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

[podsnel]

After this I think a WDW is well deserved.



Excellent planning on your part. I remember one of our DL trips I took the day off before to wash and pack and of course storm came in so no electricity to do either. I ended up buying a couple of outfits and taking a load to my my DD to wash to finish up.

Well, careful planning only goes so far. I left one of my carryons up in the bedroom (too dark to see) and I never put the DME tags on- Pods realized when we got to the airport! I felt sooooooo out of sorts from all the pioneer living, it actually took me a few days to be "normal" once we got to WDW.

Glad to hear that you were able to stay safe during Sandy. Have a great trip you deserve it after this week!

Thanks! Had a blast!

So glad you and your family are okay. The climate in Orlando and the electricity will be a welcome relief from what you've been experiencing this week. It's like anything, you don't realize how much it means to you until it is taken away! Have a great trip, stay safe and we look forward to any updates and posts!

We all enjoyed watching TV more than usual this trip- especially when it was being watched while taking a jacuzzi (in the GV),

That's awful that you have to toss out steaks and tht NJ is a War zone, but I'm sure you will REALLY appreciate your WDW trip! Heck I would really appreciate your WDW this point!

Have a great time! I can't wait to hear about it!

Not sure when I'll do a TR, but I will do something- it's a GV after all- pretty frekin exciting just going to sleep there!

Have a great trip Ellen. Glad you'll get a reprieve from the stress of all of this.

Jenny- I felt like I was losing my mind! I was forgetting everything for days!

Ellen ~ I was thinking about you and wondering how your family was doing! You're about the only one I know (ha, like I really know you) in NJ.

You probably know more about me than some other people who actually do know me- know what I mean?

So glad you checked in and we know everyone is ok!

My nephew is an EMT from PA and is helping in NYC and told his Mom it is unbelievable! They are suppose to be working 12 hr. shifts but it has been more like 18 hrs.

Have a safe trip tomorrow and ENJOY! Can't wait for another trip report from you! Praying you guys have alot of sunshine next week and come home to electricity!

Please tell your nephew thank-you from us in NJ, and that I hope he has caught up on his sleep- 18 hour days are ROUGH!

And we did come home to electricity- it came back on 9 days after it went out.

 

[podsnel]

hope you are having a WONDERFUL time!!!!! with a shower and electricity and no braids or rollers LMAO

Hey- I ROCK the braids and rollers look like nobody else, babe!

Finally caught all the way up!

Gosh those pics are so gorgeous. I may have to start DH on a 7 year plan, so we can go there for our 20th?

Too long to wait- you need to go for your 15th!

I wouldn't be much into the hiking, but more of the beach and snorkeling, as I am definitely a water child! Love living right on Lake Erie!

So loved the pic of the murphy bed, but where did Tyler sleep? Was the couch another foldout?

In all the DVCs the coach pulls out to a queen size bed- which he happily had to himself.

Glad you're all safe! We had some nasty wind here in OH too. My parents lost power for 24 hrs, and major waves on the lake 15-20 footers!

WOW! It must have looked like the ocean!

Hope you're enjoying Disney, sunshine and electricity!

We did! Every bit of it!

Ellen I am sorry you lost power!!We faired much better !!But what a perfect time to leave it all behind !! Have a Great Trip!!!

I was kind of the family hero for choosing the dates I did, I have to say.

If only I was at WDW too! Our whole town is out too...in fact, most of Long Island was out. We've been without electric or heat for going on 7 days now, without a clue as to when it will come back. One uncle and one cousin have lost their houses (both lived on canals on the south shore) to extreme flooding. Most of my family in neighboring towns are without power too, so we haven't be able to bunk with anyone else. Hotels are full and lines for gas are miles long. Its crazy.

If school wasn't in session (and if had the vacation days to take), I would take my aunt up on her offer of a vacation to her house in Arizona.

So sorry you had a rough time- how long did yo u go without power? Did you have a generator?

We've been experiencing a little of this too. Michael was ok for two days. By day 3, he was sucking his thumb (hasn't done that since he was 4). By day 4, his OCD was in full swing. By day 6, he was having potty accidents. Thankfully, school started again today so I'm hoping that's going to get him back on track soon.

I bet school starting again really helped. Routines are so important for our boys.

 

[saintstickets]

And pulled over when we saw all the cars everywhere- at Laniakea Beach. Also called Sunset beach. Also should really be known as Hawaiian green sea turtle beach, because THAT is why everyone was there. For who knows what reason, sea turtles like it here...a LOT! It was INCREDIBLE!!!! They were sunning themselves on the shore, swimming in and out of the waves....very, very cool place to visit. Here is what we saw the day we visited- this was probably around 1:00 or so that day.

Don't feel bad about the delay in posting...I haven't been the best myself. Maybe it has something to do with the lackadasical, devil-may-care attitude of the Hawaiian locals and we carried some of it back with us? But you have to update, you have too many loyal followers that want more!

Yep...I remember seeing that church and yes, Aoki's and yes, we stopped at Sunset Beach too! Oh yeah, that NARROW bridge! And we saw some turtles as well as the beach bum that did nothing but put the red rope around the turtles once on shore to make sure no one got too close!

I love reading your TR and seeing all over again many of the places we visited. Take your time with another update but not too much time!

 

[podsnel]

Timmy working on his awesome tan while Mom does all the work!

EXACTLY!!!! What a bum!

I'm so happy when I see that you've updated your TR! Thank you so much for all your wonderful pictures! We head to Aulani in 5 days and I'm just so excited!! I haven't been to Hawaii since I was a teenager and my DDs have never been so your pictures have really been getting us revved up to go!

That is so exciting!!!!!!!!! You will love it- Aulani is gorgeous, the people are wonderful- and I bet it will be less crowded than it was in August-what are your plans?

Darn it! I am driving up there and throwing that thing in the trash! It's always messing you up.

I am inviting you personally- would you like me to come down and escort you up here? Actually, you don't know the half of it- I also have to post all the middle school stuff on probably the world's worst website, and I can't post PDF files- because of- one guess, only- YOU GOT IT! My computer! I know there is a MAC on the way tho- not for me, of course, but for Tyler. That seems right, doesn't it?

Please excuse me- I need to go jump off my roof now....

So welcome back stranger. Sounds like you had a great trip to WDW and a grand villa - not too shabby!

You. Have. No. I. Dea.

Kayaking in Hawaii looks way cooler than kayaking around here. Of course, you look like the only one doing actual work.

Yea that!

Lunch - yum!

Sea Turtle jackpot. Wow - they are so cool and bigger than I thought they would be.

I have snorkeled with them in STJ and the ones in Hawaii ARE so much bigger! They were incredible!

Can't wait to see how the scuba diving goes.

Don't feel bad about the delay in posting...I haven't been the best myself. Maybe it has something to do with the lackadasical, devil-may-care attitude of the Hawaiian locals and we carried some of it back with us? But you have to update, you have too many loyal followers that want more!

Well...OK! If you say so!

Yep...I remember seeing that church and yes, Aoki's and yes, we stopped at Sunset Beach too! Oh yeah, that NARROW bridge! And we saw some turtles as well as the beach bum that did nothing but put the red rope around the turtles once on shore to make sure no one got too close!

Yea- but what could he do in the water about it, right?

I love reading your TR and seeing all over again many of the places we visited. Take your time with another update but not too much time!

And I love reading yours- so we're EVEN!

 

[podsnel]

Love your trip report! I have boys the same age and we are going to Aulani for Spring Break. i can't wait to hear what your boys thought of it. Please share any excursions you went on. I'm trying to decide which ones to book. Hope you had a great trip to WDW

I missed you! I'm so sorry! The boys had fun- but it would have been better at AUlani if there had been more kids their age and if there had been more things going on for their ages. But, based on what I saw of Bill's TR and his IWAs, it looks like there already IS more to do, as well as there will probably be a ton more kids for spring break for your family. Remember, when we were there, alot may have already been back to school (we were at Aulani August 21-27). We LOVED the day I'm talking about here, the boys golfed twice, Surfing with Hawaiian Fire was the highlight of our trip- Tim and I also did the Aulani stargazing with the high powered telescope, and we loved that, too! Lots of good, great stuff- your kids (and you) will have a great time!

 

[anewmac]

awwman the pics just get me every time. the view is great cant say that enough, looks like everyday was a great adventure too!

 

[franandaj]

Your trip looks awesome! I'm so glad you are back to updating! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[ACDSNY]

Another awesome update! I've added Sunset Beach, turtles and shaved ice to our list of items to cover next month.

Now if we could only get better back rests in the kayaks.

 

[podsnel]

awwman the pics just get me every time. the view is great cant say that enough, looks like everyday was a great adventure too!

Hawaii is amazing- there is no question! We did have an adventure every day- I think I heard my kids say one time they were bored- probably the 1st day at Aulani- but Mom & Dad needed some RnR!!

Your trip looks awesome! I'm so glad you are back to updating! Can't wait to hear more!

Thanks! Happy to be reliving it again!

Another awesome update! I've added Sunset Beach, turtles and shaved ice to our list of items to cover next month.

Now if we could only get better back rests in the kayaks.

That beach with the turtles is a must do. You will know you are there because it's the beach with cars parked everywhere- and when you look over at the beach, everyone is standing up pointing instead of lying down sunbathing. It was incredible to see those turtles like that!

 

[jenseib]

More fabulous updates. Those turtles are so neat to see. Scary how big they are.

I am a little worried that you are going to go diving in a place called Shark Cove though!

 

[podsnel]

More fabulous updates. Those turtles are so neat to see. Scary how big they are.

I am a little worried that you are going to go diving in a place called Shark Cove though!

Thanks! No worries- it's called that, but we saw no sharks. Just some pretty fishies!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Cool! You got to see turtles!

And the beach from LOST! I loved that show too. We watched it religiously when it was on.

Looks like an awesome time on the North Shore. I had no idea there was an alternative to Matsumoto's Shave Ice. You're really helping me with research!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLEN!!!

Sorry, for some reason, the DIS will only let you have two drinks tonight

 

[Misskitty3]

Love your Honu (turtle) pics!

 

[englishrose47]

Belated Happy Birthday wishes Ellen !!!

 

[15isto2]

OMG Timmy has amazing veins

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I want to visit Hawaii ASAP... you are definitely selling it! Everything looks amazing!! In your opinion what is the minimum # of days to truly take advantage of everything and also adjust to the time change?

 

[podsnel]

Cool! You got to see turtles!

YES!! They were HUGE and sooo cool!

And the beach from LOST! I loved that show too. We watched it religiously when it was on.

Me too- BIG Lostie- they left alot to the imagination in the ending, though- and that didn't seem fair to me, ya know? I wanted some answers after all that! They actually have LOST tours on Oahu. Shot alot at Kualoa Ranch, too-

Looks like an awesome time on the North Shore. I had no idea there was an alternative to Matsumoto's Shave Ice. You're really helping me with research!

If you look it up on Yelp, you'll see some people even like it better. Probably, they are very similar- just one has a HUGE line, and one doesn't!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELLEN!!!

Sorry, for some reason, the DIS will only let you have two drinks tonight

Thanks Tammie! I had a lot of fun turning 50- it was exhausting!!!

Love your Honu (turtle) pics!

I'm going to post a quick vid in a minute-

Belated Happy Birthday wishes Ellen !!!

Thanks Rosie!

OMG Timmy has amazing veins

He does????

I want to visit Hawaii ASAP... you are definitely selling it! Everything looks amazing!! In your opinion what is the minimum # of days to truly take advantage of everything and also adjust to the time change?

I think Hawaii sells itself, but I am happy to help! Well, I guess it depends where you're coming from- people from the west coast can go for a long weekend (REALLY am SOOO jelly of that!) but from the East Coast- at a 10 1/2 hour flight and a 5 or 6 hour time difference (Hawaii doesn't do DST)- I guess you could do a week, but I think I would do 10 days at a minimum. I felt that way about it 26 years ago, too.

BUT.....

If someone offered to go for a long weekend to Kauai- I would suck it up and go. I loved Kauai THAT MUCH.

 

[podsnel]

Sorry for another loooong delay! Turning 50 is a BIG deal, it turns out, and I have had a VERY full dance card lately- lucky me! But I think bithdaypalooza is over, SO- time for scuba! But first- a quick vid of a turtle-

click to play-


Ricardo was a VERY nice guy, and really great at helping everyone to feel more comfortable in the water. We were all wearing wetsuits, which I have never had the pleasure of before. Can I just say, the water felt GREAT after climbing down to the cove with all the gear on AND a rubber suit! Of all of us, doing the scuba thing, I was most worried about Timmy. As you can recall, he did not have a great time snorkeling- and once before when he had scuba'd at a bday party, he was not successful, due to his ears. He just could not pop them, and that is really essential when you dive, even if you are only going down 15 or 20 feet. But, Timmy had tubes and ear infections galore when he was a baby, and just recently got over the after effects- including being able to tolerate the loud BOOMS during fireworks. So I was hopeful. And.....he was fine! Everyone did great, we had about a 45 minute dive and saw plenty of fish down there in the cove. Well, everyone did great except for me, that is. Kind of. I was wearing a brand new wetsuit that made me VERY buoyant- Ricardo kept throwing weights on my belt, but really I had to be pulled down under water. AND...my mask was foggy. Which is the pits. But....it was still enjoyable, and for what it's worth, when all was said and done, I had the most air left (meaning I wasn't freaking out and over breathing- I was very calm) so woohoo for me. Ricardo took some photos of us, which he posts on his website and you can download afterwards free of charge-

I LOVE this one! We're standing on the floor of the ocean- pretty cool!

Well, everyone but me- they are literally pulling me down to their level for the photo. My feet are not touching.
Timmy-

Moi-

There were no sharks in shark's cove, which was a big relief- aside from scuba witha whale shark (which I would LOVE to do!!) swimmin with the sharks is most definitely NOT on my to do list.

Once we were done (which was determined by our air levels, which was very carefully monitored by Ricardo) it was time for the hard part- getting back up to the street! LOL- I never even made it out of the water- I slipped on a rock, and I was DOWN! Let me tell ya- once you are down, ESPECIALLY with extra weights due to being too buoyant- there ain't NO gettin up! I felt like a crab flipped over on my back- I'm sure it was pretty comical, and thank GOD there are no photos of it! I ended up getting out of my vest and Ricardo carried my equipment back up.

So maybe I fell on purpose... J/K!

The boys-

We really enjoyed our day with Ricardo, and i would recommend a day with him in a heartbeat. Of us all, Tyler was the one who came away wanting more- Ricardo said he was a natural. I can definitely see him getting certified one day, and i'm thinking we will do that in a few years when we go to Beaches in Turks & Caicos (our friends got certified there and it was an excellent experience- not to mention, the scuba is included in the stay!). Yea, that's right- I already know where we will vacation in the summer of 2015- I really have some issues, don't I??? ACH- be honest, you have the same ones! A few pics of beautiful Shark's Cove-

If you look it up a little bit, you will see that locals prefer to go here to snorkel over Hanauma Bay. It is a whole lot less crowded, and it's FREE. Something to keep in mind if you're looking to save a little cash.

There was a table selling $10 Tshirts over by the rest rooms, so after we picked up a few, we were on our way back to Aulani from the North Shore.

The scenery on the way back is stunning, even if it's raining.

Hate to say it, but we did hit a little traffic on the way back- but just a little, due to road construction. I knew we were passing a Leonard's truck on the way back, so we pulled off to get some. Leonard's is known for having the most delicious malasadas, and they have a malasadamobile in the Waikele Shopping Center, 94-894 Lumiaina Street, Waipahu, HI 96797 which is not too far from Aulani.

I asked for some of each kind. The PROBLEM is that I did not say FILLED. Make SURE you say FILLED. Because ours were not. They were plain. Just different sugars or something on the outside. And we are positive of that fact because we ate the whole freakin box looking for the FILLED ones. Here is a link to their website so YOU can find them FILLED when you go- http://www.leonardshawaii.com/locations.html

We had had a glorious day on the North Shore- you MUST MUST MUST go when you visit Aulani!

 

[englishrose47]

What an awesome update !!You are all sooooo brave snorkeling or scuba diving !!! Not in amillion years would I do that!!!Not even with Ricardo Those donuts or whatever they are called looked yummy even un filled !!!