Monday, July 17
The plan was to sleep in, bathe, go to Sea World, and the Hawaiian luau dinner at Sea World. I guess Danielle didn’t get the sleep in notice because she was up around 9:00. Excitement, perhaps? Since she was up, I might as well get up. I was just staring at the clock wondering how long I should wait before I called Dad.
Everyone was up and around by 10:30. Bath time. Everything takes longer with us. I have three breathing treatments (Xopenex, Pulmicort, Pulmozyme) and an inhaler, teeth and trach care. Danielle has Xopenex and pills. Danielle’s bath takes about 30 minutes and she was up first.
While Danielle was bathing I tell Mom about the special two days for the price of one going on right now at Sea World. She doesn’t believe me!
Me! The vacation research guru
Until she calls and finds out I am right. Ha.
Mom also gets the luau tickets. I am ½ price because I am not eating. After Dad gets a short rest from Danielle’s bath, it’s my turn. After I get out of the bath, I have to change my g-tube gauze, trach gauze, and trach ties. The whole routine takes about an hour.
Besides doing the ‘normal’ routine of make up and hair, we also have to pack my food in an ice chest, my suction machine, nebulizer and Xopenex, pain med, and emergency bag. Plus those vacation extras like ponchos and sunscreen.
At 1:00, Randy’s brought by Grandma’s
scooter and gave her a little tutorial. By the time everyone had bathed and all the stuff had been gathered it was 3:00.
Dad would be driving around the city. The signs were pretty clear but it was still stressful. “Are you sure we didn’t pass it?”
Finally we took the Sea World exit. We were just driving along when
SMASH CRASH THUMP THUMP THUMP.
What was that?!
We were attacked by a palm tree.
Yes, a palm tree.
They really should have a warning about low hanging branches.
With everyone’s heart rates a little higher, we pulled into the parking lot. And had no idea where to go. A kind guest directed us to a RV parking spot.
In true Florida fashion it started raining. So before we could even get out we had to don rain gear. Finally we walked into the park.
But in order to get the 2 for 1 deal Mom and Dad had to stand in this sloooooooooooooooooow line. Seriously, it took 45 minutes to get through that line. By the time we got through the line, there wasn’t time to see any shows (had to line up at 5:30).
We stopped briefly to see the dolphins. I must say that they were positively adorable! They would pop up and do cute head bobs. And a couple would poise on a rock.
Outside of the dinner theatre were these chef drummers. They played on pots and pans. A fun, cute act to watch while we cycled through the bathroom before dinner. Before we entered the theatre everyone was presented with a leis. Danielle was given her lei by a genuine Hawaiian hunk. Complimentary glasses of lemonade or mai tai were given. Since drinking alcohol is against our religion, everyone got lemonade. And Danielle’s promptly got dumped all over her
.
Before the spilling:
Dad trying to look like a chief:
Me and Grandma:
We give our tickets to a lady and tell her that I won’t be eating. She tells us that if I want, the chef could make me something special. I thought this was very nice. There was a little seating issue with the table. Our three wheelchair’s took up about six seats, oops. Our waitress handled it very nicely and we were made to feel welcome.
The welcome to the dinner show was that we were all honorary chiefs and all the people from the Pacific Islands have gathered together for the Makahiki feast or time of celebration. Live Hawaiian music was played while waiting for the food.
The opening act was a totally awesome fire dance. You have to see it to believe it. Here are a few pictures:
Several different hula dances from different island origins. The stick dance. A hula with swinging balls. A male dance with spears and oars. The slap dance-Dad’s favorite. The story was that the dance imitated the gyrations the people went through to kill mosquitoes.
Here are some pictures of some other dances:
The two narrators/storytellers were the chief and a lady with a very good acting voice. There was also a tongue warrior dance. A couple people from the audience were recruited to play the tribal drums. They were good sports. One guy was funny because he could not get the rhythm right! Towards the end this adorable little boy came out who was training to be a fire dancer. To close the show, everyone in the audience was taught a cheer. I can’t remember how it went except that there was a scream at the end. Some warnings: lots of screaming (warriors/celebration), parts were quite loud, sudden noises, brief darkness, flashing lights, and fog.
I loved the show (I am 1/32 Hawaiian). It was a fabulous way to start our trip of a lifetime.
Up next on Friday, May 18- Epcot: It was the best of times and the worst of times
Epcot- It was the best of times and the worst of times- Page 10 Post #146
I hope you are well!
I love hearing about your trip and the luau looked fantastic! We had a guy at a church picnic last year, that did some fire baton twirling--I was afraid he was going to catch himself on fire and the area reeked of gasoline smell! Some things just need to stay in a luau (or beauty pageant talent! ha!) Can't wait to hear about Epcot!
that mad me laugh...and thanks
Thank you for dropping in and your compliments 
That would be my mom. All the guys were shirtless...Maybe another reason to see a Luau 
that sounds scary! Leave it to the professionals. At the Luau, they were behind a mesh screen. And thanks!
