 |
| Tourist, armed with a ukulele, approaches seal |
Greetings again to our millions of readers (OK, we haven't done a
completely accurate census in a while). We are alive and quite well here in the southwest corner of Oahu, pandemic-ing at the beautiful and still quite empty Ko Olina resort and marina. Stunningly beautiful, meticulously maintained, and surely soon to go bankrupt if tourism doesn't return soon.
 |
| My own seal....about 300 lbs |
 |
| They just lie there sleeping for up to 12 hours ! |
We've taken the boat out of the marina several times to explore the nearby roadsteads and beaches of Oahu. We even rented a car and circumnavigated the island. A lot of unemployed folks at the beaches (35% unemployment rate by some estimates) and a lot of closed businesses.............but absolutely world class food trucks............fate always smiles on the L'ORIENTals !!!! We will explore Kauai next week in our first inter-island jaunt. Should be amazing.
 |
| Pandemic adaptation- food trucks in Hawaii |
 |
| Fish envy- local guy caught this off Oahu |
The adage that cruising is about saying "hello" and "good-bye" has never been more true that now. Our harmonious marina posse of cool, west coast yachties is breaking up somewhat; a group of them has decided to summer in Alaska.........one boat even sailing to the Aleutian Islands as we speak. While we were recruited to this regatta, our eyes are still pointed south. Our French Polynesian Green Cards are now final so it seems a return voyage there late this year is probable.................who would have thought that we'd cross the equator 3 times in one calendar year.
 |
| We are heading toward 0% tourism and 100% unemployment |
What's unique about sailing relationships is this; you have a lot in common (you live on a boat for starters), you generally have very little time (the relationship clock is ticking), and everyone is fairly interesting. The recap with Kirstin after a happy hour would curl your hair........
"Wait, Jerry has been married 6 times ? I thought he had the 2 schizophrenic daughters"
"Can you believe Ralph worked as lion tamer ? I guess someone has to do it."
"Karen needs to stop flirting with Joe in front of her husband.......that's not going to end well.”
 |
| Dock party...cleverly disguised as a safety meeting to get around the regs |
Anyway, there's a certain reckless abandon that cruising couples approach relationships with because of the knowledge that they probably won't ever see you again. However, with great reliability, you end up seeing the cruisers you least want to see somewhere else.
 |
Carl makes a mean quarantini
|
"Hey Kirstin, remember the creeper that was checking you out in your bikini with binoculars while you hung the laundry in Grenada in 2015 ? He's two boats over."
 |
| Sights from our walks |
We've developed a very happy routine here. Our five mile morning walk was reduced to 4.8 miles due to the pack of 8 stray dogs affiliated with a homeless lady who lives near the beach we use as our turnaround point. Then some boat projects, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and Netflix. Hawaii's rich tourist attractions remain largely closed..........likewise the restaurants. But before we cry in our cornflakes we remember that family members in New York, Florida, and elsewhere have it far rougher than we do. Hopefully things get back to normal soon, but a living in exile in Hawaii isn't that bad.
 |
| Another nearly empty state park |
