We left really early Friday May 4th. Joann was kind enough to drop us off at the airport at about 3:30am, but unfortunately the airport was closed until 4:30 am. So we had to just sit there, which we would have to do anyway, but we hadn't even gone through security. Luckily we got in the security line just before it opened, got right through, then found our gate and were ready to go for our flight at 5:30am. We only had our carry on bags, the same ones we used going to Europe, so they'd be lightweight and easy to get to and from places.
We landed in San Fransisco, had a short layover, then got on the plane to go directly to Honolulu. There was a problem with one of the cargo doors after we got on so we taxied for an hour or two before we left. The plane was completely FULL, 2 people on each side then 5 in the middle. Thankfully Steve and I were on the side w/ 2 people. After we got going the flight was another 5 hours. My legs really didn't really like the flight. My left leg especially swelled up. On top off that they didn't feed us anything, not even peanuts. They only brought a drink by once, maybe twice. We were a little dehydrated so say the least and hungry when we got off. I was glad to be off the plane and back on ground.
Aloha! Finally made it to Hawaii!!!
We to go Honolulu at about 1:30pm (their time), then we picked up our rental car. Thankfully the maps I had and my navigation skills got to safely to our hotel, the Aqua Aloha Surf. We were planning to meet my companion Britney and her husband Joe then, but their flight ended up taking them to Maui instead. They went on buddy passes the day before we left and had to wait at the airport forever until they left and then couldn't get over to Honolulu, so they decided to go to Maui instead. Thankfully they arrived later that night. Britney had her brother Brad pick them up since he lives on Oahu.
Aloha Kiwen
 |
Waikii Beach
Interesting tree on beach
Yummy Macadamia Nuts
And you thought milk was expensive where we live?
Saturday morning we had our free buffet breakfast at the hotel which was included in our package deal (pancakes, fruit, toast, etc) then met Joe and Britney just outside our hotel. Britney's brother Brad also was there who joined us. We then went to Diamond Head and hiked it. Luckily Steve brought his handicap pass with him so we were able to get into the park, instead of having to hike another 2 miles since it was full. It was a hefty hike, but we all made it safe and sound.
Waikii from the top of Diamond Head
Brad, Joe, Britney, Me and Steve
After the hike at the parking lot
After hiking Diamond Head we drove to the North side of the island. We stopped for lunch at a local restaurant called "Papa Ole's." Steve had the loco moko which is rice, with a beef patty, eggs, then covered in beef gravy. Steve LOVED it!!!! I had some rice and teriyaki chicken. It was really good also. We then headed over to see the temple, walked around a little bit, then made our way over to the Polynesian Culture Center for the rest of the day. Again the handicap pass came in handy so we could get good parking in a busy place.
At the temple, 23 weeks prego
Laie Hawaii Temple
There we got to see dances from many different islands around the world (Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti) and learn more about their cultures. That took us the remainder of the afternoon. We then attended a Luau and brief show/entertainment before the main show in the evening called "Ha, The Breath of Life." The whole experience was great. Steve thought there was a little too much singing/music during the show though ;)
Hawaiian Dance on the river at PCC
Demonstration of making fire
Climbing the tree to get coconut
Steve being Steve
On Sunday we met Joe and Britney and drove up to a view which overlooked Diamond Head before heading to church, Tantalus Lookout. Since Joe served his mission in Hawaii we decided to go to a ward where some of the investigators he taught were at. Sacrament meeting was great, full of wonderful testimonies. We then went and picked up Brad and then headed to the beach. Steve wanted to stop at Papa Ole's again for lunch so we did.
We then made our way to Waimea Bay Beach to go swimming. There was a good amount of people there, but plenty of room for everyone. It was a little cold for me getting it, but once I was in it was great! We met another couple next to us, she was 30 weeks along w/ their second. Her husband was on a business trip so she insisted on coming also. They were LDS, he was from Sugarhouse, UT and she was from California, where they are currently living. He just finished school to be an orthodontist. It was fun talking to them. We then had to head back in order for Joe and Britney to make their flight. They were headed to the Big Island to visit Britney's aunt/uncle. We dropped them off at Brad's so he could take them, then headed back to our hotel. We went and got a pizza, read for a bit, then went to bed. The sun set at about 7pm every evening so we didn't want to stay out much longer after that. A lot of the drinking started about then, and since we were pretty tired/exhausted by that time anyway, we didn't fight it much.
Tantalus Lookout of Diamond Head/Waikii
Waimea Bay Beach
Rainbow after the rain
Dole Pineapple Plantation
On Monday we headed over to the Pearl Harbor Memorial. We got there at nine then got our tickets for the USS Arizona Tour which started at noon (the earliest they had). We then took the opportunity to go through the different museums and learn more about what happened before, during and after the attach on Pearl Harbor. It was very interesting to me, especially since I'm not much of a History person. It was neat to learn more about the war and how we were involved. After we walked the museums we went and had our tour per say. They had a 20 minute film on what happened there, then they put us on a boat to take us over to the USS Arizona Memorial.
Don't you love the "boat" they gave us to drive? It was a Lincoln Navigator. At least we got to use our handicap parking again and got a front row spot ;)
Doesn't fit very well
Aloha
The museums
Behind us is the USS Arizona Memorial
Steve got the camera....
Steve having some fun
And some more...
The USS Arizona Memorial
After exploring Pearl Harbor, we made our way back to our hotel and then decided to take it easy the rest of the day. We went shopping around the area, went to Waikii again, then had dinner at Chili's. Once it got dark we went back to the hotel and packed up to leave in the morning.
Close to Waikii Beach (I'm a little sunburned but what can you do?)
Our flight to Kauai left 9am so we dropped off our rental car by 7am then headed to the airport. The plane we took over to Kauai was really small so we had to check in our bags, which was lame because they charged us but oh well. Thankfully the flight was REALLY short, like 30 minutes. We barely got up and then it was time to come back down. Once we landed we got our rental car, which was a lot better than the one we had in Oahu. It was Nissan Altima. We then found the local Wal-mart where we got some snacks. We couldn't check into our hotel until about 4pm so we decided to drive to some sights first. We went to a nearby beach and looked at the black crabs. They made me squirm but Steve thoroughly enjoyed them.
Beautiful Kauai
Rooster/chicken at Wal-Mart. The chickens were EVERYWHERE!!!! They cracked me up every time just strutting their stuff and cakeadoodledoing.
At Kalapaki Beach
The crabs
Getting ready to go on the plane. They gave me the Kukui Nut Lei as a gift, along w/ the flower Steve is holding in his hand. After the tour they also gave us a DVD of the tour and a copy of this picture.
Kauai, some private beaches
Waimea Canyon and falls
Napali Coast
More coast line
Steve in the copilot seat
Wailua Falls from the top
Our resort from the plane
After the tour we then called our resort and they said our room was ready so we could check in early. We stayed at the Kauai Beach Resort. It was incredible! We booked the cheapest room but when we checked in they actually upgraded us to an ocean-view room w/ a King bed on the top floor! Talk about awesome! It was a beautiful resort and the staff was very friendly. We'd highly recommend this place and will definitely back there again.
Our resort, the Kauai Beach Resort
Our very comfortable King Bed. Steve LOVED it, especially compared to the last bed.
The view from our room looking at the ocean
The view from our balcony overlooking the pools
After checking in we went swimming in the pools, then met w/ a couple
from our branch for dinner who was actually staying just up the street
from us. They had been on Kauai the whole time we were in Oahu and
would leave the day before us. We went to dinner at Duke's Restaurant
that was recommended by another couple from our branch who apparently
have been to Kauai many times. The food was good but VERY expensive, in
our opinion, but the dessert, Hula Pie, was so very yummy! After dinner they came over to our resort where we went to the hot tub
(I just put my feet in of course) and hung out for a while. It was raining like crazy but it was
still fun.
Me Steve and Tyler and Ashley Snarr at Duke's
Yummy Hula Pie. It's made of a chocolate cookie pie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, whipped
cream, and chopped mac nuts. Yummmm!!!!
The next day we had their buffet breakfast (again included in our package). It was incredible and definitely outdid the last place. They had everything to choose from: fresh fruit like watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, grapes, waffles, pancakes, french toast, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, yogurt, bagels, muffins, croissants, cereal, juices, etc. Having the breakfast provided was great because not only did we get a good meal before heading out for the day, but it also saved us in cost since food was so expensive there.
We then decided to drive to the Waimea Canyon so we could get a different perspective of it, instead of just from the top. It was neat to see but the windy roads didn't go too well w/ my stomach.
Making our way up the canyon
The Canyon
Steve cruising in the Altima
Steve just couldn't resist, he had to feed the chickens/roosters. Ya there were chickens even up at 3400 ft.
We then drove to Salt Pond Beach and Poipu Beach. It was pretty and supposedly a really good spot to snorkel but I wasn't feeling well so we didn't stay too long. We did get to see a sea turtle come up out of the ocean though so that was really neat.
Salt Pond Beach
Sea Turtle taking a break
On the way back we stopped at a place called Bread and Deli Connection for a sandwich. They were really good and not too overpriced for once. We then went back to the resort and swam in the pool some, then drove out to Wailua Falls which was pretty close by. I guess Wailua Falls is most recognized in the opening credits of the long-running television show "Fantasy Island." Again it looked different from this angle instead of over-top; so pretty. On the way back I was craving ice cream so we got a $1 cone at McDonalds :)
Wailua Falls
On Thursday after breakfast we went and hiked up most of "Sleeping Giant." It was a little muddy towards the top so we turned back at this point since we didn't want to risk either of us falling and hurting ourselves. We then drove to Opaekaa Falls and Waimea River. We then continued on up to the Kilauea Lighthouse. The rest of the north was just more beaches so we turned around and stopped at a place to eat.
Pretty hibiscus flower
Opaekaa Falls
Waimea River
View from our hike
Kilauea Lighthouse
We then went to Lyndgate Beach and played in the ocean. This time the water was actually surprisingly warm so I had no problem getting in. Steve had to hold my hand the whole time because the waves were pretty big, but it was fun trying to jump them. Steve played in the sand for a bit then we left. We then went and swam at the pool for a little while then just took it easy the rest of the night.
Waiting for our food enjoying the view
Steve playing in the sand
Lyndgate Beach
Steve wrote the name of our baby boy w/ sticks on the sand letting him know we were always thinking of him ;)
Friday was our last day in Kauai so we tried to enjoy ourselves the best we could. We slept in a little, got breakfast, then checked out. We then went over to Fisherman's Pond, a park, Spouting Horn blowhole, then went back to Poipu Beach to get something to eat. We stopped at Poipu Tropical Burgers for lunch then went over to the beach. Since we were going to be flying out in a couple hours we didn't want to get wet so we just sat on the park bench and enjoyed ourselves, I read while Steve just took it easy. We then walked down to the coast where Steve found some hermit crabs and other fish hiding in the rocks and small pools.
Fisherman's Pond
Spouting Horn Blowhole
Fish?
Hermit crab trying to get away
Pretty flowers
As we got back to "town" we got another ice cream cone from McDonald's then stopped at Wal-Mart to get some snacks to take w/ us. We did not want to be hungry on the plane again nor w/out water so we wanted to be prepared this time. We then returned our rental car and checked in at the airport. Luckily our flight was on time and we made it to LA on time as well. Our plane left at 8:30pm from Kauai and got to LA at like 5am Pacific Time. The bad part was I was stuck w/ Steve on my left side and another older man on my right side, both of whom where taking up some of my space and squishing me. Ya, needless to say, my feet got swollen again. We then had a layover in LA until 7:30pm until our plane left to SLC. We got into SLC at 10 am Saturday morning where Rob picked us up. We did not get much sleep during our trip back over so we were pretty tired and out of it when we landed.
Goodbye Kauai, we hope to see you again soon! ;)
After we got home we took a nap, got some dinner, then Steve took me up Big Cottonwood to fly fish (as posted earlier). It was a GREAT trip and we're so thankful we were able to go. Even though it is an expensive place it was still worth it in the end! Aloha and Maholo Hawaii!!! ;)
No comments:
Post a Comment