Hawaii - days 5 & 6

Saturday
This morning started with a longish drive across the island headed to the North Shore. We motivated the kids with the promise of world class snowcones from the snowcone inventors themselves in Haleiwa.
After a quick lunch at Pizza Bob (thanks for the recommendation, Shumways) we headed to Matsumoto's with their ice cream on the bottom and sweetened condensed milk on top and every flavor you could dream of in-between.

We walked around the town looking for souvenirs and browsing surf shops. We checked out the famous surfing beaches and the cliff jumping spots. Then we moved on to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

We got there rather late, so skimmed through the villages quickly, took the canoe tour around the park, walked through one souvenir shop, and then headed over to the Luau. The park is so impressive -- well run, clean, informative, authentic, beautiful.
Dinner was yummy and the show was absolutely amazing. Totally worth it. The dancing, the costumes, the sets, the color and energy, the music, the drums, and the fire dancers - oh the fire dancers. Totally mesmerizing for everyone (except for Huck, who doesn't really find anything mesmerizing at 9pm but his bed). But honestly, we had questioned the cost and looked for discounts and some people had told us the park was boring for kids, but in the end we were really glad we'd splurged and gone there.

The ride home was rough but everyone was asleep by the time we got home.


Sunday
Several people told us about the big Aloha Bowl swap meet that happens every weekend, so on one of our last days we headed there looking for more souvenirs. All the kids wishes came true with...

these crazy sunglasses

a blowing conch shell
(that Oliver's actually learned how to do pretty well with instructions from his trumpet-playing father)

and a mini Ukelele

Scott also got a beautiful Nice Ukelele made of Hawaiian Koa wood in a guy's garage here on Oahu.

After the swap meet we enjoyed some delicious southern barbeque at Dixie Grill (thanks for the recommendation, Tanners) and then headed back to the house for some fun in the sun.

Scott & the boys did some boogie boarding

June finally was willing to put her feet in the water

Huck took a dip

And I remembered how much I love body surfing -- especially when the water is warm and clear, and the bottom is smooth and sandy. What a thrill to feel that wave curling under you and be propelled forward at top speeds. Well ok the waves aren't really that big here, but it is still really fun to get back out there after years of California beaches had pretty much convinced me I didn't really like swimming in the ocean anymore.

June is serious about her sandcastle building

Huck really loves the sand too. I kept trying to put him on a towel to play nicely, but he didn't want that. He loves the water too -- sitting in the surf and yelling at the waves as they'd come and go.


Sadly we're heading home tomorrow.

Aloha

Hawaii -- days 3 & 4

Thursday

This morning I got up and watched the sun rise again with Brenden, who had missed it yesterday. There is something so invigorating and serene about being up early and on the beach watching the day begin. The peaceful moment was interrupted, however, when we noticed the hundreds of little white crabs scrambling all over the sand, and realized that the tracks and holes and mounds that we were sitting on were from them. Brenden pushed his luck by poking a stick into one of their holes, and was terrified when it popped out and ran over his foot, causing Brenden to run full speed back up to the house.

Breakfast. Playing in the house. Packing our things. Then on an adventure to Waikiki. The goal: Japanese tourist sighting and surfing lessons. We found both in droves.

Brenden and I signed up for a surfing lesson, while Scott and the others played in the surf and the sand. We had a great time and both managed to get up and ride quite a few waves.

It was sort of scary and very tiring but totally thrilling. On my first wave I screamed the whole time, flailed my arms, and as the wave was dying out I forgot the teachers instructions so I kept yelling "now what? now what?" On my second wave I crashed into a big canoe. By the end I had improved my form a bit. Brenden was a pro. Chris rented a board and rode a few waves with us.

We grabbed a Paradise Burger, went to Yogurtland, hit an ABC store - doing the whole Hawaii tourist thing. Everyone fell asleep on the way home.


Friday
This morning we planned to go snorkeling at Hanauma Bay before the tour buses arrived. Oliver tried to get us up at 6:30am, but we held him off until 7:30. Breakfast, pack our things, and we were out the door and in the water by 9am.

Scott pulled the boys around on a boogie board. There were tales of octopus and sea turtles but we saw tons and tons of tropical fish. Big ones, small ones, individuals, schools, of all colors and patterns - right there below the surface just a few feet from the shore. Amazing. June and Huck played on the shore.

Chris watched the kids for a bit so Scott and I could go out together.

We stopped for a "plate lunch" and "shave ice" on the way home, then took it easy around the house and the beach out front for the rest of the day.



Could it get any more picturesque here?!

We searched multiple video stores for a copy of North Shore, but unfortunately no luck. Sushi and pho for dinner. Chris & Renae went to the movies while Scott & I stayed with the sleeping kids.

North Shore (the real one) and Polynesian Cultural Center tomorrow.
Aloha

Hawaii - Days 1 & 2

Well, we made it. We are in Hawaii. Traveling with 4 kids was a daunting task but we had prepared well and were ready for the challenge. We knew what type of plane we'd be on and all the snacks that would be available. We knew where our seats were and what movie would be playing. And had purchased snacks and activities to fill in all the gaps. But of course the best laid plans...

The trip out that was supposed to take about 8 hours and 1 quick layover was "extended" to a 27 hour trip with 3 layovers and a hotel room without any luggage.

Our original Phoenix -> Honolulu leg was canceled after having been delayed multiple times and an extra long wait in the airport. Finally they individually re-booked every passenger (thankfully they took families with children first) and we ended up on another airline going through San Diego. We waited another 3 hours and hopped on a flight to San Diego, got ourselves to the Holiday Inn, and set out to find some dinner. Apparently it is uncommon to see a family of 6 roaming the streets of downtown San Diego at 9pm on a Monday night, so we got a lot of awkward stares. We were looking for chinese, but ended up at TGI Fridays, but even they were unwilling to seat us anywhere but the way back corner of the restaurant. After a mediocre meal, we found a cab and made it back to the hotel and our two double beds.

Huck was fed up with the whole situation, and ultimately kicked Scott out of bed to share the floor with June.
For a 6am flight with special circumstances, we were advised to arrive 2 hours before and believe it or not we made it. We got ourselves onto what we thought was a direct flight, only to find out that we would be laying over again in San Francisco. We kept having to tell poor June "one more plane" and putting off pulling out all the new toys she was excited about. She did her best but there's only so much a 3-year old can take, so a major meltdown at the beginning of the San Diego -> San Francisco flight was rather predictable and unavoidable. Both nasty and understanding stares from nearby passengers were shared, as well as plenty advise to give her valium or whiskey, and reminders from the flight attendants that we can't take off until she has her seatbelt on. Good times.

Salt Lake City -> Phoenix -> San Diego -> San Francisco -> Honolulu isn't the most direct path, but we rolled with it and now we're here and it was totally worth it.

And miraculously, despite the last minute re-route and airline change, all our luggage made it too.

We're staying with long-time friends Chris & Renae with their cute kids Gunnar and Paloma at a beautiful home right on the beach in Waimanalo. The views and constant ocean breeze are breathtaking. The scent of tropical flowers in the yard and humidity in the air are invigorating. Not to mention the great hospitality and how priceless it is to arrive on vacation to a stocked fridge and beds made and ready for naps.

Hawaii is 4 hours behind Utah, so when the kids woke up this morning at 5:30am we figured we might as well go out and enjoy the sunrise.
We went in for breakfast, and were back out by 8am for some boogie boarding and sand castle building. I even went in and did some body surfing, much to the boys surprise and June's chagrin.
After a much needed nap, we headed out to a nearby lagoon to test out our snorkel gear.

This location was a huge hit with the kids since there were no waves and it was super shallow for a long way out.
After a quick lunch and dip in the hot tub, we headed out to Sandy's beach to watch some hardcore boogie boarding and to fly our kite (thanks Julie!). Vietnamese food for dinner and the kids all fell asleep in the car on the way home.

I can't keep my eyes open any more. Real snorkeling tomorrow.
Aloha.