Just in Case!

As I was touring the ship, getting ready to depart, I noticed this life ring on the railing.
So......I'd better be careful and stay on the boat or one of the other passengers will be tossing this to me!

One of my Traveling Companions

Here is Lyn who accompanied me while on my cruise. She likes to laugh and make jokes, so we had a swell time together. That's the Aloha Tower at Honolulu Harbor in the background. This port is famous---it's where all the ships from around the world have been coming since the first vessels sailed into Oahu.

In the Lap of Luxury

Now one of the best things about a cruise ship is all the fussing the staff does to make sure you are happy. These are my towels in the shape of an elephant-----every day the housekeeping staff would make my bed and create a new animal! Now isn't that fun!
I wonder if they'll be making "Surf Dogs" for passengers in the future?

Around and Round

This is my other traveling companion, Carolyn, and doesn't it look like she's having fun! This contraption is called a "Gyroscope" and it's just like an amusement park ride. There is always someone from the cruise staff monitoring the gyroscope just to make sure you don't overdo it!
Did you notice the giant pool in the background? Now this is what I call "livin' in style"! Toys everywhere! Playtime all the time!

Can You Guess What's Going On?

Look very, very carefully. I had to studying what was happening on that big, blue boat in Kahalui Harbor on Maui, for a little while.
Gravel is being offloaded from the bottom of the boat by a crane and then put into that orange funnel-like structure.
Then a truck drives underneath the funnel and the load is released into the bed and carried off. Yes, this port is for cruise ships, and for working ships, too.

Who Wants to Play?

I'm going to have to get a little better at playing Chess. For my small doggie brain, this boardgame is somewhat complicated.
I'll just have to play more, or maybe I'll head to the deck across the way and play Checkers instead. Hmmmmm. Which one shall I choose?

Command Central

Here I am with the men who steer the Pride of America. Yikes, that's a lot of colored buttons! You must have to be very, very smart to navigate a cruise ship like this one. This vessel is HUGE! It holds 2,450 guests and they eat 18,330 lbs. of eggs each week (that includes the ship staff too)! It's like a small town!

.....And if You Want to Read a Book

Jasper was the Activities Director for the cruise. He took great care of us! He took me down to the library to show me the collection. Isn't that cool, a library on a boat! This ship has everything, even a model of itself.

Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!

There are many restaurants on the Pride of America. I had fun sharing lunch with Lyn and Carolyn in this old-fashioned diner riding in a big, red Cadillac!
I enjoyed their jovial personalities the whole time we traveled.
Now, I'm ready to go for another spin around the Hawaiian Islands anytime they want to go. Or maybe it will be the Greek Islands next time. We'll see. I'm keeping my paws crossed!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I hiked to the top of the mountain behind Mom's school, Sunset Beach Elementary. This is the 1,100 acre parcel of land that the North Shore community fought hard to put in a land trust-----and succeeded! Isn't the view heaven!! Go to NorthShoreLand.org to learn more.

Am I Going the Right Way?

Mark Munden builds homes with his son, Jed, on the North Shore and has lived in my neighborhood for many, many years. We're good pals. He came on the hike and showed me the right path to take! I like having friends who look after my well being. Thanks, Mark.

Clowning Around, as Usual

Steve Albert is another one of my good friends at Sunset Beach. He likes being silly and making me laugh. He has a big heart too.
Hiking with friends is one of my favorite things to do, especially in Hawaii, and especially in my neighborhood! Hope you'll be able to join me some day.

Happy to Be in Hawaii at the HIO

Mahina and Summer, in the cap, were all smiles at the Haleiwa International Open Surfing Contest. This event in the oldest amateur competition in the state. Mahina was a contestant and Summer's dad competed.
Now, remember, it's the second day of January and look at the weather!! Lucky we live Hawaii!! Wouldn't you agree!

Here's All About It

I loved the banner for the contest!! The design is cool, in my little doggie opinion, of course!

Longtime Sponsor---20 Years and Counting

Joe Green has owned Surf and Sea, a giant surf shop in Haleiwa, since 1981, the year Hurricane Iwa ripped off the roof! Yikes! Luckily he recycled the roof off of a Dole Plantation heavy equipment shed which had blown over in the same storm. Joe has put up the money for this contest for the past two decades. He has incredible "blow out" sales at his shop! Find out more at: www.surfandsea.com

Making his Way to the Top

The Kowalski Brothers grew up surfing with their dad, Peter. Dylan, in the white t-shirt, competed in the HIO and took 4th place in the Men's Division. I asked him what his goal is for 2011. His reply, "I want to be in the top 5 of the Junior Pro so I can go on to surf in Bali and Australia next year!" Good luck, Dylan.
Taylor just graduated from college back East and was rooting his brother on at the Haleiwa contest.

Haleiwa--Ali'i Beach--His Favorite Spot

Michael Smith has been surfing this wave since his dad, Mitchell, took him out on a board when he was four years old. He loves this spot because, "When the swell hits just right, the wave peels to the right and makes a perfect bowl, just like a point break".
Michael will be competing again next year in the 15 and under class. (Did you notice the bikes leaning against the palm tree behind him---smart move---exercising and saving gas money, and the planet, at the same time!)

Did Anyone See my Party Hat?

John, with the short board, and Jason are old high school buddies. John flew in from the Mainland to attend Jason's son, Maddox's, 4-year-old birthday party at Ali'i Beach Park. Isn't it fabulous to have a summertime event in the middle of winter! Did you notice the little surfer, also called a "Grom", in the background in wetsuit? Looks like he's charging for a wave.

From the Land of the Rising Sun

Yes, that's a trophy Sayuri is holding in her hand. She just won First Place in the Women's Division of the Haliewa International Open.
Bravo to this beautiful 20-year old from Hokkaido, Japan. (The waves were pretty big, 8-10 feet Hawaiian, so she was very brave to ride them.)

And the Winners Are.......

The crowd gathered around the grandstand as the winners were being called up to receive their trophies. As I was standing and listening and watching, I happened upon another photographer, Philippe L. Gross. He's been taking pictures since he was eight, just like Mom! We got to chatting and I discovered Philippe is a professor of Psychology at Kapiolani Community College and wrote a book called THE TAO OF PHOTOGRAPHY. Sounds interesting, is interesting....find out more at: www.philippegross.com