One thing Bill keeps telling himself when he puts these vacation websites together is that he really needs some kind of picture to indicate the start of the trip.

So here you are, the American Airlines jet that took Bill from Dulles to Los Angeles, just the first leg of a very long trip on a very long day.

But Bill was in first class and they served sundaes so don't listen to him when he whines.

Surprise!  Doug and Bonnie picked up Bill at the Honolulu airport when he arrived around 10:30 pm, and sweet wonderful Bonnie hung a lei around his neck.  It was just like all those old travelogues!  OK, Bonnie wasn't wearing a grass skirt, but still...what a great way to start a Hawaiian vacation!  Thanks guys.

They were even holding a welcome sign!

There's Bill standing on his hotel balcony, high above Waikiki Beach.  Time to change out of those long pants and that long-sleeved shirt, Bill.  Put on shorts and a T.  You're on vacation.

Just look at that view.

Bill could see even more the next morning.

Such beautiful clear blue water!  Bill didn't realize it, but those dark shapes under the surface are coral, and really tough on the toes when all you want to do is splash around in the gentle surf.  Waikiki is beautiful, but it turned out not to be Bill's favorite beach.

Lots of people seem to like it, though.  Bill had heard about it all his life, and now here he is:  The Beach at Waikiki.  That's Diamond Head back there in the distance.

A Hawaiian breakfast: Eggs Benedict over Portuguese sausage.  That sausage showed up on the menu all over the islands.  Not bad, but after this Bill swore off big breakfasts on the trip.  Now where is the closest Starbuck's?