Aloha!

I'm back. It has been a short two weeks that seemed to go forever. I have seen much and done more, but alas, I'm happy to be home.

We started our trip with a 7 day cruise through the Mexican Riviera. This is not my first cruise, nor is it my first time through the Riviera portion of Mexico. The weather was warm here when we left, it was hot and humid there when we arrived. The way I like it...minus the humid part. I was happy to find out there were people aboard this cruise closer to my age. My last cruise was a 14 day cruise through the Panama Canal, and the average age aboard that one was 79. Stop laughing...it wasn't funny then and it still isn't. Ok, maybe a little. Anyway, there were perhaps 150 people aboard this ship in my age range, and a lot of very beautiful women. The crew was fantastic, the drinks were strong, and the views were magnificent. I have posted many pics on my facebook page for you to look at. I however was not impressed by the ship itself. This was my first sail with Royal Carribean as my last two times were aboard Carnival Cruise Lines. The ship (never call one those hulks a "boat") was smaller than I expected, and the activities were limited. They had a rock wall, and it was only open certain times of the day...usually while I was ashore or at dinner. They did however have many trivia contests which I am proud to say my team "the Braintrust" took a gold medal and several other prizes in. By the third day aboard, other teams were trying to join ours. That is where I met Jackie.

Jackie was sailing with her 18 year old daughter Nikki. They were behind us at the first trivia game, and I was smitten at once. Now Nikki is a very vibrant, beautiful, girl full of life and energy. She could be found dancing with people she didn't know or rooting our team on (they joined us by day 4) or trash talking other teams on our behalf. Jackie is much like her daughter. Outgoing, intelligent and amazingly beautiful. I knew I had to know her. The second time I saw the two of them they were playing trivia as we were headed to Bingo. I asked them if they were "getting their trivia on", and I recieved a look from Jackie that could freeze ice. A challenge...YES! Game on! I befriended Nikki to get to her Mother. I'm not ashamed of this..I used someone else to meet another. And I'm glad I did. Jackie is truly amazing. Once I got past the wall, I met someone very much like me.

Now I mentioned her intelligence. It rivals mine and I consider myself to be a very smart person. She can talk politics, religion or anything at hand. Another facet I enjoy. Did I mention her beauty? She is very beautiful...and tall. Another good sign. She enjoys fine wine and fine dining. She is adventurous and giving, sweet and gentle. She keeps me in check. She is the yin to my yang. She surprised me by showing up to the airport in Long Beach to see me off on my way home. Oh yeah, she lives in California. The one hurdle in an otherwise perfect so far relationship. But a good hurdle, it will force us to take things slowly. She has four kids, her oldest being Nikki. her next youngest is in school in Utah. Michael goes to Wasatch Academy in Mt. Pleasant. This being a good thing as we will now get to spend time together when she visits him. I look forward to our first visit this next weekend.

Jackie and I spent a lot of time together on the ship, walking and talking till the wee hours. We asked each other everything we could, and told each other everything we should. She was wonderful to be around. It was a good and a bad thing to have finally met her. Good because I was suprised by the wholeness of it, the excitement, the thrill of the chase if you will. Bad because it made the time go so much faster and the days whizzed by. We parted with the agreement to meet again, and a longing for each other.

The week after was spent in Hawaii. We landed in Honolulu around 10 pm with some minor jet lag and a need to find a place to sleep. Upon arriving at the hotel, we recieved two surprises. First, there was only rooms booked for four of us...there were eight in our traveling party...almost our own Fellowship of the Ring. Secondly, we had reserved rooms on the 14th floor but recieved rooms on the second floor. The front desk staff was not very friendly or helpful. My sister in law requested extra pillows, and we got them...three hours later. The next morning it was rise and shine...time to explore.

Waikiki is the most beautiful place I have visited to date. The streets were clean and free of debris, and the women wore bikinis everywhere. Hey! I met someone but I wasn't dead. It was a culture shock but we were still in the United States. I loved it, until I saw the prices for simple staples. Milk was almost $7 a gallon. I drink a lot of milk, but not at those prices...I could drink gasoline for cheaper. Ironic huh? We went to the beach and I was amazed at the splendor of the waves crashing onto shore. Water as clear and blue as a blown glass dolphin. There are swap meets everywhere, and I wandered and gazed in excitement. The people will bargain, but not always nicely. I found a rare Elvis zippo that one lady was asking $79 for...I balked and said I could find it cheaper at home..she not so kindly asked me to "find it at home". For the most part, I loved every minute in Hawaii and cannot wait to return.

While visitng Hawaii, we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Pearl Harbor. Toursit sites for sure, but ones that should be visited at least once. The PCC (Polynesian Cultural Center) was both fascinating and intriguing. We learned native dances, greetings and customs. We saw all the uses for a coconut...including dental floss, and learned how to start a fire with tree branches. A lot of the people working at the PCC are students at the nearby campus of BYU, and are working towards degrees by volunteering their time. The PCC is return helps pay for their tuition. The finale of the day is a ceremony with dancing, fire, singing and excitement. It was a long day (almost 12 hours) but fun.

We also visited Pearl Harbor as a group. I have visited battlegrounds before, but this one holds a sense of hallowed wonder. It's in the air when you arrive, and it stays with you as you leave. The one simple act of betrayal launched The United States into a war they had no desire to fight. There are only two battleships and one submarine still visible today. The other battleships involved were repaired and sent back into waters to protect and serve. The USS Missouri is the only wounded battleship from that day still above water. It now stands as a tourist site, and a reminder. The USS Arizona sits below water under a monument erected to its demise. Its amazing to stand above its rusted remains and peer into the water knowing that there are still over 500 people buried in its twisted hull. To this day, oil still bubbles from somewhere inside the ship, rising to the surface to be seen by all. There are pictures of this on my facebook page as well.

As I said earlier, I am glad to be home. I would love to take another extended vacation someday, but I'm not sure I would do it in such a large group. There were times of bitter resentment, times of stupidity, and times of frustration and anger. Typical family vacation for sure. This will not be my last cruise, and will surely not be my last visit to Hawaii. I look forward to seeing the other islands.

I have enjoyed regaling you all with my adventures, and will now take some time to read your blog pages. I have missed writing to you, but missed reading yours more. Feel free to look at the pictures taken and feel free to comment on anything you like. Until our next reading time...Aloha