Greetings fellow fodorites, I finally got my photos scanned in and onto my web site.
http://www.luvtotravel.homestead.com/home.html (click on Photographs)

I plan to update my restaurant section real soon (hotel information already done) as well as my journal from our October trip to Hawaii and Kauai.

Thanks!

Monica

Happy Holidays!!

I will probably never go to Hawaii, but then, maybe I will after seeing Monica's photos and/or trip reports.

I don't know why so many of you have to crap on other contributors efforts. Monica has at least CONTRIBUTED something to this board, which I guess sort of places her in a minority these days.

Thank you, Monica, for the announcement. There was a thread the other day why more readers do not follow up with trip reports, and one of the reasons given was that others feel a imbecilic need to add negative comments.

Monica

I love your travel website. Great photos all around. Hawaii looks incredible! What's all the arguing about?

I don't get it either, Monica's photos are beautiful. Isn't this board supposed to be for people who like to travel? There are an awful ot of Grinches around here lately. Monica, ignore the jerks and thanks for posting the link to your site, the pics are really nice.

So, "Get Real", point me to some of your more intelligent gems posted within these walls.

I praise Monica because she has contributed, I denigrate Egad and xxx and the originator of "Who has not been" because they add nothing of value to this board. Search my name, and you will find contributions from me. and yours are ??

Monica, please repost. I apologize and should have just ignored the other comments. Thank you for your contributions, and please don't get discouraged.

Monica, that was really nice of you to post. You've got kahoonas considering this bunch.

Thank you everyone for your nice comments about my photos. I just finished adding my restaurant section, so I'm ready to get off this computer for a while.

It seems based on some comments here some negative comments were deleted.

To duh and those others who say they have no interest in Hawaii - try it, you'll love it! Just just make sure you hit the more quiet, beautiful areas of the islands. Kauai was fabulous! We splurged on a helicopter tour and it was worth every penny.

I grew up on Oahu (1971 - 1979) and returned there in 1988. It had grown then and has grown since. This was our first trip to Kauai and I hope to return there in a few years. It was quite different than the busy downtown/Waikiki area of Oahu. But Hawaii has so much diversity and so much to offer. One great thing about Hawaii is the Aloha spirit. We didn't encounter any rude person. Everyone had such a relaxing attitude that we stopped looking at our watches.

Anyway, I will continue to post on fodors as I have done so since 1996 (normally on the Europe forum and now recently on the Asia forum to do research for my 2003 China trip!).

Thanks so much, Monica. Great photos. I know that your post was directed at the many of us who value and appreciate the info, not the few bored jerks whose posts have been thankfully erased.

Looking forward to further reports.

We are currently planning our March 2003 trip to Kauai so your information was very timely. Like you, we are staying at the Kiahuna Plantation Condos... any special hints? Let me (and others) know when your journal is available. I've already checked your restaurant information. Thanks for taking the time to share your information with us.

Monica,

Nice site. Lots of useful info. Since you mention that you don't like to spent too much on your accomodations, you might consider the Cook Islands (Rarotonga, Aitutaki, etc) for your next trip to a tropical location. You get a great exchange rate since they use New Zealand dollars (about 45 cents US). The Cooks are rather like Hawaii was 50 years ago (no high-rises, no traffic lights - yet still clean and modern). In short absolutely terrific!

Take a look at these if you are at all interested:

http://community.webshots.com/user/lordbalfor

Keep traveling,

Ken

Loved the pictures, Monica! It's funny - I was just in Provence and am about to leave for Kauai. I feel like every time I'm about to take a trip I'm directed to your website! Too funny. Thanks again for the photos!

Thanks Ken for your web site. Your photos are fabulous!!! I'll have to keep those wonderful islands in mind for a future tropical trip.

evelyntrav, no special tips except to make reservations as soon as you can for the Beach House restaurant. The restaurant faces west so many people book for an early dinner to watch the sunset while having drinks or dinner. A couple of times, we'd take our bottle of wine and walk to the beach from our condo to enjoy nature's spectacular show. The Kiahuna plantation is lovely! What building will you be staying in?

Holly, have a great time on Kauai.

Monica,

We are staying in Bldg 19 which is not particularly close to the ocean, but not near the construction either. It was the only one we could find at KP and we did want to stay there. For Maui, we have booked an ocean front room so it will work out just fine.

Our kids gave us a gift certificate for the Beach House so as soon as I can figure out which evening we want to go I will make the reservations. Thank you for the suggestion.

Monica, great photos! Where's the fodorites one?

Thanks for the photos Monica. I haven't been since my honeymoon (more years ago than I would like to think about), and you brought back a lot of good memories. I think you will love China. We went in the month of May as well. It is still the most fascinating place I have visited. I really envy your upcoming river cruise - that is something I would love to do, and time is running out.

Melissa, the photo is in my "fodorites corner" page. I think I sent you the link before, but check that section.

Dan, I am looking forward to visiting China! I bought a new camera (Nikon N80) with a 28-300 lense. Been practicing and so far, so good. So many functions that my Canon AE-1 doesn't have. How as the temp. in May? I know that once I get to Bangkok, it will be very hot and humid. Been told to bring light cotton clothing.

Monica,

We went to Beijing, Guangzhou, Suzhou, Shanghai, and Hong Kong (just before the change of gov't). We went in late May. It was hot everywhere, but the humidity definitely picked up in the south. In general, the outdoor temps were not overbearing though. At least you won't have my situation. I was there as part of a business school class, so I had to tour in a suit (sans the coat) part of the time. I expect it will be a lot drier up north too.

The camera sounds like a good one. I think you will like it. I have a feeling you will shoot more in China than ever before. It is so different from home that you will really get into photographing the people more than when you go to Europe, so take lots of film.

Hi Monica!! Great pics!! My husband and I took our honeymoon to Oahu just this past September and loved every minute of it. I noticed in your pics that you have some shots of the Hale Koa. Did you stay there? I am interested in what you thought of the hotel. That is where hubby and I stayed and I thought for the money it was the best choice. Well just curious on your opinions!

Kim

Dan, I plan on taking EXTRA film on this trip, esp since it's for 3 weeks rather than my normal 2 week trip. I can alreay imagine the scenery and sights to shoot.

Kim, yes, we did stay at the Hale Koa and enjoyed it very much! Great price for what we got with very good service and great facilities. It was nice having the PX to purchase wine or beach mats and to have our film developed at an inexpensive price. And running into other military friends was neat.