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Please note: All photographs and or
written materials remain the property of Sheree Zielke and may NOT be copied in
whole or in part without the expressed written consent of the photographer.
Wrist Candy
Designer Bracelets by Sheree
coming soon! Sheree designs comfortable beautiful bracelets using
re-purposed vintage beads and new Swarovski crystals.
Sheree is also a re-seller of popular Swarovski beads and hot-fix crystals.
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Russian Pottery
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Check out my eBay
store.
Sheree's Treasures Trading Hands.
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Vintage Barbie
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store.
Sheree's Treasures Trading Hands.
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Disney Collectibles
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Check out my eBay
store.
Sheree's Treasures Trading Hands.
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Hawaiian Treasures
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Sheree's Treasures Trading Hands.
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Vintage Toys & Dolls
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Check out my eBay
store.
Sheree's Treasures Trading Hands.
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Fine China
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Would you like to learn to use Photoshop in a fast, friendly and fun
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| We don't
sit still for long...and fall prey to the travel bug repeatedly. |
Christmas in New York? |
Click the
box to the left to find out where we spent Christmas 2006! |
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Hawaii (Maui & Oahu 2007) |
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January 18, 2007
Time for a little sunshine and tanning.
And of course, humpback whale watching off Maui.
Having studied whales, I am always eager to see the giants...and their
babies.
We caught this "little" one playing alongside Momma last year off Oahu.
We aren't traveling with grandchildren but if we were...there is so much
for them to do from snorkeling to train rides to mini golf to just playing
in the sand.
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January 19, 2007
Friday.
Flew all day today.
Arrived in Maui just before 6 PM and drove for nearly an hour to our condo
on West Maui.
Well worth the wait. Right on the ocean with a spectacular view,
snorkel ladder right near by, whales in the distance. Gorgeous!
(Sunset view of Molokai from our back door.)
Woke up in the middle of the night and couldn't figure out what the noise
was. A noisy fan. An appliance left running. Heck no, it
was the ocean!
This surfer was just out our back door, too!
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January
20, 2007
Saturday.
2nd day on Maui.
Decided to get in our first whale watch on a sunset cruise.
We were treated to some spectacular shows including full breaches by the
giants.
The sun was just about to set when this fellow leapt into the air.
Yahoo, my camera was on the ready.
********
Yep, that's me on whale "wait" boat...that's what we do on those whale
watches. But it sure pays off in whale high season off Maui.
(Photo by David Thiel.)
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
January
21, 2007
Sunday.
Decided to take a guided trip up the Road to Hana. Bad
idea. At least for us.
We have already driven the road before but thought I guided tour may show us
places we couldn't find for ourselves. Not so.
Hated the tour. Too tame, too contrived, and the van was freezing.
But got a couple of nice shots.
Here's a fanciful view from the road.
Here's my husband, David, tempting the force of nature
as he photographs wild waves on this rocky shore near the Black Sands Beach.
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January
22, 2007
Monday.
Our first snorkel adventure today: "Maui Magic."
We boarded a catamaran about 7 AM, piloted by Captain Charlene (showing
here) and ...
... a crew of 3 men.
Very pleasant experience, worth every penny.
Great service, great instruction, and great snorkeling.
And lots of whales, too.
You've heard of Snorkel Bob, well here's Snorkel Dave.
Here's one of Dave's shots of a Green Sea Turtle surfacing just near our
boat.
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January
23, 2007
Tuesday.
We are off on another snorkel
adventure today, this time to track down the wild dolphins off the island of
Lanai.
Well, that's what we were supposed to do, but a booking agent messed up our
booking and there was no room for us on the boat. Fine, we know the
Lord provides.
So, we went down to the pier and looked around for another ride. Found
a Whale Watch Safari (brand new boat) and booked that.
What a ride!!!!
Best whale watch ever.
We came across lots of whales (locals call it "whale
soup"). One whale gave us such a tail-slapping show.
Saw several breaches, too. The massive adult styles.
Breach shots are very difficult to get because there is no warning that a
whale is going to torpedo itself out of the water. By the time you get
the camera back up to your eye, all that's left is the spray of water after the mighty beast crashes back down.
However, I had my camera up and was scanning so I was ready and able to get
this shot.
I am absolutely in love with whales. Next year, we will come in high
whale season which is last week of February into the first week in March.
Weather was fabulous and water was as smooth as black onyx. |
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
January
24, 2007
Wednesday.
We are going to do that wretched thing called going to a timeshare
presentation. It will save us $100 off the cost of some of the tours
we purchased. We will grit our teeth and bear it. And then head
off to either do a driving tour to a winery or go snorkeling...or both.
(Later) Well, as timeshare presentations go, this one wasn't half bad.
The Wyndham agent was pleasant and didn't waste our time with info we didn't
need or want.
Didn't get to wine country today, so we'll do that tomorrow (our last day
here). But we hit a couple of great snorkeling sites near Wailea.
(Snorkel Sheree.
Now isn't that attractive? Photo by David Thiel.)
This is a wonderful out-of-the-way snorkel spot. But an eel scared the
heck out of me. I was happily snorkeling away, turned a corner and
there's this 50-ton 8-foot eel with a gaping mouth just staring at me.
Well, okay, maybe he was only about 18 inches long, but he sure acted like a
giant. I gave him his space real quick.
On the way home, we did a little sunset whale spotting
between Maalena and Lahaina.
Here's lone whale hunter, David. |
January
25, 2007
Thursday.
Last full day on Maui. We'll start with a whale watch...or two.
(Later) Splendid whale watch...liked the first so much we turned around and
got on board another boat.
Saw a competition pod with about 4 or 5 male whales and 1 female whale.
(Rolling and pectoral fin slapping. The white underside of the fin glows a
neon turquoise color underwater when the whale rolls over.)
They were really
active with pectoral fins waving, tail flukes slapping, and giant bodies
rolling around as the males tried to best one another.
(Pectoral fins of two different whales. Male whales slap at each other
in their efforts to win the chance to mate with the female.)
(This is an adult humpback whale's head in an action called, "spy-hopping."
Scientists speculate that he is just taking a good look around.)
Then went snorkeling near Mile Marker #14. The water is as tepid as
bath water.
Made it home with enough time to see a big green sea turtle lounging in the
water just near our condo's snorkel ladder. I was tempted to go in,
but it was getting dark.
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January
26, 2007
Friday.
Last day on Maui.
We fly out at Noon. So, that allows us a leisurely time to get ready
and enjoy the hour drive to the airport.
Thought I'd get in some snorkeling out our back door but packing took
priority.
(Later) Arrived promptly in the Honolulu airport after only 20 minutes
in the air.
Nowadays, it's the waiting time, the security time, the check-in time that
takes so much time.
All was going smoothly until we got into a cab and met one of the worst cab
drivers ever! We could barely understand his broken English and he was
certain we had given him a wrong address. But we hadn't and after much
to-do on his part, we finally got to our Fairfield/Wyndham condo on Waikiki Beach - small but
pristine and practical.
Local craftspeople can be seen along Kalakaua Avenue,
which is the main street that runs parallel to Waikiki Beach.
There is so much to do and see even if all one can do is visit Waikiki
Beach. If anyone tells me they didn't have a good time here, then I'd
say their pleasure meter is busted.
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
January
27, 2007
Saturday. Our 2nd day on Oahu. A gorgeous
day and we spent nearly all of it on the beach. The water was cooler
than the water off Maui, but pleasant nonetheless.
(View towards the famous pink Royal Hawaiian Hotel.)
Tip: Go to an ABC store. (Trolley drivers say that stands for "all
blocks covered" because the outlets are found on almost every corner of
Waikiki). Buy an air mattress for $2.99. Pay an extra 60 cents
and they will blow it up for you.
It is the perfect tool for sunbathing and lazing on the ocean.
Tip #2: If you are staying near the new "Beach Walk" area (which is
actually quite nice although it is still unfinished) go to the ABC store in
the Imperial. It is the 2nd largest ABC store on the island and it has
much more than just souvenirs. You can get most of your groceries here
and save yourself a trip to the Food Pantry on Kuhio Avenue.
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January
28, 2007
Sunday. 3rd day on Oahu.
Pouring rain this AM but who cares...it's Hawaiian rain, "kisses" the locals
call it.
Sun was bright by 8:45 anyway. Time for the beach.
(This is a public walkway to the beaches on Waikiki.
The big hotels anchoring the shoreline frown upon tourists accessing the
beaches through their properties.)
What a splendid day on the beach. Hot sun, cool water, and
great waves.
Later we hopped on the Pink Line Trolley ($2 per person each way) and went
to the Ala Moana Shopping Centre.
Hungry? We found the best cheeseburgers. Double patties loaded
with yummy fixings...and only $4 each.
It's called the Cheeseburger Factory. Right in the Food Court.
Not to be missed.
Would have taken a picture, but we were too hungry.
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January
29, 2007
Monday. Yeah, we still have four days to go.
Our tans are dark but we are sun people and just can't get enough of that
glorious sunshine.
Palm trees are really blowing around today. There's sunshine, but also
lots of clouds. It was pouring this morning. But we are still
heading to the beach.
Yikes, what a decision that was. The blowing sand was bombarding my
flesh like tiny daggers. It really hurt.
(This stalwart couple from Edmonton brave the stinging sands and wild
winds.)
Here are some brand new surfers who are going to brave the waves and the
winds.
Will take in another timeshare sales presentation today...this time with the
Hilton. Who knows?
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
January
30, 2007
A bit stormy today so we'll use our bus pass and go to
the Ala Moana Shopping Centre to do some shopping and get another
cheeseburger.
If you time it right (lunch hour), you can catch a free show at Center Stage
performed by the Polynesian Cultural Centre.
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January
31, 2007
Today we will use our practical and handy 4-day bus
pass to tour the North Shore. We catch the #52 Circle Island bus at
the Ala Moana Shopping Centre transfer point.
It takes about an hour to actually get out of Honolulu and into the
wilds of Hawaii...the fields of sugar cane, the white sandy beaches and the
wild surf.
Winds are very high so cautions are everywhere about getting too intimate
with the ocean.
(The man standing at the end of this point is being very foolish.
There is no predicting sneaker waves that in an instant can sweep a person
out to sea.)
Since it is wintertime, the North Shore waves are wild and dangerous.
Great caution must be maintained. Places I once snorkeled (like
Shark's Cove below) are now whirling with the white froth of powerful waves.
On a North Shore tour, one simply MUST budget $12 for a plate of Giovanni's
shrimp in butter and garlic. Simple and delectable. You'll find
the truck just as you enter the quaint little village of Haleiwa.
And join thousands upon thousands of others and sign the famous truck.
Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to do the
North Shore. It takes about 2 hours (without hopping off and on) to
get up to the North Shore and another 2 to get back to the city.
More if traffic is heavy.
Pack your swimming or sunning gear and a picnic lunch. You'll have one
of the best days of your life.
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February 1, 2007
The heavy winds seem to have passed but it's still a
bit rainy. Not rainy enough though to keep us away from the beach.
We spent nearly the entire day basking in the sunshine...and playing in the
surf.
Tip: Make sure you buy one of those cheap air mattresses; they are
great toys on the ocean and make terrific beach mats.
And don't leave without having at least one shave ice. My favorite is
a tropical mix of passion fruit, coconut, and mango.
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February 2, 2007
So sad...it's time to move along and head back home.
Plane leaves this afternoon but with all the rigmarole at the airport, we'll
spend most of the day there. Weather is glorious today...typical
Hawaiian sunshine and light winds.
Took a limo to the airport...same price as a regular cab...and much more
comfortable.
Since check-out time at our condo was 10 AM, we'll be waiting for about 3
hours at the airport.
But if one must spend time at an airport, then let it be the Honolulu
airport. It's open air and it sports a wonderful garden lounge accessible by
travelers who have already passed through security.
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Place to Stay in Oahu???
Need a comfortable affordable place to stay near Waikiki Beach???
(Sunrise view from Clare's condo.)
Try my friend, Clare Kingsley's place. She rents out her condo unit in
the Royal
Le'ahi Vacation Condominiums. Her lovely
2-bedroom space is a short leisurely walk from Waikiki Beach.
Clare goes the extra mile to make sure her guests are comfortable, including
a short walking tour to orient guests to the area.
To view Clare's condo, access it at this web site. Be sure to read her
glowing guest comments.
www.vrbo.com/8587Tell her that Sheree
sent you.
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HOME
We are home safe and sound. Arrived home at 3 AM, tired but with the
knowledge that we had a fabulous holiday.
Please write to me if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer
them.
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Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
Photos by Sheree Zielke |
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