After a busy year, it was time to fly to the tropics. A long flight to Honolulu was awaiting us. We landed safely around midnight. The next day we got up, had breakfast at IHOP and visited Waikiki before enjoying a Mai Tai at a beach bar. Around 5pm, it was time for us to welcome Wendy's mom at the airport. 
After the mother / daughter reunion, we came back at the hotel to drop the luggage. We had booked a good restaurant for the "get back toegther evening". Everyone was still tired from the long journey, therefore we did not stay late. The next day, we spent time visiting Waikiki with Wilma, it was a bit windy, but we were having a nice day. We also booked excursions for the week. 
We had planned on visiting Pearl Harbor, taking a tour of the island, visiting the ranch that is serving as a base to all the Holywood productions in Hawaii that offer magnificent scenary. I also enjoyed doing 3 dives over 2 mornings while the girls were shopping. We had a great week, with beautiful beaches and landscapes, some tasty cocktails by the water, and a magnificent victory for Clemson in the semifinals of the National College Championship. After ten days in Polynesia, it was finally time to head for California. We parted with Wilma in San Francisco airport prior to her Phili connection
We then met Teresa who was picking us up at the airport. We were welcomed with a delicious home made chili at their place. The next day we were supposed go hiking, but Teresa booked the parking for the wrong day... 
Too funny, probably the more organized person I know had screwed the booking up, just prove that it could happen to the best of us. We went for a beach walk instead which probably turned out better than the original plan would have. We even had the opportunity to admire a coyote from a few steps distance, how amazing. In the afternoon, we took the famous city trolley before walking along the pier and we took the opportunity to check the seals out. The next day we hicked along the ocean with a top view of the golden gate bridge and Alcaltraz. We spent great evening for new year's Eve. During the rest of the week, we went to have beers in Oakland with few chemists from Berkley, I had the chance to have a mini tennis lesson with David at the Olympic Club, we were welcomed at Wendy's former neighbors's house. Teresa organized a mega brunch. It was a great week with fantastic company in a dynamic and magnificent city which reminded me a lot of Sydney. 
Sadly it was time to fly back home, get back to the snow and colleagues. A big thank you for welcoming us to Teresa & David, as well as Bob & Gay.