THE COLOR AND LOCAL LINGO OF WAIKIKI on "TRAVEL TUESDAY"

Each and every morning on Oahu, I waited for the "fog" to lift, and headed off on a walk, camera in hand.  The flowers were so incredible, I made it a game to see how many different colors I could capture.  This post will be light on words, but heavy on beauty - see for yourself...

The main drag alongWaikiki Beach is lined with high end shopping ("Gucci, Gucci, Louis, Louis, Fendi, Fendi, Prada", to quote Kreayshawn, one of my daughter's favs) ~ to an International Market Place, featuring the more "touristy" shops ~ to the store where I traded in the beautiful, fashionable sandals that were rubbing holes in my feet, for a pair "SLIPPAHS" (flip-flops in mainland terms) that I never took off the entire rest of the trip (except for my walking shoes).  Admiring my cute, extremely cushioned feet, at that point, I also started noticing local lingo, carved into the stones lining the sidewalks (it's amazing how much more you see when you're comfortable - I fairly shouted "Mahalo" at the sales person, I was so happy!)

Hibiscus aplenty...sprinkled with Frangipani, Gardenia, Bougainvillea, and things unknown, all set against an incredible blue backdrop.

 A clever way to infuse some island charm into your vocabulary...

The local birds were quite the charmers - this little guy (an African Common Waxbill), and his buddies, were hanging at a beautiful little fountain reserved just for them.

Waxbills, Brazilian Red Cap Cardinals, and CHICKENS!  I'm not sure on the exact "how comes" as to why huge numbers of chickens run wild (mostly on our way to the North Shore), but we saw them everywhere, outside the city.  This one strolled out of the woods as we were stopped for a photo op.

The Bird of Paradise were beautiful, but seemed to be at the end of their growing season, if there is such a thing in paradise.

Finished...ended...PAU - just for today.  Plenty more to come - beautiful faces and fabulous places, all on Oahu.  ALOHA!  May your travels be safe and happy ones!