Taking Off

Heading to Plano.

Sea Side

Fern

Creepy..

When you embrace photography, you start looking at things differently. And then you talk to fellow photographers who are interested in different things. I personally like beach shots and flower shots. But my friend Carol likes to take all kinds of different but fabulous photos.

When I first went on a trip armed with my new camera, she told me, "Make sure you take photos of mannequins." And so I did. Never before I cared for mannequins. But now? I look and take photos. They are fascinating! They have such a personality. And they tell a story.

Like this headless, armless, legless lady wearing a gorgeous red dress. Waiting for someone? Standing by a red door with blue steps. And yet the sign says closed.

Strange and creepy.

The View...

A bird enjoying the spectacular view in Maui.

Not sure what this bird is. I am sure that Nicole will tell me:)

What is interesting about Maui is that birds are very scarce. Hawaii is a very remote island and when man discovered it, they brought all the germs with them. Some of the species were completely wiped out.

Here is one that remains. Enjoying the view at the Four Seasons on Waelia.

Motionless

My entry for photo Friday.

In keeping up with my tradition of posting  mannequin photos from different places, here is one from Maui.

Happy Friday everyone!

Maui Trip Report

Having never been to any of the islands in Hawaii, all I can say is that Maui is like paradise. I correct myself. It *is* paradise.

Everywhere you look, you are surrounded with natural wonders. Mother earth has certainly lavished its gifts to Maui. Exotic beaches, waterfalls galore, flowers.... I could go on and on.

One thing about Maui is that is something to do for everyone. Another thing is realize the fact that it is virtually impossible to do everything in a week. Or even two. There are things you will just have to do the next time you go there. And if at all possible, you will go back there.

Every single day, I would have an experience that was mind blowing. And I would think, nothing can beat this. And every single day, I was proven wrong. Every single moment in Maui is precious. So plan your trip ahead of time. Research ahead of time. I used the following book as a guide and I highly recommend it. There is nothing better available than Maui Revealed.

Unlike most beach resorts I have been to where the beach is just an endless strip, there are many, many beaches in Maui. And all of them have different personalities. There is a beach for every different activity. At this beach, you can swim, snorkel, or simply float away...

Just looking at the Maui photos makes me feel relaxed like jello. Over the next week or so, I plan on posting some of the photos of Maui. I hope that they help you relax and enjoy the beauty that is Maui.

Wood Art

One of the great thing about Hawaii is that everyone has a lot of respect and love for mother nature. I went to a restaurant and was awestruck when I saw these benches. The owner explained that they were made by a local artist who gets fallen trees and makes art out of them.

How gorgeous!

My immediate thought was, Mythos does this! He needs to make one for me. And for BG. We want!

Look at the details on the second bench. I guess he took out the knots?

And check out this trash can! One piece made from a tree trunk. How cool is that?

So... what do you think? Like the pieces?

Back Home!

And I am back. Hawaii was simply fantastic. It is a true paradise on earth. Everywhere you turn around, there is beauty and more beauty. Stunning!

This week I plan on posting photos from my trip. Since I took over a thousand photos, that is going to take some time. This weekend, I'll post recaps of my trip.

Everyone asks me, "What was the highlight of the trip?" And the real answer is every single thing I did. Everyday I would do something and think, it will never get better than this. And every day I was proven wrong. Much to my surprise and delight.

But I was ready to come back home. I missed my boys and my bloggy friends. I had no internet access on my computer. Little on my iphone since I left it behind when we were going to certain beaches.

Hope all is well with you! I plan on catching up with my regular blogs! I missed you!

Taking off!

The day has finally arrived! I am off to Hawaii! Yeah!

Today I am going to get on an aeroplane and spend most time in the plane or at airports. Hawaii is really in the middle of nowhere. I am flying from Austin to LA and then to Maui. It will be 7:20 pm by the time I get there. If all goes well. By the time we get a car and check into hotel, it will be late late! But who cares?

Yesterday I had a conversation with my hubby that went like this:

Me: Is there enough layover time in LA for me to change clothes?

Hubby: Why do you need to change clothes in LA?

ME: I want a wardrobe change in LA. 

Hubby: Why?

Me: Why? Because we are flying into LA first. I have to wear slightly formal clothes on that flight. But the flight from LA to Maui? I want to wear beach clothes!

Hubby: Why?

Me: I am not going to arrive in Maui wearing formal clothes. I want to arrive in Maui with style. Sun dress!!!

Hubby: Umm..

Me: Beyonce does it all the time. I think. And like Beyonce I will have a wardrobe change whenever I want to. After all, it is my vacation!

Hubby: OK. But I am not changing.

Me: That's fine. I just want to be Beyonce for a day.

So there you have it. I am going to Hawaii and be Beyonce for a day.

What are your plans this weekend?

Count Down to Hawaii!

One way or another, I am off to Hawaii tomorrow. Yeah!

Tomorrow morning I fly to Maui. I've been frantically packing, running errands, etc. It has been a frantic, frantic month for me. Work wise things are crazy. Home wise things are crazy. But overall it will be OK. Every time a new crisis hits me, I hug my Maui travel book. Everything is OK if you are going to Hawaii soon.

So to my faithful thousands 5 of blog readers, I want you to participate in my fun. Starting tomorrow, I will be posting photos from my ipod. The quality of photos won't be great but I want to share this adventure with you. Thank you all for visiting and commenting. Without you, I am nothing. 

I will have limited access to internet but my ipod will prevail. Hopefully.

I fly tomorrow morning and reach Maui at night time. But I will post my progress via iphone. Watch this space and share my adventures!

Maui Book

So this year, for a vacation, I am going to Hawaii. In particular Maui. How fun is that?

I would never have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would go to Hawaii. And that too Maui. My choice would have been a different island but what the heck. The extended family is going there and so I there I go. And no arm was twisted in the process.

One of the first thing I did when I found out about this trip was to buy this book. And I had no idea what a fantastic deal I had. The book costs about 10-15 dollars and it is the best book you can buy.

Anyone else been to Maui? Any tips for me?