Aloha also means goodbye - unfortunately!

Well, our two weeks in Hawaii is over - although I've still got flowers in my hair, and John has shells around his neck, ready to say a final "Aloha". We've really enjoyed Hawaii, partly through the tours we've done - yesterday we travelled by bus 10,000 ft up the Haleakala volcano (Mt Kosciusko is only 7,000 ft!) - but also with the things that we've done as individuals. Last week we drove around Maui, and loved it, this week we visited the superb Bishop Museum in Honolulu, and the royal palace (all 6 rooms!) in Kailua, Kona, which displayed absolutely superb furniture and artifacts. Today we went to the Maui County Fair! We enjoyed looking at rabbits, donkeys, cattle, poultry etc, wandering past the food stalls (we DID resist the deep-fried chocolate bars!!), and watching the kids enjoying the huge number of games and rides on the Midway - there were NO sample bags! - but best of all we enjoyed the entertainment of Hawaiian songs and hula, which was superb. Now we have to say "Aloha" to Hawaii, and our thoughts are already extending to the next part of our trip, although we plan to continue enjoying every last minute of our cruise, while we can.

On a sad note, we want to say "Aloha" to Frances' cousin Peter, who died suddenly after Saturday's AFL grand final - our thoughts are with his family.

Maholo (Thank you) Hawaii - you have been so generous to us.