We just got back from a week on Oahu. And guess what? Santa was there! He was in his little grass hut, wearing his Aloha shirt at the Ala Moana mall

Apparently, these days the kids TEXT their Christmas lists to Santa!
And here is Santa out on the ocean near Waikiki. Did you know he arrives by canoe instead of a sleigh in Hawaii?

(Photo from Honolulu Magazine).

We stayed a couple of nights at the Hawaii Prince Hotel, which has a fabulous view of the Ala Wai yacht harbor and ocean.

See the cool pool? I couldn’t wait to get in it, but the pool wasn’t heated… I kicked myself for not asking before we went. Much too cold for this Hawaii girl to enjoy! In fact, we didn’t see a single person get in the pool the whole time we were there. We could see the pool from our room. The other great thing about this hotel is that all the rooms face the ocean, none of them face the busy road running through Waikiki, Kalakaua Avenue. The staff is friendly and the hotel seems to be well run. Not too excited about the restaurant choices there, so we ate at the Hau Tree restaurant, right on the ocean, which can’t be beat.

We have discovered that the first week of December is the time to fly interisland, stay interisland, or just about anything else. Everything is cheaper because everyone is home getting ready for the holidays and/or getting ready for their Christmas trip. But the tourists aren’t here yet (though Mike did have the drummer for the Doors on the boat the other night).

Hope you’re enjoying getting ready for the holiday season, and whether Santa paddles or flies to your house, that your home is filled with good cheer.