Vanessa- figmentfan814 ~ Happily Ever Wedding & 10th Anniversary VR Brunch #1 Added 8-10

[DisneyLaura]

and past the Honolulu Zoo before dropping us off at the bottom of a hill.

I went to this zoo. My DH got sick the day before (stomach bug for a day, not so nice on your honeymoon) and we walked to the zoo from our hotel.

Yeah for you and Kris climbing Diamond Head. Me and my DH on Maui did something like that but it was a drive to the top, kind of scarey at times. I forgot what the name was but it translated to Red Mountain or something like that.

Stay tuned for when I get to Maui; it really is breathtaking!

I loved Maui as well. We went there first. Very much more relaxing I thought.

 

[figmentfan814]

Vanessa,

Wow, Congrats on climbing Diamondhead!! I definitely would NOT have been able to do that!! Especially after your long journey. Your pics are beautiful though. I have always wanted to go to Hawaii. I am hoping we will get there sometime soon.

Its definitely worth the trip! I hope you're able to make it there someday; it really is a trip that everyone should get to take at least once in their life. Thanks for reading

I went to this zoo. My DH got sick the day before (stomach bug for a day, not so nice on your honeymoon) and we walked to the zoo from our hotel.

Yeah for you and Kris climbing Diamond Head. Me and my DH on Maui did something like that but it was a drive to the top, kind of scarey at times. I forgot what the name was but it translated to Red Mountain or something like that.

I loved Maui as well. We went there first. Very much more relaxing I thought.

Despite your DH being sick for the day (Definitely not something you want on your honeymoon ) how was the zoo?

I wonder if you drove up the same place that we went on Maui too. It was the Haleakala National Park where it looks like the crater is actually on another planet because of how different everything looks there. Stay tuned, I wonder if it was the same place.

 

[figmentfan814]

The next morning we had to be up early to catch a bus to the Polynesian Cultural Center which is on the other side of the island. We just had to walk a few blocks to another hotel to catch the bus over. We actually purchased a package through them which included the chartered bus to the Center, all day admission, and a luau that night. I have to admit this was one of the best days of our trip. Our bus:

The ride over was really interesting, we passed through a lot of residential areas and some other sites. Our bus guide pointed out various things including the Chinaman’s Hat which is just off the coast:

We also went through several areas where a lot of movies have been filmed and even passed near where Lost is done.

I know some people say this is a really commercial place, but we both really enjoyed it. It is ran by Brigham Young University’s Hawaii campus. They bring in students from all over Polynesia that work there while they’re going to school. They then have different sections set up (much like the different lands at Magic Kingdom or the countries at Epcot) to represent the culture of that particular country.

You had the option to tour with a guide or on your own and we went ahead with the guide since there is so much area to cover in one day. The only downside was that it rained off and on most of the day. I wanted to just get some ponchos (which is what we always use in Disney) but Kris insisted on buying this really expensive umbrella. I told him not to waste the money and I died laughing when he opened it up and it was already broken! Thankfully, they exchanged it for him, but I kept reminding him all day that we could have just gotten the $2 ponchos!

The architecture is all native to each region and they have the students that are actually from all of these islands perform/educate in each area. In fact, they didn’t have any students from the one country that year, so that area was closed. Country that was closed:

Kris and I posed for our picture on their empty stage since no one was around here.

I was even asked to come on stage to dance with the one group. Kris only videoed it though, so I don’t have any photos. These are the dancers though which I photographed before being called on stage

Everything was really interactive and they loved getting the audience involved. Kris is here with a rain tube (totally the wrong name!)

I don’t remember what these were called, but we had a blast trying them out:

We also got to make these fish out of palm leaves in one area too:

Random shots from the day:

At the end of the day, they take you on these large boats through the river to the area where the dinner show will begin On the boat:

We were actually treated to two shows. One was during dinner (only for people that bought this package) and then they walked you over to another area where they had the big show for the night that everyone could go to no matter what dinner package they had bought. The entire day was both educational and extremely fascinating. We also met a really nice couple that was honeymooning from Ireland and spent most of our day with them and were even seated together at dinner. Here are shots from the dinner portion of the show:

 

[figmentfan814]

My food which was a little too authentic to me, but it was still an interesting experience. If any of you have done the hula dance at O’hana you know how they have one area about mixing the poi. Apparently no one really likes it even though it’s a traditional Hawaiian food, but Kris and I still tried it. The funny part was that it didn’t taste like much of anything, but we were joking about the O’hana dance because it reminded us of Disney:

The big finale show in the huge amphitheater (reminded me of Fantasmic’s area only with an awning.) This show was phenomenal; words can’t describe it. There were people of all ages that did the dances for the different regions; it was amazing! They had the show divided by country- Fiji, New Zealand, Tonga, Samoa, Tahiti, etc.

By the time we got back to Waikiki we were pretty exhausted and headed back to the room for the night

 

[Pooh_Girl]

Great update Vanessa!!! Looks like you guys had a lot of fun. That dinner show looked amazing!!!

 

[figmentfan814]

Great update Vanessa!!! Looks like you guys had a lot of fun. That dinner show looked amazing!!!

Thanks! It really was a lot of fun, I highly recommend visiting the Center.

 

[Crown_princess]

Good post!

 

[camara381]

Wow it looks like so much fun!!! Love the pictures!!!! GR8 update!

 

[DisneyLaura]

Despite your DH being sick for the day (Definitely not something you want on your honeymoon ) how was the zoo?

I wonder if you drove up the same place that we went on Maui too. It was the Haleakala National Park where it looks like the crater is actually on another planet because of how different everything looks there. Stay tuned, I wonder if it was the same place.

Hi Vanessa - acutally DH was sick a whole day and then the following day we went to the zoo and it was really nice, not too many animals that we are used to but it was fun.

That place in Maui sounds familiar (it's been 12 years), it was great. You acutally drove up to the top and then you were able to get out and walk around (does that sound the same). It's name in hawaiian means "red something". I can't wait to see pictures and see if it's the place, I'm sure it is.

The next morning we had to be up early to catch a bus to the Polynesian Cultural Center which is on the other side of the island.

The ride over was really interesting, we passed through a lot of residential areas and some other sites. Our bus guide pointed out various things including the Chinaman’s Hat which is just off the coast:

We went here too! I have that same picture of the island called "Chinaman's hat". For the Polynesian Cultural Center when we went we just walked on your own throughout each country and then we went inside to have dinner, a traditional hawaiian feast and then the show in the theatre. Wasn't that cool. It's so nice to relive my honeymoon through you that we took so many years ago.

 

[dizneyfreak]

Wow! That looked like a lot of fun. I'm sorry I missed that one while I was there. We just went t the show in Lahina, which was also very cool by the way. I can't wait to see more!

Anna Marie

 

[Donald'sGirl]

Vanessa that sounded like a lot of fun!! The dinner show reminded me of the one at Disney (which I love!!). The food looked delisicous!

 

[DisneyBrideToni]

Wow Hawaii is beautiful!!! You look like you had a fun experience that day!

If I ever get over my fear of flying I may be able to make it to Hawaii. For now the closest thing I will get is the poly in Disney.

Speaking of which.....See ya real soon!

 

[figmentfan814]

Good post!

Wow it looks like so much fun!!! Love the pictures!!!! GR8 update!

Thanks ladies

Hi Vanessa - acutally DH was sick a whole day and then the following day we went to the zoo and it was really nice, not too many animals that we are used to but it was fun.

That place in Maui sounds familiar (it's been 12 years), it was great. You acutally drove up to the top and then you were able to get out and walk around (does that sound the same). It's name in hawaiian means "red something". I can't wait to see pictures and see if it's the place, I'm sure it is.

We went here too! I have that same picture of the island called "Chinaman's hat". For the Polynesian Cultural Center when we went we just walked on your own throughout each country and then we went inside to have dinner, a traditional hawaiian feast and then the show in the theatre. Wasn't that cool. It's so nice to relive my honeymoon through you that we took so many years ago.

Definitely stay tuned for the Maui pictures, I'm curious to find out if it was the same place. I'm glad that you're able to relive some of your memories too. Its funny because my parents went there on their honeymoon, but it had been 30 years, so nothing looked the same. We went to the area where their hotel had been and it was tore down! The Polynesian Cultural Center was definitely one of my favorite things from the entire trip! You still have the option to go on your own, but we just opted to stay with the group tour to maximize our time.

Wow! That looked like a lot of fun. I'm sorry I missed that one while I was there. We just went t the show in Lahina, which was also very cool by the way. I can't wait to see more!

Anna Marie

I've heard tons of great things about the show in Lahaina, so you definitely made a great choice there. Oahu just catered to tourists so much, there was tons of extra things to do to keep us busy

Vanessa that sounded like a lot of fun!! The dinner show reminded me of the one at Disney (which I love!!). The food looked delisicous!

The show really was great; the food was yummy except I wasn't big on the pork (but I love everything at Disney's show )

Wow Hawaii is beautiful!!! You look like you had a fun experience that day!

If I ever get over my fear of flying I may be able to make it to Hawaii. For now the closest thing I will get is the poly in Disney.

Speaking of which.....See ya real soon!

I know when you decide you're ready, you will be able to make it anywhere you want to go in the world

I can't wait to meet up, I'm so excited to be able to hear some details about the wedding too!

 

[dizneyfreak]

Vanessa,
I wanted to make sure to wish you a great anniversary trip! I hope you two have an awesome time and I am so jealous that you get to meet up with another Disbride! I hope you and Toni have a blast!
Unfortunately, it looks like my company will strike after all...and me being the non-union portion of the company...I get to work 12 hour work days 6 days a week to cover for the union workers until an agreement is reached. No Disney for me until everything is settled.
Have an awesome time...and by the way, I can't wait to see the trip report on that one as well!

Anna Marie

 

[irisbud]

Hawii looks like so much fun! Have a great time at WDW on your anniversary trip!

 

[figmentfan814]

Vanessa,
I wanted to make sure to wish you a great anniversary trip! I hope you two have an awesome time and I am so jealous that you get to meet up with another Disbride! I hope you and Toni have a blast!
Unfortunately, it looks like my company will strike after all...and me being the non-union portion of the company...I get to work 12 hour work days 6 days a week to cover for the union workers until an agreement is reached. No Disney for me until everything is settled.
Have an awesome time...and by the way, I can't wait to see the trip report on that one as well!

Anna Marie

Anna Marie~ So sorry to hear that you're stuck working so many extra hours, but on the bright side that always leaves extra money for your next Disney trip You're definitely in my thoughts

Hawii looks like so much fun! Have a great time at WDW on your anniversary trip!

Amy, thank you so much. I'm so excited because we have several special things planned. This morning when I got in my car my dash said that it was -9 degrees here (yes, that's a negative not adding in the wind chill!) so I can't wait for the warm Florida sunshine

 

[dizneyfreak]

Ok, so I know you are gone on your anniersary trip to see the mouse and you won't be answering this or even looking at this any time soon, but I had to tell you that I was thinking about you and your honey and I hope you are both having a trip of a lifetime soaking up that sunshine! I'll talk to ya when ya get back! Wishing you

Anna Marie

 

[figmentfan814]

Ok, so I know you are gone on your anniersary trip to see the mouse and you won't be answering this or even looking at this any time soon, but I had to tell you that I was thinking about you and your honey and I hope you are both having a trip of a lifetime soaking up that sunshine! I'll talk to ya when ya get back! Wishing you

Anna Marie

Thank Anna Marie, we really had a great time! It was such a great trip! Here's hoping you get to go on your trip soon

 

[figmentfan814]

The next morning we headed out towards the North Shore of Oahu. Now, the funny part was that we had our maps laid out and thought this was going to be an all-day drive. Well, coming from a large state, like Michigan, it really did look pretty far, in reality it was less than an hour! Anyway, we planned a stop along the way at the Dole Pineapple Plantation so we could have a Dole Whip! So, we navigated out of Waikiki, through Honolulu and within about 35 minutes we had arrived at the Dole Plantation. I highly recommend the plantation. It is very touristy, but also a lot of fun.

Its not directly off the highway, so you have to take a two lane road to get there which was a little backed up, but we got there without too much hassle. When we arrived it was family day so there was a lot of activity going on and a lot of kids. We decided to do the Plantation Garden Tour and to ride the Pineapple Express Train. Because of the special event we got a discount on the tickets and a free CD, “Pineapple Express” by Na Leo (which I have playing right now to get me in the Hawaiian mood!

Okay, here are some shots from the garden. It was so beautiful, I love taking flower pictures so I literally have at least 50 shots, but I’ll just share some highlights that include Kris and I too.

Look at the bark on this tree; I thought it was so cool!

They also had some areas directly behind the gardens that we weren’t sure we were supposed to walk right into that had displays that showed the equipment used on pineapple plantations.

The garden really was amazing; we wandered through here for almost an hour. Towards the end it had started to get cloudy even though the sun had been out shining when we entered the garden After walking around for a little while we decided it was time for a snack and I was so excited to get Dole Whips! After all where else can you get them besides Disney (WDW or Disneyland, right?) or Hawaii? The funny thing is that I never liked Pineapple until I went to Jamaica with my friend who is from there. There’s definitely something different about getting the fresh stuff right from the fields!

We then headed over to the Pineapple Express. Before you got on the train they took a picture of you in front of the engine and then offered it for sale after the ride- very capitalistic and of course we bought into it! Shortly after loading on the little train a torrential downpour started and we began to get wet because the plastic on the sides was not pulled down in our section. Heck, we opted not to have it pulled down since it hadn’t actually started raining when we got on

 

[figmentfan814]

Notice the rain coming down over the fields:

Runoff for the fields:

After we got off the train we decided it was time to head in the gift shop and then head out. I wanted to do this Pineapple Maze thing that they have, but it was still pouring. Side note, I made DH run over to the photo stand in the rain to buy our picture.

I bought tons of pineapple treats- salsa, sauce, ornaments, etc. Just watch if you go there half the stuff was from Taiwan and not Hawaii!!! After a slight disagreement over whether to buy the fresh pineapples which they send directly to the airport we headed out. (I ended up getting some later in the trip.)

We were going to continue towards the North Shore and had plans to make a side trip to Matsumoto Shave Ice in Haleiwa which had been recommended to us. This was a little hole in the wall place but it is well-known in the islands. I have to admit before going to Hawaii I thought shaved ice was just like a sno-cone. This is not true, it is soooooooo much better!!!!! http://www.matsumotoshaveice.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/lang,en/

The board with all the flavors:

You can have ice cream or beans added to it. Now, we thought the beans would be like what you find in bubble tea (tapioca type things) we were so wrong~ they were real red beans. This is definitely something we would do without next time. It was yummy until we got to the bottom where the red beans were hiding, not our taste.
The workers scooping out the delicious ice:

I absolutely loved the shaved ice, it was so delicious. Just remember to skip the beans! I plan to get ice cream added next time! Also, pay the extra for the plastic containers (I think it was like 50 cents) they definitely help with melting ice.

I couldn’t resist and bought a shirt here. To be honest, we didn’t buy too many souvenirs on this trip. Mainly, food items, scrapbooking pages (which were specific to the sites) and the souvenir pictures.
http://www.matsumotoshaveice.com/co...id,0/option,com_virtuemart/Itemid,26/lang,en/

We then walked around the town for a few minutes which was full of neat little shops since the rain was starting to subside. Then we decided to continue on towards the area near the Turtle Bay resort where all the surfers go