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

[pkondz]

Let's see, where did we put that shrimp truck?

Did you check your jacket pocket? I'm always losing stuff and finding it in my jacket pocket.

Jim and Wayne were sure the truck they had eaten at before was just along North Shore - they were determined to treat us to that one to compare to the one we had eaten at earlier in the week.

I wish we had tried a couple of trucks to compare. It's kind of a good news/bad news kind of thing... on the one hand if we'd tried a shrimp truck earlier instead of leaving it 'til the last day we'd've had the chance. On the other hand... I might not have eaten anywhere else.

Along the way, we saw lots of little bays with crazy surfers.

I thought that was so cool. It was like being in a giant surfer movie.

we stopped at North Shore - we found one of those little beach towns - I don't remember the name -maybe it was North Shore - and went for a walk about.

I'll echo podsnel in wondering if it wasn't Hale'iwa. If it was the first town on the North Shore when you go up Kamehamea then that was it.

Michelle had seen a swimsuit factory listed - really just a boutique I think. She didn't see anything she was interested in.

That sure sounds like Hale'iwa and North Shore Swimwear.

We wandered in and out of T-shirt and souvie stores - came across an artist who had some murals and surfboards - after I took some Pics, I saw a sign that said "no pics please" Oh well.

And then the surf police came running out surrounded you and demanded your immediate surrender?

Let's see, where did we put that shrimp truck? Jim and Wayne were sure the truck they had eaten at before was just along North Shore - they were determined to treat us to that one to compare to the one we had eaten at earlier in the week.

Wow. Ever had Deja vu? It's like I've been here before.

We wandered in and out of T-shirt and souvie stores - came across an artist who had some murals and surfboards - They were really good - I'm pretty sure I've seen his work before. Just as I pulled out my camera, thinking of you, of course, I saw a sign that said no pics, please. I have to insert random smileys, cuz I don't have enough pics!

All right, Missy. First you say you took pics then saw the sign, then you say you saw the sign so didn't take pics...

Lucy, you got some 'splainin to do.

he gave me a free bar of organic soap as a gift! It is wrapped in pink tissue paper with black polka dots and it smells divine! I didn't use it, I put it in a drawer to make my clothes smell divine. I think he has a website - I'm going to look him up and order some....

That's pretty nice. It's good for business too, obviously. It's too bad more businesses don't practice that way.

It became a chorus of "are we there yet?" "Is this the one?" to which the boys answered - "it's just around this next corner here...."

Yeah, travelling with small kids can be a chore.

Oh! That was you!

The holy grail of Shrimp trucks!!!

Monkey Mike's Huli Huli

That's so weird! In all the research for shrimp trucks... I never once came across that one. Never even heard of it.

The couple stepped away from the window, and the gentleman who was inside taking orders just made me do a double take. He had curvature of the spine, and then he was kind of hunched over to look out the window - he had kind of a character actor face - very square jaw, chisled cheekbones, very wide forehead, stringy dark hair - large eyes that looked in opposite directions - and he was kind of rocking back and forth while he looked out waiting for one of us to step up and order.

They knew you were coming.
They knew you were writing a TR.
They knew it was a Disney TR.
So they hired Quasimodo.

Makes sense.

It was kind of like a scene out of a Monty Python movie or something,

Did he ask what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?

I don't know what everyone had - I think Jim and I shared some garlic shrimp, some Macaroni salad and sticky rice, and a Chocolate Banana milkshake.

mmmm... that sounds good.

He let me know that I was eating the shrimp all wrong. Because it is peel and eat, but hot, I was peeling all the garlic off with the shell - you are supposed to suck the garlic and butter off and then peel it and eat it.

I'd never heard that. I still don't know if I'd do that, even though it does kind of make sense.

Now we were on a mission to find a waterfall....

Hmmm.... would that be a hike?

Next - The One in Which I Lose my Top

Great chapter Tammie. I can't wait for the next one... more so than any other ones... really...

 

[eandesmom]

Oh wow! That sounds totally worth the drive, I could eat some right now, what a great experience.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Well, at least you aren't going to get hurt...

Hmmm, do you know the ending perchance?

Was the town called Haleiwa? That's the verry charming, well known surfer town you hit right when you get to the North Shore. But I guess you hit it first when you come up in the middle, not the windward side. I can't wait to see it for myself! I'm really looking forward to hitting some shrimp trucks and getting some shave ice up there in less than a month. Wooohoooooo!!!!!!!!!

Truthfully, I didn't see the sign so I don't know - it was very charming - just that California Beach town, Summer, Beach Boys, Ice cream cone kind of place! Must be it. I'm guessing your Shore towns probably have a little different vibe to them? You are getting so close!!! You know, I missed the shaved ice somehow - too many Mai Tais I guess

Did you check your jacket pocket? I'm always losing stuff and finding it in my jacket pocket.

I did, but I only found a popsicle stick and some fuzz.

I wish we had tried a couple of trucks to compare. It's kind of a good news/bad news kind of thing... on the one hand if we'd tried a shrimp truck earlier instead of leaving it 'til the last day we'd've had the chance. On the other hand... I might not have eaten anywhere else.

There are so many places to try - we sure came up short on variety - But we had some good experiences anyway.

I thought that was so cool. It was like being in a giant surfer movie.

See above

I'll echo podsnel in wondering if it wasn't Hale'iwa. If it was the first town on the North Shore when you go up Kamehamea then that was it.



That sure sounds like Hale'iwa and North Shore Swimwear.

Yes, by reading your TR - I would say it was. You went to the same places we did, sort of.

And then the surf police came running out surrounded you and demanded your immediate surrender?

I was thinking the artist would come out and steal my camera - not really - see below.

Wow. Ever had Deja vu? It's like I've been here before.



All right, Missy. First you say you took pics then saw the sign, then you say you saw the sign so didn't take pics...

Lucy, you got some 'splainin to do.

I was wondering how you got that paragraph above, because I edited it. I couldn't remember if I took pics or not, and when I saw a thumbnail of the Monkey Mike's surfboard, I thought it was one of those, so after I saw what my pic really was, I took that sentence out -I am starting to depend on my pics fror the details

That's pretty nice. It's good for business too, obviously. It's too bad more businesses don't practice that way.

You know, I think extra services and free gifts go a long way toward customer loyalty.

Yeah, travelling with small kids can be a chore.

Oh! That was you!

Kind of the same, except I'm the princess, just ask Jim.

That's so weird! In all the research for shrimp trucks... I never once came across that one. Never even heard of it.

I had heard so much about Giovanni's - which we didn't try, but this one was really good!

They knew you were coming.
They knew you were writing a TR.
They knew it was a Disney TR.
So they hired Quasimodo.

Makes sense.

If we were at Disney I would think so - at least with my first impression.

Did he ask what is the airspeed velocity of an unladen swallow?



mmmm... that sounds good.



I'd never heard that. I still don't know if I'd do that, even though it does kind of make sense.


Better for me than eating crawfish, I guess.
Hmmm.... would that be a hike?

:debwalk::debwalk:

Great chapter Tammie. I can't wait for the next one... more so than any other ones... really...

Thanks - and thanks for your fun replies!

Oh wow! That sounds totally worth the drive, I could eat some right now, what a great experience.

It was! It was so fun to just go exploring. I feel like we didn't have so many planned touristy experiences, which is what we love. In Okinawa, we took a whole week's vacation just exploring all over a 9 miles x 11 mile island. Bon Voyage, BTW! Can't wait to see your TR! I'm hoping to copy it in a couple of years! well, without the kids, I guess.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

10 DAYS until I can book!!!!!

 

[dizneeat]

10 DAYS until I can book!!!!!

Best feeling ever! I am counting down to my date for 2013 as well.

 

[kmedina]

The soap and candle factory sounds like a great find. Crap loves candles. Sometimes, I would get home from work to find him burning many different scents at once. He loved playing with aromas. I should buy him some more, because it has been a while since we’ve had any. I am not a seafood fan, but I am glad you found your shrimp truck. Crap loves all of those food trucks and we have driven far to find some of them. If there is good food within a two hour drive, he will take the drive every time. We even drove 2 hours for donuts once that turned out to be a total waste of time. They were not better than a regular shop you can find within a few miles of your house. Sounds like you had much better luck with your food quest. The rain is like another character in this trip report. It starts just as you get to the truck and stops just as you’re leaving.

 

[anewmac]

Michelle had seen a swimsuit factory listed - really just a boutique I think. She didn't see anything she was interested in. We wandered in and out of T-shirt and souvie stores - came across an artist who had some murals and surfboards - after I took some Pics, I saw a sign that said "no pics please" Oh well.
so where are the pics then LOL

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Michelle had seen a swimsuit factory listed - really just a boutique I think. She didn't see anything she was interested in. We wandered in and out of T-shirt and souvie stores - came across an artist who had some murals and surfboards - They were really good - I'm pretty sure I've seen his work before. Just as I pulled out my camera, thinking of you, of course, I saw a sign that said no pics, please. I have to insert random smileys, cuz I don't have enough pics!
so you didnt take pics.. im so confused LOL

I was chatting with the owner, who had been carving soap a moment before, asking about which items were organic, and he gave me a free bar of organic soap as a gift! It is wrapped in pink tissue paper with black polka dots and it smells divine! I didn't use it, I put it in a drawer to make my clothes smell divine. I think he has a website - I'm going to look him up and order some....
how cool about carving soap, and sweet to give ya a free bar.

It became a chorus of "are we there yet?" "Is this the one?" to which the boys answered - "it's just around this next corner here...."
you sound like the kids LOL

I don't know what everyone had - I think Jim and I shared some garlic shrimp, some Macaroni salad and sticky rice, and a Chocolate Banana milkshake.
sounds good



Our waiter from the window - I think his name was Jerry - came out to greet us. He let me know that I was eating the shrimp all wrong. Because it is peel and eat, but hot, I was peeling all the garlic off with the shell - you are supposed to suck the garlic and butter off and then peel it and eat it. I believe my stomach thanked me for leaving a little of the garlic behind.
i thought garlic was good for tummy's? no wait thats ginger never mind LOL

Jerry asked us where we were from and I guessed he was from New Jersey. I was close, it was Boston. He had come out to visit a friend and never left. He loves the laid back life in hawaii and never wants to go back to the rat race. I don't blame him.
ha when the kids leave the nest E keeps talking about buying a place in the Caribean and doing that.

Of course, as soon as we were done eating, the rain stopped and we were on our way again. Now we were on a mission to find a waterfall....

Next - The One in Which I Lose my Top
[/COLOR]

My mind goes perverted but im guessing its more in the way of getting your temper going? lol

10 DAYS until I can book!!!!!

WOOHOOO so exciting! Its what makes it real LMAO

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Best feeling ever! I am counting down to my date for 2013 as well.

Yay! You are counting WAY down to your trip for this year!!!!

The soap and candle factory sounds like a great find. Crap loves candles. Sometimes, I would get home from work to find him burning many different scents at once. He loved playing with aromas. I should buy him some more, because it has been a while since we’ve had any. I am not a seafood fan, but I am glad you found your shrimp truck. Crap loves all of those food trucks and we have driven far to find some of them. If there is good food within a two hour drive, he will take the drive every time. We even drove 2 hours for donuts once that turned out to be a total waste of time. They were not better than a regular shop you can find within a few miles of your house. Sounds like you had much better luck with your food quest. The rain is like another character in this trip report. It starts just as you get to the truck and stops just as you’re leaving.

Mmm, my DIL burns candles in the house all the time - so nice. I tend to save them for someday and count on the scent from the wax, which doesn't last long, I don't know why...

Yes, the rain should have it's own identity this trip!

My mind goes perverted but im guessing its more in the way of getting your temper going? lol

Not my temper, but...

WOOHOOO so exciting! Its what makes it real LMAO

I know - then the countdown seems like a real countdown! We had started planning a couple extra days for Jim and I and the AK VIP Safari, etc. Then I realized it's Jim. I know he will not want to be gone the extra days. Siince we have changed our plans and are leaving on a Tues, he will want to go to work on Monday and make sure everything is lined out for the week before he leaves. So we will have to do that another time. It's funny how far ahead we make these decisions - he's not even working there yet.

E's idea about the caribbean is a good one! You know Jim's plan B was a rum shack on the beach somewhere!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Now we had another bucket list item to check off. I wanted to hike to a waterfall. This is the Disney type vision I had in my head:

Jim and I would steal some time away by ourselves on an afternoon - (before we left, he was told he wouild be just the hamburger cook - they were going to bring food along to feed the guys some lunches, etc.) He would have his own rental car and be the DD on call, give rides where needed, and he could have extra time off - this was a "retirement gift" and a "we owe you" because they didn't let him go to Australia when everyone else got to go.

So we would take a picnic lunch, drive up to Waimea Falls and take a leisurely hike up - find a quiet grassy spot and have a nice romantic lunch and then take a leisurely drive through the country. The sun would be shining through the trees onto beautiful lush flower bushes and brightly colored birds would be flitting back and forth singing "Zip-a-De-Doo-Dah" and making flower leis to drop around our necks....

Okay, this is how the waterfall hike really came out - it was an adventure.

We had seen that there was a $10 charge to get in to Waimea Falls park - Michelle and Wayne did not want to pay to go there, so we skipped it the first day we were out. Jim had to work along side everyone else, and the caar was "not for personal use." Some people figured out what he was doing and caused a stink - and the real rule is "not for personal use." So we followed it.

So we decided to find a free waterfall. We got a map from the local MWR office and they said it's pretty mild and anyone can do it (even grandma's like me) It is a 3 mile hike - which I thought was 1 1/2 in, and 1 1/2 out. We had found the neighborhood it was in, but it was late in the day, and we weren't prepared for the mud so we decided to come back today - so here we are. Maunawilli Falls

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/KN9t...b9uSNEA-fs5-2o0v3xxPNw#b9uSNEA-fs5-2o0v3xxPNw

These pics are pretty much what we experienced - note the muddy tennis shoes.

Our plan was to swim in the waterfall when we got there - I think I was planning to change into my swim top behind a bush or something. It was 3pm - with it starting to get dark there around 6:30 pm. No problem, right? I had a beach towel with my top wrapped up in it and a bottle of water I was carrying.

As we started in we could see it was extremely muddy - the kind of red, slippery clay mud you see in movies. There was a girl there who was muddy all the way up to her knees - barefoot, because she had "left her shoes in there" "Don't go in there, it's nuts - look, I sunk all the way to my knees!"

Well, we decided she was a drama queen, and we had been told it was an easy hike. So off we went. It soon became very apparent that most of the trail was washed out, the steps were washed into the trail so deep that it was almost impossible for me to step up on some of them. we were slipping and sliding, stepping on tree roots for foot holds and crossing the stream on the rocks, climbing up and down big boulders to get there. About 1/2 a mile in, I told Jim we needed to go back - he was holding my towel for me. This was not pleasant at ALL. Jesse had ran up ahead, so Wayne went after him. Jim stayed back to help Michelle and myself. Michelle scared me - she fell several times and she has a bad back. Her white shorts were covered in mud. I climbed pretty well in my Trek sandals, but the people with shoes on were sinking all the way up to their ankles and getting stuck in the mud. We tried to call Wayne to tell him we were going to head back out and he didn't get the call, so we kept going. We didn't want to get separated.

I kept saying it was getting too late and we wouldn't have time to get out before dark. Jim carried my towel for me, and put the camera in his pocket, and we just kept going. Let me tell you, I was not very pleasant during this time - I think I really irritated Michelle - and Jim was not happy with me. I wasn't in shape for this kind of hike, and there was nothing to do but do it. We kept meeting people who kept telling us it was "just around the corner" "just over the next rise" I think they were just trying to inspire us.

I think we hiked about 3 miles in - by the time we got up to the top, my legs were wobbly and wouldn't hold me up. I don't have trouble walking 3 miles, or even 6. But, climbing up muddy slippery steps and over rocks, I do. I kept saying we were going to be like those idiots you see on TV who get lost in the woods, because it would be dark before we got out.

By the time we got back there, Jesse and Wayne had turned around and were heading back -"come on -it's time to go!' Are you kidding me?

Michelle and I jumped in the water for a minute - Jim took our pics - I will not post hers - not what she expected it to look like, I hope. Here is my general mood - Michelle laughed her head off when she saw this pic later - "Tammie, that about shows your attitude!"

I wasn't even going to get in - Jim said, "you wanted to swim in the waterfall, and the water will help your legs - Get In!" Not my finest moment.,

Okay, he did get me to smile

I have decided I am not a candidate for Amazing Race!

Here is a pic of the view we were rewarded with at one of the peaks - Jim said, "see this is why we came up here!"

I have to say, the waterfall itself was a little underwhelming. It was right in the middle of a neighborhood, and it seems to be the local swimming hole for the teens. After a quick dip, we started to head out. Wayne had made a nice walking stick and he gave it to me to help me walk out - he said it would help me not to fall - it was a lifesaver! Wayne and Michelle hiked out together, and Jesse stayed back with Jim and I. He had a flashlight app on his phone.

So the only way I can describe our hike out, is "skiing downhill in the mud." It was so slippery. Now the sandals were no help, and the shoes were the thing to have. I kept sliding forward right out of the end of my sandals. Ouch! I finally took them off and hiked barefoot. Now the path is criss crossed very heavily with tree roots and it is dark. Do you see the problem here? Yep. sliding down int he mud, not being able to see, and stopping short when you hit something in the path, or tripping and slipping along. I twisted and jarred my left knee so many times, I can't even explain the mechanism of the injury if I wanted to - I have no idea how many ligaments I sprained.

By the time we came out, it was pitch dark, we were covered with mud from head to toe, and Jesse was apologizing because he was takin responsibility for really wanting that hike. I felt bad and told him that I wanted it too, and we just didn't know how bad it would be.

We got to the car and Jim unrolled the beach towel so we could all put our muddy shoes in it and wrap it up- I guess that's when I LOST MY TOP -or Jim lost it I think it flipped out under the car and we didn't see it. We piled our muddy shoes in there so we wouldn't get the car dirty and threw it in the trunk.

At this point it was time for dinner, we were covered in mud, dog tired, a little grumpy and sore from head to toe (at least I was) I was really in alot of pain, truth be told. So we got close to home and went through the drive thru at Panda Express. We were planning to get together in one of the rooms after a shower and eat together, but we were all so tired, we just traded off some of the food items, and ate in our own rooms.

It was nice to see the waterfall and be in the real jungle - the view was great, but my knee is still hurting and clunking- I work for an ortho clinic, so I know what's wrong, and I know I can get it fixed, but I haven't had the time, and don't want to take time off with getting ready to move so....more later on that. No crying in Hawaii!

We were pretty ready for a good night's rest by this time. We could not even begin to get the mud out of our shoes. We threw Jim's away, and I scrubbed mine there and then washed them in the washer, but the mud is still in the crevices. I will need to take a brush to them - keep forgetting. Jesse had brand new shoes which I don't think he could get clean.

When we were outside cleaning, we ran into our old commander who happened to be there vacationing at the same time with his family - he said, "maunawilli huh?" "We were there yesterday!" We didn't even have to tell him where we'd been.

We went to sleep knowing that tomorow was a new day - and our last.

 

[dizneeat]

I would have lost something else, Tammie!

Thanks for a report that I could picture perfectly in my head. And as much as I love waterfalls - I guess I love the ones where I can drive up to.

But I am sure this will be something to remember for a very long time.

 

[glennbo123]

Not the "lost top" story I expected, but a good one. Sorry that it wasn't a swim in a waterfall like from the movies, except maybe "Romancing the Stone"....remember that one?

Thanks for the Monkey Mike's review. That place sounds awesome! I googled "Monkey Mike's" and found their website ---> Monkey Mike's It's exactly 31.9 miles from Aulani (the other side of the island), and is officially on the "must do" list for when we go (or plan to anyway) in 2014.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I would have lost something else, Tammie!

Thanks for a report that I could picture perfectly in my head. And as much as I love waterfalls - I guess I love the ones where I can drive up to.

But I am sure this will be something to remember for a very long time.

Thank you for understanding, Karin!

Yes, at least we have a good story to tell!

Not the "lost top" story I expected, but a good one. Sorry that it wasn't a swim in a waterfall like from the movies, except maybe "Romancing the Stone"....remember that one?

Thanks for the Monkey Mike's review. That place sounds awesome! I googled "Monkey Mike's" and found their website ---> Monkey Mike's It's exactly 31.9 miles from Aulani (the other side of the island), and is officially on the "must do" list for when we go (or plan to anyway) in 2014.

I actually thought about that movie when we were sliding downhill!

I didn't know Mike's had a website! I think you will really enjoy it. I'm not sure you can go straight across from Aulani, but I know you can head up from the windward side where Hanama Bay is. We may go again in 2014 too! It will be funny if we end up there at the same time!

 

[pkondz]

He would have his own rental car and be the DD on call, give rides where needed, and he could have extra time off - this was a "retirement gift" and a "we owe you" because they didn't let him go to Australia when everyone else got to go.

...Jim had to work along side everyone else, and the caar was "not for personal use." Some people figured out what he was doing and caused a stink - and the real rule is "not for personal use."

"Congratulations on your retirement, Jim. As a reward for your service, we're going to let you have your very own rental car.

Just one rule: You can't use it. Enjoy!"

Geez, with friends like that, who needs enemas?

they said it's pretty mild and anyone can do it (even grandma's like me)

That was your first mistake. If anyone can do it, probably no one should.

It is a 3 mile hike - which I thought was 1 1/2 in, and 1 1/2 out.

Whoops! Mistake number 2.

These pics are pretty much what we experienced - note the muddy tennis shoes.

What catches the eye is the oh-so-cute little pink sock. You just know that the wearer was not impressed.

Our plan was to swim in the waterfall when we got there - I think I was planning to change into my swim top behind a bush or something.

My! Aren't we daring.

It was 3pm - with it starting to get dark there around 6:30 pm. No problem, right? I had a beach towel with my top wrapped up in it and a bottle of water I was carrying.

It was at this point that I realized the 'lost top' wasn't going to be nearly as much fun as I thought it would be. :

There was a girl there who was muddy all the way up to her knees - barefoot, because she had "left her shoes in there" "Don't go in there, it's nuts - look, I sunk all the way to my knees!"

Doesn't that just sound like a line out of a bad movie?

Well, we decided she was a drama queen, and we had been told it was an easy hike. So off we went.

So... three strikes you're out! At that point, don't you just wish you'd listened to that little voice in your head?

It soon became very apparent that most of the trail was washed out, the steps were washed into the trail so deep that it was almost impossible for me to step up on some of them. we were slipping and sliding, stepping on tree roots for foot holds and crossing the stream on the rocks, climbing up and down big boulders to get there. About 1/2 a mile in, I told Jim we needed to go back - he was holding my towel for me. This was not pleasant at ALL.

Wow. I had thought about doing this with the DDs and possibly with DW. I had also read that "it could be muddy". Since we weren't packing extra hiking gear, I decided to skip it.

So glad I did.

Let me tell you, I was not very pleasant during this time - I think I really irritated Michelle - and Jim was not happy with me.

So even Princesses have bad days?

Huh. Who knew?

We kept meeting people who kept telling us it was "just around the corner" "just over the next rise" I think they were just trying to inspire us.

Or infuriate you.

Whichever.

By the time we got back there, Jesse and Wayne had turned around and were heading back -"come on -it's time to go!' Are you kidding me?

So... Did you almost beat him to death with a muddy shoe?

Here is my general mood - Michelle laughed her head off when she saw this pic later - "Tammie, that about shows your attitude!"

Yeah, you don't quite look like you'd strangle the first bird to sing "zip-a-dee-doo-dah"... but close.

Close.

I have to say, the waterfall itself was a little underwhelming.

And that's the other reason why I didn't go. I'd also heard that depending on the amount of rain that had fallen previously, the waterfall could be just a trickle.

Wayne had made a nice walking stick and he gave it to me to help me walk out - he said it would help me not to fall - it was a lifesaver!

That was nice of him.

So the only way I can describe our hike out, is "skiing downhill in the mud."

That sounds like fun.

It was so slippery. Now the sandals were no help, and the shoes were the thing to have. I kept sliding forward right out of the end of my sandals. Ouch! I finally took them off and hiked barefoot. Now the path is criss crossed very heavily with tree roots and it is dark. Do you see the problem here? Yep. sliding down int he mud, not being able to see, and stopping short when you hit something in the path, or tripping and slipping along. I twisted and jarred my left knee so many times, I can't even explain the mechanism of the injury if I wanted to - I have no idea how many ligaments I sprained.

That does not sound like fun.

So we got close to home and went through the drive thru at Panda Express.

I wonder what the employee at Panda Express thought when he/she served all these filthy tourists.

We were planning to get together in one of the rooms after a shower and eat together,

So you all were planning on showering together.

Well, I guess that makes up for the disappointment of the lost top story.

It was nice to see the waterfall and be in the real jungle - the view was great, but my knee is still hurting and clunking- I work for an ortho clinic, so I know what's wrong, and I know I can get it fixed, but I haven't had the time, and don't want to take time off with getting ready to move so....more later on that.

Sorry to hear that your knee is still hurting.

No crying in Hawaii!

he said, "maunawilli huh?" "We were there yesterday!" We didn't even have to tell him where we'd been.

That's hilarious.

We went to sleep knowing that tomorow was a new day - and our last.

Boo to last day! I'm there too, as you know.
But great update! Thanks!

 

[podsnel]

OMG, Tammie....OMG....

I hope your knee heals soon!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

OMG, Tammie....OMG....

I hope your knee heals soon!

Thank you Ellen! ((hugs)) Having trouble with the smileys My knee is getting better - I'm trying some water aerobics - I have learned from the docs that strengthening and stretching help these things heal

 

[MAGICFOR2]

"Congratulations on your retirement, Jim. As a reward for your service, we're going to let you have your very own rental car.

Just one rule: You can't use it. Enjoy!"

That's about it!

Geez, with friends like that, who needs enemas?

That was your first mistake. If anyone can do it, probably no one should.

Yes, I believe you are right! Another hint is when the person telling you this is about 20 years old. Here's your sign!

Whoops! Mistake number 2.



What catches the eye is the oh-so-cute little pink sock. You just know that the wearer was not impressed.

I'll bet those socks were never pink again!

My! Aren't we daring.



It was at this point that I realized the 'lost top' wasn't going to be nearly as much fun as I thought it would be. :

Sorry to dissapoint - made a good teaser though huh?

Doesn't that just sound like a line out of a bad movie?

It does!

So... three strikes you're out! At that point, don't you just wish you'd listened to that little voice in your head?

Well, the voices were arguing with each other, and I couldn't catch what they were saying....

Wow. I had thought about doing this with the DDs and possibly with DW. I had also read that "it could be muddy". Since we weren't packing extra hiking gear, I decided to skip it.

So glad I did.

Good move. Three to one guy would spell mutiny in there for sure!

So even Princesses have bad days?

Huh. Who knew?


Who Me????


Or infuriate you.

Whichever.



So... Did you almost beat him to death with a muddy shoe?

Good thing he wasn't mine or I would have....

Yeah, you don't quite look like you'd strangle the first bird to sing "zip-a-dee-doo-dah"... but close.

Close.



And that's the other reason why I didn't go. I'd also heard that depending on the amount of rain that had fallen previously, the waterfall could be just a trickle.

Oh, and I just read on TripAdvisor that the water is not safe to get in your mouth or in an open wound. Nice.

That was nice of him.



That sounds like fun.



That does not sound like fun.



I wonder what the employee at Panda Express thought when he/she served all these filthy tourists.

We were laughing untiil we cried in the car, because he looked down into the car, and did a double take! They've probably seen it before, though with all the rain they get.

So you all were planning on showering together.



Well, I guess that makes up for the disappointment of the lost top story.





Sorry to hear that your knee is still hurting.

Thank you. It will feel better eventually - I am guessing I'll have to have the "clunk" fixed though.





That's hilarious.



Boo to last day! I'm there too, as you know.
But great update! Thanks!

I have so enjoyed having you here to liven up the conversation! Thanks for being here!

 

[anewmac]

Now we had another bucket list item to check off. I wanted to hike to a waterfall. This is the Disney type vision I had in my head:

So we would take a picnic lunch, drive up to Waimea Falls and take a leisurely hike up - find a quiet grassy spot and have a nice romantic lunch and then take a leisurely drive through the country. The sun would be shining through the trees onto beautiful lush flower bushes and brightly colored birds would be flitting back and forth singing "Zip-a-De-Doo-Dah" and making flower leis to drop around our necks....
OMG I have that same bucket list vistion.

As we started in we could see it was extremely muddy - the kind of red, slippery clay mud you see in movies. There was a girl there who was muddy all the way up to her knees - barefoot, because she had "left her shoes in there" "Don't go in there, it's nuts - look, I sunk all the way to my knees!"
ya I would have kept going and ignored her too!


I think we hiked about 3 miles in - by the time we got up to the top, my legs were wobbly and wouldn't hold me up. I don't have trouble walking 3 miles, or even 6. But, climbing up muddy slippery steps and over rocks, I do. I kept saying we were going to be like those idiots you see on TV who get lost in the woods, because it would be dark before we got out.
OMG that would be me too. I can walk anywhere (training for 60miles.. but hiking.. or for that matter walking up a few flights of stairs.. im exhausted LOL)

Michelle and I jumped in the water for a minute - Jim took our pics - I will not post hers - not what she expected it to look like, I hope. Here is my general mood - Michelle laughed her head off when she saw this pic later - "Tammie, that about shows your attitude!"

LOL ya you look like take the ()@*#)@* picture so I can say I have been here )$@*#$)@ it LOL

I have decided I am not a candidate for Amazing Race!
oh good I would have hated to have to compete against ya LOL

sliding down int he mud, not being able to see, and stopping short when you hit something in the path, or tripping and slipping along. I twisted and jarred my left knee so many times, I can't even explain the mechanism of the injury if I wanted to - I have no idea how many ligaments I sprained.
oh no you poor thing hope your feeling better now

We got to the car and Jim unrolled the beach towel so we could all put our muddy shoes in it and wrap it up- I guess that's when I LOST MY TOP -or Jim lost it I think it flipped out under the car and we didn't see it. We piled our muddy shoes in there so we wouldn't get the car dirty and threw it in the trunk.
SO technically Jim lost your top.. husbands LMAO

When we were outside cleaning, we ran into our old commander who happened to be there vacationing at the same time with his family - he said, "maunawilli huh?" "We were there yesterday!" We didn't even have to tell him where we'd been.
oh man apparently its infamous

We went to sleep knowing that tomorow was a new day - and our last.

well I really hope the last day is better for you. At least you have a memory that will last a life time. Im sure you will never look at a waterfall or mud the same again!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

well I really hope the last day is better for you. At least you have a memory that will last a life time. Im sure you will never look at a waterfall or mud the same again!

Thanks! Yes, the last day turns out much better - I'm about to post it.

We do have a lifetime memory, all right. I'm guessing that's a once in a lifetime experience for us, too! Next time we do the "touristy" waterfall and pay the $10

 

[MAGICFOR2]

LAST DAY IN THE SUNSHINE
Today was Monday, our last day, so we wanted to make the most of it! What haven’t we done yet? Hanauma Bay! First we needed some breakfast – the locals had recommended Koa Pancake House – because they have the best LocoMoco and Macadamia Nut pancakes! http://www.yelp.com/biz/koa-pancake-house-honolulu
We got there about 9am and there were a few tables available and only one person in line. After we ordered the place got crazy busy! I guess we were the trendsetters! Just a little shop, but great food – I highly recommend it.

Jim ordered the local fav, Locomoco

Fried rice with gravy, a huge hamburger patty, and a fried egg on top. Not my kind of breakfast, but I tasted it, and it was pretty savory! I ordered the mac nut pancakes, which you can see next to it, and a scrambled egg on the side. This was very reasonably priced. We got the pineapple juice and coffee, and I think our whole meal was about $16.
Now we were off to Hanauma Bay! First We had made a stop by the MWR shop on base so Michelle and fam could rent some snorkel gear. Jim and I had brought our own from home.
I wanted pics of the buildings with bullet holes in them, so we stopped near them so I could walk around and take some pics:
This might just be an original – not sure if there are bullet holes visible or not

This would have been a dormitory, I think:

Original building – new windows, BTW

Now to the Beach!
It started out as a beautiful day! We paid our $1 for parking, and got in line for tickets. It is best to get here early in the day, because they only let a certain number of people in to the park every day – I believe it is to protect the wildlife. Military members get in free, but family had to pay $7.50 each. Before we were allowed down to the beach, we had to watch a short orientation film – asking us not to touch the coral or the wildlife, and not to stand on the coral. Then we were herded outside to enjoy the day!
My knee was quite painful and a little unstable, but walking downhill was fine, so we headed down to find a spot. We moved out quite a ways so we could have a little quiet, and set up a couple of chairs. We quickly got our sunscreen on (natural of course) and our snorkel gear on, and we were ready to hit the water.

Pondz, you will relate to this next part . Jim and I head out into the water, walking backwards with our flippers on and try to paddle out when it got deep enough. Of course the first thing we do is hit a very shallow spot you cannot help but high center on – right on the coral you’re not supposed to touch.

So we manage to pull ourselves across and into a deeper spot – the waves were kicking up enough bottom sand that the visibility was pretty bad. We get into a deeper place and my mask fills up with water and I can’t clear my snorkel! I’m blowing and blowing, and I suck in salt water so I stop and stand in a sandy spot and take it off, clear the mask and snorkel, and again it happens. I get frustrated and start swimming for shore, with Jim yelling at me in the back ground – “What are you doing! You can’t panic like that! Let me HELP you!!!” I’m yelling back – “I’m going in – this snorkel sucks!” “You don’t know what you’re doing – come here!” Did I mention Jim is a certified diver, so he knows about these things. So he finally reaches me and messes with it a little while grumbling about what kind of a mess do I have and how is this hooked up, etc. etc. It seemed right to me

So I tried it again after expertly set up with the same results. I start heading in but this time he is right with me and trades snorkels with me because his is working fine. He finally agrees with me that mine is defective. We have used these several times – got them at Costco – I have had the same results every time. He hasn’t. Guess what? I had no problem at all with his snorkel. So I am vindicated and I get a new snorkel! We swam around for quite awhile, not a whole lot to see, but there were some cool fish in some deep pools. It was really hard to swim through the shallow spots without touching the coral. Here’s the thing. That coral is already dead and smooth. There are shoots of living coral growing here and there toward the bottom, but this has been touched by so many over the years it is already a done deal. We till tried our best to follow the rules.

I started to get cold so I got out. It had gotten cloudy and looked like you know what. A little while later, it started to sprinkle, so I just put my hat on and covered up with my towel and waited for it to pass, enjoying my book. Wayne and Michelle went for a romantic walk on the beach, and Jim took Jesse out in deeper water. I guess they saw a turtle and some really cool fish!

Looking over at Cocoa Head

Note the cloudy sky

All too soon it was time to go. Jim and I changed in the restroom and waited for the $1 trolley to take us up the hill. The others ran ahead and got changed up on top and looked through the gift shop.
I have to say, after swimming in the salt water, my knee felt great! Salt water does have wonderful healing properties. It didn’t bother me again until the next day on the plane.

With our snorkeling adventure done, we headed for town and an adult beverage. Wayne made the great suggestion for the Outrigger on Waikiki and we ate in the outdoor bar area near the pool. We ordered some appies and some adult beverages – probably more Mai Tais, and just enjoyed the atmosphere and talked over our trip

After our relaxing early meal we decided to head over to

To see if there were any more bargains to be had.
There were tons of booths in here – not quite what I expected, I guess. It was a fun area – open to the sky, and all kinds of jungle plants growing around with a cement floor. Very exotic.

I was wondering what this would be, but never found out:

We were looking in the T-shirt shops for a good deal on shirts. Everyone had them for 3 for 20 and 3 for 15 and if you buy the 3 for 15 you got a free hat, etc. etc. The merchants were pretty aggressive, but not rude at all. The bargains got better the further back we went. Jim finally opted out on the shirts – it was just getting too crowded back there for him to look. I made a bargain buying a Hawaiin wrap for myself along with a beautiful little sundress for our granddaughter Londynn. I also found a headband with a china flower on it for her that matched the dress.

With our shopping over, we decided dessert was in order, so we walked back out onto the street and found Cheesecake factory! We stood in line for a long time just to order to go. We got some pieces of cheesecake to go and headed back “home.” Jim and I got our packing done and sat outside for awhile on the verandah, enjoying our cheesecake.

The next day, Tuesday, was our sad going home day. Our plane left at 2:30 pm, so we had plenty of time. The boys went to work and then met us at 10:30 so we could return the rental car and get to the airport. They had planes coming in, so they were kind of in a hurry to get rid of us!
Everything went smoothly and we were soon dumped off on the sidewalk and on our way home. I had my boarding pass printed, so I had Jim drop me off at the curbside check-in, which is what we usually do. Well, there was one gentleman there – he helped an elderly Asian couple, looked at me and walked off without a word, and never came back.

I didn’t think I had to go to the scanner/”you can’t take that home” stand. I was bringing my big tote as a purse and my dole pineapple box as a carryon. I had my luggage sent with Jim. Michelle told me there was a sign that said everything had to be scanned. She had fruit in Jesse’s backpack, which I told her could not be brought on. So of course they had to unpack everything there and re-pack because she didn’t listen to me. “It’s in his backpack – they won’t care. It’s his lunch.” Remember Pearl Harbor?

We got in line for check-in and stood absolutely still for 30 minutes, while they brought all of the Asians up to the front to be processed ahead of everyone else. Jesse said when he was getting the luggage over to the scanner, there was a skycap lady with a cart who yelled at him, “Excuse me! Asians coming through!” and made him get out of the way so they could go by him. We aren’t sure what that is about. I know Hawaii is a state, but only in ways they want to be… A little lesson in what discrimination feels like. Good lesson. Anyway I got up to the place where you place your bag for the weighing and no one came over to help me for another 20 minutes. Good thing we were there early! Security was a crazy slow motion mess, also. Hawaiians move in slow motion – all that island relaxation makes them very laid back. Probably good for their health!

We finally got through and were ready for some lunch! We headed in to the terminal – I wanted to get up near the gate and see if there was anything. I didn’t want to eat Burger King , so the others went in there, and I headed up through the outside garden area – curious that is there after security – I guess it is a courtyard I found a bar serving food and I had a wonderful sandwich and fruit with one last slice of fresh pineapple and a nice glass of Reisling. I went and sat by the window, and pretty soon Tabby found me. She wasn’t interested in BK, either. She ordered and sat down with me, enjoying a hand crafted ale. We decided we should text Michelle and let her know where we were. Soon Michelle joined us while Jesse played some video games he found. We had a nice relaxing hour chatting about all of our adventures, and then it was time to get to our gate.

Once the herding was over and we were settled, I was seated again next to an exit with almost unlimited leg room. It was awesome. I sat next to a young pilot from the Phoenix area, so it was fun to chat with him. His wife is a teacher in Hawaii and he makes flights back and forth from SF to Hawaii all the time. They are thinking of moving back to the mainland soon. I settled in and tried not to snore when I slept.
When I woke up, my feet were swelling, and my hurt leg was getting quite a bit bigger than the other one. By the next day when I got to work, my whole foot and leg were twice the size of my other one.

I limped around and waited for the swelling to go down. Ice and ibuprofen were my friends. Eventually it went down, and it still gives me some trouble, but it is getting stronger. I work at an ortho clinic, I could get it fixed, but I just don’t have the time with moving to be laid up. Also, I had another small surgery in Feb and my out of pocket for that was $2000. I don’t want that again. A few years ago, our Out of pocket on an outpatient surgery was $45. Thank you Mr.Obama. I bill insurance so I knew this would happen. All of the companies started raising rates, raising deductibles and paying for less so that they can cover the increased cost of this plan to them. They are in business – they aren’t going to take it in the shorts, so they passed it on to the consumers and the doctors. Duh! Okay, off my soapbox.

Thank you so much everyone for reading and for your patience with me! I always enjoy writing a TR because I get to re-live the memories. This was such a fun trip. (mostly LOL) I of course told Jim I want a “do-over” by ourselves. We are planning on staying at Aulani on points in the next couple of years. Next year, we are going to the World with the kids and grandkids, and then the next year, DBIL – Jim’s new boss – wants us to do a Disney cruise with them – so it may be awhile yet.

Our next Adventure? We are moving to the great state of AZ – Phoenix – in just 5 short weeks! We are trying to get last minute visits and retirement party invites, etc. done. I may be a little scarce on the DIS. I also started a new home biz – more wrinkles gone and more organic than before! So in spite of myself, I’m putting more back on my plate – can’t help myself!

Hope you all have a wonderful rest of your Summer, and remember if you don’t take a pic and post it, it didn’t happen!

 

[dizneeat]

Ah, so sad it's over, Tammie!

I really enjoyed reading about Hawaii and I found out that I have so much to learn about it.
Hope all your moving is working out well and I really hope you stick with me through my next trip report .... we're leaving on Saturday for another 4 weeks of Disney fun!