It’s been a while. I apologize. I have been playing catch up at work and spending time with my family. My boyfriend uploaded the pictures so I will be posting the link so you can see them soon. Today is his birthday. I am so grateful to have such a wonderful person in my life. He taught me to believe in myself again. He reminded me that I had to put myself first. To forgive myself for my past mistakes and look forward to a better future. He showed me how to love again. He makes me happy. He appreciates me, values my friendship and respects my opinions. He motivates me and inspires me to do better. We are a great team. Today is his birthday. I wish I could express everything I feel for him in words. Instead, I chose to express my love with actions since they tend to speak louder than words. I sent him an edible arrangement with chocolate covered fruit. It was a beautiful surprise. He was totally caught off guard. He told me that I was a Godsend. I feel the same way about him. We are both so fortunate to have each other. Truly, madly deeply in love. Blessed and highly favored too.
Returning Home
Woke up in a bad mood. I barely slept. Tossed and turned a lot fearing I’d miss the two alarms and wake up call. Decided to go have breakfast at the buffet with the Disney characters. I think I enjoyed it more than the kids. Most of them don’t know the Disney characters. Some are afraid of them. Goofy made my morning. You will be able to see form my kool-aid smile when I finally post my pictures.
Left the resort and headed to the airport. It was very hot at the airport. I walked around the shops while I waited for boarding time. I have to thank God for ABC stores. It’s like the equivalent of a grocery store or bodega. They had everything. I even got a free gift for spending a certain dollar amount.
I had safe flights and I had to part from my boyfirend. I know I’m sad. I know I’m gonna miss him. already feeling withdrawal symptoms. That and jet-lag. I need some sleep. Til next time.
Last day in Paradise
Time flies when you are having fun. I wish I could freeze it. Unfortunately, I am not superhuman. Gotta shop for souveniers and perfect my tan.
Last two days so we decided what better than to unwind by the pool. We did just that. Had a few drinks, bar food and tried new things. Namely, the rainbow reef onsite at the Disney Aulani Resort. Being that it is a small private reef, they protect the coral and use salt water. Hence the nearly freezing cold water temperature. It was 54 degrees to be exact. I am afraid of the water and the shock of the cold temperature made me wheeze. I couldn’t get over the rubber under my nose on the snorkel equipment either. I was literally freaking and freeing out. I just let my boyfriend enjoy the experience. I was envious as he snapped pictures but it wasn’t for me. Maybe in warmenr water temperature. Maybe after training myself in the tub. LOL. Oh well! Better luck next time.
i promise to post pictures soon.
Remembering & Honoring
Today we got up really early and said a prayer. You see, since we stayed in Ko’ Olina, the tour groups wouldn’t pick us up. We had purchased Go Oahu cards prior to arriving to Hawaii. We drove out to Pearl Harbor. Since we didn’t have a reservation with the tour group, there was a chance we wouldn’t get tickets. It would be a damn shame to come all the way to Hawaii and miss the most popular attraction. I raced in and luckily, there were still tickets available. We had to put our bags away since they didn’t allow any bags but no complaints from us. We made it in. We started at the USS Bowfin Memorial. We had headphones for the audio tour. My boyfriend was a shutterbug. He took pictures of practically everything. He knew there were people back home living vicariously through us. Next we went over to the USS Arizona. We started with a film which was quite moving. It made me cry. I had learned about Pearl Harbor in school of course but being there in person and knowing that I was standing on top of tombs was a humbling experience. There were a few survivors helping out with tours. A handful of war veterans too. Many of them were on family trips and telling stories of their time in the armed services. I am grateful for each and every one of them. I am proud of the many family members who selflessly served our country too.
We followed this somber experience by a trip to the North Shore where we visited Cholo’s restaurant. The food was sooo good and the margarita’s were nice and strong. The restaurant was decorated in Mexican art with various media types available for purchase. Had a great time with my babe. We got to see a lot of surfers. Marveled at the beauty of the waves from afar. Call me coward, I think it was smart to stay out of the water. Nest we headed to Matsumoto for shaved ice. All I can say is Yuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. Highly recommend it if you are ever in Hawaii.
Stay tuned for pictures.
Dole it out
Today we visited the Dole Plantation. We took on the Pineapple Maze. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, it is considered the World’s Largest Maze. Here are a few facts: built in 1997, expanded in 2007, it’s 3.15 acres, 2.46 miles of pathways and made of 14,000 local Hawaiian plants. We were given a time card when we arrived and were tasked with locating 8 secret stations. At each station there was a stencil which we had to trace onto our punch card. We had to clock out when we finished. They want to see if we could beat the record. We made our way under the scorching sun. I had a hard time because I was getting scared of getting lost. I felt like I was going around in circles. I have to give it to my boyfriend. he got us to each of the 8 stations. We have proof via pictures and the stencils: Warrior, Sun, Fish, Pineapple, Hula Girl, Train, Palm Tree, and Sea Urchin. After completing the maze, we took the locomotive train around the plantation. We saw various types of pineapples, sugar cane and coffee. Next we headed to the garden where we saw Bromeliads, Birds of Paradise, Gardenia, and Plumeria. They had a nice pond with lily pads and a small waterfall. It was a great morning.
Next we headed to see more of the North Shore. We went to Cholo’s Mexican Restaurant and Margarita Bar. We had chicken nachos and a few margaritas. I had the fish tacos and my boyfriend had a beef burrito. Everything was tasty. They restaurant walls featured a lot of Mexican art. One wall was full of Frida art and bags. There were various crosses and corazones espinados(thorned hearts). Some of the art was for sale.
We had to stop at Morimoto’s Shave Ice in Haleiwa for dessert. We had to experience the best shave ice in Hawaii for ourselves. There was a line outside of mostly surfers. They had 40 flavors to choose from. I selected a Lychee, Creamsicle and Sour Plum combination. It was soooo good. They give you the option of adding condensed milk and Azuki beans on top. You could also have it with ice cream. It was worth the wait.
On our way back we stopped by a Leonard’s Bakery truck. The bakery is featured in both of my tour books Frommer’s And Fodor’s. They sell Malasadas which are doughnut holes. Some are flavored – cinnamon, Passion fruit, while some are filled with cream – Vanilla, Chocolate or Passion fruit. They are served warm. They smell and taste absolutely delicious.
Who says you can’t go to the pool after 5 PM? I’m on vacation and I decided to go whenever I please. So I did. I got about an hour of sun and it was worth it. It contributed to my slow bronzing process.
Having left-overs for dinner. Have to go to bed early. Have to be up super early to get to Pearl Harbor when it opens.
Stay tuned for the rest of my vacation adventures.
Cultural Expedition
Today we had the chance to got he Polynesian Cultural Center. After picking up our tickets, we met with our tour guide for the day. We got lei’d by a Tahitian beauty : ). We received a gift of black Kukui nuts. She explained that lei’s are given as a sign of love. They should never be thrown away. That is a sign of disrespect and believed to be bad luck. If you dispose of them, they should be burned. It was an action packed day full of presentations on the islands that make up the Polynesian Triangle: Samoa, Aotearoa (new Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga, and the islands of Hawaii. Each presentation was different. At the “Island of Samoa” we learned about familial duties – men do all the cooking. Now that’s what I’m talking about! We learned how to start a fire, how to climb a coconut tree, and how to cut open a coconut. The presenter was really funny. Outside of “Samoa” they had an arts & crafts station where there were women weaving. Next we strode over to Aotearoa better know as New Zealand. They spoke about honoring the past. They demonstrated the game of storytelling and also tititorea which is singing and dancing while twirling sticks. This can also used as warrior training. They also showed us the way they welcome guests which they do by touching head to head and nose to nose. It’s a sign of respect and affection. Our third stop was the “Island of Fiji”. We learned of their history through song and dance. As we entered we were given a bamboo stick. It was an interactive show. We were shown three different beats and we were given a chance to perform with them while they sang. It was fun. Outside they had airbrush tattoos and bamboo drumming. The next presentation was at the “Island of Hawaii”. There they spoke of the warriors and demonstrated spear throwing. They danced hula and spoke about their diet. Particularly bread making. We were able to taste Taro as well. We were shown a few hula steps and were given the chance to strut our stuff. In the “Island of Tahiti”, they showed us a wedding ceremony. The couple is asked if they will ever leave each other to which they should answer no. This is of course different from an American wedding where we affirm and say I do to the question do you take this person as your lawfully wedded spouse til death do you part. We headed over to the “Island of Tonga”. There we heard the sounds of various drum beats and saw of hula dancing. They spoke about canoe sand weaving. After visiting each of the “Islands”, we viewed a canoe pageant followed by a canoe ride. Our guide then led us over to the theater where we viewed a 3D film about the Hawaiian Journey. We had dinner after our long day and headed over to see the Ha Breath of Life show. It was spectacular. the performers were from each of the islands. They each sang and dance in their native tongue. The show was about the importance of family and respect for generations of the past. I highly recommend this experience to everyone who visits Hawaii.
Cinco de Mayo
Feliz Cinco de Mayo! We celebrated yesterday on NY time and ended up at a bar by the hotel. We got gifts of beads and shot glasses. Enjoyed some strong margaritas. This morning we headed out to Diamond Head Crater. Skies were grey and it didn’t look like the sun wanted to come out at all. We arrived and I must say I was scared. I didn’t even want to approach the volcano. I know its been dormant for years but I truly felt that there was no way I would make it to the top. It was very humid and I do not work out. I was not prepared for the trek. I pushed myself. Onwards and upwards as they say. Boy was it upward! The elevation is 761 feet. The trail route is steep and can be daunting. I was for me and from the looks on the faces of others, I wasn’t alone. As an asthmatic it was really taking a toll on me. I kept taking breaks because I was wheezing. Then the sky opened up and it began to pour. I felt cold and defeated. I considered turning back. My boyfriend encouraged me to keep going. He reminded me that this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity. One that I’d regret not doing. So I moved on with frequent stops to catch my breath and drink water. It was quite slippery and I felt like I could sprain my ankle at any moment due to the uneven terrain. I almost gave up when we got to a tunnel. It was dark and narrow and the fog and humidity made it difficult to see or breathe. I never knew what it meant to feel claustrophobic until then. I kept moving since I was more than half way there. We took the loop trail rather than taking the steep metal steps. We hunched down and stepped down into a spiral staircase that led to an overlook. Paused to take a few pics and then proceeded to the summit. The Le’ahi Summit was finally within reach and I was exhausted. The view was well worth it. From there you could see sweeping views of the Oahu coast, Koko Head Preserve and the offshore island of Moloka’i, Lana’i and Maui. I made it. I didn’t think I could but I did. Quite an accomplishment. One that I will cherish for a lifetime. After about half an hour of resting and taking pictures, Diamond we descended the volcano. From here we headed over to Hanauma Bay. It was still drizzling but not as foggy. The view was stunning. The water was different hues of turquoise and teal. It was truly captivating. There were many people snorkeling below but I didn’t take the chance as I don’t swim. Next we went to Waikiki Beach. We took pictures of the statue of American born actor Duke Kahanamoku. He was an Olympic swimmer who moved to Waikiki and popularized surfing surfer. His arms were covered in Leis. We walked along the beach but it was drizzling so we decided to have lunch. We went to Tiki’s Bar and Grill. They had a Cinco de Mayo celebration with live bands. The dance floor was pretty full. We had a few margaritas at the bar while we waited to be seated. The food was spectacular. I may be back before we return home. We walked and shopped. We met up with friends form home for dinner. Overall it was a great day.
Chill day
It feels so good to feel up when you are well rested. Such is the case today. I think I’m finally getting over the jet lag. We had a light breakfast and headed to the pool though it looks a little overcast. the sun will eventually come out. We took a stroll along the hotel grounds. This resort is truly amazing. You have to give credit to the Disney Imagineers. They are truly talented. This looks very similar to the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge though. Had a great day at the pool. Got a little sunburn because I forgot to re-apply sunscreen after getting out the of the lazy river. I enjoyed some lilik’o mojitos (passion fruit) with my lunch and I had some shave ice for dessert. So many flavors to choose from so little time. We headed to the room to shower and relax before heading to Honolulu for the Cinco de Mayo Festival. We decided to stop at the ALoha Tower first. This port welcomed many merchants years ago. It’s like their Ellis Island. They have a marketplace as well. Most of the stores were closed but the brewery and Hooters were full. We headed over to the festival. It was interesting to say the least. We found a few food trucks. We ate burritos at the Baja Fresh truck. Quite good and not as messy as I assumed considering I ate standing and I was wearing white shorts. We walked around and found a Bike Club. Most of them were Puerto Rican. Go figure, Puertoricans in Hawaii. There were a few DJ booths. One of the radio stations had performances by Mariachi group and a Mexican Bolero singer. There were plenty of booths for drinks. A few that offered face painting for kids. Most were bars that were selling bracelets for bar hopping. Still tired from the the sun though so we didn’t bar hop. Headed back to rest up for tomorrow.
Paradise Found
Aloha! Woke up feeling a little disoriented. Definitely tired but happy to be in Hawaii. Decided to order room service for breakfast rather then venture out. Sat outside on our balcony facing the garden. The food was great but the company was better. Love waking up with the man I love. We sat outside and just marveled at the beach in the distance. We were sweating in less than a minute but can’t complain. The sun was beaming and I got a tan in less than 15 minutes. So much for avoiding VTL’s (Visible Tan lines). After lazily getting prepped for our day we headed out to see Honolulu/Chinatown. We started at Iolani Palace. We had an audio tour. It was quite impressive. My boyfriend was definitely a shutter bug with his new camera. The only thing is that there are tons of pictures of me. A few of him but none of us. From the palace we walked to see King Kamehameha. You know the one, the king that is seen on the opening of Hawaii 5-0. Later we went to St. Andrews Church. Stunning stained glass windows. Next we headed to a Mission House right behind it. Also beautiful. We decided to get some food at Soul de Cuba. It was a much longer walk than anticipated thanks to the GPS. I felt thirsty and hungry. Tired but pushed forward knowing that Mojitos would soon be in my hands in the near future. The food was great. I will definitely return. We headed to Chinatown for First Friday. Unfortunately, we were pooped. We only got to check out two galleries before admitting to each other that we couldn’t brave it any longer. We needed to get to bed. We drove back to Aulani. I soaked in a bath. We ordered food and fell asleep soon after.
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