What a journey! We found ourselves in blue sunny Hawaii to visit my dear uncle Abi after a 3 hour plane ride to Taiwan from Phnom Penh, an 8 hour layover in Taiwan, and another 9 hours from Taiwan to Honolulu on China airlines. The layover was’t terrible due to the airport being very pleasant with lots of food plenty of window shopping, and a fun theme for every gate. Once we finally got to Oahu, we felt relaxed and ready to attempt acclimatizing to a new time zone. My uncle found a lovely place rented by a lady with an apartment attached to her home with a little kitchenette, shower etc, and some twin beds for only $35.00 US per night. We woke up to the sounds of many bird songs and the whish of the wind. We would have gone to the beach in southern Cambodia had we left at our predetermined time. But we were ready to be home but a little sad that the adventure was ending.
When we finally got home, the world in which we had spent the last 22 years had not changed at all. We are slowly getting back into our lives but we will never forget all of the people that helped us make this incredible journey possible both in the United States and southeast Asia. Thanks to all of our tour guides and hotel staff, all of those who shared their life story with us, our dear friends in Vietnam and Japan and our friends and family in the U.S. I am sure that I am forgetting some one who inadvertently helped us.
Denise at one of the theme gates in Taiwan.
Denise kissing the ground in Hoomaluhia Park in Kaneohe, HI. Thank you Mr. Hein for the suggestion of being grateful for all that we have in our lives.
A “Blowhole” along the coast closer to our home in Kailua.
The beautiful mountains from the perspective of Hoomaluhia Park. They are too steep to climb but great to look at.
Selfie of Pete, Denise, Abi, and Dayna.
Uncle Abi with Pete.
We all went hiking and found a beautiful waterfall.
We found a beautiful botanical garden near our town of Kailua.
A wonderful beach only two blocks from our little home in Kailua.
Our home away from home thanks to uncle Abi and his efforts to find affordable housing here. Normally any accommodation is over $150.00 US per night!
Another amazing view on Oahu.
Uncle Abi, Pete, and Denise.
Old growth botanical garden in the middle of Honolulu.
Beautiful flowers abound in the botanical gardens.
Flowers grow on trees in our neighborhood.
Another view of the gardens in Honolulu.
The beauty of nature is outstanding on this island!
More flowers that were amazing in sight and smell.
An interesting tree in the botanical gardens in Honolulu.
Denise resting in the gardens.
Our love to all of our friends and family. There are always some kind of adventures to come.
