MY "ADVENTURES N HAWAII" - October 2011 TRIP REPORT

[DMRick]

Our favorite food was Giovanni's Shrimp truck on the North shore of Oahu. And Matsumotos Shave ice on the north shore.

I'm with you and we already have the shrimp truck mapped out for our trip there there in a couple of weeks. This will be our third time eating there. And the Shave Ice is very good! Thanks for that reminder, I had forgotten that.

 

[podsnel]

Which Hyatt on MAui, Kris? Pods & I stayed at the Hyatt on Kaanapali Beach on our honeymoon 25 years ago- it was blissful!

We are hoping to go next summer- a few nights in Kaui and a week at Aulani. I love all the suggestions you have been getting for your trip- I'm going to use them for our trip as well. Thanks, everyone!

 

[knewton64]

I'm with you and we already have the shrimp truck mapped out for our trip there there in a couple of weeks. This will be our third time eating there. And the Shave Ice is very good! Thanks for that reminder, I had forgotten that.

I have finished my dieting for this adventure at a 9 lb weight loss so bring on the food!!

Which Hyatt on MAui, Kris? Pods & I stayed at the Hyatt on Kaanapali Beach on our honeymoon 25 years ago- it was blissful!

We are hoping to go next summer- a few nights in Kaui and a week at Aulani. I love all the suggestions you have been getting for your trip- I'm going to use them for our trip as well. Thanks, everyone!

Ok, the whole DFW area is going nuts over the TX Rangers


ANYWHO -


I have dinner ressies at their restaurant (Son'z Maui at Swan Court) on the 31st which is where I will be staying - hope this helps:


Maui Hawaii Restaurants- Maui Dining- Hyatt Regencymaui.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/entertainment/restaurants/index.jspCached - Similar
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Son'z Maui at Swan Court. Swan Court. Traditional foods prepared with a twist are the hallmark of this exciting new restaurant at Hyatt Regency Maui. Known for ...
Son'z Maui at Swan Court - Lahaina, HIwww.yelp.com › Restaurants › SeafoodCached - Similar
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So I'd figure if ya google "Son'z Maui at Swan Court", it should bring you to the hotel address of the Hyatt.


FYI: I was told a few days ago that there is some just wonderful snorkeling very close by near the Hyatt so I have packed my snorkeling gear.




Ok......I figure one more update (this Sat) b 4 it's ALOHA TIME.





T.T.F.N.

 

[podsnel]

The Swan Court is at the Hyatt we honeymooned at- it's very nice, we had a lovely meal there. ALso loved Longhi's in Lahaina.

And there are a ton of creatures right off the beach at the Hyatt. We actually scuba dove there- walked into the ocean, no boat necessary. It was the highlight of our trip.

Makes me wish we were going back there this next trip in August, but we want to try Kauai and Aulani.

Have a great time!

 

[knewton64]

The Swan Court is at the Hyatt we honeymooned at- it's very nice, we had a lovely meal there. ALso loved Longhi's in Lahaina.

And there are a ton of creatures right off the beach at the Hyatt. We actually scuba dove there- walked into the ocean, no boat necessary. It was the highlight of our trip.

Makes me wish we were going back there this next trip in August, but we want to try Kauai and Aulani.

Have a great time!

Aulani looks like a very nice destination hotel and have plans on taking a tour of it and seeing what one of their standard rooms looks like.

And the layout of their grounds is just FAB.





ANYWHO --

Just finished getting my OnE suitcase all packed and ready to go; but it just wouldnt be complete without me packing my (Disney related) Halloween costume.

Check -

My "Maui Downhill" layered clothing?

packed.

Check -

AND -

last but not least


my portable dvd player and other various stuff for the long plane ride over.


Got LOTS of stuff planned -

And

gonna feel like seeing Cinderella's castle for the very first time
once I touch down over in the Aloha State.






UP NEXT:


WITH EVERY STORY, THERE IS A BEGINNING.





T.T.F.N.

 

[minniebeth]

Have a great trip! It sounds like you have a lot of great things planned!

 

[DMRick]

Aulani looks like a very nice destination hotel and have plans on taking a tour of it and seeing what one of their standard rooms looks like..

We'll be touring it Nov 1st..can't wait!!

 

[knewton64]

and yes......expect pictures of her to be posted at the very end of this adventure.





It appears that I will be making a small road trip to the Tyler Texas area to secure my next walking, dieting partner, 4-legged family member and best of all - my best bud.


And one of the tri-colored female Beagle puppies I will be looking at is ALSO named Ladybug.

So cross yer fingers as it appears that this will all happen w/i the week I come back from Hawaii.






MAJOR CELEBRATION cuz dieting stinks when ya do it all by yourself so LOOKOUT KEY WEST, COZUMel, ETC IN jANUARY!!!!!!!!!



ANYWHO -




About to head out to the airport but b 4 I do, a quick bite to eat at Cracker Barrell.






COMING UP NEXT:




So.....what's up with this thing called HULA PIE (& my review of it) and my first day over in Oahu





T.T.F.N.

 

[podsnel]

Awww....so glad you're getting a new doggie when you get back!

I have been doing exrensive research on Hula Pie for our trip in August- that stuff looks goooooood! Can't wait to hear what you think! Really hope you're trying shave ice, too- with macadamia nut ice cream- that doesn't sound too shabby either.

Have fun, Kris!

 

[knewton64]

Awww....so glad you're getting a new doggie when you get back!

I have been doing exrensive research on Hula Pie for our trip in August- that stuff looks goooooood! Can't wait to hear what you think! Really hope you're trying shave ice, too- with macadamia nut ice cream- that doesn't sound too shabby either.

Have fun, Kris!

I am about to have a new Dog in my life

AND........


wrapped things up here in DFW.........

and plane leaves at 10:50am............TODAY!!



Ok.....will the new dog (I have about 5-6 to choose from "ish") be Ladybug???

After all, she is one of the 5-6 I can choose from......


this is gonna be fun when I get back.



BUT first -

I have a serious date with some Hula Pie this afternoon -

and a few margaritas.......

while checking out the sights and sounds of Oahu for the very first time.



Ok.....cabbie says its time to go!!



UP NEXT:

having fun on day one



T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

So ok.....how in the world can I top this from my day one:

1) being invited out to the Hilton, (by two Japenese women) whom I just met while riding the Pink Line, for a dinner show and fireworks.

2) Hula pie and a Mango 'rita at the Hula grill.

3) finding $10 on the ground while out walking..........


Give up??



***** ROADTRIP ****



Going to other side of the island tonight (my day 2) for dinner at a very beautiful hotel....


A DISNEY HOTEL.





Will write more when I can.




DETAILS COMING UP

("Me up and about on the island of Oahu on day two via the "Grand Circle Island Tour Honolulu" tour)


T.T.F.N.

 

[podsnel]

Glad you're having fun! It's going to snow 6-10 inches here in NJ today- sounds like you are having a MUCH better day in Hawaii than we could ever have here in the Northeast!

 

[knewton64]

Glad you're having fun! It's going to snow 6-10 inches here in NJ today- sounds like you are having a MUCH better day in Hawaii than we could ever have here in the Northeast!

hey, we got some 'flurries" said the tour driver.

Will explain later - i promise.


ANYWHO -


defination of the word "DOH":


...and then there were 6 people on our Grand island tour of Oahu who had a NCL cruise embarkation time no later than 5pm.....


WELL.......


We were not dropped off back at the Outrigger Waikiki hotel until 4:54pm.


Ah well....live and learn.




So ok, after the tour, I was off to the west side of the island and
dinner at Aulani -

then back to Margaritaville for some rather rousing good halloween time.


WOW!!!! from Dole whip, key lime pie, beef casa dias, 4 margaritas, 2 Guiness', steak,.....ok did I leave anything out????




FROM TODAY?????????



LUVIN EVERY MINUTE OF THIS ADVENTURE!

Will expand more on my days when I get back and put pics and video up on them as well - I promise.



COMING UP:



Spending the day at Pearl harbor & other whats its.



T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

Gor one more day of having wwaayy too much fun than the law will allow b 4 I gotta strart getting some sleep!!

For example, I am
Headin out to Lahaina for Halloween on Monday. My plane gets in at 2pm and I got dinner ressies at the Hyatt at 6pm.



BUT FIRST........

Today,
I am checking out a milkshake at Margaritaville (Justa cross the street) b4 heading out to find some seafood.



The Pearl harbor tour this am was very very wonderful.

and -



(video of what she looks like underwater; PH Visitor Center Oct 2011)




have got lots of video and pics and quite a few more shall we say interesting stories to tell; including JJUUSSTT missing the OWNER of Margaritaville by 90 minutes!
Will fill ya in on the gaps when I get back to the mainland.



Weather is just fantastic!! Highs in the 80's and sunny.




Stay tuned




T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

Well -



Just got in from "Maui Downhill" (sunrise), about to go catch 20 winks for about 180 minutes.....


at 5pm,
Then head out to Old Lahaina Luau followed by a wonderful astronomy show back at the Hyatt hotel afterwards.




People, ya gotta come see the island of Maui - very beautiful to see - from the sights and sounds of the ocean to the bikinis.


ANYWHO -


More to come I promise as I will fill in all the gaps (including a fantastic "Heavenly Hana" trek around the mountain I took yesterday) with pics and video and such.





UP NEXT:

Spotting Dolphins and such while out my my "Trilogy II" catamaran excursion and gearing up for my Spa retreat.

okokokok ok.....ya know what I w-A-s trying to do here BUT....it looks like I am trying to say that I have a telephone call while out on the Trilogy II catamaran.





UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

& T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

.....wrappin things up here in the Aloha State.




About to leave an average temperature of 85 degrees and sunny to low temps of 48 degrees (Dallas Texas).



Will begin to fill all of you in on all the fun I had these past 8 days shortly -
including dancing with a Parisian woman I just met last night at the Lahaina Luau.





UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN -

 

[podsnel]

Glad you had fun! Looking forward to all your pics!

 

[knewton64]

Glad you had fun! Looking forward to all your pics!

Ya know......I looked long and hard for my equivalent of some 'Monkey Kissin" while on this vacation -

But nothing beats dancing under the stars with a very nice lady while at a luau dinner (whom I just met) and show just a few days ago.


....and the astronomy show on the rooftop at the Hyatt last night?? WOW!!!!!
got plenty of pics from it as well. ED.......you were a wonderful teacher of the stars!! THANK U.

So much fun checking out the stars, the various planets and of yes - the moon.
------------------------------------------------------



DEFINATION OF FUN: PART 2


........nothing beats just finishing up your 4 hour spa retreat at the Hyatt and afterwards, they place you in a relaxation room -

their "relaxation room?"


It's approx a 150 foot long by about 60 feet wide room with one part of it opening up to a "fantabolous" view of the ocean.
I was so enchanted by the atmosphere, I fell asleep for about 15 minutes while relaxing there.

Here is a picture of the view:

(photo shot of one of their promotional signs while at the entrance to the pathway leading up to the Hyatt Regency Hotel Resort & Spa location; Maui)



ANYWHO -


For those of you reading this blog, I would like to say a huge heartfelt 'thank you' as I have taken from this adventure a sense of putting down the watch more and well.......relaxin.'



And with an additional thank you for all of you who have helped me along the way achieve what I was looking for in this vacation, please be on the lookout for my further adventures in Hawaii as I am now beginning to plan my next adventure which will be into the San Fran area with a skip on over to the Hawaiian island of Kauai.

Or wud it be the other way around?? Don't know but will in about 4 months when rates and dates become available.



Until then, please give me a few weeks to get eveything back to normal as I will begin to craft all the juicy and fun details about this vacation and yours truely very shortly.





Until we meet again

and


T.T.F.N.

 

[knewton64]

DAY ONE - Friday October 28th
Temp for the day: Sunny skies w/high of 88 degrees in Oahu



After a wonderful nibblle on some much needed pancakes and such at the local Cracker Barrell, I was finally off in a cab and on my way to DFW airport for a 10:50am flight. I was sooooooooooooo stoked for the adventure and hardly slept.....not even 20 winks while en route. Had fun watching some movies on my dvd player and a few Jeff Dunham comedy specials and heyyyyyyy!! b 4 I knew it, it was time to start crying.

Cuz - right before my very eyes, I saw this as I disembarked at 2 pm from the plane at the island of Ohau airport:

I knew I was in Heaven! Let the adventure begin!!



Around 3, I arrived at the hotel and immediately ran to my room - that had a beautiful view of the ocean.


my room:

then the beautiful view of the ocean:
(**JUST DOUBLE RIGHt CLICK ON YOUR COMPUTER MOUSE OVER THIS BELOW VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY**)

Now......as I was jjjuussttt thinking about heading out and doing some shopping, I spotted this place:

WOW!!!!!!

Soooooooooo, OF COURSE YA know I jjuusstt had to "stop on by" there to nibble on some of these:

('RITAS AND KEY LIME PIE = YUM!!)

SO -


after getting a good small bite to eat at Jimmy's Place (and a "few" different tasting 'ritas), I decided to have fun and take the Pink trolley line and head out to the Ala Moana shopping center.

WOW!! That place has LOTS of stuff to see and buy - and it was also a wonderful way for me to decompress from the plane ride while at the same time walking around and seeing the sights and sounds of Hawaiian life.

I wasn't disappointed as around 6pm, I literally bumpoed into two Japanese women (CUTE I add) who who on their way back to the Hilton hotel. WE struck up a conversation and b 4 I knew it, they asked me if I wanted to head back with them to their hotel for a dinner and fireworks.


Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......................


OF COURSE I said yes and we all headed back to their hotel via the trolley.



Dinner was fantastic and so was the conversation.
Fireworks?? WONDERFUL and very beautiful as they are only held on Fridays was what I was told.

Now the people of Hawaii?? Very nice and very polite and so was the Pink Line trolley driver. I even had fun talking my I-pod w.me and listening to some fun Hawaiian music while using their trolley system.
The Pink Line trolley driver??

He even had a few people get up from their seats so a Pregnant lady and her children could sit down.



**** NOW ONLY IF WDW AND DCL BUSING SYSTEM DID THIS ****



ANYWHO -


FINALLY got in back at my hotel around midnight - grabbed some Pinapple wine off of the hotel room table and meandered out onto the balcony. While nibbling on some crackers and sippin' some mighty fine wine, it was a nice way to cap off day 1 (clear skies with a 1/2 moon and plenty of stars to see) while some Hawaiian music was playing on my I-pod in the background.


Lights out around 1:30am.





COMING UP NEXT:


SO just what KIND of pancakes did I have am on say 2?? Just what kind of silleness did I get into?? AND.....just what exactly are the Local opinions about the new Disney hotel??


STAY TUNED


Until We Meet Again.......go catch a wave -

(**DOUBLE RIGHT CLICK W/YOUR MOUSE OVER THE ABOVE VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY 4 U **)





.

 

[knewton64]

Day 2 - Sat October 29th
Sunny skies w/high of 86 degreees



Ok - so 5am came to me closer than I thought as I slowly (operative word there) tumbled outta bed and into the shower. With thoughts of FOOD running thru my head, it still took me a bit to wake up and get out that door by about 5:45am ish.

Got in about an hour of fast walking (w/my I-pod of course listening to Disney music) b 4 I headed back in the direction of the Outrigger Hotel, my hotel room and into a nice hot shower.

NOW THAT DID THE TRICK!


Soon, I was fully awake and back out that door and into their grab and go restaurant; Seattle's Best. I chose to go that way for food since I had to skip on out the hotel and into my first on many excurisions, this one being "Grand Circle Island Tour Honolulu".

The food did the trick for me and soon, it was time for me to head off the to entrance of the hotel and onto my excursion and was there no later than 6:45am.





EDITOR'S NOTE:


It is here that I began to encounter quite an (mis)-adventure in finding/getting to the right tour motorcoach & in time, etc and yyeess, I do have an opinion on this but I would rather wait until the very end of my blog to express this which will be listed under, "Final thoughts and other observations."


By the way, this happened to me EACH AND EVERY TIME I HAD A SCHEDULED EXCURSION




It was only until I met Rita (Concierge; Hyatt Hotel - Maui) and staff did I feel truely rescued from the depths of what was beginning to be a vacation from "heck."
I truely owe Rita, James, etc at the Hyatt a true heartfelt "thank you" to turning this msiadventure into an adventure that I will never forget.

Moreover, because of Rita and the staff of the Hyatt; Maui - I am now in the process of working my way back thru THEM in booking a vacation to San Francisco w/a stop on into the Hawaiian island of Kaui.


BUT HEY ------ this is supossed to be a POSITIVE blog remember?????


Fair enuf.


I digress.....more on this at the very end of my blog.


ANYWHO -



About my island tour of Oahu on this day:

The tour was quite nice and very informative but tho I do say that the tour Guide for the day (Bob) was rather dull and his presention came across as very scripted.
How do I know this/ feel this way?? I sat right behind him.

Just my opinion, you are more than welcome to disagree w/me as this is just my opinion.


On the bright side,
we did see where they filmed the beach scene from the movie, "From Here to Eternity" as well as the Blow Hole, etc.


I was feeling rather bored with this excursion and IMHO, I would not recommend it also becuz.....well.....I felt rather hurried as well. The places we saw were nice and all it's just I felt hurried and the tour Guide didn't engage his audience AT ALL.


Again, this is just my opinion.


------
NOW TIAKI (pronounced "TE-AW-KEE)......tour GUIDE ON "Heavenly Hana" island tour over on the island of Maui?????


*********** WONDERFUL***** HE MADE THE TOUR R-O-C-K**********

------

More on him later.....I promise. he shows up in my blog I believe on day 5.





But fer now, back to the island of Oahu and the "Grand Island Circle" Tour:


Now IMO,
this excursion wud be GREAT i-f you did this on your own.


or as I "did" later on this day via a rather entertaining cab ride to the west side of the island.


Here are some
Pics from the Grand Island circle tour on island of Oahu:

and

Yes, we did visit the Diamondhead area and that place rocked but.......only 1-2 foot waves and 2) we only had 15 minutes to visit the area. ** Rushed - very rushed.



Some video shot from this tour:

**JUST DOUBLE RIGHT CLICK W/YOUR COMPUTER MOUSE OVER THE ABOVE VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY 4 U **




video of the Blow hole area:


1)




So, we all finished w/the tour and tumbled out of the tour bus around 4:54pm and here is where my day (and my spirits) picked up cuz it was here I quickly ran into my hotel room, changed clothes - brushed my teeth and headed back out the door to the entrance of the Outrigger Hotel.


And into a scheduled cab ride to the west side of the island and a very important date with a very nice young lady named "Aulani."
I told this to the cabbie and he knew exactly where to go -


** DISNEY'S NEW HOTEL **


I brought w/me a bottle of that wonderful Pineapple wine I had purchased earlier and some smoked salmon/crackers to snack on during the hour cab ride (AND WAS VVEERRYY thankful it was the weekend such that the cab ride was ONLY 1 hour long).....kicked back and had a rather enjoyable ride checking out the scenery as the cabbie named Tony & I talked up a good storm as he makes for one excellent tour Guide.


Finally arrived at the Disney property and ok.......here is where I was plesently surprised by her layout.
Very expansive and pretty. Very well worth atleast a 3nighter/4 dayer kind of an island hop kind of a hotel stay and NO - that isn't an insult to her.

Dinner there was very nice and I felt that this was the "magic touch" I was needing to cap off a wonderful day.


OR WAS IT??


HINT: I have a hankering for some Key lime pie


So.......



***** ROADTRIP****




So off I went back to the other side of the island and into quite a bizzare wacky world of Margaritaville & Halloween festivities.


just caught the very end of some rather funky music while nibbling on some key lime pie there late this evening.


And a strawberry 'rita.....or two.




(video shot while at Margaritaville)



Was quite a treat listening to all the DOD and Navy patrons just a "trash talking" the upcoming APEC meeting while I was at the bar.


Any yeeeessss - one of them said Mr Jimmy himself was in earlier in the day !!


DANG!!!!


And I missed him!!





Anywho -

Got in late back to my hotel room and was very very thankful that it was only a short walk away.




Finally tumbled into bed around 2 feeling better about my adventure and looking forward to the next day:




COMING UP NEXT:




Paying ones respect to "The Greatest Generation" via -


PEARL HARBOR

Until we Meet Again