G'day from Australia!

Well, it took FOREVER, but we've made it safely to Perth...just in time for the worst rain storm in 10 years. :) Today was much drier, so we got out and had a bit of a shop at a local market, followed by a nice drive along the coast. Last night we had dinner with Court's brother and his partner, and tonight we're watching the Dockers and having dinner with friends. It's nice to be people of leisure!

Our flight from HNL ended up getting into Sydney 2.5 hours late - 10.5 hours on a Jetstar flight is crap, by the way - but there was still enough time to meet up with friends before our flight on to Western Australia. Mecha met us at the airport and took us for a quick spin past the opera house, Harbour Bridge and Darling Harbour - Court had never been (if you can believe it). I think I've finally convinced him that Sydney is a worthy place to consider for the future - it's certainly one of my favourite cities in the world.

No Internet at Court's mum's house, so our updates will be a little scattered for the next few weeks. Hope everyone out there is doing well - we are still a little tired, but happy to have officially started our trip! xo

Alooooooha!

We finally made it to HNL! (Thanks for the lift, Steph!) Our flight is delayed 1.5 hrs (+24) due to the after-effects of the volcanic ash, but that's ok!

Here we are, just chillin' in the airport. Thank you for our goodbye leis, Ku`ulei! People are going to WANT to sit next to us now. ;)

Court is PUMPED (his word) to go back to Australia. Me, too!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52u0F0p-zPU&feature=related

Aloha - a hui ho!

*fingers crossed*

The ash seems to be shifting - air traffic in and out of Sydney has been cleared after 2 p.m. local time (four hours behind Honolulu, but a day ahead - does that make sense?). So, fingers crossed, we will be on our way early Wednesday morning. I (Ali) am super bummed that my extra few days in Sydney have been cut completely, but I am happy that we'll get to spend 14 hours there catching up with friends.

The waiting game...

Remember when we said we wanted to visit South America, just not on this trip? I'm wondering if we should reconsider. I, for one, would like to take a little ride over to Chile...and kick their volcanic ash.

We're supposed to be leaving for the airport in less than 8 hours. Instead, we're glued to Jetstar's website trying to find out if our flight is one of dozens which have been cancelled due to ash clouds over Australia. At this juncture, all signs seem to be pointing towards an extended stay in Honolulu. Under normal circumstances that would be just fine; our issue is that we've said our goodbyes, packed our bags, quit our jobs, and emptied our fridge. We have nowhere to be tomorrow except on a plane! WHHHHHHHHHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY????????

Kauai & Ni`ihau

Kauai was lush and green - everything you would expect from The Garden Island. We even got close to Ni`ihau while snorkeling! Highlights included the Na Pali Coast, snorkeling off Ni`ihau/Lehua Rock (which included a close encounter with a monk seal), Waimea Canyon, and ziplining in Princeville.

Lana`i

 Lana`i may have been my favourite of the other islands. Pictures just don't do it justice..

Moloka`i

Moloka`i was stunning - and soooooo chill. Highlights included the cliffs overlooking Kalaupapa (above), Purdy's macadamia nut farm, and two beautiful churches built by Saint Damien of Moloka`i - Our Lady of Seven Sorrows and Saint Damien Church (formerly St. Joseph Church).

Maui

We spent six days on Maui - three in Lahaina and three in Kahului. Activities included day tips to Moloka`i and Lana`i, circumnavigating Haleakala, Pipiwai trail, Ohe’o Gulch (also known as the Seven Sacred Pools), and Hana. Sadly, our Haleakala hike (with Hike Maui) was cancelled. *tear* Still, we saw and did a lot!

 

 

 

 

 Maui was beautiful - like all of the other islands - but it was also my least favourite.