Cats, "Dog" and other Fauna

Following an uneventful transfer back to Oahu, we've been travelling the island on the local buses. Much of the time this is much like public transport back home, the same mix of young people, OAP's and some slightly off beat (and given the climate - usually smelly) eccentrics. The one thing that does take getting used to is the tendancy for random conversations to crop up:

"You tourists?" - as a seasoned london transport user, my spidey senses instantly shout nutter, or whats he want to sell us????

"Er - yes"

"This is where dog the bounty hunter is filmed - do you see that in australia?"

"Oh, were from England, think they show it sometimes..."

"And that (points to nameless hill on the horizon) is where the cemetery is - great views of Honolulu"

"OK - thanks"

At this point he shuffles away, disappointed we dont communicate more. The reality is that he's not really a nutter, hes just very proud of his islands (the aloha spirit again) and doesn't realise there is any taboo relating to talking on public transport - maybe I'm in the wrong!

We've been up to the north end of the island for  some camping. Bit of a performance this, as there are strange rules on this kind of thing - must book in advance on internet, no camping on wednesday or thursday allowed any where on the island???? Fortunately we were rewarded with one of the most beautiful camping locations imaginable, with the tent right by the beach, and sunrises that were amazing

There were also animals everywhere, with feral cats surely numbering in the hundreds, and smallish sea turtles often gulping air and being washed about in the surf. The most entertaining animals however were the small white crabs, with eyes on stalks and one big claw

What the crabs lost in size, they made up for in numbers, with thousands of eyes appearing to follow you as you walk along the beach, which is a little unnerving. Needless to say a simple wave of the hand can have them running for their sand pits.

During the camping trip we ventured to the posh resort of "Turtle Bay" possibly best known as the location for the film "Getting over Sarah Marshall". We intended to simply use the wifi (how did people organise travelling before the net?) but the draw of the beachside restaraunt was too great, so burgers and salad, with Mai Tai's and Blue Hawaiian's to follow were the order of the day.

Tropical plant - sadly not found in jungle but part of the resort gardens