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Published: January 5th 2008
Paradise
A glorious Palm Tree.Aloha!Our glorious Hawaiian vacation was pure Paradise. We flew out of Seattle at 8:40 am on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 and arrived in Honolulu at 11:12 am Hawaiian time, so we still had a full day to spend exploring Oahu. Fortunately our flight across the great Pacific Ocean was very smooth and pleasant (that was my first time flying over an ocean). Landing in Honolulu was very exciting too, seeing the island come in to view and realizing that our vacation to Paradise was becoming a reality. Once we arrived, we still had to take a shuttle to Alamo to pick-up our rental car (never seen so many people waiting for a rental car). We were upgraded to a convertible at no extra charge too. Then we were off to our hotel, the Ocean Tower Hotel at Waikiki. We booked our Hawaiian vacation on www.travelocity.com, and really got an amazing deal. The hotel was perfect. We only had to walk less than half a block to get to Waikiki Beach. And Wow! Waikiki Beach is absolutely gorgeous!!! Just like the pictures, but even more beautiful to see in person...sandy with aqua blue water, clear baby-blue skies and bright yellow sun, but
Aloha
Hawaii welcomes me! not too hot...just right! Our first day in Honolulu, Hawaii was spent as true vacationers in Paradise would spend it...our flight did not feed us, so by the time we got to the hotel we were starving! So, we ate a cheeseburger in Paradise...literally. The restaurant was actually called 'Cheeseburger in Paradise', after the Jimmy Buffet song. I had always wondered if there was such a restaurant, and now I know. While we ate, we were right across the street from the world's most famous beach, Waikiki, and it's beauty. Birds were actually flying in and out of the restaurant because it is an open-air restaurant, no need for windows and doors in such a perfect climate. Afterwards we strolled down Kalakaua Avenue to see all the shops and the International Market Place. Steven had been on a family vacation to Oahu when he was seven years old, so he was reminiscing, and couldn't wait to see the International Market Place again. This is where you can buy lots of tacky but fun Hawaiian souvenirs, which we did. It has shops all built around the most amazing Banyan tree. This tree is huge and it has vines that grow out
In the a.m.
Waikiki waking-up. of the limbs towards the ground, and continues throughout the market place. I've never seen a tree like that before, yet there are a lot in Hawaii (however, they were imported). Just another reason it's so beautiful there. You can check out the International Market Place online at http://www.internationalmarketplacewaikiki.com/ We also walked up and down the beach before finding the perfect spot to jump right in to the South Pacific! We played most of the afternoon on the beach and in the ocean, and explored the International Market Place some more. All of this playing really worked up a big appetite for Hawaiian food. That evening we ate at a famous restaurant at Waikiki Beach called Duke's. Duke was a Hawaiian turned Olympian who could surf like the wind, and he made Hawaiians very proud. Various statues of him are along the beach, and he is mentioned all over Hawaii. Fortunately for us, the restaurant was a buffet, so we got to taste lots of delicious food with a Hawaiian flair. (http://www.dukeswaikiki.com/) You can also check out the big statue of Duke at Waikiki Beach online that has a live cam watching people visit the statue. Steven found this online.
Walking on the Beach
Me on Waikiki Beach for the very first time! I wish I had known about it before we went to Hawaii, then I would have called my Mom from there and told her to look for me online. It's so cool! You can see how hot and beautiful it is there too.http://www.honolulu.gov/cameras/waikiki_beach/waikiki.htm The next day we decided to hike up Diamond Head, which is the most famous volcanic crater in the world, and it's a very old crater at that...it's been extinct for 150,000 years! We got started very early because if you don't, the heat and the crowds will take over. We really didn't know quite how difficult the hike would be (need to get in shape!), but it was well worth it once we got to the top. The view of Honolulu and Waikiki is absolutely amazing!!! It was quite a surreal moment for me, standing on top of Diamond Head looking down at Honolulu not believing where in the world I was! I found that most of our Hawaiian trip was like this; like an out-of-body experience not quite grasping that I was actually fortunate enough to be in Hawaii. (http://www.hawaiiweb.com/html/diamond_head.html) After our very active hike up and down Diamond Head, Steven and I were again
Time to eat
And that's just what we did...we ate a Cheeseburger in Paradise! starving. The heat didn't detour us from eating. We found a cute restaurant on the island called Zippy's, so we decided to try it out. It seems to be an island favorite. I had soup and salad. The soup was a Portuguese bean soup named the best homemade soup on the island, and mmm, were they right! On the way out of the restaurant we noticed a picture and newspaper article stating that Bill Clinton had eaten in that very spot when he was President. After a delicious lunch, we continued exploring Oahu in our convertible. As beautiful as Waikiki Beach is, we did want to try to find a bit more of a private beach so we could enjoy our privacy more, so we ventured out to this spectacular beach that was so quiet, probably because it was windy, not breezy, but full-fledged windy, and there were warning signs of "Portuguese Man of War Jellyfish' to look out for. Well, we didn't mind, it was private, so out we went! We played in the ocean, hitting the waves, and sunbathed on the beach for hours. It was so relaxing and unbelievable too. However, we neglected to do one VERY
Waikiki Beach
You can see just how beautiful Waikiki Beach is in this picture, so sunny! important thing...put on sunscreen! Yep, I became painfully aware just how dumb that was, but good grief! Living in Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington for the passed two years had left us both without good sunshine in so long that it was impossible not to just lay there and soak in the much needed rays, even though we went totally unprepared. Steven left the beach with a bronze tan while I looked like a little red lobster! Oh, and that Portuguese Man of War Jellyfish...he got me too! Right on the side of my left foot, but fortunately it didn't really hurt that bad...worse than a mosquito, but not as bad as a bee. Mostly I suffered from the sunburn, but I wasn't about to let it dampen my spirits or take away one second of fun in the sun while in Hawaii. We just slathered 50 SPF all over me for the rest of the trip, and I wore a hand-made Hawaiian grass hat (made from Palm leaves) a lot too. I may have looked silly, but I was having fun! We ended the day by you guessed it...eating more food! What's a vacation without eating yummy, and
Kalakaua Avenue
Palm Streets line Kalakaua Avenue along Waikiki Beach. different foods??? And really my soup and salad from earlier was long gone since I exerted so much energy laying on the beach in the sun. We ended up eating at the Top of Waikiki Restaurant because when we saw the building on the street, it reminded us of the Harbour View in Vancouver, and it's Hawaii's only revolving restaurant with a view. We both ate fish, grilled Salmon and Opah, while looking out at Paradise. Opah is also known as moonfish, and is one of the most colorful of the commercial fish species available in Hawaii. While enjoying our dining experience at the Top of Waikiki, Steven and I had our picture made there, and I'm as red as a beet, from my sunburn of course! It's funny though. After eating we again went shopping and Steven bought me a cute little pineapple necklace. We then went back to our hotel early, about 9 pm, because we'd had a very active day, and I was really starting to feel my sunburn at that point. (http://www.restauranteur.com/topofwaikiki/) The next day was Aloha Friday, as the Hawaiian's call Fridays, and it was the only day we had planned in advance of arriving
Reminiscing
Steven at the entrance to the International Market Place. in Hawaii. We had reserved a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center from 12-9 pm. That morning we got up early so that we could take our time getting to the Cultural Center, and drive around the island. Along the way we stopped at a real working macadamia nut farm that can be toured, and you can taste samples of all the different flavors of macadamia nuts, caramel, chocolate, even garlic, etc. It was fun because I had no idea how delicious macadamia nuts are...I think this was my first taste because they're quite expensive, but not in Hawaii since they're grown there. We also got to see so many different kinds of plants and trees growing. It was fun, and educational-the best way to learn. While driving the island, we also saw the gorgeous mountains leading to where the movie, "Jurassic Park" was filmed in 1993, at Kualoa Ranch, and we saw a big rock-like island in the ocean off shore known as 'Chinaman's Hat'. Steven was especially excited to see this because he remembered seeing it as a child. His family trip when he was seven is one of his best memories, and now that I've been to
A first for me
Posing at the entrance to the International Market Place. Hawaii, I can understand why. The Polynesian Cultural Center was amazing! We were in a tour group of about eight couples. Our tour guide (from the great big island of 'Montana', so not too authentic on that one) took us to each Polynesian 'village' to learn about it's culture. The first was Samoa, and the entertainer was fabulous, and hilarious too! Steven and I had our picture made with him. He put fire out with his foot, opened a coconut with his bare hands with 2 punches, and climbed a very tall Palm Tree like a monkey! (Btw,this is where we bought my big palm tree hat because the sun was straight above, and I was already beyond burnt, strangers were offering me sunscreen!) We then moved on to the Polynesian villages of Fiji, New Zealand, Tahiti, Hawaii (of course), Tonga , Easter Island and Marquesas. We also watched a grand boat parade of each island and it's people performing and dancing as they floated by. This experience really confirmed that we were definitely in Hawaii, and the South Pacific with it's authentic hula girls and shows. After learning about the different cultures of Polynesia, it was Luau time! As
Banyan Tree
A Banyan tree grows in Hawaii. you enter the Luau, a Hawaiian places a lei around your neck to welcome you. Steven and I were then invited to sit with a couple from Tennessee, since being from North Carolina myself, I had connected with my southern neighbors once I knew where they were from. Then the ceremonial pig is pulled from the ground where he's been cooking for hours just for us, and the Luau begins. All of the Hawaiian food was so scrumptious too. My favorite was the purple sweet potatoes. I've never seen purple sweet potatoes before, but I do believe that they taste better than the orange ones now. And speaking of pigs, that's exactly what Steven and I were...little piggy's, but we just couldn't help ourselves! How many times do you get to eat at an authentic Luau??? One for me, so far... After making piggy's of ourselves, it was then time for the big show of the night, known as the world's biggest night show per the website. We had excellent seats too. It was spectacular, especially the fire dancers. What an amazing experience!!! I'm so thankful to the Lord for such diversity in the world. Every time I go anywhere,
Duke
In Honor of Duke, the "Father of International Surfing." I'm amazed at His creativity. (http://www.polynesia.com/) After such a big day on Friday, it was time to sleep in a little (it is vacation afterall) on Saturday morning, but only a little. And, this is the only day Steven and I did sleep in too. As much as I'm NOT a morning person, I told Steven to not let me sleep in so not to miss anything while in Paradise, and to my dismay (at the time), Steven followed my instructions to a T, and woke me up at the crack of dawn! Now I'm glad he did. Saturday was our most relaxing day on Oahu. We had lunch at a Japanese restaurant again across from Waikiki Beach, walked to the park where we laid in the grass under a big Banyan tree with a view of Diamond Head, walked around the old Kodak Theater that Steven remembered going to as a child (no hula shows there now), and shopped some more at the International Market Place. While at the Market Place, Steven wanted us to choose an oyster to find a pearl at one of the many oyster booths, so we did. He picked a very good oyster too,
Get ready to hike!
Preparing to hike Diamond Head, the most famous volcanic crater in the world. the pearl was big and beautiful with a pink luster (just like me with my sunburn!) By this point in our trip, I had fallen in love with the big green sea turtles so common to the island, and the jewelry lady just happened to have (of course) a gold sea turtle pendant necklace that our pearl would fit into. Steven got it for me as an early second wedding anniversary present, and a great 1st (for me) Hawaiian vacation memento. That evening we ate at the Tiki Grill beside our hotel. We kept noticing it as we walked by each day, with it's lit lanterns and outside patio with an ocean view, and of course Tiki's everywhere! Steven was so impressed with the Luau from the night before that he got the Aloha Friday Hawaiian plate, while I again had fish. This time it was macadamia nut crusted mahi-mahi, yum! yum! We also had non-alcoholic drinks in real coconuts as souvenirs. Steven's was a pina-colada, and mine was peach. We're such tourists because we were dying for the authentic island drink with the little umbrellas. (http://www.tikisgrill.com/) Sunday we got up early and drove out to Hanauma Bay, a protected
On the way up
Getting a workout while enjoying the scenery hiking Diamond Head. marine life and conservation area. This is the perfect place to snorkel to see coral, beautiful fish and my favorite, the green sea turtles. Steven and I took the recommendation of the guide at Diamond Head and went early. If you don't, you're out of luck because the crowds will take over. However, since it was so early, I found the water to be freezing cold to get in to, brrr! Of course, after you're in it, you get use to it, but it sure did take me awhile. We had fun though, floating around in the calm, aqua clear waters that we were sharing with tropical fishies. We missed out on snorkeling though, since I can't swim and the snorkel gear needed to be rented. We went back on Tuesday so Steven could snorkel, but the park was closed. We'll just go back when we're in Oahu again. (http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/facility/hanaumabay/) After visiting Hanauma Bay for a few hours, we took a leisurely drive through the 'countryside' of the island. Along the way, we stopped for lunch at the Shrimp Shack, which is just a truck selling delicious seafood along side the ocean front. It was yummy since Steven and I
My handsome husband
Steven and the view of Oahu from Diamond Head. both love seafood. It's also been featured on the Travel Channel and the Food Network. We (esp. me) love the tourist traps, esp. when they're tasty too! (http://www.alternative-hawaii.com/shrimp/index.html) Our next stop that day was the Dole Plantation, where pineapples, among other fruits, are grown. The Dole Plantation offers the Pineapple Express Train ride throughout the plantation to see what's growing, the world's largest maze, shaped like a pineapple, and the plantation garden tour. This was the first time I had ever seen a pineapple growing. I wasn't even sure how it would look either, it's pretty interesting. Steven and I took the train, but skipped the maze since the hot, hot sun was shining down on us...as much as I need sun light mentally, physically it's a different story. While we were visiting the Dole Plantation, we also got to sample the pineapples being grown there. Yummy! ( http://www.dole-plantation.com/) We ended the day, as we did most of our days while in Hawaii, watching the sun set at Waikiki Beach. The Shrimp Shack was very filling, so we ate fresh fruit by the ocean for dinner. It's amazing how even doing that was fun. Once the sun sets, the night
Honolulu
A fantastic view of Honolulu, Hawaii from the top of Diamond Head. life really picks up on Kalakaua Avenue. We saw men totally painted in silver and gold standing still as art and exercise (and for money), a phantom of the Opera look-alike playing drums, a basketball dancer, singers, one wearing angel wings while she strummed her guitar, and people walking around with numerous colorful birds on their shoulders. You can hold one too, if you pay. It's quite an exciting and entertaining place for sure. The next day was Monday, and it was one of the highlights of our Hawaiian trip for me because we visited Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona Memorial. This visit was so amazing! I love visiting National Parks and Monuments, but this one was very different. First of all, there were so many people in line waiting to get in to see the Memorial. If you don't go early, even though it's free, you won't get in because so many people visit each day, so we went very early because Pearl Harbor is NOT to be missed if you visit Hawaii! The only other National Park/Monument Steven and I have visited that was this busy was Mt. Rushmore, however I believe this one is much more
Pacific Ocean
The beautiful blue of the Pacific Ocean from Diamond Head. special for what took place here over 65 years ago. When we were there, we could definitely feel just how special and sacred this place is. Once you enter, an elderly volunteer is standing at the entrance to greet you and shake your hand...he is a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor! He was actually there and witnessed it first-hand! That right there really gets you thinking and sets the mood of this historical place. While at Pearl Harbor, we visited the museum that contains real documents, letters written by soldiers, pictures, ship models, etc. We then saw a half hour documentary in the theater educating us on what led up to the attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Then, last but definitely not least you board a small passenger boat to ride out to the USS Arizona Memorial. The Memorial is a white structure built over the actual ship that sank during the attack, taking with her over 1,000 young unsuspecting soldiers. This became their final resting place. You can see parts of the ship as you walk over the Memorial, along with reading each of the fallen soldier's names inside. It's so somber and special.
Breathtaking
Words just can't describe this beautiful and breathtaking scene in Hawaii. I'm so glad we were able to visit Pearl Harbor. (http://nps.gov/usar/) After our morning was spent at Pearl Harbor, we then went back to Waikiki Beach to enjoy more sun. This time Steven and I rented a big yellow beach umbrella for me to be somewhat shaded, so not to continue burning. However, even with 50 SPF slathered all over me, and the shade of the umbrella, I still continued to burn a bit, while Steven continued to tan. He was only a 'redneck' for about a day! He said if we'd had another week in Hawaii, I'd probably not recognize him he'd be so tan. Must be nice. We spent the rest of the day lounging on the beach and playing in the ocean...it was wonderful and relaxing. After watching another gorgeous Hawaiian sun set that evening, we then went out to eat at Smorgy's Buffet that was recommended to us by Steven's Mom from when she was honeymooning in Hawaii a few years ago. It was yummy. We had a perfect table right on the street so that we could eat as we viewed Honolulu. (There were small cats in the restaurant because apparently kitties run free in
Taking it all in
Steven trying to capture the moment on film. Hawaii...they were on the beach too.) Then, before we knew it, it was our last full day in Paradise...as you can imagine, we DID NOT want it to end! We had to make the most of this day so we were again up bright and early to do just that. We immediately went to Waikiki Beach and rented the big yellow umbrella again. We played in the ocean and floated around on the calm waves with Steven's green raft. Where we were playing there were schools of fish swimming by, so we got to swim with the Pacific fishies. We played at Waikiki until about 12:30 because we still had to take some precaution where I was concerned. We then decided to visit the Honolulu Zoo, just a hop, skip and a jump from our hotel (everything was!). Even though the Triple A book did not say the Honolulu Zoo is a diamond attraction, we think it should be. It was wonderful! We had recently visited the Seattle Woodland Park Zoo, and did worry that we might be a bit bored with another zoo so soon, but nope! It was quite different, and lots of fun. Not just the animals,
Disbelief
I just can't believe I'm actually in Hawaii! but the trees too. Hawaii has some of the most amazing and different trees. Of course there's the Banyan tree with it's 'dreadlocks', but then there was also a tree that's trunk is peeling with colors like camouflage! Amazing. All of the different palm trees, and palm leaf trees were just so cool! While at the zoo we saw the usual suspects, and then some: giraffes, zebras, elephants, lots of peacocks running loose (glad the other animals weren't), hippos, rhinos, HUGE turtles, monkeys, leopards, cheetahs, lions, tigers, bears (oh my!), and strange animals that I don't quite remember what they were called. Fun, fun, fun!!!! (http://www.honoluluzoo.org/) Highly recommended. Now it was our last night in Hawaii, so we had to make it special. We walked on Waikiki Beach again, and people-watched (there's some weird-o's out there, even in Paradise!), and then we happened upon a free Hawaiian beach performance. Authentic Hawaiian's began singing their wonderful traditional Hawaiian songs, and playing ukulele's, etc. While they played, a man and a woman did the traditional hula dancing, right there on the world's most famous beach. What a brilliant backdrop! The sun set while we watched and listened, and tried to savor every
Our own private beach
Where we soaked up the sun.... last bit of Hawaiian bliss we had left. Then these very skimpily-clad men ran by lighting each torch down Kalakaua Avenue, a nightly tradition in Waikiki. I'm so glad we didn't miss it since we only saw this for the first time on our last night. We then splurged on a Hawaiian Seafood Luau buffet with entertainment that featured a live Hawaiian band and hula dancers, of course. It was our big farewell to our Paradise celebration. We spent our very last day in Paradise on Waikiki Beach one last time, and were fortunate enough to see a beautiful rainbow cris-cross the entire baby-blue sky just above the Pacific Ocean. What a perfect ending to a perfect week in perfect Hawaii, with my sweet husband. Then we returned our convertible, hopped on the shuttle to the airport, and left for Seattle at 1:40 pm. I was a bit more anxious flying back than I was going...I guess because I didn't want to leave! Plus I hate take-off in an airplane, and wow, was that take-off bumpy! We were in the back of the plane, and the trade winds were really blowing us around until we got up in the air.
Jellyfish
This little critter liked me too much, he latched onto my foot! The pilot didn't even turn off the seatbelt sign for a whole hour into the flight. Finally it was time for the in-flight movie, "8 Below"-how ironic leaving such a sunny place behind, but neither of us were that interested in the movie. Steven read one of our souvenir books about the history and culture of Hawaii, both of us trying to keep Paradise alive just a little longer. We landed safely in Seattle at 9:15 pm. Then reality set in! We couldn't believe that we were already home. It felt like we blinked and our Hawaiian vacation was over that quickly. Both Steven and I had to immediately return to work (a big dose of reality) the next day, which was quite exhausting. At least we'll always have Hawaii. And that's Hawaii in a 'macadamia' nutshell. I hope you have enjoyed reading my story of a girl, a boy, and an island. Aloha, Alekona Keline, my Hawaiian name.
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