I cannot say it too much or too often -- Hawaii is amazing. It is beautiful, full of fun things to do, and so relaxing you just can't believe it unless you experience it yourself. Now I understand why our good friends the Arredondos so energetically encouraged us to go -- once you have experienced it, you want others to have the same opportunity. I absolutely cannot wait until the time when we can go back again. It was truly wonderful.
Just being able to spend a week alone with Chris was awesome. This was our first vacation together since we started having kids -- with the exception of a couple of one-nighters in Park City or something like that. He's so busy and gone so much, that having that kind of 24 hour a day time together was a wonderful treat for us. I am so grateful to all the wonderful people who took care of our kids while we were gone so that this was possible.
We arrived in Honolulu about 1:30pm, and after getting our rental car, we stopped by (where else?) Wal-Mart for some supplies. After stocking up, we went to our room, unpacked, suited up, and headed straight to the beach. It was about 4:30 by this time, and the sun was starting to drop behind the mountains, which meant the weather was cooling off. Yeah, I was cold....that's what I'm getting at.
Do we look happy? Cuz we were HAPPY. Darn happy.
We loved the beaches on the Windward coast -- Kailua, Lanikai, and Waimanalo. The water is just as clear and beautiful as I imagined it would be -- yes, it really looks like that! We had so much fun just swimming and playing around in the surf.
The next morning, Chris had breakfast in our private courtyard. Our room was so cute. It was small, but so well stocked with everything we could have needed, and it was pristinely clean and very nice.
Early the next morning we set out for Pearl Harbor. Driving anywhere on the island is a beautiful sightseeing adventure. There's no shortage of gorgeous scenery. I'm glad Chris was driving so I had the chance to look around at everything and take pictures.
Pearl Harbor was humbling and inspirational. Just being there is unlike anything else, and I highly recommend it. It's really indescribable, but I so appreciated the reminder of the sacrifice so many have made for this country. It was unsettling and quite distressing to see how little respect so many of the visitors seemed to feel for the monument. For me it was poingant, and it really affected me.
For lunch we stopped at the sprawling Ala Moana Center -- a huge mall, and when I say huge, I cannot stress enough the word HUGE. We ate lunch at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, since Chris was craving seafood. Being in the middle of the ocean does that to you.
The view from our table was pretty awesome. (Not the parking lot -- you could see the ocean.)
Back to the beach for some more fun in the sun. I couldn't get enough of just hanging out at the shore. I miss that so, so much.
My super-cool handsome hubby.
Yep, I got cold again. Darn it.
We got up early the next morning -- well, every morning -- but that day we went to the beach to watch the sunrise. It was beyond worth it. So incredibly beautiful.
Driving to Hanauma Bay.
We couldn't resist stopping at Makapu'u Point -- amazing views.
Hanauma Bay is so incredibly cool. It is gorgeous, and the snorkeling is just amazing. This was one of the top experiences we had.
We saw tons and tons of fish. I mean tons. I was a little disappointed that we didn't see any sea turtles, but really, it's hard to be disappointed at all when you're swimming with fish. It was really cool. Before we knew it, 3 hours had passed, and Chris' back was burned to a crisp -- in spite of all the sunblock I put on him. Why wasn't he wearing a rashguard? Don't ask me.
The next day we spent at the Polynesian Cultural Center, which was really cool. We got there later than intended, so we didn't have as much time to spend as we'd hoped, but it was still a lot of fun. We especially loved the Tonga exhibit -- it was hilarious. Here I am posing with the "star" of the show. He was so funny.
My silly husband. This is for you, kids. He knew you'd laugh.
Chris eating the "yummy" buffet meal. We learned the hard way that you have to do the Lu'au, not the buffet dinner. There's no comparison.
The Laie Temple and Visitor's Center are amazingly beautiful, and the Sister missionaries we met were incredibly nice. We even met a Sister from Orem -- and a Salt Lake weatherman and his wife are there serving as well. Pretty cool.
That evening at the PCC, we were treated to an amazing show, "Ha: The Breath of Life." Wow, I just can't describe how awesome it was. The BYU students who perform in the show are so talented, and this was by far the highlight of the day. That and meeting a couple of the handsome dancers afterward.
The next day was probably my favorite -- thanks to the generosity of our island-dwelling friends (the Morse family), who loaned us their kayak, we were able to have an amazingly fun experience. We kayaked to the offshore islands -- nicknamed the Mokes, leaving from Lanikai beach. It was so much fun. When I reflect back to my Hawaii experience, this is always where my thoughts go first. I truly loved it.
Paddling over the waves was awesome, and the water was so clear we could see the reefs just below us, and we saw several turtles swimming around. I so wish we had taken snorkeling equipment with us so we could have jumped out and done some exploring. When we got close to the island, we realized that getting ashore wouldn't be easy -- waves were coming around from both sides and crashing together, and we got slammed into the beach. Still fun. Scary but fun. After a few minutes on shore we decided being in the boat was much more fun . . . and then we discovered that getting back into it wasn't going to be easy. The waves were brutal, and the kayak slammed into my legs a couple of times. It was a challenge, but eventually we got back in, with no broken bones -- a real triumph for me, given my history.
That night we sat on the beach and just talked. We even turned on some music on Chris' cell phone and danced in the sand. How romantic can you get?
The following day we decided to kayak again, this time in Kane'ohe Bay. There's a sunken island out there that we wanted to explore. After what seemed like hours of paddling, we got there, and it was really cool. There in the middle of the bay, just a foot below us, was a huge sandbar. It was really neat to get out and walk around on it.
It started getting dark as we paddled back, and you wouldn't believe how huge and beautiful the moon was.
Near the marina was this light tower buoy thing, and since there was no one to tell me not to, I decided to climb to the top of it.
Next day -- we drove to the North Shore. We stopped at Napoleon's Bakery, where Chris bought me this incredible donut. Chocolate with Reeses Peanut Butter Cup on top.....I didn't think it would be good, but it was amazing. Mmmmmm.
At Papa'iloa Beach, where they filmed some scenes from "Lost," we found this giant sea turtle sunning himself. He was so cute! And I'm so glad we got to see him, since there were no turtles at Turtle Beach that day.
Next we stopped at Shark's Cove and did some more snorkeling. Though there are lots of fish to see here, it's not as 'user-friendly' as Hanauma. The surf and currents are pretty rough, and we got banged into the rocks a lot. There were tons of sea urchins too, and we both ended up with spines in our hands and feet. Also the water was fah-reeeeezing!
Continuing our clockwise drive around Oahu, we next stopped at Laie Point, where there's an offshore island with a hole that was punched in it by a tsunami some years ago. Very cool looking. While we were there, some man came and jumped off the rocks into the water, swam across to the island, and climbed up to the top. I wish I had been that adventurous.
This crazy looking crab was sunning himself on the rocks.
Next stop -- the amazing Chinaman's Hat. I really loved this island....it's so beautiful. I really regret not kayaking out to this island cuz that would have been awesome. Oh well -- that gives me a goal for next time.
Yes, we had to "wear" the hat. Chris looks like an admiral, huh?
Sad day . . . Chris had to leave and go back home. He had to get back to work and couldn't miss class. It was beyond sad dropping him at the airport -- really, I don't know if I have ever felt so lonely as I did watching him walk away, into the terminal. So sad....
I drove back to the room alone, and the next morning, I packed up and drove back to Honolulu. I took the scenic route, past Makapu'u Lighthouse and down the coast. Such a lovely drive.
Then I met Mel and Becca at the airport, and we went to check in to our room at the lovely Ilima Hotel in downtown Honolulu......totally different experience from staying in Kailua. The room was great -- really spacious and well-equipped with a full kitchen.
This is something you don't want to see in your hotel room. (Luckily it was quickly resolved.)
Soon we hit the street for a little International Market shopping. Since Bec loves pearls, we got her this oyster for her birthday, and amazingly, there were TWO black pearls inside. It was super cool.
Soon we were standing on Waikiki Beach, and it was beautiful, although crowded.
Posing in front of Waikiki and the beautiful Diamond Head Crater.
I could never love anyone as I love my sisters! (Manda, we missed you!!!!!)
A gorgeous sunset on the beach. Just breathtaking.
Well, we are girls, and we love shopping. So the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet was one of our first destinations.
Mel found this shop called 88 Tees, which she fell in love with. Gotta love the Engrish.
We headed to the beach and spent the afternoon just goofing of and horsing around in the water. It was so much fun I can't believe it. Here, Mel is "pretending" to drown behind me while I pose for a picture. The funny thing was she did come close to drowning a couple of time, especially while doing her Edna Pontellier impression. Crazy girl.
This is the life.......
Mel is a lunatic!
Doing Buster's dance with Becca. Too funny.
Leg up!
The three of us headed to Hanauma Bay the next day . . . it's just as fun the second time! Love that place!
Next day, back to the PCC. Yes, it is fun the second time too. And this time we asked about upgrading to the Luau, and it was so worth it.
Coconut tree climber.
Mel with a giant canoe.
Mel and Bec's birthday flowers -- so pretty and so fragrant. (The flowers looked and smelled good, too.)
Laie Temple.......still gorgeous.
At the luau....I just felt a little guilty that Chris missed out on it. Next time!!! (So many reasons to go back again!)
The next day we headed to the North Shore, where we rented a kayak and stand up paddle (SUP) board. I had serious doubts about our being able to get them back up on top of the Jeep, but we managed -- we are strong women!
On the SUP in Waimea Bay. This is much harder than it looks. I saw people doing it every day, and it looked so easy. But it's not -- at least not for me. Maybe I have balance issues or something. Still, it was fun.
Bec and Mel being silly -- Mel can't just do the "hang loose" sign; she has to make it into a "call me" sign instead.
Always hamming it up....I should have photoshopped a shark into this one or something.
The next day we headed to Diamond Head crater -- hiking into a volcano is definitely up there on the list of cool things to do. I was talking to the kids on the drive up, and Lindsey told me to be extra careful not to get burned by the lava. Sweet girl.
The hike was long and tiring, but the view was totally worth it. Really, it was amazing.
Back down again . . . these were some wicked stairs!
I couldn't resist sharing Napoleon's with the girls -- we stopped for Mel's birthday breakfast.
Lunch at L&L -- I thought they ordered the LARGE drink.
What's wrong with this picture???
That night we celebrated Mel's birthday with a yummy Boston Creme cake. It was delish.
The next morning, they took me to the ER. Surprise people, I can't go on vacation without an ER visit. This time it was that stupid pain I'd been having. It came on with a vengeance and I had no choice but to go to the hospital. Not once, but twice. They tried to get away with giving me lesser narcotics, but I had to go back for the good stuff. My blasted gut.
It was my last day in Hawaii, so after I got drugged up and we left the hospital, we had to make the most of the remaining time. We drove over to one of my favorite spots.
I fulfilled a lifelong dream of reading on the beach. This is perhaps the most relaxed I've ever been. Was it the Percocet? Maybe.
Bec and Mel wear the "Hat."
One last stop -- this was another place where they filmed some "Lost" scenes.
The next morning, I flew home. I had been missing my babies so much by that point that, although I hated leaving Hawaii, I was so glad to get back home to my family. I couldn't begin to express how much fun I had, how relaxed I felt, how wonderful it was. I hope that Hawaii is a place I can visit again and again.
It is truly Heaven on Earth. ALOHA!!!!!
