I’ve just gotten back from my visit home to see my parents on the family farm in Hawaii.  I had the most amazing trip – got to see so many fabulous things, meet so many fantastic people, just spend time with my parents and the farm, and most of all, do something amazing that I’ve been waiting my whole life to do. I’m going to tell you all about the trip (or at least the bits I think you might be interested in) in future posts, but for now, here are some highlights of the trip: The Honolulu Museum of Art: Iolani Palace (and they started allowing photography a week before I visited!): The state capitol: Bananas (obviously): Hanging out with my sister: Hanging out at the beach: Hanging out in the mountains: Hanging out in the gardens: Doing some cooking: And some sewing: And finally, I took a really amazing walk:  

Today’s post comes to you courtesy of the free wireless at Honolulu International Airport and the extra hour I got stuck at the airport with for various reasons.  Enjoy! The cars are really, REALLY big. Everything here could eat the little-bity four-door hatches that are ubiquitous in Wellington.  Portion sizes are really, REALLY big.  The goat-cheese salad I had for lunch at the Honolulu Museum of Art was about the size of 7 Wellington salads. (oh boy do I have stuff to show you from HMA btw!) You have to tip. And tax isn’t included with the ticket price.  I didn’t forget to tip at lunch or with the taxi, but I still had an “Oh, right, this thing” moment when I saw the bill.  And they bring the bill to your table instead of you going up to pay.  I’m not sure how I feel about this – I kinda like that in NZ the money part is completely separate from the food part, and you never feel like the check is a hint …

I’ve been dropping hints about an upcoming holiday in Hawai’i, and now it’s here! Tomorrow morning I leave the cold of Wellington and head for sunny, sub-tropical, sublime, Hawai’i. I’m so excited to be going home – to see my parents, and their farm, and all the beloved haunts of my childhood (OK, now I sound like Anne Shirley). It’s a bit of a bittersweet trip though.  Because of work, Mr D isn’t able to come too. And this will be my first trip home without a sister home as well.  One of my sisters will come for one weekend, but it’s not the same.  We may fight and argue at times, but my sisters are my best friends, and best playmates.  Everything is more fun with them around, and this time they won’t be. Trips home are also a reminder that I’m growing older, and my parents are too.  Sometimes I hate change. But some things will always be the same.  The farm is a perfectly imperfect slice of paradise.  Mangoes are never less …