Happy rainy Sunday, everyone! Yes, we’re still in Hawaii, but we’re on rainy day schedule…Hamburger is watching football and taking naps, and I’m curled up with Ike (the netbook) and a pile of books. And yes, that’s our new roommate, Mr. Gecko. He’s pretty shy, but his little brother is pretty fond of Hamburger…he likes to hang out on his arm.
Reading Update
I brought the following books on vacation with me:
- Grounded, Seth Stevenson (finished on the plane)
- Chef, Jaspreet Singh(finished Monday)
- In Siberia, Colin Thubron (finished Wednesday)
- One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Alexandr Solzhenitsyn (finished Thursday)
- Death Comes for the Archbishop, Willa Cather (finished yesterday)
- Stretch, Neal Pollack
- The Open Road, Pico Iyer
- The Art of Travel, Alain de Botton
- Why Read the Classics, Italo Calvino
- Sag Harbor, Colson Whitehead
I also brought Calliope (my nook), in case of emergencies (boring books, everything read…), but I didn’t want to take her to the beach, as big waves have been known to soak beach goers here on the North Shore. I haven’t had to use Calliope, though, as the above list has been keeping me quite entertained.
Vacation Update
We’re staying in a little studio apartment just down the road from Sunset Beach, on the North Shore of Oahu. I’ve spent a lot of time at the beach, although not laying around on a beach towel. We watched the last two days of the Pipeline Masters surf competition at Ehukai Beach. If you know anything about surfing, we saw Kelly Slater get eliminated and Jeremy Flores (from France) beat Kieran Perrow (from Australia) win the event. If you don’t know anything about surfing, that last sentence meant nothing. No, I didn’t take pictures, because I’ve learned from past experience that my pictures of people surfing suck…envision specks on waves, and you’ve got a good idea of what the pictures would look like. This is my token contest photo:
Yesterday we drove into Honolulu to hike up Diamond Head. Although it’s only .7 miles to the top, there are a lot of stairs, and it was hot, and we had already walked into the crater from an outside parking lot, so I was sweating buckets by the time we got to the top. We celebrated that adventure with a trip to Kua ‘Aina for burgers and Cold Stone Creamery (have you tried their Mud Pie?? O. M. G.). So much for any healthy benefits from that hike.
View of Waikiki from top of Diamond Head, taken with iPhone
And on Friday, I got to have lunch and hang out with a SlowTrav buddy, girasoli. We watched turtles on the beach…Hawaiian turtles are just awesome.
Otherwise, it’s mostly been walks and bike rides and wave watching…and some surfing for HB. A nice, relaxing vacation.
Holiday Update
The only bad thing about being in Hawaii in December is that I have absolutely no holiday spirit. I mailed two Christmas cards…to my aunts and granny. I participated in no swaps, since I knew we’d be gone. I do have my shopping done, but we’ll return home to a house with no decorations and no tree.
I’ve also decided I won’t be doing any year end type of lists (favorite books, etc…although I do like the wrap-up that Jenners participated in) and no retrospective type posts. Or any whatever the opposite of retrospective type posts is…you know, 2011 plans.
On the bright side, fewer posts from me means fewer posts in your Google Reader…let’s just consider that my little gift to all of you. 
Oh, and my other gift is the photo I didn’t take of the woman on the beach in a thong bikini with a Rock Star sticker (gold star) plastered on each butt cheek. The image is unfortunately branded in my mind, and you should be grateful I don’t have a photo to share. Classy it was not.
That gecko has a crazed look in his eye.
charley´s last [type] ..Personal Challenges 2011
Ooh I loved both the Solzhenitsyn and Cather books, I hope you did too. I have to admit I’m a little obsessed with end-of-year posts…
Amanda´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon – 2010 Challenge Wrap-up
I would totally be ticked if it rained a lot on my beach vacation. Sounds like you are still enjoying yourself though. Happy Holidays Jill.
diane´s last [type] ..163 – Mama- a TRUE story- in which a BABY HIPPO loses his MAMA during a TSUNAMI- but finds a new home- and a new MAMA Jeanette Winter
It was really nice finally meeting you and hanging out together. Hope the rain stops before you leave (and for my leaky roof situation that I am freaking out about right now). I love that the geckos have decided to hang with you and Hamburger. Sounds like they have similar qualities (the magnetic pull) as the cute kid on the beach.
girasoli´s last [type] ..hard-to-find PhotoHunt
Mmmm, it looks so warm where you are! And you’re getting so much reading done…I’m jealous! Enjoy the rest of your stay!
Erin´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- Holiday Preparations
Hey, if you were at home, you’d be having a rainy Sunday too – it’s been pouring all weekend up and down the California coast. Sounds like you’ve been having a nice time with your vacation reading!
Florinda´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- What Im reading now- and what Ill be reading soon
I am sure that a trip to Hawaii and the stories that follow will stay with you as long as a holiday-spirited xmas would. Besides, I can’t wait to see more pics!
Florinda’s right – it’s pouring rain here in California. I’d much rather be in Hawaii! It sounds like you are having a blast!
I couldn’t spend Christmas in a warm climate like Hawaii. (I did spend one Thanksgiving in Puerto Rico but that’s not the same as Christmas.) I need winter.
EL Fay´s last [type] .. old recollections- dreams of bloodshed- of classes in conflict- books and pamphlets studied in secret meetings
Thanks for the gift of skipping the shot of the woman in her thong bikini! Enjoy the rest of your time in Hawaii!
I am interested in hearing what you thought of Chef and the Art of Travel . . .
A gecko in my room means “I’m checking out NOW.” Though he is cute in the photo.
Thanks for sparing us the photo of the thong lady. I’m sorry you had to see that.
I’m massively jealous of your unChristmasy trip … but I’m sure you’ll survive quite nicely.
Thanks for the gift … it is welcome!
Jenners´s last [type] ..It’s Back- Take A Chance Challenge 3
God. I really think you should have shared the thong lady with us and burned all our eyes out!
It’s pouring in Cali right now and will be until at least Christmas so I think you’re going to come home to unChristmas-like weather since we’re used to 80 degrees on Xmas day.
Vasilly´s last [type] ..TSS- What’s inspiring your reading
Love this post
Enjoy! And I am not trying to envision that women you mention in the end.
Veens´s last [type] ..All’s Fair in Love and Law by KM Daughters
It sounds like you are having a great time out there, and though it’s not the traditional Christmas, it sounds like a lot of fun! I love the photo of the gecko, and am so very, very thankful that you didn’t post the photo of the woman with the starry butt. I also think it’s great that you brought so many books with you. I always do the same thing when I go away! Merry Christmas, Jill!
So now I’m depressed to learn that Diamondhead is only .7 miles. Really? How can that be right? We went in Februray (2009) and had really crappy weather but were lucky enough to have a short break in rain to hike–but that meant it was really humid and we were pretty stinky. As we were walking about to our jeep (with the top up), it started pouring.
I hope you guys have a wonderful wonderful time in Hawaii–sounds like you’ve already had a great time. Not going to Dole to indulge in some pineapple ice cream?
PS–are you a speedreading demon? Geez Louise.
Trish´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon 31- 2010 Looking Backward and Forward
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time… sun and books…. I am so jealous! I have always wanted to go to Hawaii – keep the pictures coming
Sheila (Bookjourney)´s last [type] ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading
We’re both so far away from home, but you definitely are getting the better deal: I am in Ireland when I am supposed to be in Oman. Oh well. I have no control over weather disasters. Enjoy those books; I am currently reading Mitlali Perkins’ Secret Keeper
Helen Murdoch´s last [type] ..Sunday Salon- Vacation gone wrong
I feel like everyone is going to Hawaii this month! I will get there someday…
Oh, and thanks for the “gift.” I just finished going through over 600 entries in my reader LOL!
I am actually kind of disappointed that you didn’t post a picture of bikini thong lady. That sounds like it was a sight to behold! Glad to hear you are having a nice vacation.
Happy Hawaii Holiday to you and HB and Chris the tree and Billy the Goat and Ike and Calliope and … everyone, I guess!
Care´s last [type] ..A Dog’s Purpose
So that lady was hoping for a star tan line on each butt cheek? Wow. I sort of admire people that can turn the other cheek so to say, and not care about what others think of them, but really. Good thing The Boy didn’t see it. He would have taken a pic and posted it on FB.
Ti´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon- Cookies nuff said
Happy vacationing! Even here on the mainland the Christmas spirit is in short supply from me. Sick, tired, and we only decorated this week. It’ll be fun, but work seems to have eaten my life.
Andi´s last [type] ..Sick Just read!
It sounds like you’re having a blast!
The shot from Diamond Head is a bit disconcerting. I lived in Honolulu (well near the university) for two summers when I was doing research at the Bishop Museum. The view in the late 70s wasn’t quite that built up. But what you expect after 30 years?
Beth F´s last [type] ..Review- The Rabbis Cat 2 by Joann Sfar
I’m sorry it had to rain on your vacation! Better weather is coming. How cool you got to meet up with Shave Ice and Gelato’s “girasoli.” I love her blog. She’s also been a frequent visitor to my other site, Beat of Hawaii.
Rob´s last [type] ..Midwinters Eve Giveaway- One Mans Paradise
What a great vacation/holiday! Hope it was a merry one
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..Monday Movie Meme – Comic Books