Lama pa'ipa'i on the Lanai – an Aulani TR -Aloha and Mahalo Aulani! Link to PTR 11/5

[scottny]

That is great you are back into running. I am hoping after my surgery I will begin running.
I think I was in that DVC Christmas gift exchange. LOL
The luau looked like fun and then to see the characters was even better.
The meals looked good. I love asparagus but never had sea asparagus, is there a difference.
Nice scenery on your hike.
Who takes Velcro with them? LOL
The seals are adorable. That would make it worth while for me.
All caught up again.

 

[Disney9.9.10]

Yay!! I'm so excited to be finally reading this report!! I'm only a few pages in, but it is looking like a beautiful vacation already. I really need to visit Aulani some day! Looking forward to reading the rest

 

[KatMark]

Cynthia, what a beautiful area for your hike. And I just loved seeing the sea lions. I'll remember if we ever go to take the TP with me.

 

[emmysmommy]

Cynthia what a lovely (yes, we'll say 5 mile!) hike! Those seals were adorable! That's funny about the TP!

 

[GettinReadyforDisney]

Planning a trip next June -- Enjoying your trip report so far!!

 

[eandesmom]

I know what the satellite station is for but I can't tell you unless I kill you.

Yeah, you and Jeff.

Looks like a fantastic hike!

Jill in CO

it was a lovely little hike!

This is being added to the ever growing list. What a nice morning how amazing to see those seals! I'd have a hard time tearing myself away that's for sure.

It was such a nice morning, really couldn't have been lovelier!

Those monk seals are fantastic and you got to see two?! Amazing. What a treat especially since there have been so few sightings. Lucky girl.

It was a treat, we were surprised. Apparently lots of folks see the Albatross and the other bird that all the signs were for but we didn't get either of those. I'll take the 2 seals!

Nice hike and even better abs.

Nice sweat you mean. It was a nice hike.

Good things you had the trade winds. Minus the ocean, it looked a little deserty to me.

Tell us Jill.

It was a bit deserty! And wild and cool. And hot. LOL!

Nope, my lips are sealed! I don't look good in orange and can't afford a ticket to Russia.

Jill in CO

Pretty sure you wouldn't have to buy the ticket.

Darn. I heart a good secret.

 

[glennbo123]

I forgot that I had a couple more comments/questions for you when I read that update....

So, it sounds like you would recommend buying/bringing snorkel gear with you rather than renting. I'm hoping to hit a couple of other islands as well, so it probably makes sense for me, although I dread lugging those things in my um, luggage (aptly named piece of equipment right there).

Did you look into the Go Oahu card? Costco has a discount on a 3-day one right now, but a lot of what's included are tours, which I don't think I'd do, or transportation, which would be around the Waikiki hotels, not where we'd be.

 

[eandesmom]

Those seals are so cool. Seeing them must have been such a treat.

It was! It was like bonus prizes! Oh wait, DOUBLE bonus prizes! So cool and unexpected.

What a beautiful walk. Looking out over your shoulder to see the lovely waves hitting the rocks - priceless. What a great way to spend the morning.

Yes, I spared you all the bazillion pictures of waves crashing on rocks, I went a bit overboard but I just love everything about it. Sight, sound and smell. It was a wonderful morning.

Wow, you guys get up early on vacation! Hiking looks like fun, and so cool you saw the seals!

Well, we were still on Seattle time to a degree so kind of felt like 9am to us when we got up. We really did have intentions of sort of sleeping in some days (though not this one, we wanted to be at towel pick up the minute they opened) but that never really happened. I think we were so relaxed after the first 2 days of being total bums and the massages...we didn't need any extra sleep on top of it.

It was a lovely hike.

I love your pictures of your hike/walk How absolutely cool you got to see not one, but two seals!!! And this wasn't far from Aulani? Very cool!

No, not far, about 45 minute drive and little to no traffic at all as you are heading into less populated and sadly some very run down little towns on your way there. Some nice beaches along the way.

I love that you shared that map... but honestly, I have NO idea where Aulani is on the map compared to anything else. And to get from one side of the island to another? I am just clueless.

Oops, good point! Maybe this will help. When I'd glanced at it, it appeared there was a road around the point but...that's just beach! So we were very close to the Northshore on our hike but not at all by car and no good way to get there without heading back to Aulani and then keep going. It isn't as far as it looks on the map though, the Northshore is only about 45 min in decent traffic from Aulani I think.

Not much planning? This feels like a foreign concept to me.

Hey, I found a hike! And a happy hour. What more could anyone want?

They told us about this the first time we picked up our wristbands/towels. Maybe they felt the need to enforce it more over the summer?

I think so, I think it has a lot to do with crowds. They did not mention it on our last day either.

D'oh! Rule #1 in Hawaii: you can't get there from here.

Literally. Though in our case there wasn't even a road you could see. Although...mountain bike dude COULD get there from here which is kinda cool.

I think the guidebook said it was a military installation.

As did the sign

And Jeff did already know that, he's a veritable guidebook of satellite stations, which at times, sounds like the teacher in Charlie Brown.

How cool! Definitely a rare sighting!

SO cool!

As if anyone would chance voiding a rental agreement by driving on an iffy road.

No road we could even see to try! There was a rutted one by where we parked the car but that appeared to head into the hill to a farm. Ranching in the mountains.

Just a gorgeous coastline.
Looks like it was a great place to hike!

It was!

Just realised i'd not read an update from you for a while so came over to find i'd missed loads, stupid subbing system.

Ugh, I have the same issue, it's very frustrating

I'm loving all the relaxing and cocktails in Aulani, not so much the hiking but the seals were a great spot.

It was a walk really and we had to burn off a little bit of those cocktails

I don't run. I will never run. I am not built to run. Well done on your running achievements so far.

I always said the same thing. I think everyone is built to run if they want to but I completely respect not wanting to that is for sure. Plenty of other things one can do! I'd made not running a platform for most of my life, it wasn't until I ran out of options that I decided I either had to, or lose my mind, or turn into a vegetable none of which were options I liked much.

NYE trip still seems to be giving you a lot of headaches, I hope you can nail everyone and everything down soon.

Well, CP and NYE are giving me headaches, the rest is pretty easy but I don't know that there is much I can do about either of them right now. Worried a bit about it but it will be what it will be and it will all be fine I am sure.

 

[franandaj]

That looks like a nice hike, not too steep. I do agree with Jenny, It looks a little more deserty than Hawaiian Paradise, but the seals were definitely cool.

Thanks for posting the map with the areas highlighted. I couldn't seem to figure out where you went for your hike. I can completely see why you can't get to the Northshore from where you were. I figured out where Aulani was. For some reason, it was in my mind that it was south of Waikiki, but then I don't even seem to know where Yosemite is, so what do I know?

 

[podsnel]

That looks like a nice hike, not too steep. I do agree with Jenny, It looks a little more deserty than Hawaiian Paradise, but the seals were definitely cool.

Thanks for posting the map with the areas highlighted. I couldn't seem to figure out where you went for your hike. I can completely see why you can't get to the Northshore from where you were. I figured out where Aulani was. For some reason, it was in my mind that it was south of Waikiki, but then I don't even seem to know where Yosemite is, so what do I know?

I can only pray, Alison, that you are the driver and Fran is a VERY VERY VERY good navigator!

I remember when I started my Hawaii planning, I made the same assumption- that you could go on to the North shore from Aulani straight up the coast. And then I saw the map. I agree with the above posters, it is very much drier and arid on the Leeward side of the island-because of the way the wind is, I think, it is the drier side. Very pretty hike, though- I will have to do it with Pods when we go back!

And that Monkeypod place looks great! Was that even open when we were there last summer? I don't remember anything about it!

 

[eandesmom]

Looks like a fantastic morning. Those seals are just wonderful!

It was wonderful!!!

Nothing wrong with that! Max still thinks Santa brought us our December trip! And after spending a ridiculous sum on his latest "kid" birthday party, I asked if he'd prefer those resources go to a Disney trip and he thought that sounded like an excellent plan!

Ah I wish I could pull that off! Santa will have to bring something but it will be small or trip related

I was forced to be spontaneous when we were there just because it was such a short trip. And honestly, of all the trips I've taken, that was one where I wish I had put together an even more detailed plan and that I had stuck to it! Its just so busy at that time of year. I made a real rookie mistake and switched EPCOT days and unwittingly showed up at the regular time on an EMHs morning! Oops. We were outta EPCOT pretty quickly!

Ugh, I hate it when park hours change or I don't check them, very frustrating. The crowds will be nuts, it will be a wonder if we get anything done!

Shoot...should I stop saying that, too???

Apparently most everyone on my thread says it so we are ok

As much as I love the ocean, and I really do, I think I'd opt for sitting at the pool, looking at the ocean, rather than getting all sandy and icky.

It's more about the salt drying on the skin....I love the ocean, just wasn't in the mood to go in at that exact moment in time.

So happy that you got to meet Annmarie! I would love to meet her someday! And I think its wonderful that she was so instrumental to you on your own journey. I'm not sure how I'd react, at this point, if I could no longer train at my gym with my current program. Personally, I hate running, but I did manage a 5K obstacle course in April, so maybe I don't hate it that much. But if there's anything I've learned about health and fitness over the last year, its that you have to find what works for you. All of that said, I'd love to do a run at Disney someday.

You'd adapt. Whether you wanted to or not. Trust me.

Never ever something I thought I'd do, or wanted to do.

Your pictures are beautiful. That trail at the beach looks like it was stunning.

It was lovely!

What a wonderful way to spend your morning. It's so neat that you were able to see the seals just lounging around. The views from the hiking trail are absolutely gorgeous!

It was gorgeous, a perfect morning!

Ok, I've finally had a chance to catch back up.

First of all, congratulations on your newfound love(?) of running. You can count me firmly in that camp of "I'm not doing it unless I'm being chased by a bear." I actually did try to run a little bit a while back. Just to see what I can do. I ran a mile in less than 10 minutes, walked back to the house and jumped in the pool. That was 3 or 4 weeks ago, and I'm just as dedicated to running as I ever was.

Love is overstating it by a lot! But...it has evolved to the point of not totally sucking and that's kind of cool. Running to the pool works just fine.

I'm truly glad that it is working out well for you, and it seems that you actually seem to enjoy it. I know I need to start getting myself into it. Our company is starting a new wellness program, and I could potentially get prizes for at least walking every Wednesday, but I'm not in the worst shape ever and I know I will be bored just walking. So I guess it is about time to suck it up and at least start running on Wednesdays. Maybe I should use your story as inspiration? I know how Mark feels about running, so if it is good enough to give him some motivation...

Jeff's company has something similar, he wears a pedometer for a couple of months in the summer and gets a gift card...and buys new running shoes. LOL.

Walking is nice, occasionally. As a 3x a week "exercise" I would get bored but it's a great great place to start! It really does use different muscles though, it's find of fascinating. At least power walking does...for me. Then again I might be walking wrong who knows. Jeff thinks the same though.

The Hui looks like a lot of fun. Even if you really don't remember what the story was. I'm glad that Jeff found another character that he was willing to get his picture taken with. It is too bad that you really can't even tell it is Jeff in the picture though.

Hey, I was enjoying the sights and sounds. Sounds being the music...not the story that threaded it all together (no offense to Uncle but...wasn't tracking at that level of detail). Yeah...photo didn't exactly turn out as hoped, we had a few of those this trip!

The hike looks amazing! The landscape is just beautiful and it definitely is the type of terrain you think of when you think about Hawaii. Your failure to properly research the route to get there was a bit of a shock, but I'm glad you were able to recover and still make the hike.

Well originally I'd just planned that part, hadn't planned on heading anywhere but that. Then when I glanced at it it was like "hey! we are almost to the Northshore already, lets keep going!" and then I realized what I'd taken for a road in that quick glance...was beach.

I would have been fascinated with watching those seals in the wild like that. I'm glad you were able to experience it!

It was magical.

Okay, trying to remember this for our trip...

- the k-whatever trail, west-end of island, where road ends.
- can't get to the north from there, so take a lunch.
- also take t.p.

Got it!

Or...go early enough to go back for lunch or...plan on hitting a beach up there with a packed lunch and...in general for Hawaii public restrooms (as is true for any public park if you ask me, anywhere) pack tp.

Looked like a great hike. Cool that you got to see monk seals.

It was very cool!

 

[eandesmom]

What a beautiful area to hike through!

I'm rather partial to those seals.

Those seals were so cool! And it was a lovely hike

That is great you are back into running. I am hoping after my surgery I will begin running.

Well...I was never into it in the first place it's all new. Definitely not something I thought I'd do. Are you walking now? There are some great walk/run programs to help get started if you've never run.

I think I was in that DVC Christmas gift exchange. LOL

Maybe though I have a very hard time imagining the admin being nasty unless you were advertising something on the site and it did have a clear organizer for it.

The luau looked like fun and then to see the characters was even better.

It was a very fun show!

The meals looked good. I love asparagus but never had sea asparagus, is there a difference.

Yes, it was almost a cross between asparagus and a harticot vert. SO yummy!

Nice scenery on your hike.

It was gorgeous

Who takes Velcro with them? LOL

Not me! Although I did have a small first aid kit and it likely had something we could have used...what I'm not sure.

The seals are adorable. That would make it worth while for me.
All caught up again.

It was worthwhile for the scenery but the seals really made it something we will never forget.

Yay!! I'm so excited to be finally reading this report!! I'm only a few pages in, but it is looking like a beautiful vacation already. I really need to visit Aulani some day! Looking forward to reading the rest

so glad you are here. Aulani is wonderful, everyone needs to visit some day!

Cynthia what a lovely (yes, we'll say 5 mile!) hike! Those seals were adorable! That's funny about the TP!

It was so Hawaii...it's this far, no that far, whatever. And despite all the satellites no GPS signal so I couldn't try to map it. The seals were adorable. TP situation, not so much.

 

[eandesmom]

Cynthia, what a beautiful area for your hike. And I just loved seeing the sea lions. I'll remember if we ever go to take the TP with me.

The seals were adorable! Really, TP is a good idea for any state parks if you ask me. Especially remote ones!

It was a lovely hike.

Planning a trip next June -- Enjoying your trip report so far!!

Thanks and it is a magical place

I forgot that I had a couple more comments/questions for you when I read that update....

So, it sounds like you would recommend buying/bringing snorkel gear with you rather than renting. I'm hoping to hit a couple of other islands as well, so it probably makes sense for me, although I dread lugging those things in my um, luggage (aptly named piece of equipment right there).

Well...that's a tough call. If it means paying to check a bag, no, I wouldn't bring stuff you own. It's why we didn't bring ours. Snorkel Bob's on the Big Island is awesome, I can't recall if he is on Maui but Ellen probably knows. Super reasonable. Near Aulani, just not the same options. You can definitely buy it there, Hit target, Costco or Sports Authority. The stuff at ABC was not good and overpriced. It did what we needed it to do though and we didn't have to haul it home or rent more than once.

Did you look into the Go Oahu card? Costco has a discount on a 3-day one right now, but a lot of what's included are tours, which I don't think I'd do, or transportation, which would be around the Waikiki hotels, not where we'd be.

There wasn't anything we'd have benefited from on it so nope, didn't really look at it.

That looks like a nice hike, not too steep. I do agree with Jenny, It looks a little more deserty than Hawaiian Paradise, but the seals were definitely cool.

It had a couple of very narrow spots with a little incline but not bad. It is rocky and sandy in spots.

Thanks for posting the map with the areas highlighted. I couldn't seem to figure out where you went for your hike. I can completely see why you can't get to the Northshore from where you were. I figured out where Aulani was. For some reason, it was in my mind that it was south of Waikiki, but then I don't even seem to know where Yosemite is, so what do I know?

Well we were both thinking of half dome! That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Originally I hadn't planned them for the same day, then when I glanced it was like, "oh, that could work" and then on the drive realized what I'd thought was a road, was beach.

[/B]

I can only pray, Alison, that you are the driver and Fran is a VERY VERY VERY good navigator!

I remember when I started my Hawaii planning, I made the same assumption- that you could go on to the North shore from Aulani straight up the coast. And then I saw the map. I agree with the above posters, it is very much drier and arid on the Leeward side of the island-because of the way the wind is, I think, it is the drier side. Very pretty hike, though- I will have to do it with Pods when we go back!

Yeah, clearly I only glanced and saw beach...assumed road. DOH! Yes, it is definitely the drier side but I like the contrast with the ocean, lava rock and desert and then the ranch green hills!

And that Monkeypod place looks great! Was that even open when we were there last summer? I don't remember anything about it!

I don't think it was, I think it only opened in January so you didn't miss it. You would love it! It's rockin. And good grub. And good drinks. AND across the street!

 

[annmarieda]

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Ok, so maybe this too is why I was a tad confused. My very good friend who tends to think she knows all about everything recently came back from Maui. We were talking about hawaii and my hope to go to Aulani. Aside from wanting to go in January of next year (yes.. I know... far off but this year is WDW half) and her telling me that it is not a good time to go. She described how Aulani is up on the upper right side of the island.(north east side) I just took her word for it... As for January, she really had me second guessing. There was a lot of "you know there is not a theme park to go back to" and "do you really want to spend all that time at the resort?" I guess moral to my story is I maybe should have listened to her so much. I was about to rule out going to Aulani.

 

[eandesmom]

Ok, so maybe this too is why I was a tad confused. My very good friend who tends to think she knows all about everything recently came back from Maui. We were talking about hawaii and my hope to go to Aulani. Aside from wanting to go in January of next year (yes.. I know... far off but this year is WDW half) and her telling me that it is not a good time to go. She described how Aulani is up on the upper right side of the island.(north east side) I just took her word for it... As for January, she really had me second guessing. There was a lot of "you know there is not a theme park to go back to" and "do you really want to spend all that time at the resort?" I guess moral to my story is I maybe should have listened to her so much. I was about to rule out going to Aulani.

Well, the Northeast side, depending on where you are, is far from stuff but really, it's an Island so about the farthest you could be from much is maybe 2 hours unless you hit rush hour/commuter traffic.

Why shouldn't Jan be a good time? I think it's fabulous. Low points, low airfares...I'm hoping for Feb of next year (so just as far off...WDW this Jan for us too as you know but no half lol).

Um and yes. You really do want to be at the resort a lot. But you can get out and about too. Lots more to come.

 

[Leshaface]

Ooh wow what a fun hike that is!

We just recently 'hiked' (it was all flat land, not sure if it's still considered a hike? Perhaps a walking trail..) for our 7 year anniversary at the Coast this past Monday. It was roundtrip 4 miles, and luckily the state website was correct on that as I logged in our walk on my phone and it was fantastic! I'd love to do more trails in the future and hopefully DH and I will be doing this one someday.

 

[annmarieda]

Well, the Northeast side, depending on where you are, is far from stuff but really, it's an Island so about the farthest you could be from much is maybe 2 hours unless you hit rush hour/commuter traffic.

I just think it is funny she was so sure that it was on that part of the island and I was just like

Why shouldn't Jan be a good time? I think it's fabulous. Low points, low airfares...I'm hoping for Feb of next year (so just as far off...WDW this Jan for us too as you know but no half lol).

Well, again... I was just listening and thinking "oh...ok...yeah...mhmmm..got cha" I am very happy to learn that January would be a perfectly acceptable time to go.

Um and yes. You really do want to be at the resort a lot. But you can get out and about too. Lots more to come.

Cant wait to read more!

 

[CarolynK]

I just wanted to chime in and say that we were there the week before Christmas 2011, and I'm sure the temps were right at about 80 degrees. If I were to complain at all about the weather during our stay, I'd say it was a bit windy, which made getting out of the water a bit chilly - my personal temperature preference for swimming is above 90, but you see people in WDW swimming when it's 50 in Florida!!
The weather was so pleasant, we were really glad we had rented a Jeep with a removable top! We drove everywhere with the top off!

 

[eandesmom]

Ooh wow what a fun hike that is!

We just recently 'hiked' (it was all flat land, not sure if it's still considered a hike? Perhaps a walking trail..) for our 7 year anniversary at the Coast this past Monday. It was roundtrip 4 miles, and luckily the state website was correct on that as I logged in our walk on my phone and it was fantastic! I'd love to do more trails in the future and hopefully DH and I will be doing this one someday.

I think it's a NW thing. A hike is a hike lol, flat or not. I don't know why I get hung up on the hill aspect. I'm so glad you enjoyed yours, I adore just being out there like that.

I just think it is funny she was so sure that it was on that part of the island and I was just like

well unless you know the island pretty well I think most people are a bit clueless as to where Aulani is, just that it's not right in Honolulu. It's funny, it's all relative I guess. To my cousins it is SO far away...but really it's a 45 min drive from where they live. LOL!

Well, again... I was just listening and thinking "oh...ok...yeah...mhmmm..got cha" I am very happy to learn that January would be a perfectly acceptable time to go.


Cant wait to read more!

I can't see why it wouldn't, the weather is really quite constant there.

I just wanted to chime in and say that we were there the week before Christmas 2011, and I'm sure the temps were right at about 80 degrees. If I were to complain at all about the weather during our stay, I'd say it was a bit windy, which made getting out of the water a bit chilly - my personal temperature preference for swimming is above 90, but you see people in WDW swimming when it's 50 in Florida!!
The weather was so pleasant, we were really glad we had rented a Jeep with a removable top! We drove everywhere with the top off!

I think you can get those winds anytime and part of it the location on the island. It can make nighttime swims a bit chilly if it is too windy but it's still gorgeous! I've been there in Feb, March, April and May and truly can't recall the weather being much different in any of them.

 

[Moira222]

Wow its taken me two weekends to get caught up Cynthia but so worth it!

I loved how totally relaxing your first day was -the spa trip sounded just heavenly. the gardens looked wonderful, I can imagine wanting to spend quite a bit of time in there.

I had to laugh at the change of pace between reading about your spa morning and then the craziness related to your family trip for New Years Eve! So glad that it sounds like its all slowly coming together.

Your evening out sounds great --dinner, drinks, happy hour and the story time on the beach wow. what a great weekend so far for the two of you.

Nice hike photos - you look fantastic, too! How cool that you got to see the monk sea lions. I just love when I am able to spot wildlife out on a walk or something. It just feels like a very special present just for me. You definitely scored on that end as well.