One of the things...

about actually going to Merrie Monarch is the smell

of all of the flowers.

Flowers as decorations, flowers in lei and especially the flowers

worn in the hair.

Retro Hilo

Hilo is a town that doesn't change much.  So I thought it would be fun

to take some pics with the "retro setting" on my phone.

Some pictures it's hard to say if it was present day or in the past...

It's all about the ...

FOOD!

Everyone who goes to Merrie Monarch goes to Ken's for a breakfast, lunch or dinner.

I'm always amazed at their menu, it's huge and you can pretty much get anything on it 24 hrs a day!

Vegi Eggs Benedict

Leup Chong omelet

or Keiki min.

The girls at Hilo Bay Cafe before we got our lunch,

what was left after we got our lunch=nothing!

No pics of Cafe Pesto.

No pics of the plate lunches that you can actually buy at the stadium...yum!

For such a small town, Hilo has some great tried and true places to eat!

Happy Boys Day

Happy Boys Day to my son and grandsons.

The carp is the symbol for Boys Day because they are smart, fast and full of energy.

Just like boys!

ipad lesson

One morning before heading out, Miss Jean and I were sitting downstairs just chatting.  Tana came

down with her iPad.  Since I'd never actually seen one up close, I wanted to really look at it.

Miss Jean and I had a quick lesson/tour on the wonderful world of iPad.

I can see why people get them.  Even Miss Jean was into it. 

Big Island Candy

No trip to Hilo would be complete without a visit to Big Island Candies.

The displays are just beautiful and so creative (thanks Lance).

You can actually watch them making the famous chocolate dipped shortbread cookied!

Big Island Candies...the perfect omiyage

Kona to Hilo

This year I flew into Kona from Honolulu and drove to Hilo.

I'm amazed at how BIG and different the Big Island is.  It's much hotter on the Kona side, all that black lava.

I had a chance to stop and visit with this sweet lady.  We figured out that we'd known each other

for about 30 years.  I just love Barbara and was sorry that Caroline was still on the mainland (next time).

Heading to Waimea, the weather changes...gets much cooler and fog!

$4.73 for gas in Waimea!!!!

Beautiful Hamakua coast leading to Hilo

Hilo town!

to be continued...