Aloha Halloween

I got in a visit to Pu'uhonua O Honaunau twice on this trip, once by myself, and a second time with Jeannie & Ron. We took our time viewing the exhibits and roaming the sandy walkways as the weather was on the warm side today.

Pu'uhonua O Honaunau is known as 'the Place of Refuge', as those who offended the powers that be, enough to risk kapu - a death sentence - on arriving here was their salvation. 

Hale O Keawe - once a burial place for Hawaiian Royalty

This lady blew a Conch Shell as part of a ceremony... or so I believe

Gulf Fritillary, like the ones I found in Fair Oaks!

When we left the park, I recommended we leave so we could see the Halloween decorations I'd spotted earlier in the week. 

 Avoid the Creepy Toddler!

Enter at your own RISK!

Spooky Halloween Kitty Tower

We didn't get out of the car - the roadway didn't allow for side-of-the-road parking - to enjoy the elaborate decor. I got excited because I noticed the presence of a flock of birds that I didn't see earlier in the week - Gray Francolin. 

Several of the partridge-like birds were happily hunting for insects and whatnot amid the spooky Halloween fare.

Grey Francolin

 

We spent the rest of the day goofing around our condo, until it was time for a Halloween treat. First the three of us drove over to Teshima's Restaurant. 

It is usually quite full, so we had to wait a short while to be seated. Jeannie & Ron ordered full dinners - Loco Moco - but I had quite a bit of lunch so didn't have much appetite.

 I

Salty Poke Bowl

ordered a Poki Bowl, and for the 2nd time this week, got a WAY oversalted meal! As usual, I was too shy (stupid?) to return the dish. Instead I used a generous portion of rice I got from Jeannie & Ron to dampen down the saline meal. 

When we were done eating, it was time for Ron to drop Jeannie & myself, off at the Aloha Theater. Earlier in the week, to my stunned surprise, Jeannie said she was interested in seeing a play. That was surprising as Jeannie is quite picky about what venues she will and will not visit. 

 

Perhaps that the presentation of local talents today is Carrie, of Stephen King fame, it was too tempting for her to turn down. Trust me, attending an honest to gosh MUSICAL with Jeannie was enough to make this a totally unforgettable Halloween. 

The Aloha Theater is quite the museum piece and is quite well preserved. 

I didn't get any photos but the audience was largely all decked out for Halloween - Vampires, Victorian ladies, warrior gentlemen, quite impressive all!  I was chatting with Jeannie when a lady behind me patted my shoulder. She was a pretty young woman who wanted to know how long I've worn my 'Sister Locks', my hair. She was thinking of having her hair done. I was tickled, and I probably talked the poor thing's ears off! I've worn my Sister Locks since 2008, but depending on my memory of the moment I told her 11 years, as opposed to the true number - 17 years! 

Aloha Oi, until we meet again ladies!

William, Claire, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Oh Mother of  Horcruxes, I am DONE!

First thing to note here - I am a long time Potterhead. Also note, I hated the post-Hogwarts book, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (HPCC). I dismissed it as no better than the sorryest amature fan fiction. Yet, I've wanted - desperately wanted - to see this play since it opened in London in 2016. Thought I didn't
have a Hippogriff's chance in a wizard's duel to see it. Then it opened in NYC, and now here I am with tickets for the neph, William and meself.

Knew this would be an epic adventure, which started with the box office giving me seats up in the peanut gallery - which I felt was wrong... On climbing up to the rafters, I was told they'd screwed up and that my actual seats were much better.

Then, it was CORRECTO TICKETUS! and my real tickets were in my hands and I was off to peruse the souvenirs. You saw that one coming didn't you? Got myself and William Hogwarts ties, we are both in Ravenclaw. Then I got a frozen drink that came in a keepsake HPCC cup. Didn't realize the slushy drinks were alcoholic, probably spiked with Ogden's brand Giggle Water. Had a couple of those drinks *hic* before the done was day.

The Cursed Child is two plays, and there is the option to see them on two different days, or take the route we did, which was seeing them on the afternoon & evening of the same day. Best choice!

Yay! Our 'proper' seats in the orchestra section

Wills had taken off to get some food outside of the theater and I was worried with him having the wrong ticket, something awful was going to happen, but I described him to a helpful usher and went to my theater seat. Lo and behold, William made it to our correct seating before curtain time and we were ready to be wowed.

What a fun production! It was just as I'd hoped, it makes you feel like you got lost in Diagon Alley, and watched witches & wizards perform magic in front of your eyes. Some bits of the production were so magical that during intermission, William and I would discuss how-the-freakn' hell they pulled off this or that magic, on the stage, right in front of our disbelieving eyes. I think my favorite spectacle was the wand duel between adult Harry Potter and his one time, second level nemesis, Draco Malfoy. During that spectacular wizard's duel, I was shrieked with delight.




After the first play, part I was ended, William and I took off for dinner before the start of part II. We yelped, googled and headed for a Japanese restaurant that was not where the phones said it would be. Rats! So we ended up instead at Bubba Gump's Shrimp. We wolfed down a combo special and fancy drinks. Then we returned to the theater to roam the halls and take advantage of the awesome photo opts.

William's photography magic

William and the Pushy Thunderbird!

Happy to visit Snape's Patronis - ALWAYS!

Ominous signs hoovering over an Owlry... quite Death Eater-ish!

I absolutely must mention this - after dinner, as we waited with other theater goers to enter the Lyric Theater, I was astounded to see a so-help-me-gods, BAT flying around just above us! I freaked out, as it was flippin' freezing, around 28 degrees out and yet there was a bat, flying around! It was my first time seeing a bat in the Big Apple. You know me, I noisily pointed it out, and no one else paid any attention to neither the bat, nor me. I guess considering the other magic we'd seen today, a bat was no big whoop for anyone but moi. I guess  they thought bats are so 'Halloween' and that was a fortnight ago.

For a day with over 4 hours watching a play, the day ended as though cursed by a dark wizard who willed the fun to trickle slowly away. But it was so wonderful while it lasted. I suspect if I ever get to a Harry Potter World I will just *POOF!* dissolve into a sizable puddle of happy 'essence of Claire'. 

Can you spot Dumbledore on the right?

That is George Weasley in the stripy jumper

All too soon, the last bows

Before we reluctantly left the theater, we had our photos taken with the emblem of Ravenclaw (mind... it is the version that has a raven, which as Ravenclaws, we know actually ought to be an eagle with Raven, i.e., black talons, but as a true Ravenclaw I would be remiss to let that fact slide by, sans comment). 

'Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure', yeah, that's us to a tee.

That was our fantastic day at the theater. Likely the only double play day I'll ever know, at least until I repeat the HP and the Cursed Child adventure again, hopefully next time in London.

To give an idea of the play's 'flavor' here is a short teaser on the production.

Akhnaten at the Met

The Met

William and I left for NYC from Maryland in the morning. Along the drive William mentioned he was interested in a performance - tonight - at New York's Metropolitan Opera House. It is no surprise to me, as William has long held great interest in our African Egyptian ancestors. So along the drive back to NYC, the opera house was called and BOOM! We had tickets for tonight's performance of Akhnaten. BOOM, SCORE! 

William at the Met

 Attending a performance at THE Met was a first for both of us. We were there early, and parked at a lot near the theater, which thrilled me to pieces because it was a COLD night for walking. Entering the huge and impressive building was exciting and nearly overwhelming. Talk about your 'bright and shiny'!

Looking down from gallery heights

We picked up our tickets at the Met box office, after which I felt my usual imperative to visit the gift shop. 

Tiny corner of the HUMONGOUS gift shop

Talented Toys...

Splendiferous opera jackets and such...

Necklace for that special evening at the Met

I only bought a couple of items, not shown here; a beautiful Black ballerina on point and a jewel festooned cloth heart.

Dollies for your Doll...

If you want to blow your nose as well as your cool...

The production was so magical. The music is by Philip Glass whose music can at first seem quite repetitive, but it has the result of making you feel you are meditating and it draws you in. 

The screen in front of my seat

A cool thing was that there was a screen in front of every seat. The screens also explained the general set up of each act, and provided translations in English and German, etc.  By the first intermission, William and I were thoroughly in love with the production, and we chatted about all the symbolism. For example, in the production when the old pharaoh died, the weight of his heart was compared to the weight of a feather on balanced scales. William explained to me the pharaoh's heart was a light as a feather after death because he lived his life well and was granted entry to heaven... or something like that! 

Our view from the operatic peanut gallery

We were shocked that not every audience member was as enchanted with the opera as we were. A disgruntled looking woman sitting nearby, at the first intermission, left and never reappeared. What

The dressing of Akhnaten

Egyptian god put a feather up her rump? Perhaps she was shocked by Akhnaten's initial appearance, when he stood naked at the top of a long stair well, slowly walking downwards...  At that point in the opera he was newborn to life, and at the bottom of the stairs, his servants ritually dressed him in elaborate golden robes. Now way up in the dress circle, we couldn't see he was naked -  I reckon all the more reason to spend the $300 for front row seating. Nevertheless, at a later time I looked on line for a closer look at the astounding costuming for this amazing opera. The round orbs that covered his gown were the golden painted heads of dolls! I have got to some day re-see this opera from a closer vantage point.

Garbed in Golden Robes with Orbs

 Another amazing and beautiful aspect of this unique production was the juggling. Yes, I said juggling. Numerous cast members would juggle balls that somehow magically melded into the story and how the eff they juggled like that without ever dropping anything was stupefying to watch.   When the elaborate opera ended, the crowd went wild. I can't imagine any other opera production being quite as mesmerising as this one. I have GOT to see Akhnaten again another time. 

Encore!

Here is the Met's trailer for Akhnaten. Every time I see it, I am sucked into the hypnotic production all over again.  Note the juggling - be amazed!