Monday at the Foster Botanic Gardens

We are all finding that the best schedule is getting going at about 9 am, returning for lunch, then relaxing all afternoon. We are also finding that there are plenty of things we haven't already done in Hawaii. This morning's adventure (with a different designated driver) took us to the Foster Botanic Gardens. It was grey and raining, which gave us an opportunity to fiddle with camera settings and see things in a misty light. It also made the gardens very fragrant... or stinky, depending on the plant in question. The cannonball tree was very stinky.

From Hawaii2010

It wasn't far out of town, in fact it is right in town. It is a gem. There was a fabuous display of bromeliads, and orchids.

From Hawaii2010

Some of the trees were exceptionally large, and some exceptionally weird. There was a terrific display of spices, including a pepper vine, vanilla vine, cinnamon, allspice and nutmeg trees, plus a herb garden.

Pepper:

From Hawaii2010

Vanilla:

From Hawaii2010

Pitcher plant:

From Hawaii2010

Foliage:

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Orchids:

From Hawaii2010

From Hawaii2010

From Hawaii2010

The orchids were spectacular.

There has just been a Hawaiian special occasion - the Lahaina Noon, where the sun is directly overhead. This was celebrated in the garden by the construction of some witty sculptures.

From Hawaii2010

From Hawaii2010

We returned for lunch, and a snooze. Michael and I then went shopping to the Ward Centers, the Marukai Market, and the Nordstrom Rack store. We failed dismally at the Ward Center. Nothing at Brookstones, nothing at the wonderful kitchen shop that has everything (alas, we now seem to have everything too). Nordstrom was great, I made some great buys. Then to the market, which is a Japanese/Hawaiian market. We got some steaks which will be BBQed on the balcony upstairs, some fruit and veg, and some much-needed chocolate.

Today is the first day, and I hope the ONLY day, that I didn't swim. Sigh.