A week in paradise ... sneak preview

Where to even begin? I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to hop on down to Hawaii for some de-thawing!  If you have never been, Hawaii is one of those places that stays burned into your forever memories.  The sights, the feeling, the smell, and the sounds all seem to say welcome to paradise.  It's no secret that I love me some palm trees and so to a certain extent, it was also about getting a good palm tree fix.  We stayed in Waikiki which was a first for me.  I have to admit I was nervous about the business and commercial feel of Honolulu.  To my surprise, it was fantastic!

I took this during my first morning walk. ahhh this is the kind of view I could wake up to every day for the rest of my life!

Speaking of my nerves over the business of Waikiki ... it definitely has some perks.  At night, the streets seemed to illuminate with lit up coconut palms and such.

need I say more.

Cocos Nuciferia and Pritchardia Pacifica at the entrance of Pearl Harbor.  They were definitely the two favoured palms in most landscapes.  I began to realize, pritchardia pacifica is to hawaii as washintonia is to So Cal, and as trachycarpus fortunei is to the PNW (I know... that one is a stretch!) 

These florida royals flanked the a pathway looking out towards Pearl Harbor.  I'm not sure if the use of the Royal palm was intended in this manor, but it seemed fitting, the stately royal palm, as a testament to the grounds we were standing on.  I can't say enough about how powerful the memorials at Pearl Harbor actually are.  It is an absolute must... and pay the extra for the audio guided tour!

To me, Hawaii is just so magical.  I found a great sense of peace in strolling around the breathtaking island.

It seems like with every turn you stop, take a deep breath, and fall more and more in love the land.

On one of my morning strolls, I decided this house would do just fine if I had to settle in paradise!

And I still have not even mentioned the bougainvillea!!! Up there with palm trees, agaves, and aloes, bougainvillea holds a very special place in my heart.  In fact, upon further inspection everything in this photo is pretty much synonymous with love for me. Coconut palms, foxtail palms (lower left and corner), obviously the bougainvillea, and the plumeria near the top middle right ish!!

I have to much I could share about Hawaii, but will save some of that for later because there is a small glimmer of sunshine outside right now and I intend on capitalizing on some planting time!!!!! Mahalo!