How the other half lives

Not quite enough sunshine to hit the beach so we decided to go explore our neighbourhood, called Kahala and filled mostly with expensive homes and just as expensive vacant lots for sale.  Destination for lunch was the Kahala Hotel and Resort, 50 years old this year and apparently the place celebrities stay in Hawaii, even the Queen. The king of Tonga and the emperor of Japan have stayed here too, plus Jim Nabors several times, judging from the wall of celebrity photos in the hotel.

 As we walked along Kahala Avenue it was surprising how many properties were for sale, empty lots and houses. Most start at about $4 million and that is just for the land. Another common feature with many of these places is their use of security companies (we identified 8 different ones, even one called Homeland Security Inc.) and their amazing front gates. Way beyond what you would find in Victoria.

And these are doors for the two-car garage. We tried to take a quick photo so people wouldn't think we were casing the joint. 

Here you can see the front gate and look right through to the ocean. A little bright but you get the idea.

So after this classy home tour it seemed only fitting that we should lunch at the Kahala Resort. While touring the lobby and shops we found at least 100 pictures of famous people who had stayed here. Everyone from Queen Elizabeth to Dustin Hoffman to Jim Nabors to Elizabeth Taylor and even Hilary Clinton. But before lunching on the patio at the Plumeria Cafe we had our "wedding" photo taken on the beach of course. Cute eh! 

This resort is definitely high end. Check out the fish ponds.

I don't think we will ever be able to afford to stay here. However we could handle lunch and it was delicious. Blue crab pot stickers, baked Caesar salad with prawns and scallops and fish tacos and to drink Planters Punch and a peach-pineapple smoothie. 

Beside the resort is a lovely park for the common folk with sandy beaches and green fields. Here we attempt our first selfie. I think it needs some work.

On our way back home again stopping by Whole Foods (whole paycheque) we found a bust of a famous Hawaiian hero, Jack Lord, the original Hawaii Five O boss. Norm says soon no one will remember him just like they won't recognize many of the famous people on the walls at the resort like Bob Hope and Andy Griffiths. I think Norm is showing his age:)