Category Archives: Travel Journal

Our travels take us to interesting spots around the world and close to home. Join us on our journey.

Men at Work, Hong Kong Style – January 2015

Hong Kong thrives as an international financial center, a major Asian commerce hub, and a popular tourist destination. There is plenty of high-end shopping in Hong Kong. This again is the new Elements shopping center in Kowloon. But the very … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Colorful Hong Kong (January 2015)

On our first couple days in Hong Kong we rushed around to some of our favorite spots: Stanley (via the #6 bus), the Flower Market, the Bird Market, Bowen Road (for running). We arrived in Hong Kong about a month … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Aloha to Hawaii, Part 2 (January 2015)

This time Aloha means goodbye. We’re reluctant to leave. Hawaii is such a beautiful place. The people have been extremely friendly. It’s the practice of “Mahalo.” While we often hear people using this word to say thanks, it really means … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Hawaii’s climate zones – just how many are there?

The Big Island is over 4,000 square miles in area and rises from sea level to an elevation of 13,803 feet. The significance of these statistics is that Hawaii has many climates. In fact, it has 8 to 11 (depending on interpretation) of 13 recognized … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Hawaii in Bloom, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (January 2015)

The whole island of Hawaii is formed of volcanic rock. You might expect a desert wasteland. Not so. We found a lush, peaceful tropical garden just north of Hilo. Interestingly, nearly all the plants here are imported from other lands: … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The lava flow has stalled… (January 2015)

We came to Hawaii to see volcanoes. (That’s one of the reasons for the visit.) First volcano stop is Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park. You can’t get close enough to see the red hot magma inside the crater, but you can see … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a and more (January 2015)

We’ve found our favorite snorkeling spot in Hawaii, south of Kona at Honaunau Bay. Locals call it Two-Step Bay because the lava formed two easy steps for a snorkeler’s launch into the ocean along the otherwise rough shoreline. We swam among … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Edible Hawaii (January 2015)

Coming from northern states with a three-month growing season, we are impressed with the bountiful year-round harvest in Hawaii. (Actually as we write this it is 80F in Hawaii and -26F in Wisconsin, more than a 100-degree difference!) First stop, in … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Aloha to Hawaii (January 2015)

Aloha! Here’s a riddle: How could we have visited Hawaii before, but never been to Hawaii? Answer: On other trips to the state of Hawaii we visited the islands of Kauai and Oahu, but this time we are on the … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tahoe (December 2014)

We spent the whole month of December in Truckee California, near Lake Tahoe, Donner Lake, and Donner Pass. More friends and family, good food, good wine, and some skiing at Squaw and Alpine Meadows. The Oregon Trail, which we visited … Continue reading

Posted in Travel Journal | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment