01. Hooray! All the main bits of my trip to Hawaii are booked (now it’s just the really fun stuff to organise – restaurants, snorkeling, diving, and some sightseeing).
02. It’s lovely to have dinner with old friends (where did the last 32 years go?) but even lovelier to get a text message after dinner from one saying that she ‘loves us all to bits’. Tell your friends you love them.
03. This week’s MIFF movies – Triangle of Sadness (hilarious and weird); Palm Trees and Powerlines (grim); 107 Mothers (heartbreaking).
04. New puzzles with a German theme – this and this.
05. For a sport that requires few accessories, I have an insane amount of swimming gear. This zip-up Turkish towel is the best, and new bathers (because: Hawaii).
06. Watched: The Dry (SBS) – perfect combo of happy and sad; and watching S3 of My Brilliant Friend.
07. Australia’s Favourite Tree finals (alas, my picks in the first round of voting didn’t make it – the Huon Pine and Old Man Banksia). Have gone for the faithful River Red Gum in the final.
08. On the topic of trees, the bark of what I think is a Spotted Gum (spotted on a walk by the Yarra). Isn’t it beautiful?
It’s years since I went to Hawaii – it was part of our honeymoon. My husband had long hair then so frequently got stopped and asked if he wanted to buy drugs. Answer was of course NO
Do you have any suggestions for places to stay in Hawaii? I’m looking to book a trip, and there are so many options!!
I’ve stayed in Waikiki, on the Big Island and on Maui and did it differently in each place. Waikiki is straightforward – hotels, pick your budget and get a view if you can! On the Big Island we stayed in a house (found through Stayz/ Air B’n’B) but we were spending eight nights there, so wanted to be able to have some space. In Maui, it’s all condos, and who owns/ manages them can be a bit confusing. I suggest looking on Air B’n’B or Stayz AND if you find a resort that looks good, then search it directly. The price and booking conditions vary wildly between platforms.
Where are you going in Hawaii?
That’s super helpful, thanks Kate! We’re planning on going to Maui + Kauai and spending about 10 days there total in Feb. Would love to hear any more Hawaii tips you have!
Hawaii sounds and looks lovely!
Where are you watching S3 of My Brilliant Friend? I have been looking for it!
It’s on SBS!
I found it! Currently in episode 2. I’d searched a while ago and it hadn’t come up and I’ve seen nothing online. I watched season 1 and 2 on Binge, but they mustn’t have bought it this time.