Disneyland - DCL to Hawaii, Aulani & Disneyland (Again) - October 2012

[Goldeelox9]

October 21, 2012 - Vacation Day 10, Cruise Day 8 - Ohau, Aulani, Part 5

Ok so this may be the past part of Day 10. HA! There is just so much to share! I have the worst time only picking a few pictures.

We got back to the room. Isn't the door so pretty!

Mickey was in the DVC office.

I took a nice bath in the huge tub and wrapped up int he super soft robe.

I stood on the balcony as long as possible.

We still wanted to shop a bit so I got dressed and said goodbye to the amazing room.

We went into the shop to buy a few souvenirs. Look at the inlay wood floor details. I swear it's the Disney details I love most.

I bought a bunch of things but my favorite is this.......

We took a bunch more lobby photos while waiting for the Van to come back and get us.

The Van was here. We took on last picture. One of my favorites! Then we sat back for the drive back to the ship!

As we were walking onto the ship a big burst of wind came and my Hat, my new perfect sun hat, blew off and down 5 stories to the pier. A wonderful DCL worker chased it all the way to the end of the pier and got to at the very last minute. He brought it up to me on Deck 4 int he Atrium. I was soooo thankful. We tried to tip him over and over and he said he was not allowed tips. He went above and beyond and I went right to guest services to talk to a manger about ow thankful I was!!

We took some deck pictures and watched the sun set! It was a lovely evening!

This picture is from a fellow cruiser. I love it!

GOING........

GOING.........

GONE

We grabbed dinner, it was not memorable and we were sooo tired. We went to bed early since tomorrow was our last magical day on the islands.

 

[eeyorefanuk]

Loving it, loving it

I so want to go to hawaii and aulani

Can't wait for more

 

[mrp4352]

Hi!! I've been loving the report! I hope you can come back and finish it!

 

[Goldeelox9]

October 22, 2012 - Vacation Day 11, Cruise Day 9 - Hilo, Hawaii

Today was our last Day in Hawaii. This makes me sad just typing this.

We pulled into the post and we headed to the top deck (are you surprised? LOL) We wanted a few pictures before getting off the ship.

The mix of industrial and beauty was amazing. We were like the 2nd people off the ship and headed right to the rental car shuttle. The man driving was so nice and told us a lot about the Island.

We got our rental in no time and we were on our way. I had another full day planned today. Our first stop was Rainbow Falls.

Don't get excited. It was the WORST set of falls I have ever seen.

What you do not see any falls? Look closer...

Yeah right. LOL It was disappointing to say the least.

We got back in the car and made our way to Volcano National Park.

We stopped in the Visitor Center and watched a movie, picked up maps and used the restroom. Then we were on our way to see some Volcanos. We did not have enough time (or the right shoes) to get all the way to area where the Lava goes into the sea. But we did see a lot of smoke.

After we left the Volcanos we wanted to send post cards from the town of Volcano. We had some friends to send cards to and of course our Niece and Nephew. We wanted them post marked "Volcano". LOL

Pete also needed Coffee so we stopped for that too. I really loved having the car, we could explore and drive all around! It was great.

Next on my list was

We drove down the longest road ever....

Right to the factory.

There was so much Macadamia Nut goodness in the store. We bought a Nut Sampler, a few bags of nuts, Pancake Mix, Cookies, Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts and Hershey Kisses with Macadamia Nuts. Yup ... total Tourist!

This was on his butt....

 

[Goldeelox9]

October 22, 2012 - Vacation Day 11, Cruise Day 9 - Hilo, Hawaii, Part 2

When we left the Macadamia Nut plant we were getting hungry, but had nothing planned so we figured we would find somewhere. We looked on the GPS and had no luck, so we pushed on to the next stop.

The Volcano Winery.

Pete needed to get the key to use the bathroom.

We each did a wine tasting. YUM. We bought a few bottles to take back with us.

Nope not all of those. Just three bottles came home with us.

It was cool seeing all of the grapes just growing all around.

We left the winery and I called my Niece and Nephew. It was getting late back on the East Coast and this was going to be my last time to talk to them for a few days. It was good to tell them good night.

We drove into town and went to Walmart. We picked up some post cards and key chains along with a snack to hold us over and some gifts for the kids. Pete talked to his friend in AZ who had lost his phone in Disneyland. We also called Pete's family to chat before we hit the open seas again.

We headed to the Black Sand Beaches! These are the best and I wish we would have went here first and just stayed all day. I am going to pre warn you this is going to be VERY picture heavy!

To get to the beached we had to drive past the cruise ship.

CLICK HERE for a Video!

I am not kidding about picture overload. This is not even 1/4 of what I took!

There were three beach parks all in a row. Of course we went to each one.

We wanted to go swimming so badly. I have no idea why we did not wear/bring our suits!!

HERE is another little Video. SOOO amazing!

I have not even gotten to my favorites yet! HAHA! Continued on in Part 3!

 

[Goldeelox9]

October 22, 2012 - Vacation Day 11, Cruise Day 9 - Hilo, Hawaii, Part 3

We explored the beach and park areas. This was pretty cool. Just laying there.

This was the prettiest place I have ever been in my whole life.

What I wouldn't give to have had my swim suit. Biggest Hawaii regret.

It is sooo hard to pick a favorite.

It was getting close to the time we needed to head back to drop off the car. I was not ready to leave of course. I mean look at this place!!!

 

[Goldeelox9]

October 22, 2012 - Vacation Day 11, Cruise Day 9 - Hilo, Hawaii, Part 4

One more from the Black Sand beaches....

We stopped for some Ice Cream before going back to the car return. Pete got Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Elvis something or other. I had a little taste and it was good.

When we got back to the car rental place we got lost twice...LOL We were waiting with a lot of other people heading to the ship. The shuttles were fast and we were back on the ship in no time.

Pete went to lay down and I headed to the Quite Cove. I called my friend Michele and we chatted until the ship was pulling out. I loved sitting here.

I went and freshened up for dinner. I did not feel like changing and all of that. I was beat. It was a long day.

This was the last of the Hawaii Menus.

Again nothing was on the Menu I wanted. I think the special menus were not as good as the normal menus on the non-hawaiian nights.

For desert our waiter, the very best, Bogdan, brought us an assortment.

Of course he knew I would just want a Mickey Bar. LOL

I was so tired that I went back to our room, showered and crawled right into bed!!

These guys were waiting for us.

 

[luv2sleep]

Love seeing your pics! Brings back great beautiful memories of our trip! Thank you for sharing them. I miss Hawaii!

 

[nicswife]

I hope you have time for an update soon! I've loved your TR.

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

It looks like I've found your trip report at the end but I wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading along. I so want to go on that cruise one day.

 

[Goldeelox9]

It looks like I've found your trip report at the end but I wanted to say how much I've enjoyed reading along. I so want to go on that cruise one day.

I still have like 8 day to go! LOL Stay tuned!

 

[luv2sleep]

I still have like 8 day to go! LOL Stay tuned!

I love reading your report! Ah the memories!!!!

 

[allbluezoo]

ahhh, following! I hope Disney decides to do more of these cruises. Your photos make me miss my Hawaiian home even more than normal! We were lucky enough to be stationed there for 3 glorious years serving in the Navy - hoping to go back this time next year for as long as they will let us stay!!

 

[Goldeelox9]

October 23, 2012 - Vacation Day 12, Cruise Day 10 - Day At Sea

Get ready for this trip report to get very light in pictures. LOL I only have Palo pictures so be prepared for lots of food porn.

After leaving Hawaii Disney stopped all of the Hawaiian entertainment on the ship. We were heading to Mexico and so very sad. We both slept in and missed breakfast. It had been a tiering few days. We made our way up to the buffet and ran into some friends we had made from Australia. We had lunch and then we headed to the pool for the entire afternoon.

We swap, chatted with lots people who now felt like old friends and Read and napped. It was a great day. The weather was perfect!

Then we went back to the cabin and.....laid around.....LOL

We forced ourselves to get up and we showered to get ready for Palo.....ahhh Palo....I wish I could eat here every night. LOL

Palo is so special to me. It is where Pete and I had our first dance and cut our wedding cake and started our lives as a married couple. Not only do I love all Palos but the one on the Wonder is THE ONE it is Our Palo!!

We had the same waiter. Ashley and he again was wonderful!

I still remember standing here in this spot waiting to be announces as a married couple for the first time!

The Menu hold so many great items. It's hard to pick!

We started with the Antipasti. The cured beef is my favorite followed by the Parmesan Cheese.

My husband.....I love this picture of him.

I started with the Mushroom Appetizer. I swear is I was home I would lick this plate. LOL

Pete had the calamari and this blurry picture is the only one I have.

Our Palate cleanser (AKA my favorite desert)

For my main meal I got the gnocchi and the grilled shrimp.

Pete ordered the Steak and Scallops.

I ordered the Lemon Sorbet but he brought me a caramel Ice Cream to try also. LOL

Pete got the Soufflé

We love the after dinner shot. Cheers to us!

I love Palo and this whole area of the ship!

I was so sleepy that after walking around on the deck I headed down to go to sleep!

My feet were killing me. This was before my foot surgery...however sadly they are not back to 100%.

Pete went to the deck after changing clothes to hang with his new friends....I tried to read and instantly fell asleep!

 

[Goldeelox9]

I leave in a week for a business trip/vacation...I really want to finish this before I go! Wish me luck!

 

[Hakele]

I leave in a week for a business trip/vacation...I really want to finish this before I go! Wish me luck!

Girl! You had better get on it! I've been waiting for weeks to see the next installment!

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

8 days of TR updates in less than a week??? Just kidding... I have complete faith in you that you'll be completely done before you leave on your business trip/vacation...

 

[DnA2010]

Very much enjoying your report!! So many fantastic memories!

We are huge fans of the Big Island, so your Hilo pics brought back a lot of memories!

 

[scrpbookr]

What a beautiful wedding pic!
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LOVE the room!

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Your Halloween shirts are adorable!

________________

I'm looking forward to the rest of your report. Reading on....

 

[scrpbookr]

The tie-dye shirts are so awesome, too! Did you guys make them? I've seen a bit of a tutorial on this. I may have to try it.

Excited to read about your cruise!