We could not sleep well. Car alarm went off intermittently between 1 and 3 am. We finally work up around 7 am. Kids had homemade omelets. Their scuba lessons start at 9:30 in the neighboring pool. Initial lesson in the pool is free. If the participants are comfortable, instructor would take them to Ocean dive right behind the resort. Instructor asked us to hang around for an hour. It is possible that the ears do not adjust as they dive down. He didn’t want to take anybody whose ears did not get adjusted. P2 had this problem. So we decided to [View Full Entry]

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This is the day, we leave the paradise. We finished packing as much as possible. Kids wanted to use the boogie board. So P1, P2 and I decided to drive to Kaanapali beach for one last swim. We took the boogie board. Initially, the waves were little. In another 30 minutes, the waves were tossing us around like a toy. I sat on the shore for a while watching P1 and P2. I wanted a last minute dip. I joined them. In no time, I was also tossed. I lost my prescription glasses. P1 and P2 searched for it for a [View Full Entry]

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I made it to Hawaii!!!! I did not sleep at all last night, I tried...but I WAS TOO EXCIED TO SLEEP. I managed to get my room as clean as I could, packed up as much as I could and saw my brother and Lisa one last time. We had dinner at their place and it was delicious!!!! So off to the airport at 4:30am I went. Said bye to mom and dad before going into US customs. I wasnt as emotional this time as I was leaving for Ireland haha. The line up for customs was pretty ridiculous but it [View Full Entry]

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Day 2 found us with the time difference kicked in as our bodies woke up at about 4:00am today, which was plenty of time to get a couple of cups of Kona Coffee in our stomach before a beautiful sunrise here in Punalu'u. The weather today was partly cloudy with showers, and 80 degrees. Our kids had money scorching the bottom of their pockets so that only meant one thing: FLEA MARKET at Aloha Stadium. We arrived at 8:45am and wheeled and dealed with vendors. Surprisingly, they were more willing to negotiate price this time compared to Februrary, perhaps with the [View Full Entry]

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The day began at 4:00am to an alarm clock, but this time listening to an alarm was GOOD! A 8:55am flight brought us back to Oahu, North Shore. After a 6 hour uneventful direct Alaska Airlines flight, we picked up a Dodge Magnum rental ($318 for 10 days), and met with our condo owner at Pat's at Punaluu at 1:45pm (Hawaiin time). Just as advertised, and pleased as punch!Pictures from our double Lanai view. After dropping our bags off, we headed to Hauula to grocery shop, then back to the condo for some R&R. The kids frolicked on the beach while [View Full Entry]

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We spent about two weeks in Hawaii and had a great time chilling out by the pool, hanging out by the beach and basically doing nothing. We met a great couple from Kansas and spent some time with them driving round the island in a very cool convertible red mustang! Most of the time though we slept a lot!! [View Full Entry]

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Big day today. It is our most anticipated “Road to Hana” day. We had decided to stay overnight in Hana. So, we had to pack an overnight bag. We decided to leave a little late so that we could avoid some initial traffic. We made the readymade MTR Upma for breakfast! We left home around 9:15 am. First stop was Pa ‘ia to get boxed lunches for all of us. We got veggie sandwich boxes. I took Dramamine too, since they were selling it in the shop. By the time we headed back on the road it was already close to [View Full Entry]

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Time to pack up suitcases & catrch a flight back to Australia. Arrived at the ariport & went up to the lounge for breakfast. Well hooray, eventually a lounge that serves up Vegemite. This has been the only thing that I have missed, having vegemite on toast........ Becc & I went & did some Duty Free shopping before we boarded the plane. Left Honolulu around 10.50am, for a 10 hour flight back to Sydney. I was suppose to stay in Sydney for 3 nights but changed my itinerary. Missing home & the girls so I am flying back into Adelaide with [View Full Entry]

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Woke around 5.00am got up & went for a walk, met Jase down on the street. We walked along the beach, it was magical to be out this early, very pleasant. After our walk went back to the room got our bathers on & headed down to the beach with Will. Swam in the ocean, very crisp & cool, stayed in for over an hour in the water, this was terrific fun. The water is crystal blue & clear, nice to be swimming & soaking up the life in Honolulu. After my swim went shopping again.......more t-shirts for the girls, clothes [View Full Entry]

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Approximately 13 months ago, I had my first Kalalau experience over a long July 4th weekend. Since then I have spent seven months backpacking in South America and seen many amazingly beautiful things, but all that has only convinced me further that Kalalau is perhaps the most beautiful place on the planet. Throughout my recent travels abroad, I have looked forward to my next Kalalau journey. Anticipating minimal employment and ideal summer weather, I dreamt of a week long camping trip, but little did I know I'd be thrown right into a relatively busy work schedule. Finally, a date was pic [View Full Entry]

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