Tonja's Gatherings - A Christian Blogger from Dothan, AL
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Tonja's Gatherings - A Christian Blogger from Dothan, AL
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Family, General, Travel

ALOHA 3-13-10 SATURDAY

March 13, 2010 by tonja No Comments
Up on Saturday with a few plans for another day of fun! And it was! Fortunately, we were there for another art show held at the Banyan Tree Park in Lahaina. It is held several times throughout the year and features some wonderful artists.

When Don and I were there 2 years ago, we bought a wonderful print on canvas that we both loved. It is now hanging in the Creek House. AND, I found some more prints today to hang in our bedroom. Just have to take them to the framers. Joy found a few pieces as well.

I know that I am getting older and forgetful, and so is Joy! But, we didn’t realize, until we saw this pic that we were dressed so much alike! Great minds, you know!

When we left the art show, we decided to go Upcountry to some little towns I know of. They are located on the drive going to Hana. But, they are not too far up, so the drive is not bad at all. When you make this drive…to the town of Paia, you pass some beautiful churches. Here is one of them…it is so beautiful. And, the grounds are immaculate.

And, this is another one that sits in a fork in the road. I know it’s hard to tell, but the roof is copper, and has the most beautiful verdi gris patina.

Now, this is the reason that I went Upcountry. I wanted Joy to see this view. This picture is not good, so it is hard to see what is so beautiful. The pic is a little cloudy looking, and actually I made this picture when I was there with Don. So, all the land that looks barren, is covered now with tall green sugar cane. If you click on the picture, I think it may be easier to see. I love the way the mountain comes right down to the ocean. And, the palm trees swaying against the aqua of the ocean, is so peaceful and calm. I like the angles the mountains make as they slope down to the ocean twice. I wish I had a better picture. This is my favorite scene in the whole island.

Now, the little old hippie town of Paia is also the home of my favorite restaurant on the island, Mama’s Fish House. It is not just my fav, but the most popular restaurant there…so you really need a reservation. Well, after we had driven up there, we decided that we should just go by and check and see if it was possible to eat there today. We thought that since we were there early evening, there may be a chance. It was about 4:30. We asked the valet guy what the chances were and he said good, so we decided to give it a try. And, when I told the gentleman at the desk that I didn’t have a reservation, he said, “No problem…I can seat you right now.” And, so he did…seat us, that is. We had a wonderful table. It is open air, and very rustic. The floors are wood, but the roof is about 6 large canvas umbrellas. And, the view here is wonderful! Awe inspiring!

Notice the concrete walkway. All the leaves and impressions were hand done using real leaves.

Pics made inside…

OK, just look at this food! Joy ordered fresh Mahimahi (caught that morning) stuffed with lobster, salmon and crab. It was accompanied by fried rice, fresh corn and served on a bed of fresh asparagus.

Now, this is mine. It is a traditional Hawaiian dish called Lau Lau. It is layers of Mahimahi, Salmon and and Kahlua pork, on a bed of rice…wrapped in ti leaves, and steamed. They open the steamed package at the table, and then pour warm coconut milk, right from the shell,all over the top. It is served with chunks of sweet potatoes and taro. Also grilled fruit…banana, pineapple and mango. Divine!

And, a meal this yummy just calls for dessert to top it off.

After our dinner, we walked down to the water’s edge. Here is a wonderful gathering of beautiful rocks, lava and coral.

Look at this wonderful heart shaped rock! This is where I found the other one that Tina brought back home for me and is now in my pool fountain. Joy discovered this one…but she refused to carry it home for me. I couldn’t understand why she would refuse this one little request from her dearest sister. So, there it lays…until I return. Maybe I’ll take an extra suitcase next time just for big rocks! :0)

Here she is…hands on hips…stubbornly refusing to help a sister out!

AND…can you believe she made this picture of me when I was in a moment of distress. No, no, I’m not dancing. I was trying to keep from falling on my rear end in the sand and rocks…and she was laughing at me!!! And, making pictures of me!!

Oh, we had a fun day! We laughed like we were 16…riding around in our silver ‘cool car’…the wind whipping our hair around. Well, it didn’t really whip…it’s too short. Mostly it just blew straight up and out! But, I’m sure we looked really young and cool anyway!

Unfortunately, we had NO time to visit the shops in Paia and Makawao. But, it was a beautiful ride the 36 miles back to the motel. Lights were reflecting off the water, and flickers of brightness skipped up the mountains. The moon was so bright, and it cast a beam of whiteness across the dark ocean waters. I wonder if whales sleep. There! and there! It is so bright the palm trees are silhouetted against the sky. It’s magical! So, we’ll come back before we leave. Oh! My! Time is getting short…


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Reading time: 4 min
Family, General, Travel

ALOHA 3-12-10 FRIDAY (a day later)

March 13, 2010 by tonja 1 Comment

It is Saturday. But, I am blogging Friday, because I could not last night. It was a wonderful day, but oh, so long…and hard. If you have ever been whale hunting…you understand!

We left the motel in our fun convertible…heading for the Lahaina Harbor.

While we waited at the dock to board our boat, another boat came in from an early morning fishing catch. I know that some of these are Mahimahi, the rest are just fish.

We chose to sail with the Pacific Whale Foundation. This group is dedicated to the preservation of all marine life in the Pacific.

After we boarded we listened to the safety speech, and then the captain shared quite a bit of information with us about the whales. Very interesting!

And, I was very happy to be on this boat, with the wind in my hair, and the cool breeze upon my face, and the sun on my shoulders…yes, all was right with the world. UNTIL…I saw this sign plastered on the boat…

This is what we are hunting- Mama humpback whale and her baby humpback whale.

Here is our first sighting. Can you tell that there are 3 whales here? In the middle is Mama….and in front is Baby. Behind them both is an escort whale. HE is not there to escort the Mama and Baby and keep them safe or anything like that. Nooooo–he is there for one reason and one reason only. Procreation is his game. Shame on him for coming between a Mama and her newborn, who doesn’t even know how to breathe properly yet!

Here is our second sighting…

The only thing that got shot on this hunt…other than the whales…was this shot Joy managed to take. I was telling those whales to “hang loose”. I explained to them that I had only allotted these few hours to go whale hunting. I explained to them that as much as I loved being out in their element…I had places to go, things to see, and shops to conquer! This time was just for them.

And, before long…this…THIS happened! Look at this marvelous animal! Look at how she shot toward the heavens! Absolutely unbelievable! Before we could blink an eye..she was gone. Back to her home beneath the boat. Perhaps she was playing…perhaps she was showing her baby how to breach like her. Or, perhaps she heard me when I said that if she did not show herself I would have to put up with Joy crying all the way back to Alabama! I tried with all my might to get her picture…but, all I managed to capture was the spray that was left when she went back to her mothering duties. So, this is not a picture I made. But, it looked exactly like this. EXACTLY!

We saw the Mama and Baby several more times. But, not another breach like above. We did manage to see her roll through the water…and leave us with a quick flick of her fluke! Fantastic!

At one point, the captain stopped dead in the water, and cut the motors. All was quiet. Then she dropped the microphones down into the waters. And, we heard the songs of the whales. We heard them talking to one another. It was amazing! Each family group has its own song. They can always find their families. How God cares for all His creatures!

And, our adventure in the deep blue sea ended. What fun! And, awe inspiring! Such creatures, of such strength and intelligence! I love these words from Psalms. I have used them with the kids at school in the past.

“Oh, Lord, how many are your works! In wisdom you have made them all. The Earth is full of Your possessions. There is the great and wide sea, which is teeming with creatures-too many to count; living things both great and small. There the ships sail about; there is the Leviathan which You made to play there.” Psalm 104:24-26

The Leviathan is, of course, the whale!

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Reading time: 3 min
Family, General, Travel

ALOHA FRIDAY A SONG

March 12, 2010 by tonja No Comments

A WHALING SONG

(sing to tune of G*ll*gan’s Island Theme)

Now sit right back and you’ll hear a tale,
A tale of a whaling trip.
That started from a tropic port,
Aboard a Pacific Whale Foundation Ship.

The sisters were mighty sailing mates
The skipper was female, too.
Sixty passengers set sail today,
Into the ocean blue.

We sailed first left and then sailed right
We sailed in circles, too.
They promised whales…Where were the whales?
Oh, my, what will we do?

Look there! No, here! Off to the right!
Is that a whale I see?
It IS a whale, and another whale…
And the baby makes it 3.

They played, they breached, they spouted spray,
They moved so very fast…
A flipper here, another there
And the fluke showed up at last.

The weather never did get rough,
We never did get tossed.
No one was scared…quite fearless all
Not a single person lost.

Now back to port and off the boat
And back now on dry land.
Such fun was had…the sisters say,
“LET’S DO IT ALL AGAIN!”

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Family, General, Travel

ALOHA 3-12-10 FRIDAY…part1

March 12, 2010 by tonja No Comments

Whale hunting is very hard work. I’m just saying…..

Good Night.

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Reading time: 1 min
Family, General, Travel

ALOHA 3-11-10 THURSDAY

March 11, 2010 by tonja No Comments

Today has been such a fun day! First, we hit the beach. I practiced a few cartwheels…..

Joy’s not too good at flips, so she just ran….

We built sand castles…

Got our feet wet in the water…they actually called our room this morning to tell us it was not safe to be in the water today!

And, we looked for whales! Can you imagine?

Tonight, we went to a Feast. The “Feast at Lele” is similar to a luau. There are tables next to the beach, and food is served from each of the islands that came together to form the group of people known as Polynesians. The celebration continues as each of the island groups share the dances that originated in their islands.

Oh! My! These fruity drinks are so delicious!

We enjoyed watching the sun set during the feast!

Tomorrow…taking a boat early to find those whales! Don’t have any idea what to do is we find them…just make a picture, I suppose.
——————————–

FYI: I have the best daughter-in-love in the world! She is tops! She has fixed casseroles for those poor men we left behind, and tonight, she cooked supper for all of them at my house! She’s checking on Pop since we are out of town and making sure he has what he needs! Suzanne, thank you, my dear! You’re a gift from above. I love you!

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I am a Christian woman who has survived many years on the planet. God has blessed me with a wonderful family: husband, 3 sons, a dear DIL, and a precious grandson. I also have dear friends to keep me inspired. I am an artist of sorts and am finding my way through the great blessing of retirement. I recently retired after 20 years as a music teacher. Life is good!

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