Wahines on Tour - Hawaii and peek at Aulani! LAST DAY IN THE SUNSHINE UPDATE 8/6

[MAGICFOR2]

Having come to a few more items on my Quiz List, I thought I would update the points!

#8 - shop at the big Flea Market - NO - if you guessed No for Fleat Market, you scored a point. Pkondz got an extra point because he guessed International Market - coming up (oh, and I guess we spent a whole day shopping at the BX.

#9 - Visit historical places - Yes - technically, I didn't make it to a pre-war museum, but I did see lots of historical sites on our tour, so the rules committee is going to award points for a yes answer to this. - Everyone answered yes and everyone got a point!

and #6 - attend a Luau - RESOUNDING YES! Everyone except Drea guessed yes correctly on this one! Pkondz gets a bonus point because he said It's a state law to visit Hawaii and not attend a luau

So the score so far:

Ellen – 4 +1 +1 = 6
PKonz – 3 +2 for guessing where the shopping will be + 1 +2 = 8
Drea- 3 +1 = 4
Marv – 2 +1 +1 = 4
Glenn-2 +1 +1 = 4
Cynthia-2 +1 +1 +1 = 5
Dan – 2 +1 +1 +1= 5

So with a couple of questions left, we have Pkondz from CANADA in the lead!

I have two more days to report on, and then sadly it will be all over except the memories - and planning another visit to Hawaii!

 

[laura74]

We soon learned that there were all kinds of free activities to enjoy while waiting for the Huki Lau to be ready!

Very cool.

This guy climbed right up the tree with his bare feet, and cut down some coconuts!

We saw guys doing that from our hotel room in the Dominican Republic. Fun to watch.

He looked down at her a little shocked - only to find out she was tying a grass skirt around HIM! She then proceeds to tell him that one of his friends in the crowd has nominated him to be a part of tonight's pre-dinner performance! He agreed to be a good sport, and then At that point, he took off to try to find the culprit

Good for him!

I was sure the coconut Bras were coming out next!

Too funny.

Umm, no comment on what these moves are about

Happy Girl!

That's the life!

Next: THE ONE IN WHICH I LOSE MY TOP

Great updates Tammie!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Very cool.



We saw guys doing that from our hotel room in the Dominican Republic. Fun to watch.

That would be interesting!


Good for him!



Too funny.







That's the life!





Great updates Tammie!

Thanks!

 

[Poolrat]

Finally Jumping on board. Had this on the to do list for a while and finally had some time.
Aulani looks beautiful- heck the whole island looks beautiful

I am with you on the quest for a great Mai Tai.


The Luau looks like fun.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Finally Jumping on board. Had this on the to do list for a while and finally had some time.
Aulani looks beautiful- heck the whole island looks beautiful

I am with you on the quest for a great Mai Tai.


The Luau looks like fun.

Welcome Pat! Thanks for joining in.

Oh, I am already dreaming of going back! Beautiful surroundings, yummy Mai Tais and all the fun! Hopefully not the rainy season next time!

 

[pkondz]

Finally catching up! I read this post about a year and a half ago... well that's what it feels like... so now I've re-read it and...

Saturday evening, (oops it was Saturday above, not Friday)

What?? An error on the first line? I'm outta here!!!

Well, maybe I'll stick around for just a little longer.

we had a group ressie for a Luau at Paradise Cove.

Ya know. I'm so glad you went to this one so I could compare it to the one we went to.

The Major had one of the guys arrange it for us at a great military discount.

Who doesn't love a discount? Score!

There were lots of military discounts and honoring of military all over the island. It was very welcoming! I guess with the history they share, it is probably a natural relationship.

That makes sense... should be universal.

Anyway, our group traveled with Tabby and her Major in the Suburban from the base so Jim could be our DD.

Jim's your Dear Daughter.

Check.

We got our tickets - they had entertainment at the entrance - sorry for the foggy pics - my camera was adjusting to the heat

Nobody likes to see a maladjusted camera.

They put a lei on us and directed us to the table for our welcome drink - either a Mai Tai or Fruit Punch

See? Right there you're ahead. Our luau had no alcohol allowed.

We got in line for an entrance photo with a very cute couple

Aw, they were probably thinking the same thing about you.

- she WAS wearing a coconut bra AND a grass skirt and he was wearing his grass skirt and NO bra!

I've always wondered... wouldn't a coconut bra itch something fierce?

Yeah, that's the only thing I wondered about coconut bras.

Yeah.

They posed on each side of us - I forgot I was writing and packed up the photo when we moved out - sorry.

You're sorry!!

This guy climbed right up the tree with his bare feet, and cut down some coconuts

That's cool.

Then everything went South for Jim - I was standing there talking to him, enjoying my drink upgrade, and a very pretty Hawaiin came up and put her arms around him - Um, hello? I am standing right here!

I don't know if a very pretty girl put her arms around me, if I would refer to that as "Went South" for me.

Just sayin'

Could be wrong.

She then proceeds to tell him that one of his friends in the crowd has nominated him to be a part of tonight's pre-dinner performance!

He agreed to be a good sport,

Good for him!

The guy right next to him in the Blue T-shirt confessed to us a few days later:

Makes you wonder what might've happened if he'd confessed right then.

He actually runs several miles a day, lifts weights, diets and rides his bike to work every day, but his metabolism and genetics just gets the better of him (like alot of us, I think)

<sigh> We ain't as young as we used to be.

When Jim got ready to do his individual shot, a big wave came up and hit him in the butt - cracked him up!

Tabby joined me - I don't think she was unhappy, just thinking

She really does look ticked! Doesn't she?

Happy Girl!

Great shot!

Group Photo! Everyone look at me and smile - except Wayne, Of course - can you see what Jim is thinking?

Hmmm....
"Are you going to turn around or do I have to smack you?"
"You're blocking my view of the girl with the coconut bra."
"What's a guy gotta do to get another drink around here."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever... where's the food?"

They served Poki (kind of a tuna ceviche in salt), actual squid ceviche, salads and fruits, breads, pulled pork and teriyaki chicken, of course macaroni salad and lots of desserts! We all enjoyed our meal and there were seconds available - so it was pretty much all you can eat!

How was your pulled pork? You know how ours was.

Our tables were in the sand, and the buffet line was outside - alot of us took off our shoes and enjoyed the sand between our toes - such a cool feeling. The sunset was beautiful, I think. I planned to get back and take some pics, but by the time we finished eating, it was dark. Oh well, another reason to go back!

I'll comment on this later.

With Dinner finished, it was time for the show! We really enjoyed the show - it was beautiful, and the fire dancers were a big hit! All in all, I think it was very good - much better than the Luau at the Poly in WDW - I apologize for the blurry pics - my PAS doesn't do night shots too well

That's okay. Glad you posted them. The show looks like a blast. Much closer to what I think a luau show should be then what we had.

And then it started to rain - just a light shower

Oh, that's too bad. You guys really had bad luck with the weather.

Guess you'll just have to try again.

Wayne had the nerve to make fun of her after he wouldn't participate

The cad!

We ended our evening by lining up to purchase our photos. They were nice enough to offer a military discount - 15% without us even asking for it. I so wanted to scan those in for you, but they are packed - I guess you've probably seen enough anyway!

Nope. Scan 'em when you can!

Next: THE ONE IN WHICH I LOSE MY TOP

um... I mean. Oh, dear. How terrible for you my dear.

Yeah. That's what I meant.


Well after reading the posts and looking at all the pics you took, here's my conclusion.

The show at the Polynesian Cultural Center was really good (the one after the luau... not the one during). But it could've been seen without the luau... and that's what I'd recommend. Kind of like, "Yeah, go see Cirque du Soleil... but eat somewhere good first."

Your luau at Paradise Cove looked a lot more like what I think a luau should be. Better entertainment. Drinks (although, to be honest, this isn't a deal breaker for me). Outdoors. Better food, possibly? (how was that pig?)

So over all, if I had to do it again, I'd probably pick Paradise Cove over PCC... despite the reviews I've read.


Thanks for the chapter!

 

[pkondz]

Having come to a few more items on my Quiz List, I thought I would update the points!


So with a couple of questions left, we have Pkondz from CANADA in the lead!



I have two more days to report on, and then sadly it will be all over except the memories - and planning another visit to Hawaii!

Our TRs are parallelling each other. Your last post was lots of pics and a multi post... so was mine. You've only got two more days. So do I.

Spooky.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Strange how our TR's are so close.

I was really happy with the food. I think I expected it to be bad, because most buffets outside Disney are. I really liked the pork. I thought it was moist and lightly flavored, although a little more of the Hui Hui sauce would have been good. I think they had it available, I just didn't put it on.

Jim says he thought the pork was "okay" but could use more flavor. He liked the rest of the dinner. I would book this one again in a heartbeat!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Sunday, March 11 - We had two days left on the Island, and they were days off for the boys! We were going to pack alot of exploring into those two days!

First on the agenda was to tour the USS Arizona or as everyone refers to it, Pearl Harbor. We had heard that it opened at 7 a.m., tours starting at 8 and you needed to be there early as the line became too long to get in later in the day. So we decided to leave at 7am. We had some yogurt and fruit in the room, grabbed a water, and we were off!

When we arrived, we were early enough to park in the lot, but way down on the end already. Jim dropped us out up front, but because of security, you are not allowed to bring anything in except a camera, so we put all of our belongings in the trunk. Well, everyone except Michelle. She didn't believe me when I told her, "This is just a little small purse - they can't take your purse away from you!" No, but they can stop you from entering.

She headed toward the front of the line, and Wayne and I just waited back for her to come back. She came back with a puzzled look on her face. Of course Wayne gave her a hard time, and she walked out to join Jim and Jesse walking back from the car. After they all put away the offensive purse and joined us we were ready for a walk through history.

We got our tickets - military members and family get in free, so we only paid to rent the optional headsets to listen to the museum tour. We were given a ticket with a time on it. This is your time to take the boat out to the Arizona. They only take about 40 out at a time. It's like a FP with a return time on it!

The USS Missouri and USS Arizona site from the visitor's center

The view across the harbor was beautiful

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[IMG]http://i191.photobucket.com/albums/z248/MAGICFOR2/Hawaii%20March%202012/IMGP3841.jpg

The Visitor's Center is a walk through museum you can view before and after your Arizona viewing. With the headset, you can push the corresponding button to each display and a very nice narration is given my Jamie Lee Curtis, whose father was a survivor - you can really feel this is a project from her heart. I had read that the headset really enhances the tour, and I'm glad we had them, but sometimes it was too distracting to be able to read the information posted at each spot. There really wasn't time available to do both.

This Way, no That Way!

This was featured in a display of life before the bombing - I think it was describing the simple life in Japan.

They also described life on Hawaii in the military. It was pretty much a choice assignment. Spare time was spent at the beach, with parties and BBQ's going on. The locals were welcoming and continued their Hawaiin culture while opening stores, hotels and restaurants

To Be continued....off to a spa appointment

 

[dizneeat]

I learn so much from your trip report, Tammie! Thanks so much. I would have sooooooo fallen into the "don't bring a bag" trap.

IF we ever make it to Hawaii, that is what Tom definitely wants to see and seeing your photos .... so do I. Thanks again for posting all the pics and all of your report!

 

[jedijill]

The Arizona Memorial is so moving. My next door neighbor growing up (almost an extra grandmother!)..her brother went down on the Arizona. When my family visited, it was so moving to find her brother's name on the plaque of those that are entombed.

Jill in CO

 

[croppincolburn]

Since the TR is so long now that I was going through the pages pretty fast when I thought "that looks like the Hale Koa." LOL We stay there with my parents. Last time we left Ds there with my parents and went to Maui for our anniversary. This time we will be leaving for 2-3 days at the Aulani. Guess I had better take Ds with us this time.

 

[pkondz]

First on the agenda was to tour the USS Arizona or as everyone refers to it, Pearl Harbor.

Well at least one of us got to go!

Did I tell you that I'm living vicariously through you?

She didn't believe me when I told her, "This is just a little small purse - they can't take your purse away from you!" No, but they can stop you from entering.

Knew that. I was wondering if DW would listen to me or not. Never got the chance.

With the headset, you can push the corresponding button to each display and a very nice narration is given my Jamie Lee Curtis, whose father was a survivor - you can really feel this is a project from her heart.

That's interesting.

I had read that the headset really enhances the tour, and I'm glad we had them, but sometimes it was too distracting to be able to read the information posted at each spot. There really wasn't time available to do both.

Too bad. But if you had to chose, which way would you go?

To Be continued....off to a spa appointment

Hope you enjoyed the spa, and thanks for the chapter. Looking forward to more.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Well at least one of us got to go!

Did I tell you that I'm living vicariously through you?

I think you did! I'll post more pics here then, so you can really experience it - or you can get a do-over.

Knew that. I was wondering if DW would listen to me or not. Never got the chance.

Some people need to find out for themselves.

That's interesting.



Too bad. But if you had to chose, which way would you go?

For the display area, I would rather just read. But once we were on the AZ and hearing the survivors speak, I was glad I could hear it through them.

Hope you enjoyed the spa, and thanks for the chapter. Looking forward to more.

Thanks! It was nice.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Moving further into the museum, some more pics of the times

An image from the war days

Part of a ship - I think this is showing how the oil burned on top of the water and scorched it

Roosevelt's notes for his famous speech - "A day wich will live in infamy..."

Torpedo! (or bomb?)

Look at these people - standing in disbelief

A display showing how the US AZ lays under the memorial we will be visiting

Soon it was our time to line up for our orientation before boarding our boat out to the memorial

We entered a theatre, where we were shown a film, which gave some history, and instructed that our cell phones were to be turned off, and there was to be no more talking until we returned. This was in order to let everyone experience and honor the dead in their own way. Some visitors have family members here and it is a very solumn occasion.

We boarded, and headed out across the bay

Pulling up

Hall of flags - all represented - I think from other home countries of those who served -

We walked through the walkway with the windows you see from the distance

Looking out at the top of a stack, I think

These markers show where each of the lost ships was anchored on that day

Oil still comes up constantly from the original tank

Looking over at the USS Missouri - our next stop of the day

(More to come - the DIS went down for awhile)

 

[laura74]

Pearl Harbor looks really interesting Tammie. My husband would absolutely love seeing this.

 

[dizneeat]

Wow! What a sight - gives me chills just to think about what happened that day! Thanks SO much for sharing, Tammie!

 

[podsnel]

We have this planned for one of our days, too- now you are able to book through the Nat'l Park website (I think that's where I did it) and reserve the time in advance- we just have to arrive one hour before the tour.

Very, very moving. We watched the movie a few months ago, just as a "refresher" on all that happened (it's been a long while since we studied WWII in social studies class!). It's all so tragic- there were so many lost and so many who had to be so brave.

 

[kmedina]

Awesome tour. I always wanted to see the USS Arizona. How far is that from Aulani?

 

[MEK]

I would love to see Pearl Harbor. What a wonderful, moving history lesson. So glad that they let you take your camera in!