Hawaii....Here we come.

Marathon friend Noriko and i decided 

to do our once-a-year-overseas-marathon in

HAWAII.

The trip had a Good Start:

When we stepped on board of the airplane in Fukuoka,

we were welcomed by 

 the Cheeky Captain and Co-pilot,

amazingly Our Doppelgangers.

And with the help from 

the Ever Smiling Cabin Crew Karen and Leo,

the flight was super enjoyable, fast and relaxed.

A shock to the system was 

when we landed in Hilo on Big Island:

See that white stuff in the distance?

Yep, it's snow on the Mountains!

(us trying to escape the winter in Fukuoka).

But the good life in Hilo Town is slow, relaxed and peaceful.

We were told not to miss the local farmers market:

 Saturday and Wednesday AM, early!
Wow, what a good way to start the weekend.

One of the zillion trees: too big to fit the picture.

Parts of Big Island is very volcanic, 

but things are doing their best to grow.

Time for a short hike.

We wanted to go to the top, but the road above 3000 meter was closed due to snow and strong winds.

 For sure, 
The Big Island is cooking something down there.

Things you MUST eat !!

Papaya, banana bread and advocado spring rolls.

(of course all scored at the farmers market).

The NE of Big Island has spectacular Coast Lines.

A few days later @ Honolulu:

Fresh from the airplane :Time to get some yummy local food.

Ehh, Leo and Karen are here again.

And Peter came along for the Fun and the Hike.

They showed me The Must See ...

and indeed we spotted...

WHALES!!

Told you:

Always Smiling.

..are you still a Believer that the Globe is Flat...?

Btw, Sunrise Surfers Out There.

Years ago, Marijke met Akebono here in Fukuoka.

Finally i met his statue in Hawaii.

He sits here every morning, 

greeting the joggers and feeding the cats.

And ready for a chat!

It's true:Honolulu has it's own CERN

Definite, Big Island is on the Must Return List.
Very relaxed place, good for hiking
 (and surfing they told me),
yummy yummy food, locally grown veggies.....
And zillion of Birds.
Guess who is interested in that?

Salute