Gidget Goes Hawaiian- Kauai & Aulani 8/2012 TR- 5/24 COMPLETE!!

[podsnel]

Very inspiring , I was however thinking of me with the chairlift

No chairlifts yet, but ya never know!

That scenery is stunning. I am so glad I remembered to check out your pictures tonight. I don't think I could have stood another day at work where I looked at your updates and said DOH! I can believe how blue that water is. Gorgeous.

Seriously - you really did your homework to know about the shaved ice place and why am I not shocked that not even one of the males in your house listened to you when you told them about the ice cream? Sound familiar.

Oh - an about the Dell - I think its time for a Mac Missy. You will not regret it!

Keep the updates coming. A-MAZING!

So funny-I was catching up on your TR when you were looking at mine. On yours, all I can think is how different you and your BR are and how your SIL looks like she is on a merry go round when she's taking the plunge on Splash! Last night before I crashed I was up to a point where they FINALLY seemed to be letting their hair down a little- I hope that continues for all of your sakes!

YEA- I sure did my homework for Hawaii. I was completely OBSESSED!! I read 6 books (all historical fiction) to get a good feel for what Hawaii IS, read EVERY review on Yelp and Trip Advisor and Chowhound, every blog I could find- it was a LOT of fun, the Hawaii planning- I haven't planned like that since we went to Italy for our 20th Anniversary. REALLY am blue right now it's over!

And, I wanted THIS computer to be a MAC!! But Pods wouldn't listen!! Stupid AMATEUR again!! However....oddly enough....just yesterday he said "I think we should get a mac".... REALLY? Are you SURE Pods??

You went to my favorite Hawaiian island without me??!!!

During our most recent trip to Kauai, we started a game anytime we were in the car to make up different "why did the chicken cross the road?" jokes (inspired of course by all the chickens everywhere there). It was such fun and we still remind each other of those jokes.... "Why did the lion cross the Serengeti Plain? .... To get to the other Pride!... Why did the preschooler cross the playground? ... to get to the other SLIDE!...........

We had another trip booked to Kauai two Christmases ago, but then found out that we were expecting our third child. I've been wishing ever since - canceling that trip was so hard to do! And not rebooking it yet has been tough too, but we want to wait until our last child is out of diapers and can feed and dress himself first. It's a long wait!

All this to say thanks for letting me live vicariously through you for now. Great report. I hope to find out as you share more that you did the stunning helicopter ride, but if not, you'll just have to go back!

Sooooo funny! I LOVE your jokes!!! You are definitely invited on the next trip!! Which I hope I can talk Pods into taking in a couple of years- Kauai really was amazing- my favorite island ever- a title previously held by St John in the USVI. They are so alike, those two islands.

I know how it is, waiting for the babies to grow up enough to go somewhere- we had the same issue once, and it was for Disney- Pods would not consider going until Timmy was 4. It took FOREVER!!!! But, I can tell you, tho, as a mom of 3, #3 catches on earlier than everyone else, so hopefully it won't be long before you can take that return trip-

We did take a helicopter ride on our honeymoon- on the Big Island- it was spectacular....but, that was one thing that we didn't do this time- sorry- I am the PTA President at the middle school, and one of the school secretaries made me PROMISE I would not take a helicopter ride on Kauai. Her daughter went on her honeymoon there this past november, and the day before their own ride, another honeymoon couple tragically crashed and died. So...I promised her i wouldn't go- we did hike on the Napali, and did a really great boat ride, so, I hope you'll still keep reading!

 

[podsnel]

So is shaved ice like a snowcone? I am not fond of those and it sounds really strange with icecream in it...so I am guessing I am out of the loop of what it really is.

But I suppose if I was lucky enough to go to Hawaii, I might give it a try.
I like the black sand beach...very pretty

It is and it isn't like a snow cone- the ice is actually shaved, which makes it very light- not hard like a snowcone (I am not a fan of them, either). The toppings, when they are good, like they were at JoJos, taste kind of fresh- not super duper over the top sweet and chemical, like a snowcone, and the ice cream in the bottom was yum.....

 

[glokitty]

Awesome TR, love it! Can't wait for my trip to Kauai (staying at the Fern Grotto Inn) and Aulani in Jan.

 

[JKSWonder]

Definitely would have been a Lotta Colada shaved ice for me. You are totally right about the whole mac nut thing...why would you get vanilla if mac nut is there?

 

[ACDSNY]

franandaj sent me over to check out your TR. I'm enjoying all your pics and thanks for showing me the trail we've been trying to decide if I could make it. I'm thinking I'm too out of shape.

 

[anewmac]

playing catch up. your computers acting up and my internet (or maybe its my router?) is spazzing out so I havent been able to log in and I hate reading from my phone!

Wow those views are breathtaking.. even the ones with all the fog and clouds. Its like you are actually in the clouds! So great that you were able to pack so much into the day. I love those types of vacations.

Btw the monkey on this trip is the cutest one you have ever kissed! lol !

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wow! Your pictures are stunning! Not sure how I'd feel about all that hiking but the views sure do seem worth it!

You've definitely got me thinking about a trip. May I ask were there any resources (books, websites etc.) that you found especially helpful for planning? I would do Oahu/Aulani of course but probably another island as well. You're making a strong case for Kauai but love Maui too.

Fun to dream about at least! They need to add a smiley wearing a grass skirt and doing the hula!

 

[chasshan]

What a great TR, and I love the pictures, WOW!
I've been enjoying reading the Dismoms 4.....TR, and was so excited to see your thread/link for this one.
What a coincidence as, just yesterday, I was literally just looking at pricing for Aulani for next summer. Not too bad if I can rent DVC points for 2 studios, but I'm guessing availability could be an issue. I keep teetering on the decision to buy into DVC, and Aulani might finally sway me. Decisions, decisions....hmmmmm.

I agree, there should be a hula smiley face girl, but until then will stitch do?

Can't wait for the next post!
Shanna

 

[chepic]

I am in and reading.....great photos, Ellen.

We are hoping to go for our 30th in 5 years....starting the planning now

Cheryl

 

[podsnel]

Awesome TR, love it! Can't wait for my trip to Kauai (staying at the Fern Grotto Inn) and Aulani in Jan.

Thank-you! And GREAT choice of a second island to add on to an Aulani stay- Is the fern grotto inn near the Fern grotto?Sounds beautiful-

Definitely would have been a Lotta Colada shaved ice for me. You are totally right about the whole mac nut thing...why would you get vanilla if mac nut is there?

EXACTLY!!!!!

franandaj sent me over to check out your TR. I'm enjoying all your pics and thanks for showing me the trail we've been trying to decide if I could make it. I'm thinking I'm too out of shape.

That's awesome! Thanks for saying hi! On that trail- give it a shot, you never know what you can do- I knew that we were going to be VERY active on this trip, so I put myself into training months before we left- and worked out religiously for the month before hand- it made it sooo much easier than it would have been.

BTW- I LOVE your tag!

playing catch up. your computers acting up and my internet (or maybe its my router?) is spazzing out so I havent been able to log in and I hate reading from my phone!

Wow those views are breathtaking.. even the ones with all the fog and clouds. Its like you are actually in the clouds! So great that you were able to pack so much into the day. I love those types of vacations.

Btw the monkey on this trip is the cutest one you have ever kissed! lol !

I hate it when you can't get on the internet!! I need your posts to make me laugh!!

Yea- we WERE in the clouds- sometimes, they were below us. That was a really cool feeling-

and I agree 100%- by FAR the cutest monkey I have ever kissed!

 

[podsnel]

Wow! Your pictures are stunning! Not sure how I'd feel about all that hiking but the views sure do seem worth it!

You've definitely got me thinking about a trip. May I ask were there any resources (books, websites etc.) that you found especially helpful for planning? I would do Oahu/Aulani of course but probably another island as well. You're making a strong case for Kauai but love Maui too.

Fun to dream about at least! They need to add a smiley wearing a grass skirt and doing the hula!

Thanks for the lovely compliments- I did use Trip Advisor and Yelp alot- I also found a lot just by obsessively googling whatever place I wanted to go! On TA, I read the forums- the group that hangs out on the Kauai boards is a really nice bunch-

And yea- we all need to beg Cory to find us a hula dancer smilie!

What a great TR, and I love the pictures, WOW!
I've been enjoying reading the Dismoms 4.....TR, and was so excited to see your thread/link for this one.
What a coincidence as, just yesterday, I was literally just looking at pricing for Aulani for next summer. Not too bad if I can rent DVC points for 2 studios, but I'm guessing availability could be an issue. I keep teetering on the decision to buy into DVC, and Aulani might finally sway me. Decisions, decisions....hmmmmm.

I agree, there should be a hula smiley face girl, but until then will stitch do?

Can't wait for the next post!
Shanna

Thanks so much, I am very glad you like all the TRs! I really need to get over on that DISmoms one and post, I think- I really wanted to get this one up and running first, tho. And i actually have an old one from last November on here that needs one more post or two- it has me feeling a little guilty....and good idea! Stitch works!

I am in and reading.....great photos, Ellen.

We are hoping to go for our 30th in 5 years....starting the planning now

Cheryl

Hi Cheryl! I like the way you think- planning a trip 5 years out! AWESOME!! You are even worse than me! I have been thinking of you- a friend of mine did a vow renewal onboard the Magic in June- she surprised her whole family- DH & 4 kids! Isn't that awesome?! I kept trying to find your TR for her, but eventually gave up- they managed to have an awesome time anyway, just imagine!

 

[ACDSNY]

On that trail- give it a shot, you never know what you can do- I knew that we were going to be VERY active on this trip, so I put myself into training months before we left- and worked out religiously for the month before hand- it made it sooo much easier than it would have been.

BTW- I LOVE your tag!

I guess I better get exercising.

The Tag Fairy seems to be handing out a lot of Boo Boos lately.

 

[rndmr2]

Just found this TR yesterday and loving it so far!! You got so many beautiful pics! I love Hawaii, I have been there once on a cruise in 1998 I think it was and I really want to go back, can't wait to read more and see more pics!

 

[chepic]

Hi Cheryl! I like the way you think- planning a trip 5 years out! AWESOME!! You are even worse than me! I have been thinking of you- a friend of mine did a vow renewal onboard the Magic in June- she surprised her whole family- DH & 4 kids! Isn't that awesome?! I kept trying to find your TR for her, but eventually gave up- they managed to have an awesome time anyway, just imagine! [/QUOTE]

I know, I am sooooooo bad, drives the family crazy.

I am certain that even though she couldn't read my thread, her trip was fabulous. And I have a big mouth so I am very impressed that she could surprise her family.

Tried to surprise the kids with a disney trip last year and they just groaned at me when I tried to wake them up!!!!

cheryl

 

[OurDogCisco]

Great start... Hanalei is my favorite place. Hopefully, you hit all of my places on that side. Did you stop at brick oven pizza for lunch?

 

[podsnel]

I guess I better get exercising.

The Tag Fairy seems to be handing out a lot of Boo Boos lately.

I like Boo Boos!

Just found this TR yesterday and loving it so far!! You got so many beautiful pics! I love Hawaii, I have been there once on a cruise in 1998 I think it was and I really want to go back, can't wait to read more and see more pics!

Hi! Thanks and welcome! I will do my best to keep entertaining you with pretty pictures.

Hi Cheryl! I like the way you think- planning a trip 5 years out! AWESOME!! You are even worse than me! I have been thinking of you- a friend of mine did a vow renewal onboard the Magic in June- she surprised her whole family- DH & 4 kids! Isn't that awesome?! I kept trying to find your TR for her, but eventually gave up- they managed to have an awesome time anyway, just imagine!

I know, I am sooooooo bad, drives the family crazy.

I am certain that even though she couldn't read my thread, her trip was fabulous. And I have a big mouth so I am very impressed that she could surprise her family.

Tried to surprise the kids with a disney trip last year and they just groaned at me when I tried to wake them up!!!!

cheryl[/QUOTE]

But were they excited when they stopped groaning?

The only time I was ever able to do a surprise was for Tyler for Spring Break in 2010- he thought I was taking him to PT while Tim & I were going to Disney, but he ended up coming with us instead. It was wonderful, but his reaction was SOOOO teenager! I think he said, "Really? Sweet....."

Great start... Hanalei is my favorite place. Hopefully, you hit all of my places on that side. Did you stop at brick oven pizza for lunch?

I can understand why Hanalei is your favorite place- it is definitely one of mine, too. I have wanted to see the pier since I was a kid, never knew where it was until the past couple of years! Do you mean Hanalei Pizza? No- we didn't eat there- but we did eat at lots of other places in Hanalei- we spent all of our time there after this one day- so I'm guessing you'll like my TR a little bit!

 

[OurDogCisco]

I

I can understand why Hanalei is your favorite place- it is definitely one of mine, too. I have wanted to see the pier since I was a kid, never knew where it was until the past couple of years! Do you mean Hanalei Pizza? No- we didn't eat there- but we did eat at lots of other places in Hanalei- we spent all of our time there after this one day- so I'm guessing you'll like my TR a little bit!

Yes, I'm loving your trip report. Hawaii is my favorite place in the whole world. It even ranks higher than Disney. We live in CA so, we go at least once a year.

I should have worded my comment better as Brick Oven Pizza is on the way to or way back from Waimea Canyon. It is pizza restaurant run by a New Yorker Family. I think someone in the family married a Hawaiian person and they moved to New York or New Jersey or somewhere back East. Didn't like it so, they moved back to Kauai and open the pizza place. The pizza is really good. It isn't New York style so, not the same. But they have a garlic crust that is really good. If you go back you'll have to try it...

 

[DianeW]

I'm joining in a bit late, hope that's ok!!

I'm really enjoying your TR!!! My hubby and I are celebrating our 25th next year, and Hawaii is looking really good right now after seeing all your beautiful photos!

We're also seriously considering buying into DVC for our 25th anniversary gift to each other, so I'm enjoying seeing some of the other places we can go with DVC in addition to the parks. And since I live in west, Hawaii is very doable for us.

Loved your photos of all of the natural beauty that is Hawaii...including the shaved ice. Yum...macadamia nut icecream. That would have been my choice, too.

Can't wait to read more!!

Diane

 

[snowmanlover]

Hi! So nice to meet you! And thanks for the extremely lovely compliments! My head's all big now, there'll be no liven with me! Which cruise did you take? I was thinking about doing that next time- but I can't get past the fact that Kauai is calling me back for a week just for it, but I really want to see Maui again and go to Hana and Haleakala for the sunrise....and then Aulani is on Oahu, so I'd need to go back there, too- SUCH a dilemma! I know that the NCL POA goes to Maui and Kauai overnight- but I don't think that's gonna be enough for me! It is SUCH a special place.....

You are welcome for the compliments and nice to meet you, too!

My first cruise to Hawaii was in 2003 with my MIL on RCCL's Radiance of the Seas and it was an AWESOME ship, so awesome that we went again in 2004 and took my DH that time! He liked cruising and Hawaii, but didn't like flying that far, so my we went without him in 2007 and sailed NCL Pride of America. They were both nice, probably preferred the Radiance a little (my MIL did for sure) but I would sail POA again! My MIL went two other times inbetween with friend's because she LOVES Hawaii! She is planning on winning the lottery and moving to Hawaii!!

I wanted to go to Hawaii on our Honeymoon 35 year's ago, but we went to Disney World instead! Of course then, there was just the MK and the CR and Poly resorts. We stayed off property cause we were poor! LOL We are celebrating our 35th anniversary in Disney World this year!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I'm joining in a bit late, hope that's ok!!

I'm really enjoying your TR!!! My hubby and I are celebrating our 25th next year, and Hawaii is looking really good right now after seeing all your beautiful photos!

We're also seriously considering buying into DVC for our 25th anniversary gift to each other, so I'm enjoying seeing some of the other places we can go with DVC in addition to the parks. And since I live in west, Hawaii is very doable for us.

Loved your photos of all of the natural beauty that is Hawaii...including the shaved ice. Yum...macadamia nut icecream. That would have been my choice, too.

Can't wait to read more!!

Diane

Congrats on 25 years!!! I think DVC would be a great way to celebrate! Especially with them offering DVC members premium annual passes for 399 this Fall!

Hi! So nice to meet you! And thanks for the extremely lovely compliments! My head's all big now, there'll be no liven with me! Which cruise did you take? I was thinking about doing that next time- but I can't get past the fact that Kauai is calling me back for a week just for it, but I really want to see Maui again and go to Hana and Haleakala for the sunrise....and then Aulani is on Oahu, so I'd need to go back there, too- SUCH a dilemma! I know that the NCL POA goes to Maui and Kauai overnight- but I don't think that's gonna be enough for me! It is SUCH a special place.....

You are welcome for the compliments and nice to meet you, too!

My first cruise to Hawaii was in 2003 with my MIL on RCCL's Radiance of the Seas and it was an AWESOME ship, so awesome that we went again in 2004 and took my DH that time! He liked cruising and Hawaii, but didn't like flying that far, so my we went without him in 2007 and sailed NCL Pride of America. They were both nice, probably preferred the Radiance a little (my MIL did for sure) but I would sail POA again! My MIL went two other times inbetween with friend's because she LOVES Hawaii! She is planning on winning the lottery and moving to Hawaii!!

I wanted to go to Hawaii on our Honeymoon 35 year's ago, but we went to Disney World instead! Of course then, there was just the MK and the CR and Poly resorts. We stayed off property cause we were poor! LOL We are celebrating our 35th anniversary in Disney World this year!!

Congrats on 35 years! What a great way to celebrate! We are celebrating 32 today with a big move out of State!