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

[podsnel]

Good for you guys doing the scuba thing! I could never ever do something like that! I can barely swim & my biggest fear is drowning!

Congratulations on being 50, wow it's been awhile since I turned 50, heck my 50th anniversary will be in 3 1/2 years. Gosh my marriage is almost as old as you are! Now I feel really old!

Happy almost Golden 50th!! I would NOT recommend scuba if you are afraid of swimming- that would be a little too scary!

Love it!



Not filled!!! Ack! I would find that to be such a crushing disappointment.

I definitely was disappointed- but they were still hot and fresh, so yum....

On a side note, I have booked us on a DCL Fantasy Western for 8/16/14! Hoping we receive no surprises with Mike's vacation pics that year and that we actually get to go! Thinking of visiting Nachi again (or perhaps Mr. Sanchos). This one stops in Falmouth, Jamaica. Never been, so I'll have to do some research on what, if anything, the kids and my Mom could do there.

Cool! I would try Mr Sanchos next time- they have all the same stuff as Nachi plus the water play stuff my boys spent the whole day lusting after. Falmouth was actually developed by RCCL, and I think they are adding stuff to it all the time- I will be interested to hear what people think-

Great report, you guys are having such a great time!

Thanks! We did! Sorry I have been MIA- too much stuff all the time to DIS!

Great scuba pics! It's like you did everything on MY wish list! Now that you've tried it all out, I can get advice from you for our return visit.

You all look really good posing in the sunshine with Ricardo!

Absolutely!! And congrats on the MGR status- I love the moisturizer and eye creme!

Another great update! We just came home from Aulani on Thursady night and I want to go back so bad.

Me toooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[podsnel]

Just found your latest update. Looks like you had a great scuba experience. I went once in St Thomas about 12 years ago and it was fun but I ended up with some issues with the ear popping and re-seating the mask/suction and my mask got flooded and they had to pull me out of the water! So it started out fun and ended up with a near drowning! LOL I can laugh about it now but it was scary at the time. You were lucky to get some great pics underwater.

That sounds VERY scary! That is why I lived with the fogged up mask- I really did not want to pull it off underwater (plus I wear contacts, so that would have been MUCH worse).

I'm glad to see I've not been the only one away from the DIS for a while...

Work's been crazy, but good! I ended up going out to LA for a week, and the time difference between there and Oh just killed me. 6 days and I never really did adjust. I don't know how I would manage in Hawaii. Oh well, more time in the ocean!

You would make the time difference work to your advantage on vacation- early for everything, great, long days of activity! A little harder to do, I would think, if you had to follow a west coast work schedule- unless they are into 6am meetings!

But I did manage to sneak in a visit to DCA and Disneyland one night! Didn't get to everything, but did get to see Haunted Mansion and IASW all decked out for XMAS!

That must have been awesome- I am really starting to get excited to see DL for the first time this summer.

Love the turtle pics, and I'm glad there weren't any sharks in the cove! I was thinking the same thing as Jen!

Happy belated 50th! You truly don't look or act it! I hit the big 40 this past spring, and that wasn't too bad. Hope it's been a fabulous one so far!

Thanks so much! You made my day, and happy belated 40th!

love the turtles and the donuts!!!! note to self, ask for filled!!

che

Definitely!

make SURE those donuts ARE filled!!



Glad to see u r back -
Love the updates.

Well- sort of! Still very busy- it just doesn't seem to stop this year.


Say, gotta a Goofy ? & it's about wines.


Q: What local SO CAL wines do you suggest would go great w/seafood?
....or what wines period.

(my question is explained in more detail in posting #25 of my below listed blog, "My adventures n San Fran.....").



Whatever help you be wud b mucho mucho appreciated.







T.T.F.N.

So- wine. Briefly, here's what I can tell you- it really depends what you like- yours is the only taste that matters when you are the one drinking! Generally, though, it is good to keep wines even with what you are eating- meaning, a light white (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc) with light foods like light seafood, and heavier ones with foods that are more rich (ie- Lobster pairs well with Chardonnay or Chablis. I don't usually like Calif versions of those wines because they often are very Oaked, and I don't go for wood in my white wine). Red wines are great with meat, or with red pasta sauces- a big Cabernet Sauvignon with a steak is awesome (my fave of all time is Caymus, that is from Calif and soooo smooth- almost like drinking chocolate. If you can afford it, have some!)- but Pinot Noir is lighter, so it goes with Salmon. (If you see Sanford Pinot Noir, THAT is amazing! It is from Santa Barbara County). Champagne, or any sparkling wines, are usually fab with shellfish. Asian foods pair well with fruitier wines, like Rieslings or with Champagne/sparklers. Chenin Blanc is a med bodied white that I really love, too- it goes well with MANY foods. Best advice- try everything, and then you'll know what you enjoy!

 

[kathymc]

Love the photos of the north shore. We just returned a couple of weeks ago and loved Haleiwa. I was mad I didnt take any photos of the bridge and the town sign and here they are in your report!

We stopped at the turtle beach but the day we were there there wasnt any turtles just a ton of tourist sitting around waiting for them to show up!

 

[dizneeat]

A little late, .........

 

[podsnel]

Love the photos of the north shore. We just returned a couple of weeks ago and loved Haleiwa. I was mad I didnt take any photos of the bridge and the town sign and here they are in your report!

We stopped at the turtle beach but the day we were there there wasnt any turtles just a ton of tourist sitting around waiting for them to show up!

Glad I could help!
It was beautiful up there, and sooo laid back. Sorry the turtles were not cooperating for you. I read somewhere that the best time is 2pm- what time were you there? We had hoped to see them while kayaking and didn't- which our guide said was unusual. Oh well- next time, right?

A little late, .........

THANK YOU!!!!!!! I love it! Happy New Year to you as well!

 

[podsnel]

Well, I hope you are still with me! Happy New Year to all, and I hope everyone's holidays were happy ones. I have a lot of catching up to do, and I FINALLY have no imminent parties to attend/plan/shop for, so I think it's time for an update.

After chowing down on those malasadas in record time, believe it or not, we were not really hungry for dinner! It's amazing what 3 donuts in 5 minutes can do to fill you up. We showered, relaxed a bit, then the boys went off to find something to do around the resort (I believe down in Painted Sky there was a frozen yogurt social) and Pods and I decided to visit the Olelo Room. It really was right below our room, which we loved, because we could enjoy the live music each night. Tonight we thought we should see it up close.

At first, we sat inside. It is all open there, so inside is a relative term.

Yea- it was packed-

We started with two of the same- Liliko΄i Mojito
Old Lāhainā Light Rum, Liliko’i (Passion Fruit), Organic Agave Nectar, Mint, and fresh Lime Juice topped with Soda Water 9

This drink was light and refreshing, also it was not super sweet, so we both enjoyed this one! Our malasada high was wearing off, so we ordered two apps to share. Sweet-and-Spicy Guava Barbecued Chicken Wings
with a Blue Cheese “Brûlée” 14.00

Crispy Calamari
with spicy Luau and sweet Chili Dipping Sauces 15.00 (this description is off the current menu- we obviously had 3 sauces to dip into)

Sad to say this, but neither one was good. Both were horribly overcooked. This was the only thing we ate at Aulani that we really did not enjoy, so that's good to know, I guess. When we finished eating, a table opened up outside, so we moved-

The music was Hawaiian, and we enjoyed it always, whether from up close or from 10 stories above-

I took a photo of our server- I just LOVED her dress-

The Olelo Room is where everything is labeled with its Hawaiian word- including her dress! I just thought that was kinda funny, and sooooo Disney.

At some point we decided to go hear the storytelling at the firepit. This was offered nearly every night we were there, although I did not realize that while we were listening. On the way....

There were not many there for the storytelling, just a few families and us. I did really enjoy this. The Hawaiian culture has many fascinating tales, and the storyteller Uncle was EXCELLENT- he was very animated and mystical and magical.

Yes, I know- he looks like a ghost...I think maybe he was....

So while we were at the mystical magical storytelling, we were also treated to songs like "YMCA" and "Do the Hustle" and "Celebrate" which was being blasted from the outdoor reception taking place on the nearby lawn.

Is it just me, or does that kind of NOT go together with Uncles little ukelele song?

I guess that is why people were only staying for 5 minutes and leaving. Uncle was kind of hard to hear above the Cha Cha slide, KWIM? So make a note- if you go and run into this, remember chances are Uncle will make a dozen or more appearances during your stay and you can get the full effect of his awesomeness then.

Here is the Iwa from Thursday, August 23, 2012-

We were off to bed- tomorrow was Friday, and we had a LOT to look forward to- Cowabunga dude! SURF'S UP!

 

[dizneeat]

Great new update!

I so love to see all those pics of Aulani (especially since I do NOT see it in our future any time soon - priced it out for a side trip for our 2014 California trip and it kind of doubled our airfare )

Your drinks look so yummy ... I could use one right now and the storytelling sounds fun, even though I would need a night without the party next door to understand it all.

 

[podsnel]

Friday, August 24th, 2012. THIS was IT. The BIG day. The day I would FINALLY, at age 49, surf for the first time!

To say I have always wanted to surf would be an understatement. Because, really, I have wanted to surf ever since I saw that Gidget could do it on the afternoon movie when I was 6 or 7. I came close a few times- I lived summers on Long Beach Island in NJ, and I had a few surfer dude friends who offered to teach me. But... not until NOW was it really, maybe, hopefully ACTUALLY going to happen. Breakfast sanwiches for all from Olelo first-

EXCEPT....it was not that easy. Because this was the morning we had to re-check in. And our keys died. We had booked our stay with 2 different contracts- 3 nights for each, and although they were linked together in the system, and we were stying in the same 1 bdrm, I had to go to the front desk. And get new cards. Which did not work. Nor did the old cards. And I could not charge breakfast. And I went back to the front desk. And they couldn't issue more cards/keys because there was a problem with the system. But I was able to get breakfast, because they called down and told them to give me what I wanted, and they credited my account $50, I believe. And we had to go. And I was a little worried we might get moved out while we were out hopefully, maybe surfing. And I went back to the front desk again. And still, no luck.

I ran down to the valet to ask for directions to the Hawaiian Fire beach. Which I looked at, and no doubt due to the butterflies in my stomach over the possibility of hopefully, maybe surfing in an hour...or NOT.... and the fact that we might also be making an unpacked for, unwanted move while we were hopefully, maybe doing that....well, I wigged out. Because I had 2 different sets of directions, and we had gotten lost SO many times, I was just SUPER worried we would not make our 10:30 lesson. Which I normally would not have been concerned about, but the whole running around trying to get a room key etc was NOT making me feel a whole lot of ALOHA, if ya know what I mean (not that the CMs weren't trying- they were all doing their best, it was just a screwed up system. It didn't help that we had had key problems with Disney on another recent stay, but I digress). Soooo....this EXTREMELY adorable, VERY, VERY sweet and kind valet did his best to help me figure out how to get to the beach. More on the CM later- he was AMAZING, and went above and beyond to make me smile. BTW, the CM was named Jaren.

We actually found the beach easily. The surf school, Hawaiian Fire, is the same one Disney chooses for their surfing excursion. But since we had a car, and we had 4 of us, we drove ourselves and booked ourselves (and saved something like $200) and were able to find it NO PROBLEM. AND- we surfed later in the morning than Disney would have, which, at this point in the vacation, was a good thing- we were much more adjusted to the time change now after 7 days.

First, we met with our instructor (Sean, who was not a fireman, but all the rest of them were) who explained the logistics after we had picked out our rash guards and surf shoes. Then, we had a little practice on the beach. (Actually we are the ones getting the tent lesson at this point)

We were actually seperated into 2 groups- because half of us were Japanese. AND...I am pretty sure ALL of us were staying at Aulani. But NONE of us booked through them. Interesting......they took pics of each surfer family-

Then a group shot-

And then...it was time to hit the surf! Here's my first try...

And the rest of us....Tyler (my surfer dude buddy, Leroy, who was out there helping all of us, but who I TOTALLY monopolized, told me he thought Tyler was nervous. He was right- he was.)

Go Pods-

So, we were all getting close on our first try! Pretty cool! Except for Timmy. Timmy didn't come close.







Timmy NAILED it on the first try!

WIPEOUT!!!!

We all kept at it, over and over and over again. It was VERY fun, it was also VERY tiring. But really, I felt more safe than I ever, ever, EVER have in any ocean at ANY time in my life. The firemen were all out there, waiting to help us- we would swim out to them, and they would watch the waves, then count and we would start paddling as soon as they got to "THREE! PADDLE!!!" and they (or, in my case, Leroy) would give a big PUSH with the wave.

LOVE these guys. BIG BIG love Leroy!

COWABUNGA PODS!!!!

Timmy AGAIN-

YAY TYLER!

Ok- now he's just showing off!

Cont'd next post-

 

[podsnel]

And then......

Can ya tell I'm pretty happy with myself??? Even if my feet were facing the wrong way (they are supposed to be sideways, not straight ahead), I DID IT!!!

Actually, ALL of us got up multiple times- we had plenty of chances to in the hour and a half we were out there. We were encouraged to take breaks when we were tired, so, while my family rested up on the beach, I hung out with my buddy out in the ocean.

Well, that pic is from earlier. But I had a GREAT time talking to Leroy- the BEST. Actually one of my favorite times of the whole trip. I remarked how amazing the other women surfing were- he said they were both experienced, that was why- it was not their first time. We talked about his culture, we talked about his family, we talked about Aloha, we talked about his menehune relatives, we talked about Maui and how that's where he went on his 8th grade trip with his class. You know. All the usual stuff people talk about hangin in the pacific ocean. He told me Timmy was a natural, he told me to stand sideways, he said Tyler was nervous, he said Pods was strong- he pegged us all.

Pods and the boys were sitting on the beach watching this, and he finally yells, "What the heck's goin on out there?"

Just takin a little break, honey, with the nice Hawaiian fireman!

OK- more surfing-

All too soon, it was time to get out. I have to say, we did a TON of incredible things while we were on Hawaii- saw things I could not BELIEVE were in front of my eyes, did things I never knew I was capable of. But THIS- this surfing with Hawaiian Fire- THIS was the highlight of our trip. Hands down. BEST. EXPERIENCE. EVAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Of course, we HAD to get a pic with my new BFF before we left-

Pods was funny- he said, "What were you doin with my wife? If you weren't so freakin big, I woulda kicked your @#$!" Really, really funny.

The families all came over to each other- the Japanese women came over and thanked me for surfing with THEM and gave me a hug to tell me how well I did (we were the only 3 women doing this- all the rest were boys or men- so, all boys, LOL). I told them how amazing THEY were- it was a big ol love fest. SO HAPPY!!!!

ALL of Hawaiian Fire's surfers were excellent. What a great bunch of people, and how wonderful that it all began when they taught some visiting NYC firefighters to surf, found it so rewarding that the Oahu Firefighters decided to spread some more aloha and teach more how to hang 10 (or, in my particular case, probably hang 3 ). This was the MOST exhilerating experience, and I will love FOREVER that for the rest of their lives, my kids can say, "I surfed with my MOM."

Up next- hangin at Aulani- a little tubin' action in the afternoon.

 

[dizneeat]

Great pictures, surfergirl!

 

[podsnel]

[FONT="Arial Black" ][COLOR="Navy"]Great new update!

I so love to see all those pics of Aulani (especially since I do NOT see it in our future any time soon - priced it out for a side trip for our 2014 California trip and it kind of doubled our airfare )

Your drinks look so yummy ... I could use one right now and the storytelling sounds fun, even though I would need a night without the party next door to understand it all. [/COLOR][/FONT]

The airfare is CRAZY expensive, isn't it? We only managed because we had saved up miles forever. Now I am rebuilding miles AGAIN purchasing everything I can through mileage plus (United)- it did work though- all 4 of us are going to California this summer on miles, so that saved us a bunch! I can't begin to imagine what it would be to go from Europe to Hawaii!

Great pictures, surfergirl!

I absolutely LOVED that someone took pics and you could order the CD, which was then shipped a couple of weeks later- they had it playing on a small screen when you got out of the water so you could make sure you were in it before you bought- but everyone WAS in it, the photographer (also a fireman) did a super job!

 

[KristiMc]

Love the pics! You did a great job Ellen. We are planning on a trip to Aulani at some point. Will not probably be until 2017 - the boys will be 16 & 13. I told Steve that I need to make a copy of your trip report so I will know all of the cool things to do/see/eat.

 

[MEK]

Bravo Ellen! Wow! Your excitement is really infectious. You did a GREAT job! Best candid shot ever of you on the surf board. You go girl! You guys make it look easy and I know it wasn't.

So glad it all worked out with your room snafu and all.

(PS - I started a new TR with Cynthia -see below - so when your hectic social life allows - stop on by)

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Your excitement shows in the pictures! Such a wonderful adventure for your family. I, too, loved the movie & book Gidget, & wanted so much to try surfing. Of course I didn't figure on the importance of knowing how ot swim!

 

[dvc4life]

You Go Girl! How exciting for you. You look like you are having the time of your life in the photos.

 

[Mysteria]

Amazing update! I can just feel your joy and excitement!

 

[rndmr2]

Looks like you had an awesome time surfing! So great that you got pics of all of you up on the boards. That's awesome that they were all firemen doing the instruction.

 

[saintstickets]

Okay...I was looking for an excuse to return to Aulani and now I have it...I wanna try my hand (or should I say feet?) at surfing like podsnel!!

You go girl...or should that be...righteous wave riding dude? Either way, I wanna try it now!

Great update....more please?

 

[rentayenta]

Love love love the surfing photos Gidget.

 

[ACDSNY]

Righteous! Sweet! You Totally Rock!!!

I love the surfing pics! My sister and I are already planning June 2014 Aulani for my niece's 8th grade promotion trip, she would love doing this.