Been a long day

It's 10 pm here now in Mumbai. My day started about 4 am when I woke up wide awake in anticipation of the day. Kim's been back in the room for several hours now. They've given her antibiotics, vitamins, pain meds, tested her leg, started with physical therapy once already, and she had some broth. The dr visited briefly to say as soon as she was ready, we'd move to the other hip and that the surgery went perfectly.

A new couple from Ireland arrived today for bilateral hip resurfacing for the man. The wait there, in their National health system was about 18 months. Cost was 15,ooo lbs. Anyway, its quite a place drawing folks from all over who come here for the same reason we're here. It's been a very long but blessed day. Thanks for your emails. They're going to get her up and going tomorrow so, right now we're going to bed for what i hope will be a long night of sleep for both of us.

God bless us one and all, de & ke

Long road to here, One down!

It's been a long road to get here in every sense of the word...10,000 miles...two long flights...and that's just the trip over here. It's been so much longer for Kim who's been hurting for years without knowing why. When we found out that it was her hips...there was just no waiting...no waiting to try to find insurance...no waiting for some miracle to happen in the States...just find help...go there...and get her help...so here we are in Mumbai, India. Many of you made this possible!

I know most of you have thought...are they totally crazy?...the answer is a definite yes! But I'm convinced the Lord led us here...and the time is here...almost...today is the day for surgery. We've called all the fam...showered...dressed...Kim says I'm waiting on breakfast...taken her temp & BP...all that's left is the surgery. It's about an hour till they come to get her and we're both a little crazy...yeah, I know...I can see you nodding your head in agreement. We read some of her favorite scriptures, prayed together, watched the sun come up, and now she's listening to the STB cd. Ouch!

As I sat by her bed this am she said she could feel the hands of those who prayed over us at church Sunday a week ago. What a comfort. We've got the only God, our family, our church friends and so many others praying. Thanks is just not enough to say how much it means to know the power of God brought to bear on Kim's behalf. "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost, but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Not bad for 3 old guys and teenager!

One surgery is over. All in all from the time I left her until I saw the Dr it was about 5 hours. When I saw Dr Malhan, already out of his scrubs, he smiled and said everything went very well and he'd be up to see her later. I'm back in the room as she will be in recovery for awhile. Praise God for all He has done and for answers to many prayers. More later as if you didn't know.

Thank ya Jesus! de

Our Day is Done

We had a quiet day here in Mumbai. We stayed in the hospital room for the most part, had our own worship, and let Kim rest. The physical therapist came by to let her no what the plan would be following surgery. The gas passer, couldn't spell anestheseiologist right, to discuss what they would give her. They prefer a spinal epidural but with her back surgery they opted for the more traditional method. Long as it works.

Surgery is set for 8:30 in the morning but to be honest they don't work by the clock like we've come to expect. Sometime around there I'd expect. That's about it. Our day is done. Kim's in bed trying to sleep. I'm trying to keep up with the Texans game on the net. Not their day so far. Probably looks worse when you're really watching it. 11:40 or so here. Guess I should go to bed...not sure. Will blog as early as I know something tomorrow. From somewhere in Mumbai, India.

de

Where Two Are!

It is likely that in our comfort and repetition that we take even the most simple things for granted, especially in America, maybe more often in the church. We know bible verses so well we sometimes take their truth for granted. And given our Christian familiarity with each other, we forget just how much of a blessing it is that we meet together to pray, sing, and celebrate God's love for us.

Today, in Mumbai, I'm certain there were more Christians in the city worshipping, but the number is surely small. Given the length of our trip and that Kim's surgery is tomorrow morning, we stayed in the hospital room today just resting from the trip and trying to stay relaxed for tomorrow. We gathered for worship, just the two of us. We sang together, a duet of melody and harmony. We read scripture from the Psalms and prayed together. We ate Indian flat bread and sipped real wine (one cup today:). The elements were certainly makeshift on our part. But where two are gathered...I'll remember it for the rest of my life. We were mindful of when Jesus gathered with his disciples and ate and drank and gave thanks. We gave rich thanks too. We were mindful of all of you that we love in so many different places who will gather with those of like faith, remember, eat, and give thanks. Thanks for remembering us but more importantly, thanks for remembering Him with us, no matter where the two are.

God bless your day,
de & ke

Blog you to death!

One thing that's terribly obvious already...I'm going to be spending lots of time on the computer. We have a nice room...nice folks here...everything's going just as we had hoped and prayed and prayed and prayed. I know so many of you have been too and the Lord must be tired of hearing our name but we know its his doing. Words just can't express how much we appreciate each and every prayer, word of encouragment, card, hug, tear, gift, and so much more that you have done.

Right now its 1:35 am, Sunday morning, I think. Just got off the phone with Nene who called to tell me the OU score. Thanks but I already knew cause Big J called 20 minutes before that. That was a close one, I guess. Truth is, I was already up watching on mom's blackberry, Yahoo.com, espn.com, and finally Iowa state's gametime ended up being the best source for quick refreshing stats. Go Sooners! Haven't gotten the laptop up and running yet so skype is not available. Mom's blackberry works just like at home tho, internet, uhh...phone calls...yeah...anytime day or night...so its a real blessing to hear from you...and excellent quality.

All that said...all this time here with mom means I may be blogging you to death...got not much else to do. Can't really go anywhere or look to do much for the first week or 10 days at least.

We met yesterday with Dr Malhan, a cardiologist, physical therapist, had x-rays, ekg, sonogram on her heart, blood tests for the surgery...there must've been more...needless to say I think all that would've taken days at home and we did it all between noon and about 8 pm last night.

All tests say, we're good to go. Wish I could sleep. Leave a note. I love to hear from you. Sorry about blogging you to death. I gotta remember to tell you about the Baptist pastor who was across the hall, having had the surgery 12 days ago and was going home. More about that some other time.

love you all for reading and praying,

de

Dr Malhan By

Here's Kim new hip device.

We just got thru meeting Dr. Malhan. Truth is we've been meeting people since we arrived about noon. The floor we are on is just for International patients. The building is obviously not new but it has been refurbished with everything new and up to date. There's marble floors, flourescent light bulbs in place of the regular kind, color tv & dvd player, computer with hs internet, (i'm blogging from), mini-fridge, tea/coffee/juice, bottled water, and construction going on right outside. What else could you ask for? Wockhardt is building a brand new wing right next door, kinda like at home, and we're gonna make a contribution!

I digress, Dr Malhan came by for his first visit. Very personable we both thought. He answered all our questions plus a few more. He's ready to go ahead with the first surgery on Monday and the plan is to do the other 5-7 days later. The good news is that he feels good about resurfacing both hips. We were concerned that she might not be a candidate for the resurfacing but that's the plan. We are certainly thankful for that. He also has opted for the Durom hip instead of the Birmingham device. He explained it all to us and its complicated but he thinks its a better solution for Kim. It also has a longer record of study over the Birmingham. Hope that means its better all the way around. God is just making a way in all this. For our church family, we'll miss being with you on Sunday. We'll probably just stay in the hospital here, rest, and get ready for Monday. We're excited, relieved, and just about to meet a guy from the States that's going home today. He had one hip replaced just a few days ago. Oh, I think that's him at the door! Gotta go. Go Sooners & Ganders & Texans!

de

If you wanna see her new hip sockets go here: http://www.durom.info/ select india

Home Away from Home!

Sorry for rambling last post...blame it on jet lag I guess. What an experience our trip into Mumbai turned out to be. I think there's a reason that so many of the planes come in late at night. I think its because they may not want you to see everything there is to see. We saw plenty. The airport was crowded beyond belief. It was very much a 3rd world kind of airport. Been there done that my first few times in Romania but its still not what you've come to expect. People, people, and more, you get the idea. Then there's customs and immigration of which I know none of the customs of India. Again, being with a HC person does have its advantages. Some of the time they whisk you right thru to the front of the line, which is not very customary. We managed to come out with all three of our bags, hallelujah! My big jar of Jif peanut butter made it. Life will be good.

Getting out of the ap was bonkers, people and more...sorry. Finally we spot the guy with Kim's name written on a piece of paper. Computer printed no less, good sign. And the car had the hotel insignia on it...another good sign. Right next to the airport as we depart were the slums. There's not much middle class here in Mumbai, as I understand. We saw plenty of the underclass and their living conditions. Night made it maybe not so visible. Glad I wasn't driving. Driving was beyond bonkers...on the left...no lanes...everybody's honking and cutting in on one another...autorickshaws everywhere. As we left the airport the driver turned and handed each of us a cold bottle of aquafina water. Good stuff...except I hadn't visited the facilities since before we landed...

We arrived at the hotel compound a little after midnight. After climbing the hill where we left the masses we approached the fortress which was the Renaissance hotel Mumbai...huge gate...10 guards with automatice weapons...check the car for explosives I guess...and we pass. Up to the room...try to get online and call home which we finally were able to do...shower and sleep about 5 hours.

Another exciting trip through Mumbai traffic and now we're finally at our home away from home..l.wockhardt hospital in Mumbai. Gotta go now to finish our moving in...get some lunch...meet the entire staff of the international portion of the hospital...and hopefully a visit from someone from the US who's checking out today after having hip resurfacing. Maybe they'll be time for nap. Did I mention it was a long trip?

later. de

This Sure Ain’t Texas

Praise God, we finally arrived in Mumbai, India some 25 hours or so after leaving our hacienda on the bay. The trip to the airport was uneventful, the next 12 hours, not so uneventful. Brutal might be the better adjective probably made worse by our own anxieties about everything that we have embarked upon. We arrived at IAH a full two hours prior to our flight hoping to check in quickly and head up to the Presidents club for some refreshment and a paper. Not to be as our ticket was confirmed business class but issued economy class, all on points. Really, we were only supposed to be in business class from Paris to Mumbai but that wasn’t the case when we tried to check in. By the time we got it all worked out the way it was supposed to be and that in question the whole time because we flew Air France to Mumbai on Continental points, the check in gate was officially closed. We made our way through security, right up to the gate and boarded the plane. Whew, that was close, no OJ imitations or anything but no time to spare.

Economy was not quite full which is always exciting when you fly over the big pond. Extra seats means there’s room to spread out maybe. I asked the flight attendant who said, “not yet,” I’ll tell you. Well, he never did and as we were about to take off, several people jumped seats ahead of us and so, no extra room. There was even one lady right in front with 3 seats to herself. When we suggested to the guy sitting in our 3-seat section he might move up, he tried, and she told him no, she wanted to lay down. She did too and made use of all three seats. Kim really struggled on the first segment. It was cramped and hard for her to get up and down. We did have an aisle seat which made it some better. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity with 3 movies scattered in and two meals, we arrived in Paris. Oh yeah, with 15 minutes left on the flight, our guy finally moves up and sits on the row in front leaving the 2 of us 3 seats. It was sweet!

Good thing mom’s handicapped. I’m pretty sure there’s no way we would have made our connection. I had all worked out, schedules said we’d arrive and depart in the same terminal. Not! Because they asked mom in Houston if she needed wheelchair assistance in Paris there was a guy right there waiting for us, who took us to a special bus for HC folks and took us right from B to Terminal E. Everybody else had to find the regular busses. We had a little over 2 hours but again went direct from one to the other, through security again, and promptly boarded the next flight to Mumbai.

Business class to Mumbai. It sure was expensive in airmiles but worth every penny! If ya gotta go and can it’s the way to go. But one things for sure folks, this sure ain’t Texas. Our final meal on the Mumbai flight was leeks, eggplant, and sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. Where’s the Beef? Sorry to ramble. Its been a long day. More later.

de

God is So Good!

It's Sunday afternoon and I just dropped Kim at the airport for her trip to Denver. She's continued to work in prior to our trip. Today was a very emotional day in our worship services. At the close of the service our elders and their wives came forward to surround us and pray. The rest of the folks joined with them and us and the front of the auditorium for a beautiful time of prayer. As many as were able put their hands on us to bless and to pray for us. It was just an awesome thing. Our community of faith continue to surround us with blessings of all kinds, cards, calls, emails, and gifts to help us on our journey. This is what I imagine Christ's body to be and to do, support and love those who are hurting. And they are doing just that. Praise be to His name and to His glory! Keep us the prayers for us as the time grows closer. In the meantime I'll share a link with you that is pretty cool.

There is a really cool educational site that lets you do the hip resurfacing just like the one Kim will have. Along with that there are some pretty graphic photos of the real deal. Not for the faint of heart. Pretty cool though. Kim did the procedure twice last night to get familiar with what will happen. Thanks again for all you have done for us. We love each and every one of you.

Dave & Kim

Check this link out to learn more! http://www.edheads.org/activities/hip2/

Oh yeah, Go Sooners! Nice win over Missou!

Pardon the Interruption

Trying to keep my mind busy and began playing with Windows Movie Maker over the past 2 days. Here's a blast from the past for my family. It's from Christmas, 2001. A 12 second video of the Ellis crew at that time. As you will see I had no idea what I was doing! Enjoy!

Big Deal This Is!

Whew! I thought signing for the bayhouse was a big deal. The biggest thing we've ever signed for in our married lives. Didn't ever think we'd be doing that but it all happened so fast. There I was one Monday evening jogging down Burnet Dr along the bay, which was my first time to jog that way only because the nature center was closed for some construction.

I was nearing the end of my jog and had just stopped to walk and catch my breath when our house appeared. It appeared empty I thought. Seems like it was empty one time before, so in my current state of sweatiness and curiosity I stopped to look around. Sure enough it was empty so I knocked on the house next door to ask what they might know. She shared what she knew and I jogged home to call the realtor who showed me the house the next day. Kim was out of town for the entire week so I took some pics and emailed them to her. Long story short, it was in foreclosure and we closed on the house Friday two weeks later. It was just supposed to happen and the Lord somehow made the way.

This going to India for Kim to have one of the top surgeons in the world has happened much the same way. I know it sounds completely crazy and it is. I got the determination about costs here and our insurance on Oct 2. This morning, 8 days later, I wired $16K to the hospital bank in India. It's a big deal, the biggest. But the Lord just cleared a path like he has done for us before. Keep praying for us. The biggest part it yet to come but thankfully, my beautiful bride won't have to wait much longer for relief from her pain of the past 4-5 years. Praise the Lord.

I know it may be more blah, blah, blah than you really want but it gives me a place to share and hopefully to testify to the greatness and glory of the One who loves us like no other. Thanks for commenting.

c ya, de

Just So I Know

Not too much to update at this point but I do ask a favor. If you're reading this, just leave me a comment so I know someone is checking in. By all the emails I received back so far, I do know that many, many, many people are praying for us and we can't thank you enough for that. It's by far the most important part. However, there are some details left, not too many. As I said before, the plane tickets are done, passports & visas done, being away from home details getting there. We've got a house sitter for our dog, Frazier, very important stuff. Our good friend Paul from church will stay the whole time there.

Kim's blackberry is a worldphone. We got a simcard and the plan changed to where she'll get voice calls, data, and the net on her BB as normal. The hospital says there's hs internet in our room. We're taking the laptop and hopefully will have skype up and running to be able to use it freely and with a webcam for those who have it. If you don't have skype yet, why the heck not? It's free video phone calls between skype users anywhere in the world. Just let me know and I'll give you my skype name and well, the rest is easy.

A few more details. Here's the hospital info. http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/

Wockhardt Hospitals, MumbaiMulund Goregaon Link Road, Mumbai 400078 Tel no: +91-22-67994444 / 25664488

They list an 800 # on the international portion of their website but I'm not sure that's for patient phone calls.

Mumbai is 10 1/2 hours ahead of Houston if that helps. 12 is easier for me to calculate which is close enough. Here's the handiest one I've found to help calculate the time.
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

One little blooper this morning was when I logged in to Continental.com and checked our flights our 2nd segment from Paris to Mumbai was suddenly gone, that's right gone. I called them and was on hold for about 20 minute when the kind lady came back on and told me they got it back. Whew! It's a long walk from Paris to Mumbai. The Lord is with us!

What Are You Thinking?

India, here we come! Kim's visa pic!

The main heading is the reaction I've gotten from several close friends when they heard that Kim and I are headed to Mumbai for hip surgery. "What are you thinking?" Here's the thought process so far. Probably not in any order of priority except #1 Kim.

#1 Kim needs both hips redone, sooner than later. Unfortunately no one diagnosed a problem which is now several years advanced. She's been getting worse and worse and we can't wait, if we don't have to.

#2 Our insurance, Mega Life, if you could really call it that, is totally inadequate. This is the problem we had with her back surgery. The hospital called 3 days before that surgery to say, your insurance won't pay enough and the cash price, upfront, is $38,000. Please have that to us by Monday morning or no surgery. We begged borrowed and maxed out to get it done. Same deal this time. Hip replacement (1) here in Houston would be $42-47K, cash price. I called and got the price. She needs both. We did the math. $90K. The wait for an appointment is 1-2 months just to get in to see one of the best.

#3 With lots of research we wanted for her to have what's called "hip resurfacing." Only 1-2 surgeons here in Houston do it and they haven't done very many. The most experienced surgeons still do THR (total hip replacement) The most experienced two surgeons in the world for this procedure are in India. One, Dr Bose in Chennai, has done just over 1000. Dr Malhan, in Mumbai has done over 600. Need I say more?

#4 Maybe you could negotiate a better price here in Houston? Maybe we could but how much better? half? 2 for 1? unlikely not. The cost here is $90K. Its' going to be quite a stretch for us to manage the cost in India. $8K per hip, all inclusive for me and her. That sounds like a vacation instead of a hospital stay. That's why its called Medical tourism and its one of the fastest growing industries around.

#5 Maybe you could go to a teaching hospital? We are going to a teaching hospital. Dr Malhan has presented around the world about the work they are doing in hip resurfacing.

#6 Aren't you concerned about going to India? Yes, but we'd be concerned if we were going to the hospital on Fannin. Yeah, but Indian doctors? Truth is, about half the Drs in Baytown have Indian names, I think.

Well, that's all for now. I'll write more later. Feel free to leave comments.

And mostly, pray! de

Motivation is Everything!

Without a goal, a project, something to report right there in front of me, to be honest, I struggle, especially when when it comes to blogging blogging. I think for about a week I've had left over anethesia from a procedure I had done at the hospital. It's one of those things you're supposed to have done when your 50 so I did. They knock you out and look you up and when you wake up they tell you what they saw down there and show you pictures. Well everything came out good. One benign polyp and no cancer so praise the Lord. I still think I've got drug leftovers.

Enough of that. Back to the blog. Well, now that Kim and I have a great adventure ahead of us, it gives me something to blog about and so that you can keep up. If you didn't know, Kim and I are heading to Mumbai, India on Oct 18 for 24 days. We'll checkin to Wockhardt hospital upon arrival. Lord willing, while there, both of Kim's hips will get a surgery called "hip surfacing." Dr Malhan will do the surgery. Here's some info on him and a link to the hospital.

Dr. Kaushal C. Malhan Orthopaedic SurgeonJoint Replacement and Resurfacing/Sport SurgeryWockhardt Hospitals Ltd. Mulund Goregaon Link Road, Mumbai (formerly Bombay)

Website: http://www.wockhardthospitals.com/index_bone.html

http://www.wockhardthospitals.net/general/abt_surgeon.asp

Anyway, the Dr has done more than 600 hip resurfacing surgeries. I could only find one other surgeon who has done more and he's also india from Chennai where Continental doesn't fly. That was really the difference for us.

Well, I'd tell you more but I'm tired. Spent the day in Houston and came home with both our visas. It's set. Tickets are bought, visa's are got. Now all I got to do is find the $$$. The Lord will provide.

Keep reading and I'll keep blogging, all along the way.

de

Maybe someone will read!`

Yesterday was a really long day to end a great week!!!!!!! I travelled with the bride this week as she worked. We went first to upstate NY where we got to spend a couple days close to K & J in Cooperstown. Great weather, like fall here. Really enjoyed the time. Then on to OKC where the bride worked another couple days. While she worked I went to Duncan to see the folks and piddle around the yard at their house. Back to OKC on Friday and then got to watch OU pummel Miami, yeah! It was grandson noah's first game and very exciting but a full day. We finished the day with dinner at the Cheesecake Factory.

Tried to go to bed early Saturday. Watched the alarm clock much of Sat night to make sure I was awake. Got up at 4:40, load, drive to airport, drop off the car, long security line. Airport was nuts. 737 at 6:30 full of weary OU and Miami fans. Flew to Houston. Sent the bride home then flew on to Corpus. Made it by 9:30am. Some guy picked me up & we stopped at Whataburger for 1st something to eat since Cheesecake factory. I was tired through worship. Ate a good Pot luck lunch and the STB sung at 2. It was good. Small church only 60 people or so for the singing. Then it was back to the airport, wait 2 1/2 hrs to fly 33 min home. Arrived home at 9 pm pretty much wiped. CD is really finished. Had 100 copies of the finished product at the singing. How bout those Texans, huh? Pretty exciting. More sooner than later.

de

Finally Finished!

Fnished what you say? The South Texas Boys are hopefully finally finished recording our first CD. We had one last song, I suppose the most difficult of the 12 songs we do so we went back to the studio on Tuesday to knock it out. After almost four hours of work, we got it done. Does that mean we're completely finished? Maybe not. Chris, the studio guy will make us all a raw cd for us to listen to and if we find anything glaring or that can't be fixed on the board by Chris, then we may have to go back, but hopefully we're done. He's totally booked in the studio for the next two weeks so he can't begin the editing process for at least two weeks. Then there's the editing, then the mix down, whatever that is, and then I guess its ready for the duplication process. So all in all it should be out some time in 2008. lol

Between now and then there's the copyright stuff and art for the cover. Anybody know anything about any of that stuff? Let me know. Hopefully, "Step Into the Water" will be ready in a couple of months. All in all we spent almost 40 hours in the studio. I don't know how many more hours of studio time it will take to get it right ut we want it right. I'm pretty pumped about it. Can't wait for the next one, hopefully a cd of classic hymns or oldies. I'd personally prefer newer songs and we'll hopefully get to those but we're looking to get out a couple of cd's pretty quickly to help finance the rest. Oldies will sell well where we go and sing if you know what I mean. I'm looking to put together a list of say 15 classic/oldie favorite church songs so be thinking and if you got suggestions, let me know.

de

Back in H-town

Home! Need I say more? After getting off the ship we headed to the airport to go ahead and check our bags so we didn't have to lug them around all day. We rented a car and drove to Waikiki and around Diamond head. It was bonkers with people so we didn't stop much except for coffee. We drove on up the east coast for a beautiful drive stopping at some awesome beaches, bays, and just to look around. Then we drove back to Honolulu and stopped for the last tour of the day at Pearl Harbor. Really glad we did that. They have a 20 minute movie about the events surrounding Dec 7, 1941 and the declaration of war to follow. Then you board a boat which takes you out to the momunent on the water over the USS Arizona. Very somber knowing the history and all those who died, most of whom are still there in those ships.

Back to the aiport for an 8:45 flight to LAX, a layover and another flight to IAH. Arrived about 11:30 this am to rain, rain, and more rain. Then to the car where the bride repacked her bag to go to North Carolina. If she's as tired as I was, going on to another flight was not what you wanted to do. Say a prayer for her the next couple of days. I'll try to post some more pics in the coming days. It was a great trip, a great way to see all the islands. NCL was not the best cruise line in the world but pretty much the only game in town if you want to cruise Hawaii. But its always best to get home, back in H-town. Thanks for reading.

de

More Maui

3 new pics in previous post.

Actually most of what I wrote was Day 1 in Maui. On day two we started by taking another helicopter ride. Probably should've just cancelled because it was going to be hard to top flying right over an active volcano. Sure enough it wasn't to be topped. Enjoyed flying right into the west Maui Mts for an upclose view of places you can only go by helicopter. Then we flew all the way across the island up to Haleakala crater. Pretty cool view of the crater which is 37 square miles. Then we flew not quite above the road to Hana. The pilot ripped off about a dozen high profile celebrities who lived along the road who like their privacy. Because of that the copters are not allowed to fly over the road to Hana.

From the airport we headed down towards the Big Beach area to Kihei and Wailea. Being Memorial day weekend the traffic really picked up. Lots of people on the beach. WE followed the road all the way down to almost the very end of the island to a National reserve. It was right at the end of an incredible lava flow that made a black sand beach and some incredible snorkeling and surfing, I hear. It was too long a hike for the bride so I walked and looked on my own. Then we went back up the road just a bit where the road was right by the beach and parked there. I hiked around on the rocks and watched some large fish from up on the rocks. Very cool. Then it was back through town, a drive by the Wailea Marriott. We didn't stop but it looked nice. Back to the ship, drop off the bride, by Kmart, and drop off the rental car. One last dinner at the sit down restaurant, a brief take of "crew talent night." Some even had some. Back up to pack the bags which have to be out by midnight. Then a sit out on the balcony as we leave Maui for Oahu.

Got a pretty good nights sleep and got ready to disembark the ship. All systems go. Went up to get breakfast which was bonkers. Grabbed some and went back to the room. Went down and left the ship only to realize when I sat down on the bus, I'd left my camera bag somewhere. Terrible awful of me. Left the bride on the bus, hoping she doesn't have to get off the bus with the bags without me and ran back aboard the ship, which they're not real excited to let you do.
Frantically retraced my steps, not at the internet place where I tried to check in for our flight. Back to the room. Not there. Back to the front where we left the wheelchair we'd used to get the bride from the back to the front of the ship to save some steps. And there it was, still strapped to the back of the wheelchair where I left it. Whew!

Back off the ship where the bus was waiting for me. Unfortuately I was now sweating pretty good. Not all that great for having a whole day in Oahu, then an all night flight and get home at noon Monday.

More on our day in Oahu when we layover in LA in the morning.

de & ke

Pics

Oahu Coast

Us at Pearl Harbor

Uncovering the roasted IMU, pig

Maui Day 2

It's been a busy couple of days on the island of Maui. We started yesterday at the rental car place with a hundred other folks. After we got there I realized I'd left both wallets in the safe back on the ship. Back on the shuttle, back to the room, back to get the car. Can't rent a car without your wallet. Then we headed to the Haleakala crater and the national park. You leave sea level and head up to 10,000 feet. A couple of beautiful mt side towns, about 60 switchbacks, the park entrance, and keep going up. We had to stop and put the top up cause it got cold. Finally we both put on our jackets we'd brought. Yes, we brought jackets in case we went up one of the Mts. Time we got to the summit the wind was blowing about 40 mph and the temp couldn't have been much more than 40 degrees in the bright sunshine. Whew! Cold in Hawaii!
Took a look over the crater that's about 37 square miles. Took a fewpics while freezing and then headed back down the Mt the same way. 1 way up same way down.

Back to Kahalui, where the dock is and then over to West Maui. We drove all the way past Lahaina past Kapalua to a public beach on the other side. Not very crowded, beautiful place. Got out and enjoyed the beach for awhile. Drove back by Kapalua and checked out the golf course. Wow. No wonder the pros come and play here. Not to mention the winner gets a million bucks. Stopped at Kaapalani to check out the west Ocean Marriott resort. Got out, took a brief tour, even got a price list on the timeshare weeks. Expensive. They are building on to either side with more 2/3 bedroom rooms. Most popular, and most expensive weeks in the system. No wonder either. No we didn't buy a week. Congrats to all, or sorry kids:(

Then on the the Old Lahaina Luau. Parked there a bit early so we went across the street and got the bride a double chocolate chip frappa something at Starbucks. They got it all in Lahaina. Cooled off in the mall and then on to the Luau. Supposed to be the most authentic in all the islands. Watched a guy make poi. He said it wasn't poi, but ipuke. That's kinda what it looked like too. He said it was much better than poi. He pounded it and talked about it and added water and pounded it into almost a taffy like consistency. Then he offered all those around a sample of this purple ipuke.(sp) We both tried it. Not bad. Never tasted anything quite like it.

Then they uncovered the pig (imu) that had been cooking in this under the beach steam pit. Saw it on the discovery channel a couple of weeks ago. Watch it some time. Pretty cool. Lots of food, island juices and drinks, and island food. Ate too much. Really neat show right on the beach as the sun sets over the Pacific ocean. Our first luau. Very enjoyable.

Well, its time for dinner on our last night aboard. Much more to say. Internet time running out on the ship. More later I hope.

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