November 2000
 |
| Laie Temple |
 |
| Behind the temple by the big banyan tree |
Our retreat to Hawaii wasn't only Sawtooth Software and our whole family but also included Mom Clarke and Laurel Dalling.
Our family was all so very happy and excited - mostly about being together and then in a fun and beautiful place away from telephones and hectic life...the best! We were all squealing and hugging and felt sooo happy to be together here at the Turtle Bay condos in Kahuku. We slept with the windows open and at sunrise the birds were greeting us with such a delightful chorus of coo's, warbles, tweets, melodies, chirps and chattering like monkeys. Oh how heavenly. I feel so happy with no empty spots in my heart. We are all here together in paradise.
Snorkeling Haunama Bay
Valley of Temple - Buddhist ...gorgeous and peaceful
|
|
|
We did a Temple session and visited the Polynesian Cultural Center villages, luau and night show
 |
| Polynesian Cultural Center |
We all went over to Goat Island.
Chris, Aaron, Lusters & Bryan Orme hiked to Laie Falls while the rest of us snorkeled in the pool and made poi balls.
 |
 |
Visit with Joe Ahuna and his family. Chris and Joe were buddies in Laie and went to World Jamborie together and were in full color in Boy's Life Magazine. Joe's family are all performers and travel the world performing. They've been in the Ensign twice and the New Era. They invited us to dinner: Stew on top of rice, oriental salad, Hawaiian Sweet bread, cut up papaya. We sang songs with ukulele and the Joe passed out ukulele's and taught us all how to play a song! Not only did he share his talent but he taught us so that we coiuld enjiy uit on a whole new level! We loved it! They truly have the true Hawaiian spirit and they gave it to us. Jennifer said she has added Joe to her list of hero's. (I sent them a little gift of lavender from Sequim and a thank you once we got home)
International Market Place
 |
| Waikiki Beach |
Surfing lessons at Castle Beach - Chris, Jen, Em, Aaron & a few Sawtoothians. Andrea and I went to Haleiwa with Mom and Laurel.
Waimea Falls - overpriced at $24.00 each - but was just wonderful and beautiful and was one of my favorite places. We watched high divers.
Chris and older kids boogie boarded at Pounders Beach while the twins and I went to the pool and cut up a fresh pineapple from a roadside stand.
 |
| Pounded at Pounders |
All company BBQ and leftover potluck at the pool. Chris, Bryan, Gary and Justin sang Hawaiian songs they'd been practicing. They all happened to be about Hawaiian girls and Kristen said "so what I'd like to know is - why are four married men singing about hula girls?" ha ha
We walked on the beach & waded under a full moon and watched the sparkles on the water. The ocean is so beautiful and warm and peaceful and inviting but it is also very immense and bossy and powerful and dangerous.
 |
| Opening a coconut |
We were all sad to leave this most wonderful heavenly experience.
