Canadian Buffoon's Disney With a Teen Vacation - 08/13 - The Wrap

[jandlinz]

I think I have a doozy of an owie. I once mangled two fingers with hedge trimmers. I won't go near them now.

 

[pkondz]

good for you guys for getting that scope. we here at casa de whitehead are really promoting that screening. as I stated earlier in this tr my son was diagnosed with colon cancer in Feb. just a month shy of his 33rd birthday. he has had a couple of surgeries and we had a really close call (yeah THAT call) with him but he is recovering from the surgeries and starts chemo next week for 6 months. early diagnosis is crucial so our new family mottos are, "don't say eeeewwweee check your poo" and don't be a dope get that scope!" glad you got that pass for a few years and ask them about other less invasive screenings, we have Kaiser insurance and they have a home screening kit they send out every couple of years. and tell your hubby that yeah the scope sucks but better to get it done and to consider it his gift to his family/

I really need to get this done. It's been a year or so since my last physical.

 

[pkondz]

Looking mighty dapper there, Ponzi!

The most dapper man in the world.
Well, that's one I haven't heard for him before.

I doubt it. The one I saw most lately was a meager "poop".

Well, if I wrote ************ all you'd see is stars.

See???

I feel your pain. Took me the same.

Yep. The things we do to suck up to our readers....

 

[pkondz]

I think I have a doozy of an owie. I once mangled two fingers with hedge trimmers. I won't go near them now.

Ow! That hurt just thinking of it.
Permanent damage?

 

[pkondz]

TR update is 95% done.
Just need to get one picture done,
figure out the next contest questions,
proof it and post it.

 

[Steppesister]

TR update is 95% done.
Just need to get one picture done,
figure out the next contest questions,
proof it and post it.

Great! I'll check back day after tomorrow.

 

[orangecats2]

Well how will you know if it's stupid humour or not if you don't read it?!?!?

And then you can tell me if it's good or not.
If you say it's stupid humour, then I'd probably buy it.

I didn't read the last one and you liked it. Go look at notsogolden dot com and you can see what it's all about.
My laptop is telling me that you spelled humor wrong!

 

[queenbetsey]

You go girl!



I recall that your son was waiting on that surgery.
It went well, then, I take it?
I'm glad if it did!



Good for you! How was it?



C ya!

surgery #2 was very long, like we'll over 7 and a half hours but the docs think they got all of the cancer,he has 6 months of chemotherapy we are grateful for that,

 

[queenbetsey]

Hey looks like I get to make some guessesI think you hit the Harley store (gotta get your chip right?) I saw mickey in the mirror (I'm looking for the mouse in the mirror Ala Michael Jackson's old song) thinking that I also saw Waldo in one of your pics, think the girls ditch you and Ruby for a bit and I think Kay breaks her screen on her phone,which for a teenager IS a tragedy of the worst kind.

 

[pkondz]

Great! I'll check back day after tomorrow.

No promises... but it should be up by then.

Operative word... "should".

I didn't read the last one and you liked it. Go look at notsogolden dot com and you can see what it's all about.

I'll check it out tonight.

My laptop is telling me that you spelled humor wrong!

Mine doesn't. It's bilingual...
Knows English and USA.

the docs think they got all of the cancer,

Now that's great news!

 

[pkondz]

Hey looks like I get to make some guessesI think you hit the Harley store (gotta get your chip right?) I saw mickey in the mirror (I'm looking for the mouse in the mirror Ala Michael Jackson's old song) thinking that I also saw Waldo in one of your pics, think the girls ditch you and Ruby for a bit and I think Kay breaks her screen on her phone,which for a teenager IS a tragedy of the worst kind.

All noted. You even got some old ones in there that'll count.

 

[jandlinz]

Ow! That hurt just thinking of it.
Permanent damage?

I filleted my pointer finger at the tip and had stitches. There is a scar. My middle finger lost some skin and was too mangled to stitch. That scar is a little worse. I was definitely lucky. Stupid, yet lucky.

 

[Gracefulskinny]

So you're the one!

I'm the one what?

Oh, it wasn't serious. Just a bit of skin...
that happened to be under a nail,
so it stung a bit.

ouch.

Trying. Not. To. Laugh...

TR update is 95% done.
Just need to get one picture done,
figure out the next contest questions,
proof it and post it.

 

[pkondz]

My middle finger lost some skin and was too mangled to stitch. That scar is a little worse.

Makes it more impressive when you flip someone off.
"Yeah! I'm mad... and I'm bad!"

I was definitely lucky. Stupid, yet lucky.

I'm the same. Could've been worse.

 

[pkondz]

I'm the one what?

The one person who thinks I deserve a break!

 

[MHSweb79]

I love how a fun TR shared by goofy Disney fans (see what I did there?) turns into a PSA for cancer screening!

Seriously, like Queenbetsy says, don't put this off if your doctor recommends it. My older sister has been avoiding it for years - she's 58 and has never had it done - because she's convinced it's so awful. Really, if you've ever had even a moderate case of the trots you've experienced the cleanse. The actual procedure was about a 1 on the scale of 1-10 on the awful scale. About as traumatic as getting your teeth cleaned, although at the other end, of course.

Now back to your regulatly scheduled frivolity.

 

[pkondz]

I love how a fun TR shared by goofy Disney fans (see what I did there?)

turns into a PSA for cancer screening!

I always encourage people to share here.
Sometimes it's cathartic, sometimes it's fun
and sometimes it's educational.
It's all good.
This might be one time that it saves a life.

Pretty darned humbling...

Seriously, like Queenbetsy says, don't put this off if your doctor recommends it. My older sister has been avoiding it for years - she's 58 and has never had it done - because she's convinced it's so awful. Really, if you've ever had even a moderate case of the trots you've experienced the cleanse. The actual procedure was about a 1 on the scale of 1-10 on the awful scale.

Thanks for that.
Makes it seem a little less intimidating.

About as traumatic as getting your teeth cleaned, although at the other end, of course.

Although I hate getting my teeth cleaned.
So maybe this won't be as bad as that.

Now back to your regulatly scheduled frivolity.

Coming right up!

 

[pkondz]

What big teeth you have

We last left off with the ponzi family
eating thousands of dollars’ worth of food.

Burgers, thumbs up.
Hot dogs, thumbs down.

So, what to do now?
Ruby wants to go shopping.
That means, going into every and any store
that I wouldn't enter if you paid me.

"Hey!" Ruby says... anytime...
"Wanna go shopping with me?"

I just back away slowly
and hope she'll forget I exist.

Sometimes it works.


This time, Kay backed up with me.
Neither one of us is into the whole
"shopping" thing.
At least, not in the stuff that Ruby and Elle like.

So we decided to split up.
After 25 years of marriage, this is what it comes to!


Ruby and Elle ducked into the nearest
overpriced dress shop.
Kay and I made a run for the nearest exit.

While were eating, we kept hearing a rhythmic
"schwock" sound, over and over.
We figured out that it was one of two wood carvers
located out on the street.

Kay and I went to investigate.

I must admit, I was pretty impressed.
There were some nice carvings there.
But I knew they'd be out of my price range,
at least for the ones that interested me,
so we moved on.

We popped into an ABC store.
Neither I nor Kay had brought our flip flops.
Why?
Because Ruby likes to be organized.
When spring comes, she puts all the winter stuff away.
And vice versa in the fall.
I hate that.
She puts the winter stuff away...
and then we have a snow storm.
She puts the summer stuff away...
and we have a heat wave.


Every. Stinking. Year.


Me, packing: "Ruby? Where are my flip flops?"
Ruby after a brief, fruitless search: "I don't know!"



I know exactly where I left them...


So we popped into the ABC store to buy some.
And Kay didn't have hers for probably the same reason.

We quickly found what we were looking for
and then looked around at all the trinkets.
I suggested a ukulele for Kay,
but she declined.
Kids these days.
They don't even want cheap tourist crap.

I considered getting this cool cat gun I found,
but Kay reminded me that Ruby's more of a dog person.

They didn't have a puppy gun, so we left.


We wandered around a bit more.
Not with anything in mind,
but we'd told Ruby and Elle we'd meet up in 45 minutes
and the time wasn't up yet.

We popped into a store called Maui Divers Jewelry.
It sounded interesting, but it was a black hole.
A black hole is an area in space where if you enter,
you can never escape.
The second we walked in, we knew this wasn't for us.
Prices way too high and way too fancy.
I thought it might be some trinkets from the ocean.
But it was just a normal jewelry shop.
And as soon as we crossed the threshold
(aka the event horizon)
a sales lady captured us.
"Hi! Would you like to see something?"
(Oh, God, no. I just want to leave... Must be polite.)
"Sure! My daughter is looking for a turtle pendant."
(She actually was.)
"Oh!" She says. "Huno! Right over here."
"Um..." Says I. "I thought turtle was 'Honu' in Hawaiian?"
"Oh right!" She says. "You know more about it than I do!"

How encouraging.

She shows me a pendant.
"How much?" I ask.
"Four hundred dollars." She gleefully replies.
I neglect to tell her that my budget
is about four hundred dollars less than that.
"I think we'll just look around." I say.
If we're lucky, she'll leave us alone
and when her back is turned we can escape!

We wander around the store for a minute
and when she turns to speak to some other
unsuspecting tourists, we bolt for the safety of the street.


Now it's about time to meet back up with Ruby and Elle.
On the way, we pause again to admire the sculptures.
A man started to talk to us.
I guess he did the selling while the other did the carving.
I told him I really liked one particular carving,
but knew it was out of my price range.
He kindly explained a bit about the carving process
and what the carving still needed for it to be finished.

"Just out of curiosity." I said. "How much is it?"
I figured it would be at least $800 and probably more.
But you never know.
If it was somewhere around the $200 range,
I might consider it.
"It's $1,200." He says.
Yeah... that's kind of what I figured.
Oh, well.
I thanked him for his time and said.
"Well, if you took $1,000 off, but I don't think you will, so..."

He thought I was going to buy it for $1,000.
I quickly had to dissuade him of that notion.


We met back up with Ruby and Elle
and they showed us their wares.

And I don't remember what they were...
So I'm going to say...
Scarves, sun dresses and tops.
Sure. Why not.
It's just as likely as anything else.
We showed them our flip flops
and they wanted to go to the ABC store.

Kay and I led them back to the ABC store
and stood outside while they looked around.
I spotted a sign at the end of the block
and beckoned for Kay to follow me.
It was a tiny little silver jewelry shop.
Pretty much what I was looking for earlier.
Kay and I spotted a little pendant with three turtles.
"How much?" I asked.
"Fifteen dollars." Came the reply
"Do you want it?" I asked Kay.
"It's too expensive." She said.
Too expensive?
Had I misheard?
Was it fifty?
"Was that fifteen or fifty?" I asked.
"Fifteen." She repeated.
So I bought it for her.

And I saw Kay wearing it just the other day.
So, good investment.


When Ruby and Elle were done with the ABC store,
they wanted to see the little jewelry store I'd found.
I have no idea why we split up in the first place.

They didn't buy anything and we decided
to head back to the car.

On the way, we popped into the Harley Davidson store
where I bought a shirt and a poker chip.
I did not look to see if they had shorts.
I think I'd grown used to the idea of looking
like I'd had a bloody encounter with Jason Voorhees.


When I'd asked the kids to name one thing
they wanted to do in Hawaii,
Kay's choice was to visit a black sand beach.
While we wouldn't be doing that today,
she had further refined her request to visiting
several beaches in order to bring some sand home
from each of them.

First up was Kaanapali beach.
It was once named the best beach in America.
Three miles of white sand.

We arrived after a brief 15-20 minute drive...
And couldn't find a place to park!
All beaches in Maui are public spaces.
But the land to get to the public spaces
can be privately owned.

After cruising around,
trying to find some free beach parking
(and we did! and it was small... and full.)
we finally gave in and parked in a paid parkade.
I wasn't overly concerned,
because we wouldn't be there long.
We're just not beach people.
I'll go look at a beach.
But... to sit (or lay) there?

Nope.

Things to do! Places to see!


Once again, we decided to split up.
Ruby and Elle wanted to do more shopping,
and of course Kay and I didn't.
And Kay wanted her sand.

We headed in the general direction of the beach...
and couldn't find an access!
Finally we gave up and cut through a restaurant.
"Hi! Smells good! Got a menu? Hmm... No thanks!"
(I didn't really do that. No one said anything.
They're probably used to people going through.
And if some decide to stop and eat, so much the better.)

After traversing the restaurant,
we crossed a small hedge lined path and...

Makes you want to go, doesn't it?

We kicked off our flip flops and walked up to the water.
Suddenly Kay let out a squeak.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"I almost got the bottom of my pants wet!" She replied.

Wow. That would've been tragic!
Getting wet... at the ocean...

A moment later... the inevitable.
"Aigh!"
"What!?!?"
"I got wet!"

Oh, the horror.
Say "Oh the horror" for bonus points!


After soaking in the sights for a bit,
and soaking Kay's pants cuffs,
Kay asked me to cover her while she
snuck some sand into the little jar she'd brought.

I'm not kidding.
It was like she was involved in an art-heist or something.
"You keep watch while I get the goods!"

She scooped up some sand, slapped the lid on
and surreptitiously placed the jar in a pocket.

Her eyes darted back and forth.
I'm pretty sure she was expecting the CIA
to jump out of the hedge and grab her.
I assured her that she had nothing to worry about.
If anything, it'd be the FBI and not the CIA that nabbed her.


We rejoined the other girls back at the car.
They had bought more... stuff.
Let's say scented soaps this time.
Sure. Why not.
The upside for me was that they got our parking validated.
Sweet! Free parking.

We headed off for Napili beach.
We arrived, again after a 15-20 minute drive.
This time I found parking on the street
and we had no problem finding beach access.

Napili beach is a small crescent, white sand beach.
We originally wanted to stay around here,
but it didn't work out.
But it didn't mean we couldn't see it...

I like this one better than Kaanapali.
A little smaller. More intimate.
While I took some pictures,
the girls busied themselves picking up sea shells.
And Kay also filled another jar with sand.
She seemed to have gotten over her earlier reticence.

It really was a nice beach.
We hung around for a few more minutes
just watching the waves and enjoying the day.
Anyone want to relax and just enjoy the beach?
"Yeah!"
Well too bad! We're off to the next spot on our agenda.


We hopped back into the car and set out.
It was only a ten minute drive,
but it proved to be the hardest spot to find.
I knew from researching that the Dragon's Teeth
were by a golf course near the Ritz Carlton.
We found the golf course...
but didn't know where to go from there.
I drove around, hoping I'd see something
that'd provide a clue.
We came across the Honolua Store.
I remembered reading that it was a good place
to stock up on supplies.
"Who wants something to drink?" I asked.
Everyone. We were all pretty thirsty.
We hadn't had a drink since lunch.
I went inside, grabbed some drinks
(and some pineapple candy... yum!)
and asked the girl at the check out
if she knew where the Dragon's Teeth were.

She didn't know.
I found that odd.
A tourist attraction that's nearby and you don't know
where it is?
I was going to pay for my stuff and resign myself
to not seeing the 'teeth' but this is Hawaii.
People go out of their way to help around here.
She called another person over and asked them.

They didn't know either!
Not to be deterred, she then asked another person.
She knew where it was.
"Drive back down office road and where it ends,
turn into the parking lot.
At the golf course turn to the left,
you should see it straight ahead."

I thanked her, paid for my drinks and candy and set out.

I got back to the car and was handing out the drinks, when...
"Wait!"
I turned and saw the same woman
who'd given me the directions
come hurrying towards us.
"I just wanted to make sure you could find it.
It's that way (gestures) down the road.
And the parking lot is on your right at the stop sign."

She came out just to make sure I'd find it.
I was struck by her thoughtfulness.


Less than a minute later, we were back at the parking lot
where we'd been before.
But this time we knew where to go.
Sure enough, I could see the 'teeth' in the distance.

It was only a five minute walk to the Dragon's Teeth.

The teeth were formed during Maui's last volcanic lava flow.
The lava reached the ocean and the waves and wind
pushed the lava into these vertical "teeth".
It really does look like you're in a dragon's mouth.

We walked the length of the point
and peered into a narrow inlet.
The waves ferociously crashed against the cliff.
There was a mother with a couple of young kids.
Maybe 8 or 10 years old?
The kids scrambled right up to the edge
to get a better look!
One misstep or crumbling rock and...
The mom called her kids back.
If she hadn't, I sure as heck would have!
I have no idea what she was thinking
letting them get that close to the edge.
It was more than a little unnerving.

I had one more stop planned for today,
the Nakalele Blowhole.
Waves from the ocean shoot up from a hole.
I'd heard good things.
But... by now everyone had seen enough for one day.
If I'd been by myself, I might have gone.
It would've added about two hours to our day.
I knew going in that we wouldn't see everything
and do everything on my list.
Indeed, my list was merely a collection of possibilities.
Not a "must-do" list.
We drove back in the direction we came
and headed to the hotel.


Along the way, we drove under these trees that
arced over the highway.
I must admit that the photo is from Kay's phone
and may be warped a bit from the camera or window
or even from a panorama setting.
But it's pretty close to what I remember seeing.

And as we drove, the sun began to set.
I have no idea when she took this shot,
but I think Kay got the picture of the trip here.

We got back to the hotel and Kay said she was hungry.
The rest of us were still pretty full from lunch,
but Kay hadn't finished her burger.
(Hers had BBQ sauce that was a bit too spicy for her.)
Elle wanted to go for a swim in the pool, so...
We set out for the pool-side bar and grill.

Once again, there was live entertainment.
This time there was a woman singing while
a gentleman accompanied her on a keyboard.
They were pretty good and it was a nice way
to end another day.

While Ruby sat watching Elle in the pool,
Kay and I ordered some food.
Kay ordered the fish & chips
while I contented myself
with some raw veggies and hummus.

I'm not a huge hummus fan...
or simply put, I don't really like it.
And Kay didn't particularly care for her tartar sauce.
It was a bit tangy-er than she's used to.
So we switched dips and we were both happy.
Also, we had a different waitress who seemed more
on the ball than the one from the previous night.

By the time we were done eating,
Elle and Ruby had already gone back to our room.
We joined them and that was the end to our first
full day in Hawaii.
Only one more full day to go!




Sorry if this chapter was a bit dull.
Couple of beaches and some lava.
But remember we did start the day with a submarine ride.
So it was a pretty full day for us.

But to make it up to you,
I'll spice things up a bit.
For your pleasure and entertainment,
or should I say for your shock and revulsion,
I will share an animated photo of a lion attacking
and bringing down an adult giraffe
as an elephant stands helplessly by!

For those of you with sensitive stomachs,
I urge you to skip this next photo.


Last warning!
This is not for the meek!




You've been warned!!!!!

Okay, for those of you who skipped ahead,
you can start reading from here.
But for the love of Gawd!
Don't look up!



Contest!

10 points for anyone who lives in a Yellow Submarine!
orangecats2, Thumper_Man, Steppesister,
TheLittleKatie, Curiouser&curiouser!, 6travel,
SoccerDogWithEars, Gracefulskinny, afwdwfan,
irene_dsc, SnowWhiteOz, jandlinz, franandaj,
DonnaBeeGood, Terra Nova guy,
Captain_Oblivious, natebenma, Mrs T 2009,
vrajewski10513, BibbitybobityLu, MAGICFOR2


Previous chapter's questions and answers:

1. Name one store we visit.
Answer: Harley Davidson store. 5 points
(or ABC store)

2. How many beaches do we go to?
Answer: Two. 10 points

3. We split up into two groups.
Who's with who?
Answer: Ruby & Elle, Kay & me. 20 points

4. Did you see it? Or should I say, him?
Answer: Hey Mickey, you're so fine... 5 points

5. What tragedy befalls Kay at the beach?
Answer: Pants got wet. 10 points
(or 100... or 1,000 since no one guessed this)


Answers:
SoccerDogWithEars - HD, 2, Me & Kay, saw him, dead phone - 40 points
rndmr2 - HD, 1 Me & Ruby, saw him, sunburn - 10 points
Thumper_Man - HD, 2, Me & Ruby, saw him, swimsuit - 20 points
Steppesister - HD, 1, Me & Kay, saw him, sunburn - 30 points
TheLittleKatie - HD, 2, Me & Ruby, saw him, battery dies - 20 points
Curiouser&curiouser! - HD, 3, Me & Kay, saw him, flip flop - 30 points
6travel - HD, 2, Me & Kay, saw him, bird poop - 40 points
Gracefulskinny - Foodland, 2, Me & Kay, saw him, towel - 35 points
afwdwfan - HD, 1, Me & Kay, saw him, sunburn - 30 points
irene_dsc - HD, 2, Me & Ruby, saw him, had to leave - 20 points
MHSweb79 - HD, 2, Me & Ruby, saw him, sunglasses - 20 points
SnowWhiteOz - Foodland, 3, Me & Ruby, saw him, drop ice cream - 5 points
jandlinz - HD, 2, Me & Ruby, saw him, dead phone - 20 points
franandaj - HD, 1, Me & Kay, saw him, flip flops - 30 points
DonnaBeeGood - HD, 1, Me & Ruby, saw him, wet phone - 10 points
Terra Nova guy - HD, 2, Me & Ruby, saw him, sunglasses - 20 points
Captain_Oblivious - HD, 2, Me & Ruby, saw him, sunburn - 20 points
natebenma - HD, 2, Me & Kay, saw him, drop food - 40 points
orangecats2 - HD, 1, Me & Elle, saw him, dead battery - 10 points
Mrs T 2009 - HD, 2, Me & Kay, saw him, sunglasses - 40 points
vrajewski10513 - HD, 2, Me & Kay, saw him, sand - 40 points
BibbitybobityLu - HD, 3, Me & Ruby, saw him, flip flop - 10 points
MAGICFOR2 - ABC, 1, Me & Ruby, saw him, flip flop - 10 points
queenbetsey - HD, 0, Me & Ruby, saw him, broke phone - 10 points


Dance for Joy - Thumper_Man - 5 points, asked for points - 5 points
Making up lost ground - TheLittleKatie - Tangent - 10 points,
saw it - 5 points, points out my flaws - 5 points,
asked for points - 5 points, saw him - 5 points
Loudest atonal post - Curiouser&curiouser! - 5 points
Musubi... got it - Gracefulskinny - 5 points
The ignominy of socks and sandals - Terra Nova guy - 5 points
Teeny weeny snorkeling - MHSweb79 - 5 points
Saw him - queenbetsey - 5 points


Standings:
irene_dsc - 140 points
6travel - 135 points
afwdwfan - 135 points
franandaj - 130 points
SoccerDogWithEars - 130 points
Curiouser&curiouser! - 125 points
Gracefulskinny - 125 points
jandlinz - 120 points
Captain_Oblivious - 110 points
natebenma - 110 points
Terra Nova guy - 110 points
orangecats2 - 105 points
DonnaBeeGood - 100 points
MHSweb79 - 100 points
SnowWhiteOz - 100 points
Mrs T 2009 - 95 points
Steppesister - 90 points
rndmr2 - 85 points
vrajewski10513 - 85 points
DISNEYMOON10121991 - 80 points
TheLittleKatie - 80 points
cinderkelly - 70 points
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes - 60 points
MAGICFOR2 - 60 points
BibbitybobityLu - 55 points
Thumper_Man - 40 points
queenbetsey - 15 points
ForeverDance - 10 points
ougrad86 - 5 points
Self_resqing_princz - 5 points
mmeb144 - 0 points


If I've made any mistakes,
let me know!

Next round:
1. What time do I leave the room for breakfast?

2. We launch on an all day excursion.
What is it?

3. Kay makes a new best friend.
Figures... She's an animal lover.
What is it?
Hint: Not a dog or cat.

4. We try a local baked treat that Elle thinks
is better than mine! What is it?
Hint: It's not been mentioned before.

5. Did you see it? Bonus points if you did.

6. How many beaches do we visit?

7. What do I eat for supper.
Hint: think local.

Depending on the size of the next update,
we may or may not get to all the answers.

Good luck!

Coming up... the thing we still talk about.

Moon over Paradise​

 

[Steppesister]

I can't quote very easily on the phone but I second (strongly) the screenings! My hubs went in for a very routine check up. He got the finger, so to speak, and ended up with the discovery of stage 2 aggressive prostate cancer, a prostatectomy, and a new lease on life, at 49.

If you won't do it for yourself (a mamm, colonoscopy, PSA, whatever....) do it for those who love you.

 

[Terra Nova guy]

You don't even have to finish the sentence, do you?
You're going to get flinches and shudders every time.

Oh no, can't deal......sing me the Smarties song again and make it go away...