Well the retreat is over. What an amazing experience. So blessed to have been able to come and meet the amazing women that were there and Karen Drucker. It had highs and struggles, but overall I am coming home a lot stronger and insightful. The retreat finished on Sunday morning at 9.30am, I had to have the car back by 11.30 so straight off to the airport I scuttled, thanks to the combined effort of Gerry GPS and myself , found the way and made it in good time. Checked the car in and wandered over to the shuttle bus stand and stood amongst the chickens to await the bus. There are bantam chooks all over Hawaii that just roam free, they are just about in pest proportions, even around the airport! 35 min flight and ... read more

Dinner at Fleetwood's was great last night. A rooftop restaurant only open 2 years. Mick Fleetwood lives on Hawaii now. Was sitting at the bar having a drink and in comes a bagpiper! There are 2 pipe bands in Hawaii, who would have thought? Anyway she was there to pipe in the evening or something, but it was cool. Next came in a Hawaiian who did a traditional welcome to the evening and told a bit of a story, all very interesting and a fun thing to see. While having dinner (local fish with lobster and yummy sauce) a guy got up with his guitar and sang requests of 60's and 70's songs, all in all a really lovely place and great atmosphere. This morning headed back over to Kahului to meet up with Marilyn from ... read more

As I write this it is 4.20pm Sunday (10.30 am Monday in Perth) Just got home from a day out and about. Massive thunder and lightning storm last night for 3 hours and heavy rain, pretty spectacular but got in the way of much sleep. Who needs sleep...this is a holiday! Heard on the radio today that the Big Island broke the record with 4.5 INCHES yesterday until 4.30 pm, and that's not with lasts nights rain. Tropical storm Ana is on her way out. There have been glimpse's of blue sky today and visibility much better, but not sun yet, which is fine, keeps it cooler. Leisurely wake up, breaky on the porch, fresh fruit and yogurt (the pineapple is unbelievable!!!!!!!!). Went to Mass at 11.30. I love going to church in other places. It ... read more

Only 2 sleeps and I'm on my way for my "out of my comfort zone" adventure. I leave Saturday morning and fly to Brisbane, change planes to Hawaiian Airlines then off to Honolulu then another change to Maui. On arrival I pick up my car and GPS and take to the roads trying to remember to travel on the wrong side of the road (well, our wrong side, their right side!) Heaven help us all! Though when in doubt I'll just bring out the Aussie accent and hope for the best. I am heading to the Old Lahaina House B & B and the Riviera Room for 4 nights. Have booked myself in for a few things to keep me busy, then off to the Karen Drucker retreat on Wednesday. Stay tuned for the adventure, and ... read more

Thursday 10th October Rise and shine and off to our Street Food cooking class. Turned out the 3rd person who had enrolled didn't turn up so it was just Mark and I and Ling again who was going to be our teacher. The class starts with a market tour, which we said we definitely wanted to do again. Ling showed us a few different things today and seeing as we were keen to try things yesterday he decided as we went around to cook us a couple of different delicacies today. He wanted us to try silk worms, as well he bought some sweet potato leaves and stems and some medicinal herbs that his grandparents used to make a cooling juice from. My camera battery died while at the markets so the rest of the photos ... read more