20 Days in Hawaii and Disneyland - Yes, we are Lucky Nuts (Updated 9/19) - Page 14 - The DIS Discussion Forums

lisaviolet · 08-15-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj9200

All in all a nice place to eat in a beautiful setting

LOVE this one.

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Originally Posted by cj9200

They do this personality thing to pair up roommates so I imagine her roommate will love mirrors

.

OMG.

lisaviolet · 08-15-2012, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by franandaj

I totally know what you mean on the roommate situation. They knew I was a music major (flute, later sax) and paired me up with a vocalist as a roommate.
Sorry to offend any singers out there, but you gotta understand this is like pairing a Disney geek with a six flags coaters freak because they both like theme parks! They had a policy of not moving anyone before three weeks to "see if we could work it out". I had my own room by the end of the week and never shared another room with someone unless we could share a plate of spaghetti and meet lips at the end of the noodle (aka Lady and the Tramp!) Sorry I've spent the last two days at a D23 Animation convention ot sort of takes over your brain!

I hope she gets a good roommate!!

Well I personally would love to hear the rest of that story one day.

Look at you. Private room.

Maybe I should come to Hawaii to get the rest of it. When are you going? Yes, I should just go catch up. That would be more respectful.

Captain_Oblivious · 08-15-2012, 01:39 PM

Finally all caught up. I'm taking careful notes because it looks like my family and I will be heading to Hawaii next summer, so I'll need all the inside info I can get!

The jet lag doesn't sound fun at all. That's got to be a tough transition. And I hear you on plantar fasciitis. Had that last year and it took 6 months to go away.

Sorry you missed out on the helicopter tour. That's a bummer. Hopefully the diving made up for it!

BigEeyore · 08-15-2012, 02:31 PM

This is going to be a good one!

Thanks so much for sharing your TR with us!

momoflizandains · 08-15-2012, 07:33 PM

Great report so far. Looking forward to more. We really hope to do the same trip at some point so I am taking notes.

cj9200 · 08-17-2012, 07:02 PM

Today was the first of three days diving in the deep blue seas of the Pacific. The Diving Pirate Princess was really excited about this. So was I.

But before we start on the diving, more about the hotel. We were on the 3rd floor and had an ocean view. The Royal Kona is a beautiful resort and the staff were top notch.

Some pics of the room

The small fridge to store leftovers for midnight snacks

Notice the multiple beauty products, none of which were mine

In addition to the pool, they have a “private” lagoon area

A view of the ocean that was right off our room

Really enjoyed listening to the waves crash on the beach, especially going to sleep

Each of the buildings had an open courtyard

Ours had a Koi pond in the middle. Some big fat fishes in here.

Had a coke out on patio and this guy was up early catching tonight’s dinner perhaps?

Did not see him catch anything.

No breakfast today because we had to be the dive shop before 8 am. The TA that arranged the trip was Caradoona Dive Adventures and set us up with with Jacks Diving Locker. For any divers out there both the TA and the dive operation were first rate. Not as good as Dreams Unlimited but then they don’t do diving adventures.

We check in and they give us the option of taking their van to the marina or driving ourselves. Today we decided to take the van to get the lay of the land. They have a three boats that are smaller than I am used to. Anywhere from 5 to 20 people on a boat at one time. Each group is led by a guide. Unlike Key Largo, they just don’t let you jump out of the boat and swim around. We hired a personal guide for the first day (expensive) because we did not want to explore the entire the Pacific ocean and not have the time to take pictures. After seeing how the guides worked with their guests it really wasn’t worth hiring our own. They were good about taking their time looking around.

We get to the Marina which is a couple of miles down the road and get on the boat. These guys were good. Our gear was not only on board but it was hooked up to the tanks even before we stepped foot on the boat. Fantastic service.

We get on and are ready to go. A short boat ride and we were at the first dive site. I’ll have to find the log book for the sites and will post them later for any divers out there. My first reaction was how calm the water was. There isn’t an appreciable land mass for something like a thousand miles and the waves were maybe 1-2 feet. In the Keys that would be great conditions, here it was in their eyes rough. This was the worst day we had on the water. i’ll take it every time.

So we hit the water. A couple of pics.

Sea Urchins used to be a problem in South Florida but we don’t see many of them any more. Interesting seeing them again.

Lots of fishes body surfing near the shore

Couple of butterfly fishes hanging out

The kid just keeping swimming

After the first dive

Between dives, they serve sandwiches, chips, cookies and drinks. They even ask beforehand any special dietary needs, so they had a veggie wrap or sandwich for Pooh on each trip. While you are eating, they change out your gear to the second tank. Can’t wait to dive in Key Largo just to bust the crews chops about it. It is expensive to dive in Hawaii but worth it.

More underwater pics coming up in the next update.

Up Next: More diving before its Manta Time AKA: These suckers are HUGE.

cj9200 · 08-17-2012, 07:15 PM

Thanks to everyone who has responded to the TR and I apologize for not providing a witty repartee to your musings and quips. Things are crazy right now. We leave in a few days to take the kid to college and I am freaking out. She seems to think it will only take a couple of hours to get everything ready. I keep trying to explain to her that you are not going away for a weekend.

Anyway, I think it is mean to tease you about the Mantas and leave the post for a couple of weeks. I intended to get the Kona portion of the trip done with before I left but that ain't going to happen.

So as a parting gift, here is what these guys look like underwater. Magnificent animals.

jekjones1558 · 08-17-2012, 07:27 PM

wow!

Tinks "SS" · 08-17-2012, 08:27 PM

Love the dive pics. Just showed my youngest son the pics and he thought they were really cool. The hotel was beautiful. Still waiting for more.

franandaj · 08-18-2012, 12:07 AM

Awesome pics! Will be looking forward to more when you get back. Glad you told us this time it will be a couple weeks so we don't get worried!

Stay safe taking her to school. Ahhhhh what an adventure is in store for her!

I hope it's not like my college days!

Pinkocto · 08-18-2012, 07:31 AM

Beautiful!!! Was it very cold? I have mused to some divers how much I'd like to dive in Hawaii, and they all say after the Caribbean I'll be disappointed. Not warm, and not many colors. But here you're saying it's worth it. I'll have to try it out and see.

dgbg100106 · 08-18-2012, 09:15 AM

Wow is right, that was awesome so far.... I am hooked!

Chellymouse · 08-18-2012, 01:04 PM

Amazing Pics! Wish I could DH to try diving just once! Oh well! I live vicariously through you and Pirate Princess. Safe travels to Seeton Hall! Best wishes to your DD as she embarks on the next chapter of life! Looking forward to your next installment!

happyann79 · 08-22-2012, 08:17 AM

What a trip!

cj9200 · 08-23-2012, 06:11 AM

Move in day is this morning. Waiting a bit to wake her up so we can tote all of her stuff to her new room. The drive up was long. 1,330 miles from the door to the hotel. Drove straight through the first night and made 1,100 miles. Not bad for an old man.

Decided to spend the morning updating the TR.

Quote:

Originally Posted by franandaj

I totally know what you mean on the roommate situation. They knew I was a music major (flute, later sax) and paired me up with a vocalist as a roommate.
Sorry to offend any singers out there, but you gotta understand this is like pairing a Disney geek with a six flags coaters freak because they both like theme parks! They had a policy of not moving anyone before three weeks to "see if we could work it out". I had my own room by the end of the week and never shared another room with someone unless we could share a plate of spaghetti and meet lips at the end of the noodle (aka Lady and the Tramp!) Sorry I've spent the last two days at a D23 Animation convention ot sort of takes over your brain!

I hope she gets a good roommate!...

I can't wait to hear about the crabs now!

That is funny the music/vocalist story. We will find out today. She hasn't lost any sleep over it. Literally, she is out cold.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Disney Princess

Great update! I'm sorry to hear about the helicopter trip, but I understand your daughter picking the dive over the air.

Good luck to her as she starts her first semester (and to you as you adjust to having her in NJ!). We did potluck for our dorms, and it all worked out. Not my lifelong best friend, but livable for a year. She'll be great!

It really wasn't a choice for her. She likes to participate more than she likes to observe.

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