Monday, November 14, 2011

Surf and Sand

BIG Ocean.  BIG wave.  Good surfer.  Layden and I enjoyed watching him from our lanai while we ate breakfast one morning.  We live on the North Shore of Oahu, and in the winter the waves here get big and the surfers arrive.  We don't get the huge competition waves on our beach, but we have seen some good size ones, and they are supposed to get bigger. 

BIG turtle.  This lovely creature comes up on the beach sometimes in the evening and takes a nap.  We have also seen it (her?) swimming by the reef.  Though appearing a bit awkward on land, this turtle is a graceful and powerful swimmer.  This is a Hawaiian green turtle, the most commonly found turtle here in the islands.  The word for turtle in Hawaiian is honu.  Turtles have been revered since ancient times.  They are a symbol of navigation, and also of being able to find the way home, no matter how far the distance.  They also are believed to bring good luck.  Seeing a turtle is a good omen.

Here is a picture of Layden with the turtle - it really is BIG.

As the sun sets behind Ka'ena Point, I am getting ready for a new adventure - tomorrow I am having bi-lateral knee replacement.  I am a bit nervous, but it is time!  Who knows - maybe some day I will be the surfer in the picture. It is possible - I have been the recipient of many blessings, not the least of which is tremendous kindness, love and support from Layden.  And I did see a wonderful honu the last time I went for a swim...

ALOHA
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Sunday, July 26 2009

Sunday, July 26 2009
Remember this sign?
We have learned something really interesting about this "welcome sign" which we thought was a big billboard that was pasted onto an old overpass. It turns out that this is a defensive emplacement known as a rock drop. It is a big concrete box full of rubble and rocks. In the event of an invasion by North Korea the panels underneath the drop will be opened and release the rubble across the roadway, hampering movement into South Korea.

SOLAR ECLIPSE!

SOLAR ECLIPSE!
Might look like the moon - but it's the sun!
On Wednesday July 22 Asia experienced a solar eclipse and we got to see it! Miraculously the expected day of monsoon rain did not materialize and the sky was mostly clear for the duration. During the eclipse, which occured around 11:00 a.m., the sun was much too bright to view directly - we had to be satisfied with reflected images. But, as the sun began to re-appear, just enough clouds came in to allow us to look - and take a picture. It was quite something to behold and we feel lucky for the opportunity.

On A Clear Day...

On A Clear Day...
We had 2 days of church meetings in the Seoul area. Today the weather was remarkably clear and I was able to get a great view of the city skyline and the radio tower. Usually the sky is too hazy for a view like this. Pollution, rain, high humidity or dust storms are contributing factors.