A hui hou (see you later) Hawaii !

Weirdly I have woken up at 7:30 each morning here in Hawaii and this morning was no different. Brett and I ate a leisurely breakfast of bagels and coffee on the balcony and Dan joined us a little later. None of us wanted to move coz we felt like if we just sat there, our holiday wouldn't really be over. However, 11 am sharp saw the housekeeping team at the door and off we had to go. Brett had popped over the road to get us one last banana pie from Maccas and we intended to sit in the courtyard to eat them and say our farewells, but Dans shuttle had turned up early and was keen to get going, so it was all a bit rushed seeing him off. Yes, I cried again. Hawaii cried with me, Brett and I sat under an umbrella in the courtyard in the rain and ate our banana pies. It was still lovely and warm though.
We sat there for a while and read and then decided to have a poke around the Modern - a fancy hotel next door. We found Iron Chef Morimoto's restaurant in there so decided that having lunch there would be a great way to lift our spirits and finish off our lovely holiday happy rather than sad. It was so good - his maitai had a bit of almond liqueur in it and was hands down the best we have had. And we have sampled a few!
After lunch we purchased a bag from the ABC to add to our check-in and had one last wander. We came across a place where you could pick an oyster out of a bucket to get whatever pearl you found inside. You could then have it mounted as a piece of jewellery if you wanted to.  Brett did the picking and it was a lovely one.  I was reluctant to spend any more $, but was talked into having it mounted into a ring by the (very good) saleswoman and Brett. I have been VERY spoilt this holiday, it'll be a shopping free zone at our house for a while.
I settled in at the lobby and Brett popped up to Alamoana to see if he could find a satchel. No luck for him, but I had a great conversation with an old Hawaiian man who lived at the Illikai.
Just as Brett arrived back it was time for happy hour at the Hilton. We were just about to head over there and it started bucketing down again. We noticed that the restaurant on the top floor of the Illikai also had a happy hour, so it seemed only right that we try that instead. It has a glass elevator ride to the top and the view was fab. I got some fantastic shots of the bay and mountains from the bar - storm on one side and gorgeous day on the other.
Time to retrieve and repackage our bags, then off to the airport.  Apparently there is the potential that this storm will become a hurricane later in the week, so I guess it is time to go after all.  Break out the woollies, we're heading home!

One Last Day

Last night, before the Duncans flew home, we managed to take a photo of us all beside the Hawaii Five-O poster that we happened across in the lobby.  Apparently some of the original series - which has provided the theme tune for our holiday - was filmed in this very hotel!  On the subject of tunes, as they were about to get into the taxi, everyone gathered up and sang me Happy Birthday - it was so lovely, but I managed to only cry a little bit.

I can’t believe that it has been our last full day on holiday.  Dan flies out in the morning to San Francisco and Brett and I are off home tomorrow night.

Today has been another great day though, although we have missed spending it with everyone else.  This morning we headed off the the Moana Surfrider for High Tea – although we had it for lunch.  The restaurant has been restored from the original hotel in Waikiki and there is a 150 year old banyan tree in the courtyard that must have seen some stuff!  Sitting on the veranda, having delicious dainties and tea (along with a glass of champers of course darling – if you are going to do something, do it right huh) was a lovely treat.

After lunch we wandered through a couple of local galleries, picked up a turtle bead for my bracelet and wandered back down Waikiki to ‘our’ end of the beach.  It was crazy on the beach at the Waikiki end, I’m so pleased we have been away from that hustle and bustle to a large degree.  Not today though, there was a dragon boat event that finished at the lagoon and an insurance company conference with 5000 people at the Hilton.  We were going to have a maitai at happy hour at the bar, but decided it was too buzzy for our relaxed state of mind.

Instead, we had one last swim at the beach then headed up to shower and do laundry.  Just so our last night wasn’t completely taken up by doing practical things, we decided to go to Bubba Gumps for a farewell dinner.  Oh, my, goodness!  I had shrimp stuffed with crab and some morsels called Hush Pups which were shrimp, fish and corn made into a nugget.  It was Fab U Lous!  Or it could have been just regular yummy made fabulous by the maitai, the Georgia ‘tea’ and the mojito.  We wanted the glasses they were served in so had to keep drinking – although we found out later we could have just bought the glasses J
It’s official, we all love Hawaii.  It’s been a great birthday trip – the big things and the little things.  Back to work we go to save up to come back again.  

 

 

 

Last day for the Duncans

Barb is taking a break from the blog today, so this is the low down from Brett.

Once we’d finished a healthy McDonalds breakfast, most of us piled on board a bus to get to the flea market usually held every Saturday at the main Oahu stadium. Unfortunately, after staying on a very full bus of people for about 45 minutes, we found that the market had been postponed for this weekend due to a college football game being scheduled for tonight. Rather than board a second bus to get to another market a further mile and a half away, we made a decision to return to the main shopping centre at Waikiki for a bit more retail therapy. The kids had their own spending money and were determined to use it all up. A couple more things were added for the load home – luckily we came across with only one suitcase so we’ll be able to purchase another cheap bag to fit everything in without paying for additional luggage allowance on the flight back.

Since the Duncans are due to fly home tonight, we got back to the hotel so that they could have a final swim at the beach before packing everything (because they’re scheduled as stand-by passengers, we’re due to stay on for another two nights). With the Duncans leaving, it reminds us that our holiday is due to end soon also. In some ways, the holiday seems to have passed far too quickly but because we’ve packed so much in, the early parts of the trip feel like they were months ago.

After a few last photos, the Duncans left for their flight and we had dinner at a Japanese restaurant (complete with sake) before taking a walk back to the hotel for a whiskey or two from a bottle that Dan has in his luggage. Tomorrow is our last full day here so we’ll no doubt continue to pack in as much as we can before having to return to our real life. I definitely think that we’ll try to return – this has been an excellent trip so far!

You go this way, I'll go that way

Well, Hanauma Bay is as fabulous as its reputation proclaims.  It looked a bit dubious as there are lots of people there, but once you are in the water with your head down, you just don’t notice them.  Just a few feet off the beach, before you are even on top of the reef the tropical fish are swimming around you.  We went out to where the reef dropped off hoping to see turtles, but no luck with them today.  However, no disappointment either because what we found were schools of tropical fish and a huge variety and size.  We were literally right in amongst them – like being inside a tropical aquarium.  It’s really cool to be floating over the reef and coming up to an edge, when a fish who is cruising up the side comes to the top just as you come to the edge.  You meet each other nose to nose – way cool!  Kathy and Dan took some photos on disposable underwater cameras, but we'll just have to wait and see how they turn out.

We headed back to town on the bus and went a different way than we had been before.  Saw some incredible waterfront homes around Diamond Head that must be worth mega bucks.  I forgot to mention that we had taken a cab out to the Bay.  We were waiting at the bus stop and a couple of taxis came by offering discounted rides – it must have been a slow taxi day and they were looking for work.  Anyway, we chose what looked like the nicest cab and off we went - $5 each and only 30 minutes instead of an hour on the bus for $2.50 each.  Along the way, the driver was telling us about living in Ghettoland here in Honolulu, so it’s obviously not all like the city that we see.  Next thing, he fessed up that he was driving a cab because he had just got off a 9 year stretch in Federal prison for ‘getting caught in the game’.  I told him very sternly not to do that again.  Turns out the kids were imagining him taking us all off and selling us as slaves or taking our body parts – a little excitement to start the day for them J

Brett came back from spending most of the day at Pearl Harbor and was really pleased he took the opportunity to have a look. Unfortunately, the wind was too strong so the boat tour to the sunken wreck of the Arizona had to be cancelled but he got a good chance to look through the Missouri (a huge battleship still moored in the same position as it was during the attack in 1941) and the aviation museum (two hangers full of military aircraft). After everyone joined back up, it was a slow afternoon of relaxing and then, since this is the last night that the Duncans are here, we went to Alamoana for their last few bits of shopping and ate in the food court there.  Kathy and I had poke again, I'm quite addicted to it and won't get it when we get back home.  Most others had more familiar stuff though.  Back to our rooms for a final vino together and a recap of what has been a fabulous holiday together.  I can't believe it is coming to an end, but we sure have done a lot and had a great time - and of course we have an extra couple of days yet.

Back to Oahu

We sadly farewelled Kauai this morning and returned to Honolulu.  Not such a bad situation then J First stop…the beach of course!  The ocean is so warm here that it seems wrong not to take as much advantage of it as possible and it is the perfect pick me up after the hustle and stress of airports.

Suitably revived we readied ourselves for dinner and set off for Waikiki for my birthday dinner.  Once again, we took advantage of Kathy’s insider knowledge and went to a place called Dukes right on the beach at Waikiki.  It had the feel of an old style Hawaiian restaurant and the food was fantastic.  Coconut mojitos and maitais were a great way to start and the food was fabulous.  Instead of having an entrée menu, there was an incredible salad bar that you just helped yourself from.  Fantastic idea and really lovely fresh food.  The mains were equally as great and then their signature dessert – Hula Pie – was delivered to me by a group of waiters singing Happy Birthday.  We were also serenaded by a trio of Hawaiian women – two with guitars and one with a double bass on wheels.  After everyone had finished our shared Hula Pies, we walked back to our rooms via the beach.  It was a lovely evening for a beach walk and the perfect end to a fabulous birthday evening.

Tomorrow Brett, Tim and James Snr are heading off to Pearl Harbour and – weather permitting – the rest of us will catch a bus to Hanauma Bay to do some more snorkelling.  Apparently there is incredible fish life there as the bay is a marine reserve.  Can’t wait!

A morning on the water and an afternoon on the couch

On Monday, when Brett and I went to the 'activities familiarisation session' (yes, very Love Boat) we won a two for one voucher for a kayak and snorkel excursion.  it was too good an opportunity to turn down, so we split as a 3 for 2 and Dan joined us too.

It was an early start and Kathy dropped us down at Hanalei Bay, before she headed off with Josie on a tour through an organic cocoa and exotic fruit farm.

We got kitted up and introduced to Gabe and Kalani - a couple of guys who had been born and grew up here, so were not only really competent but also really passionate and knowledgeable about the island and its history.  

Off we went down the Hanalei River, which was as smooth as a millpond, with Brett and me in a double kayak and Dan in a single.  We stopped in the river for a history and landscape lesson, then on down to the river mouth.  Here we could really clearly see the landscape that inspired the song Puff the Magic Dragon.  When the waves are big enough to crash into the 'nose', it looks like stream coming from its nostrils.  One of the guys on the tour actually knew the songwriter and apparently it really was written about a boy with a big imagination in the 'land of Hanalei' and he was really gutted that the druggie spin was attached to the song.

Off we went into the sea, rounding the point past the St Regis beach where we swam yesterday.  It was hard work into a head wind for some of the way, but well worth it when we arrived at a sheltered little beach with a great reef immediately off the beach.  After a few tips, a lesson on reef ecology and some fish identification, we headed off snorkeling over the reef.  We really wanted to see turtles, so had to head out a long way to where the reef drops off but it was SO worth the effort, as all 3 of us managed to spot and swim along with a turtle at some point.  It is way cool.

Before you knew it, an hour had gone by and it was time to head back to the beach for a picnic lunch before hopping back into the kayaks for the return journey.  It was a fantastic morning, but we were all knackered and fell asleep for an afternoon nap back at the resort.

On waking we moseyed up to the pool.  The James were playing tennis, but we got a beer from the tennis pro shop and propped under a pool umbrella for a chillax.  The Taco truck came by at dinner time, so we had fresh fish tacos for dinner by the pool - yes, it is as good as it sounds - and once it was dark we returned to the condo for a game of cards.

Sadly, it our Kauai stay is all over now, we're back to the airport in the morning to return to Honolulu.  If we had known what a paradise it was here, we would maybe have switched the stay lengths around a bit, but que cera.  We will just have to come back .again for more.  Mahalo and aloha Kauai

A Lazy Day

We woke up to another beautiful day here on Kauai.  We had nothing planned today so we took our time waking up and getting moving.  When Brett and I felt that it was time to make more of the day, we collected Josie from next door and walked down to the beach at the bottom of the hill to see what the snorkeling was like. got a great view of our rooms from there, you can see why the view is so great.  We The tide was on the turn so it took us a while to figure out the right spot with the changing water direction, but by the time everyone else joined us we had it sorted and spotted lots of fish.  It's a whole different pleasure being in the ocean when the water is warm and time just disappears when you are following fish under the water.
Eventually we got hungry and decamped to the pool at the resort.  Kathy and James made a run to the supermarket for lunch supplies and we ate up by the pool.  While they were gone, we had some fun with Sarah's underwater camera in the pool.  After lunch a guy turned up with fresh coconuts that had been picked yesterday and we drank the coconut water through a straw straight from the nut.  When we had drunk it all, he split the coconut open and we ate the flesh direct from the shell.  It is a COMPLETELY different food when it is this fresh.  Utterly delicious and nothing like the old, dried out versions we get at home.
Sarah, Kathy and I then headed down to Hanalei Bay as Sarah wanted to buy a new bikini.  While we were there, I found a gorgeous piece of local art that actually has some Kauai beach sand in it from a beach just a bit further up the bay from where I saw my turtle.  I used my birthday gift money to buy it - thanks Mum :)
Tonight has been cards and braiding night.  I re-did Josie's corn-braids and did Sarah's.  James wanted his done too and it was so funny - he turned into a gangsta rapper, with an American accent and gangsta vocab, but as they fell out he became normal again.  So funny.
Off to bed now for an early start for our last day in paradise before we head back to Honolulu.  it's going to be hard to leave.

P.S. Happy birthday M.A. xx

Togs Day

You know that you are on holiday when you spend the whole day in your togs.  You know you are well away from home when you are comfortable walking down the street or going to the supermarket in them! (With a shirt tossed over the top of course - togs, togs, undies)
Today, we once again reaped the benefit of having some insider information - especially at our first stop for the day as it isn't listed on any map or brochure we have picked up, but it is truly fabulous.  Also, it is not over-run with other people - we saw just enough on the hike in to know we were on the right path.  We trekked a little way through the bush on a path that was only defined by the feet who have walked it so often to create one and was sometimes a little precarious.  The smell was wonderful though, hibiscus and passionfruit smells mixed with bush smells - lovely.  After about 10 minutes you come out onto the lava rocks beside the ocean and you make you way around the tip of the penninsula with the waves crashing and swirling not far below.  There are lots of warning signs that the waves can crash up over the rocks and sweep people away, but the swell was relatively low and we happened to fluke a tide out time, so they weren't reaching up to us.
The point of the hike was to reach the Queens Baths, which are deep pools in the lava rock that the waves come up into, bringing fish and fun!  We heaps of fun jumping off the ledges into the pool and body surfing the incoming waves, as well as putting on the snorkeling masks to check out the underwater life.  It was WAY cool.
We eventually trekked back up the hill, reluctant to leave but keen to make our way back around the bay to a beach that we had been told would be great for snorkeling and would likely have turtles swimming around.  Along the way we stopped of at a local fish market for the local raw fish specialties.  Marinated Ahi tuna, octopus and snowcrab sushi - YUM.  I could eat it at every meal.  Sadly, some of the kids were not so keen on the idea, so we stopped at Hanalei Bay township as well so they could pick up some more familiar food.
About mid-afternoon, we found Tunnel Beach, where we were told there was great snorkeling.  Roadside signs are not permitted here unless they are for traffic management, so there are no AA type signs marking spots of interest.  If you didn't know to look for many of these places, you would just drive on by.
On the beach there was a single seal snoozing in the sun, he looked so comical just lying there among the people. The surf looked pretty rough but we saw others in the water - which is apparently the thing to look for - so we kitted up and headed out.  The fish-life on the reef was great, but the rip became really strong, especially as you got out a ways.  James Jnr was the farthest out and yelled out that he had seen a turtle, but nobody else managed to find him.  It became quite exhausting and we had just decided to gather everyone in and head back in when the choice was taken away from us by the lifeguard who  had arrived to call everyone in.  I was with Tim and he decided to stick his head under for one last look - and immediately popped up and told me to look.  Sure enough, right there with us was a turtle!  Woohoo!  He was about the size of a car wheel, just moseying through a channel in the reef that we happened to be stopped in.  We were so excited, but by the time we could tell anyone else, he had well gone and we had to go in.  It seems that there is a seasonal rip along this piece of coast, so not so safe to be there now.
We headed back to the hotel pool for some less strenuous water fun.  The pool here is just fabulous and not very highly used at the end of the day so it almost felt like ours.  Nibbles and a beer poolside in a beautiful place is a pretty great way to end a wonderful day.  The sun went down and we headed back to our rooms to make dinner.  I actually had a few body batterings today:

• Cut my ear on a palm while trekking to the Queens Baths - but would happily do the same again if it meant I could do that again
• Turned my ankle getting a snowcone in Hanalei Bay - but am grateful that the trip hazard that I missed was here and not on the edge at the Grand Canyon
• Bashed my knee on the reef at Tunnel beach - but saw a turtle!
• Took some skin off my nose and put a bump on my head when I hit my face on the bottom of the resort pool trying to do water ballet with Sarah, Dan and Tim - but had a great time hanging out and having fun with them

So, no complaints here, although I have to confess I'm pretty knackered, so I think it will be bed for me pretty soon - but, oh, what a day.

Off to Kauai

This morning, the Duncans left early to return the van (we returned the Mustang last night) and head off to Kauaii.  We had an extra few hours in Honolulu before taking a later flight, so that we could make do with a single rental vehicle - they could drive up to Hanalei Bay, drop the kids off and come back to the airport to get us.  It's about a 45 minute drive, so was cheaper to get a rental while we are here than airport transfers for all of us.

After checking out, we headed down the road to IHop for breakfast - sticking to the rule of trying not to eat anywhere that we could do at home.  The menu was huge and so were the portions, but it set us up well for the day.  We then wandered back toward Waikiki from the lagoon and back around in time to pick up our bags and head off to the airport.  It was 'only' around 28 degrees in Honolulu, but with 55% humidity, it was HOT.  Looks like there is rain on the other side of the island again today though.  Apparently, that's why it is so humid - the rain blocks the trade winds from coming over the mountains and dispersing the humidity.  It's bizarre to see such extremities in weather right beside us - melting on one side of the island while seeing thunder clouds on the other.

We had a bit of time at the airport, so thought it an ideal time to check out some more local specialties, so enjoyed a maitai and some poke, which is the local Ahi tuna, marinated and served raw.  Both were VERY delicious.  When we got off the plane in Kauaii we immediately noticed the difference, it's SO much more comfortable temperature wise.  I'm still in shorts and singlet at midnight though and it is still almost as warm as the daytime.  Driving up the island was lovely, it's so beautiful here - Brett reckons it reminds him of the Caribbean island in the Death in Paradise TV show.

Princeville has to be seen to be believed - the 'town' is essentially a series of fancy resorts and Hanalei Bay is breathtakingly beautiful.  When we were checking in, the desk clerk told us that the room we had booked would "blow our mind" and it certainly has.  No time to take photos tonight before dark, but will take plenty over the next few days I'm sure.  The Duncans and Dan are right next door, so together we have taken over the best spot in a fantastic place.  We are all gobsmacked to be here and can't quite believe that we are getting to spend some time in such a fabulous place.  It really feels like we have walked into somebody else's life.

After working our way through a couple of bottles of red and a 'who can pick the best song' contest - which included some interesting dance moves from the Jandal sisters, notably a definitely dodgy 'robot' from the younger and embarrassingly (for the kids anyway) eighties headbanging and Freddie moves from the elder - we are off to bed. Literally climbing into enormous and ornately carved beds that look fit for royalty, to get rested and ready to explore this slice of paradise tomorrow.  So far we are thinking that if we come back, we will skip Honolulu and come straight here, so we'll see how that theory holds up during the week.  Will keep you posted...

P.S. Happy birthday Al xx

Oahu Touring

Today was touring day.  We hired a Dodge van and a Mustang convertible and circumnavigated the island, stopping along the way at spots recommended by Kathy's friend who used to live here.  Kathy, James, Brett and I were all registered as drivers, so we took turns at the wheel - woohoo!  There were a couple of things that blew our schedule to be able to see all of the things that were recommended though -
A. we had to stop and buy some snorkels etc in town and got lost in the one way system.  However, this had a silver lining as we parked outside a mumu factory shop when we finally got close enough to walk to where the snorkels etc were.  While most went off to get them, Sarah, Kathy and I had fun trying on local dresses.  Most were definitely ones that needed to be worn in context, so although gorgeous, would be fancy dress at home.  however, one was translatable enough and so comfortable that I bought it.
B. We got lost in the fabulousness of swimming and snorkeling at Lanikai Beach (which is on the east coast) and spent way longer there than we had anticipated.  It was really hot, the water was warm, the spot beautiful and it was a really safe spot for those who hadn't snorkelled before to get comfortable and hooked on it.  I LOVE snorkelling - it's so surprising to see such an active life under your feet.  There were lots of tropical fish, literally within metres of the beach of golden sand.  Sigh...
C. As it turned out, there was no more swimming all the way up the east coast - no through lack of amazing spots, but because we found ourselves in a true tropical rainstorm.  Sometimes, we had to crawl along as the rain was so heavy you couldn't see very far in front of you.  With the steepness of the terrain, you can see why flash flooding is often a real problem here.
Anyhoo, as we rounded the top end of the island, we pretty much left all of that behind, and next stop was Sunset Point to watch the surfers.  It was a beautiful spot and while the waves looked pretty impressive to us, a local surfer told us that they were pretty light at the moment.  The kids wanted to swim again, but there were no lifeguards on duty and it was not a gentle swimming bay, so a paddle was all we managed.
Because it was almost dark (it gets dark just after 6ish), we decided to head off to our next spot, where you can apparently often see turtles in the water off the beach.  Unfortunately, it isn't marked on the map and by the time we found it, it was properly dark so no turtles.  We headed back to Honolulu via the Outlet Mall so that we could get some more shorts and it was my turn to drive the Mustang again - down the freeway, with the top down - in Hawaii.  Bliss...
Most of the photos are on Sarah's camera, so just a taste of them here.  Tomorrow we are off to Kawaii.

Aloha Hawaii

This morning we were in a desert state, tonight we are in a tropical paradise.  Chalk and cheese, Nevada and Hawaii.  Kathy and James met us at the airport and it was so great to see them after being with strangers for a week.  It is also very handy to have somebody check out the lay of the land before our arrival, something that we have benefited from all day :)

After checking in and aloha-ing everyone else, we headed straight up the road to Macys as the immediate priority was swimming in the ocean - but I didn't bring any togs.  Kathy knew exactly where the swimwear department was, so we were in and out in half an hour.  Now THAT'S the way to buy togs!  Back to the hotel to change, then 20 metres from the hotel room to the ocean.  Gently undulating waves, so warm and incredibly buoyant.  Its amazing how restorative being in the ocean is.

We stayed in for ages, then 'rinsed off' in the hotel pool.  There is a fireworks display outside the hotel each Friday night so when we were sufficiently wrinkled, there was just enough time to do the laundry we had been saving up for the last week before taking in the show.  Josie is something of an expert in the laundry department, including where to find the machine that changes your notes into the required quarters, so it was a very efficient process.

Josie had also discovered that there was a restaurant across the road that specialised in Buffalo Wings.  James jnr was really keen to do what he has seen in the movies and work his way through a 'bucket of wings' so it seemed the ideal place to eat. Sitting at the table with my beautiful family, country music playing, a cold beer and hot chicken filled me up with happies.  The perfect Hawaii day after the extravagance of Vegas.she
Small note to remember, it doesn't matter how old you look in the US, you can't get a drink without ID.  Brett and Kathy didn't have any on them, so it was soft drinks for them.  However, after a wee discussion with Kathy and James, the waitress checked with her supervisor and Kathy got a beer after all as a special dispensation.  No such luck for Brettski, who missed that conversation at the other end of the table - although probably just as well because after our week in Vegas and swimming today, he was really tired and probably would have nose-dived into his buffalo wings if he had a drop of beer. In actual fact, he is asleep on the couch in the Duncans room now (free wifi here), so I'll sign off and get him home to bed.