guys danced hula hula and played music for us. Not too serious though but having fun with it.

 That´s me trying to master the paddleboard.

Back on land we were given a first lesson in Hula dancing and a brief history lesson. Dressed in beautiful hula clothing. And then it was time to go back to Honolulu. I was at the Hostel around one and went to sleep for two hours. That was great as I realised the diving had taken it´s toll, I was tired.

When I woke up I went out and checked out the shops. No more swimming today. I found myself a blue dress that I liked. And a pair of cotton shorts with palms on them. The first dress I bought for several decades. I never use it. But this one I might.

Then I went down for a short swim after all. And watching a beautiful sunset. Having my "dinner" sitting at the beach I was surprised by a short firework starting at the Hilton. They don´t have it on Tuesdays so it must have been some special reason.

 Now we are only three people in the room. Me and the "cooking" couple. I took a shower and uploaded all images. And wrote a little. Then hit the sack!

This day will be hard to beat. Almost perfect. :)

Water World    Our World Tuesday     Travel Photo Mondays 28

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Honolulu 130811-130902 Summary

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Sky Watch Friday   Ein Stuck Himmel   Travel Photo

 

NF Photos Oahu  130811-130902

 

Starting Monday 130812

 

J o m  at ARN 130812

I met my daughter and grandson on Arlanda Airport Monday morning. The plane was airborn at 10.50, a bit late, and headed for Chicago. In Chicago Ohare we had two h between planes and had to go by train to another terminal so it was a little bit nervous but we did good. Next plane left in time and we were going straight to Honolulu. That was quite a distance to sit on a plane. Especially as the plane was cold. And we did not expect that. And no food served.



Greenland from above

Well everything turned out well and we landed in Honolulu according to plan at 18:53 local time. It is kind of fun. Looking at the watch we had been travelling 6.5h. But the real travel time was about 20h.

 

Two of the Hawaii islands from the plane before landing on Oahu 130812

 

Honolulu 130812

 We were met by my granddaughter and one of her room mates and went to their place first as my daughter and grandson would stay there. The house was crowded with people so I would be staying in a hostel at Waikiki beach. So that was our next stop. And after bringing my stuff in we went for a walk and to find something to eat. And enjoyed some street entertainment.

 My first impression of the town was bad. But it seem to grow on you. The hostel seemed not as good as it did on their website and the town was crowded with homeless people. We had dinner on a place my daughter had like her first time in H. And after that I left for the Hostel and the others for the house. We had fixed some bus tickets so that would be the main transportation during the stay.

 

The Hostel turned out to be OK. It was a 8-bed room and my room mates was all guys most of the nights. I was there for 19 nights. And the others was starting school or was travellers.

 




After a few days I had a routine. I went to the beach in the morning. Then I met with my family or went out on my own. Lol, my family went shopping, I went birding!
This bird is a Mynah. Seem to have a habit of talking.






Waikiki sunset NF Photo 130830

Most of the evenings I was at the beach at sunset. I bought something to eat and drink and then I sat at the beach watching sunset and people. There was a hotel over the street and they used to play rather good music too. And Friday at 20.00h there was fireworks. So I can say I was entertained.


 

 

 

As time went by I got used to the homeless. They did not disturb anybody and they were tidy enough as they had access to the toilets and showers at the beaches. And getting used to having young men as room mates was quite easy and turned out to be fun.

 

The view from my bed when I awoke. :)





NF Photo 130827

The highlight of this visit was the day we went dolphin diving. What a day! None of us will forget it. And the days we had the car and went out exploring the island of Oahu was also great. My family especially enjoyed colored Shaved Ice. And the Pineapple ice cream at Dole plantation. And the turtles. We also explored my granddaughters schools. And was guided around most of it.  

 

 

After three weeks it was time for me to go back home while the others would stay another two weeks. Last day we were at the beach and my daughter and granddaughter was surfing. And then we was at the market buying me a dress. That is very unusual. :)

 

Around 17.00h we were at the airport and I had a very long, lonely trip back home. About 20h this time as well but in days it was a day and a half. I left Saturday evening and was home Monday morning.

Johanna at North  Shore  Malama aina beach park 130829

 

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Malta 110425 Monday, Dolphin day

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NF Photo 110425 at Mediterraneo Marine Park

Malta 110425 Monday, Dolphin dayToday was "swimming with dolphin" day. We went up rather early to catch the bus at 8.20. A bit early but as we don´t know the area it is better to be sure, coming late was not an option. We were sceduled to 10.00 to meet the personal for the dive. It was sunshine but windy. The Mediterranean sea  was abit upset outside the area of the park.

9.45 we were finally allowed to pay the tickets and we were given a quetionaire to fill in and to learn the rules. No jewelry or other sharp stff would be allowed, as was teh plastic tejp I has on a wound. Dolphins are easily hurt and they eat about everything. :) At 10.00 we were let in and got our swimsuits. And further instructions. At the pool we were divided in two groups. So, the four of us and two kids were in one group. Two dolphin males were working.

The first part was to introcuse us to the dolphin. Touching, kissing and taking pics. After that we were out in the water and the dolpin rotated us there. It was so much fun. :)  Lastly there were a time for free swiming in the pool with both dolphins swimming around us. Cool!  The water in the pool was a bit chilly, but the suit took away most of it.

Removing the wetsuit was much harder then take it on. I had a hard time getting it off. :)

Then I saw the last part of the sea lions performance. I had seen some ducks when we arrived so I went there to see if I could take some shots. They had Common Shelduck (Gravand),  Eurasian Teal (Kricka) and Ferroginous Duck (vitögd dykand). The last one is new to me. Then I located some owls in cages. And a terrarium.

The Dolhin show started at 14.00. Johanna sat closes to the pool. Taking picks and writing like crazy. I too took a lot os shots. It was a good show. :) After the show we stayed a while. There were a small pool beside the main one. There was a young dolphin too. The trainers played games with them and it was fun to watch. Johanna took lots of notes and then started to ask the personal a lot of questions. She needed that for the paper she is doing in class. I´d say she got a lot. :) We bought all the shots of course. They are great. Johanna starts to talk english the entire time now and she is good at it.

The lunch was very flexible. I took my sandwich, the others I think,  had icecream or whatever they could find.  :)

The last show was Parrots. It was kind of cool. Some birds for my blog maybe. :)

Then it was time to return to Bugibba. And the lady with the booking. We were supposed  to go to the caves tomorrow. We have an "open ticket" to that trip.
I don´t remember what we had for dinner. It is 21.20 and the others are asleep. I have to stop now as the battery is going low.

Sweet dreams!. 

More on Malta here:

Malta at NatureFootstep

Anchordiving at Malta

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