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

[franandaj]

YAY!!! Have a great time! But I think I lost the other TR- where is it?

The two TRs that I'm working on are the ones in my signature with the larger print. "Pinch Me...." actually starts in less than two weeks, I should actually change the title of that one to "The Meat is on" based on all the chatter in there! The other TR is a report on a D23 "seminar" that I went to last Summer. There is so much information in there that it is taking me a loooooong time to finish it.

 

[chepic]

All caught up again.

I tried the surfing once at WDW at Typhoon Lagoon and had a great time. It looks like so much more fun in Hawaii and I didn't have my own personal fireman!!!

The food looks great, and I have had the cucumber vodka before and did find it quite refreshing on that very hot day in the sun!!!


Congrats on the tickets....even though I am a Red Sox girl.


Cheryl

 

[ACDSNY]

I am BUSTING I am so excited! I would be much, MUCH more excited if Swisher was still there, however. I am going to have a BIG adjustment to that this season....

I loved watching Swisher play when he was with the River Cats (Sacramento) and the A's (Oakland).

 

[eandesmom]

Joining in UBER late here. I never check the DVC TR forum darn it and didn't know about this one. Rats! Semi caught up, at least on the Aulani portion and wow, you are an uber cool mom. I love seeing the approach with 2 teen boys as that will hopefully be us in a few years. DH and I will be at Aulani in May, but no kids (sorry kiddos but that's what happens when you have just enough banked points for a studio, not a 1B lol and you are saving the rest of the points so that said kids can take their cousins with them to WDW for NYE so no tears for them really) and the boys are dying to go (currently 12/13). I am worried they will be bored in comparison to DCL/WDW.

Love seeing all the details, I haven't been to Oahu in forever for more than a layover on the way to another island so am excited. WAY more excited after reading your TR! I have a bunch of questions but need to go back and make a list.

 

[podsnel]

I thought I would try to get a little update in before I answer the replies. By the way, one week from today, I'll be flying to sunny Mexico, sooooo...YAY FOR ME!! Hard to say which I am more excited for- the warm and beautiful weather at the gorgeous resort, or the end (or at least temporary break) of my south Beach diet! Although I HAVE lost 11 lbs, so I think South Beach rocks, but I am looking forward to being on a Mexican Beach instead of the south one, if ya know what I mean...

After our yummy poolside lunch, we decided to go for a little walk. First, I must have gone up to the room, because I passed Stitch, and he was in the other direction from where we would be hoofin it-

Naughty Stitch!

The Ko Olina area has a sidewalk by the beach, making it very easy to take a walk- we went right, towards the Marriott Ihilani next door. There is a VERY pretty and secluded beach once you pass that resort, after the sidewalk ends- you cross the lawn and go down a little dirt hill to get to it.

Nice, huh? Back up to the Marriott-

And back towards Aulani-

The map of Ko Olina on the path-

Sorry about the blurriness- there must have been a water splash on my lens.

I think it was around 2, so we decided to check on the boys and then head to Laniwai for some pre-spa luxurious laziness. On the way we saw-

I loved how accessible the characters were at Aulani- not that I ever spent time posing with any of them other than this one time with Goofy, but I thought it was great for the kids who wanted some Fab 5 time.

We stopped to see how T&T were, and scheduled a teen massage for Tyler- they do them right in Painted Sky. Tyler had requested this, Timmy was not at all interested. Your loss, my dancing friend!

Up next-

Bliss.......

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Ellen! Wow! Congrats on the tickets for Timmy! Is it today? You are probably at the game now!

One more week!!!! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

Nice pics again! Cute pic of you and Pods with Goofy! I am thinking Aulani for Aug 2015 - We had planned to cruise next year with DBIL, but we'll see. Jim is looking for a new job, so who knows???

 

[rentayenta]

You're going to Mexico? Which part? Can I be you?

 

[dizneeat]

Great photos of Aulani! I actually should not look at them, as we have decided to skip it in 2014 - just not in our finances. Guess I should start playing the lottery.

The scenery is so pretty and I love all the little details! Thanks, Ellen!

 

[podsnel]

Aren't you fabulous??????

Why yes you are!

Aww shucks- ya made me blush-

Ellen, I have finally caught up. What a joy to read. Like I said to you - loved the surfer girl - LOVING the drinks - laughed at the boys with the shaved ice - and honestly I can't believe how grown up the boys are looking.

I know! Look at the pics on the bottom in my sig- the one where they are little was just yesterday!! And surfing was the BEST!!!!

But I guess that's what happens, eh? And we all still go "how did THAT happen?".

Hawaii looks sublime - especially in your pictures - in your family fun and smiles. So peaceful and joy inducing to read all about it. Thank you.

thank YOU!

Must have been wonderful to go there on your honeymoon and then return for this extravaganza, eh? Nice.

One day I will get there! It's nice to dream through your TR.

I'm glad i could help! And glad you are here!

The two TRs that I'm working on are the ones in my signature with the larger print. "Pinch Me...." actually starts in less than two weeks, I should actually change the title of that one to "The Meat is on" based on all the chatter in there! The other TR is a report on a D23 "seminar" that I went to last Summer. There is so much information in there that it is taking me a loooooong time to finish it.

I just read the Meat PTR!! I am crossing my fingers and toes you make it this time!

All caught up again.

I tried the surfing once at WDW at Typhoon Lagoon and had a great time. It looks like so much more fun in Hawaii and I didn't have my own personal fireman!!!

Having your own personal fireman REALLY adds to the experience, I have to say!

The food looks great, and I have had the cucumber vodka before and did find it quite refreshing on that very hot day in the sun!!!

I really hope they have it in Mexico, but I'm thinking they won't!


Congrats on the tickets....even though I am a Red Sox girl.


Cheryl

WHAT????

I loved watching Swisher play when he was with the River Cats (Sacramento) and the A's (Oakland).

He is SOOOOOO good to his fans- I will REALLY miss that!!

 

[podsnel]

Joining in UBER late here. I never check the DVC TR forum darn it and didn't know about this one. Rats! Semi caught up, at least on the Aulani portion and wow, you are an uber cool mom. I love seeing the approach with 2 teen boys as that will hopefully be us in a few years. DH and I will be at Aulani in May, but no kids (sorry kiddos but that's what happens when you have just enough banked points for a studio, not a 1B lol and you are saving the rest of the points so that said kids can take their cousins with them to WDW for NYE so no tears for them really) and the boys are dying to go (currently 12/13). I am worried they will be bored in comparison to DCL/WDW.

Hi Cynthia! We just had a trip with the cousins in November- we got a GV at Jambo, it was AMAZING!!!! Where are you going to stay and when are you going to go? We'll be at (probably) BCV for a night before our cruise- Dec 27th.

Love seeing all the details, I haven't been to Oahu in forever for more than a layover on the way to another island so am excited. WAY more excited after reading your TR! I have a bunch of questions but need to go back and make a list.

You'll love it- make sure to book the spa- it was heavenly! Ask anything on the questions- I'll do my best!

Hi Ellen! Wow! Congrats on the tickets for Timmy! Is it today? You are probably at the game now!

Today? Ummm- no- it's on March 23rd. In Florida!

One more week!!!! Can't wait to hear all about your trip!

REALLY looking forward to it. It's a beautiful resort.

Nice pics again! Cute pic of you and Pods with Goofy! I am thinking Aulani for Aug 2015 - We had planned to cruise next year with DBIL, but we'll see. Jim is looking for a new job, so who knows???

Sounds good!

You're going to Mexico? Which part? Can I be you?

I don't know- CAN you be me??

Sorry- we are going back to Iberostar Grand Paraiso- it's on Playa Paraiso on the Mex Riviera- 1/2 an hour from the Cancun airport. We went last January, too- here's a link- http://www.thegrandcollection.com/en/hotels/riviera-maya/iberostar-grand-hotel-paraiso. I'm soooo ready!

Great photos of Aulani! I actually should not look at them, as we have decided to skip it in 2014 - just not in our finances. Guess I should start playing the lottery.

The scenery is so pretty and I love all the little details! Thanks, Ellen!

You can ALWAYS just look! You will go one day- maybe you'll find a good fair one year from California and combine it with DL-

 

[podsnel]

Pods and I arrived at Laniwai about an hour before we were to have our couples Lomi Lomi massage (we got some kind of upgrade or discount because of DVc, but I really can't recall which).

As I said before, we stopped in at Painted Sky first (they are next to each other)-

Then we waited here-

Soon we were being escorted back to change into robes-

We each chose a stone and were told to reflect on the stone's message while we were there. Mine was-

Of course that was the one I would pick. No idea what Pods' stone was- pretty sure he didn't care. I thought the stone pool where we released our stones was very tranquil-

We went to our seperate changing areas (locker rooms) and were to meet outside when we were done-

Outside, this was set up for someone else's treatment-

We were taken over to pick out our favorite scent, and a salt scrub was put together for each of us with that scent. Pods was not impressed, I chose both.

To say I don't need to worry about Pods spending all our savings on spa treatments is an understatement.

Here is the description from the website-Pulu Bar

At outdoor mixology stations, a spa attendant will blend a custom body polish specifically for you—using your desired aromas, herbs and essential oils.

We then entered Kula Wai

The only outdoor hydrotherapy garden on Oʻahu, Kula Wai offers private vitality pools, co-ed mineral baths, 6 different "rain" showers, whirlpool jet spas and more.

This was without a doubt the MOST gorgeous, spiritual spa I have ever seen.

Pods found a lounge and commenced drool puddling-

I got bored watching said drool puddle grow, and took a walk.

OUCH!!! Reflexology-reflexscmology- I don't care what the benefits are-that path HURT!!

Cont'd later....

 

[podsnel]

I checked out all the different showers-

And I enjoyed the different mineral baths-

I was even brave enough to go into the FREEZING cold one- but I admit, I just walked in and walked right back out!

YIKES!! That was C-c-c-c-c-c-c-cold! After that, I decided to hit the steam room which was back inside

Pods was up when I got back, and we spent some time checking out thehot tubs together before we went into the waiting area for our massage-

Really getting into it now-

Sorry- he just didn't know what to do, he does not even own a bathrobe, poor guy was REALLy confused! I enjoyed it MUCHO, though (see? I'm practicing my Spanish for next week! ). Especially the little cupcakes. Soon, we were escorted to a massage room, passing by the stones, where the masseuse offered to take our pic-

We would be indulging ourselves with a Signature Lomilomi

In the traditional Hawaiian massage, gentle, rhythmic pressure relieves tension and promotes healing. Our Signature Lomilomi adds the uses of soothing Lomilomi sticks and warm river stones to help you achieve ultimate relaxation.
(50 or 80 minutes) - we did 50.

These are our two massage therapists after our treatment, which I thoroughly enjoyed, and after which Pods said he was done doing the Spa thing- he just didn't get it.

Up next- a little more outdoor spa time....

 

[Wicket's Mom]

OMG! That spa is amazing, I could spend all of my time there!

 

[podsnel]

OMG! That spa is amazing, I could spend all of my time there!

It was HEAVENLY!!! Really, REALLY well thought out- HUGE kudos to the imagineers who came up with that space!

 

[jedijill]

I want to live there! OMG, that looked amazing!

Jill in CO

 

[ACDSNY]

The spa looks awesome, darn I wish I would have made time to a treatment last month. Next trip for sure.

 

[mckryan]

Spent from 10AM-4PM there one day in October 2011. It was heavenly. I took my SIL, and she said it was the most relaxing day she had had in a long, long time! I figured it was the least I could do for her since she took me to Hawaii with her! =) I am LOL about Pods and spa days. More spa money for you!!

 

[englishrose47]

Wow so many updates Ellen !!The beaches looked wonderful!!Poor Pods , sounds like he did not GET the whole Spa thing!!! Now yoy are off to Mexico !!You are one travelling Lady!!! Mind you I have a few trips planned this year too!!!

 

[rndmr2]

That Spa is beautiful! I love that Hydrotherapy Garden! Looks very relaxing and tranquil

 

[lisaviolet]

No idea what Pods' stone was- pretty sure he didn't care. I
]

OMG! Ellen! PRICELESS LINE!

_______________________________________

I've never been to a spa. But you've sold me.