Hawaii Day 4- Kayak Adventure!

So today we were SUPER DUPER excited because today, we were going on a kayaking adventure! Basically, what they told us we were supposed to do, is get there around 9:30 ish, and then they would take us by kayak to this island, and then come back, eat lunch, and then go snorkeling at this other beach!

So we had to drive out to this place which was on the complete opposite side of the island, so it took some time to get to. The whole drive was beautiful though we drove through many a green mountains, while it was definitely pouring, we were concerned that our kayak adventure would be spent in the torrential down pour! Lucky for us, it was spotty, but still got rained on a few times! So after we signed our waivers we waited around a little bit for everyone to get there. Perfect time to take some pictures...

Good thing no one cut the strings...that would be unfortunate

We had to place our belongings that we did not want to get wet in the "Tuff Sack" My maturity level says this is funny

The crew...or the sibs and I

And we're off! We had to take turns pulling our kayak (around 1-2 miles)  to this little lagoon/slough thing, to get to the ocean. Those little buggers get heavy after awhile!

You needed muscles to get this party started

And the trade off

I am proud of us

The little lagoon where we had to take off from

So after we pulled our kayaks to this little lagoon, we had to row ourselves to this little beach, and then from the beach we were able to be pushed off into the great wide ocean! Kind of scary if you ask me..I kept thinking a great white was going to come and nom me. He didn't.

We got poured on a few times as we were trying to get our boats into the water. We had 2 guides, Ashley, and some other dude, that was really super funny. He had moved here from Georgia, about 5 years ago...came on a vacation to a buddies house, fell in love with it, and decided to stay! He was a total hipster/surf/beach bum. In love.

Anyway, after we made the venture across the vast ocean..we arrived at this island that they call "Bird Island" Well..because I guess when the settlers first arrived, it was covered in bird shish..or poop. But now, since it is covered in greenery...it is not anymore. It is now a "bird Sanctuary". If I would have known we were going to an island where birds consider a sanctuary, I probably would have bailed. I hate birds, they creep me the heck out.

But anyway, when we were there, there was not much birdage going on. When we got there, they gave us a little snack, and then briefed us on the history of the island. We then got to walk around (its pretty small), and it is covered in this green stuff that is actually edible. It is called "Kuli-Kuli" Don't remember what it means, but I ate some. I guess some people put it on their salads..I just thought it tasted salty. They also were there to take pictures, and tell us stories. I guess there is this old island legend, called Pele's Curse. So if you take anything from the island, like a shell or sand or anything like that...you will be cursed, because Pele does not want anything to be taken from her island. Apparently, even the post office recieves stuff back from unmarked packages with sand and shells and stuff inside them. Maybe they were cursed by Pele. Who the heck knows! But I sure as heck was not taking any chances.

Here are some pictures from the island...

Here are those damn birds...

Yes, Yes we know...very interesting

The island we came from

Off to the other side

Beautiful water

I think my goal with this pic was to get the surfer riding the wave?

The Kuli Kuli! I ate this

Is that blue sky?

Cliff hanger...or just a rock

Put a bird on it

Agua

Surfs up dude

Just me and my wave

A hole I found exciting?

A "Queens Bath"

So anyway, that was basically the island. After we had snapped up enough pictures, we headed back to the shore. We kind of took our time, which was kind of nice since we were so rushed getting into the island. We just kind of mosied, and then of course, had to walk the 1-2 miles back.

Some other shit went down here...where basically I don't really want to discuss because it will just piss me off, but let me just say, that someone lost their temper at me...for him not telling me exactly what he wanted me to do...and just telling me what to do. I am sorry, NO ONE, tells me what to do. It is just this thing that I have called stubborness. But I will flip the shit, if you tell me that I need or should have been doing something..especially if you go about it, in the way this person did. But needless to say, because he was a snapperooo, It kind of ruined the rest of my time.

Annoyed.

But anyway, after we drove our kayaks back to the place, they gave us these voucher things to grab pizza next door. I am not even kidding you...when I say this..but they give you 1/4 of the pie. and these are HUGE pizzas...they even have a sign explaining this. Haha so funny. So anyway, that was good, and then we picked up our snorkel gear, and ended up having to drive to this beach that was not very far away, to go and snorkel. I wasn't really up to snorkeling from the episode that had happened earlier on in the day, but was excited to get more beach time, and to see all these SUPER cute houses that are camped out on the beach. Love it. I could just live there on the beach, with Sully, and be happy. I already have my house picked out...I am pretty sure that if I make the owner an offer he cannot refuse, he will not turn me down. So clearly, it is happening.

We didn't stay at the beach too long because it was kind of cold, and we all hopped into the water to snorkel, but the reef was so close to the surface that I kept getting scraped and kept worrying that my wounds would attract some great white creatures. Once I got out to the deep end, my fear was that since we were snorkeling over some caves, I was concerned with what was in those caves! Yikes! I think I may have been watching too many movies!

But seriously...just when you least expect it. NOM.

Anyway, after that, we were all pretty exhausted from the day. We decided to go home, and just make Spaghetti, it was pretty good...and then headed to bed for the night.

xoxo



Hawaii Day 3- A day of Snorkel

Aloha!

On our 3rd day in beautiful Oahu, we basically hung out by the beach and pool all day long. We woke up around 6ish and went on a beautiful sunrise run on the beach. It was amazing, I am glad that not many people were up though...because I am 110% sure, I looked like death. It was just a few miles, and a pretty easy run along the beach. There was a herd of cats that basically are beach bums, and I may be a bit jealous of, that I followed around for a bit. Then went back to Aulani, had some breakfast, and basically headed straight on down to the beach. This day was mostly cloudy with occasional sun breaks, so it seemed weird that it was only a beach day, but dammit, we were determined!

A few highlights of this day....we were just relaxing all cool, and shooting b-ball? No, we really were just relaxing..but from out of nowhere, there was all this commotion on the left hand side of the beach. Apparently a monk seal had drifted in and was just hanging out in the lagoon. This lady, who I swear was wearing a bonnet, flipped the shit, and started yelling and running to her child "JOHN HENRY!!!!, JOHN HENRY!!! ITS A SEAL!! A SEAL JOHN HENRY!! ITS A MONK SEAL!! THERE!!!

Hahahah I could hardly contain my laughter, JOHN HENRY! Bahahah

This is John Henrys Mum..Yes, I was creepy and snapped a shot.

We also ordered delicious lava flow drinks which is this amazing tropical colada drink with strawberry, seriously amazing!!!

And of course, sweet potato fries. Yum! Nothing like camping out on the beach with drink in hand enjoying the scenery.

Yum

Since we did not have much planned for the day, we decided to try out some snorkeling in the lagoon. Aulani has this really awesome pool thing, where they have a pool filled with a reef, and all different types of fish and stuff too, that you can go in and snorkel, but #1), its cold, and 2.) I don't want my ass floating to the surface for all to see while my face is planted in the water...I know it does the same in the ocean, but for some reason the pool was different to me.

So we rented snorkel gear for us so we could go out into the lagoon. The guy who rented the gear out told me, "Yeah, if you are lucky, there is a 3 legged turtle that hangs out in the lagoon, you might see him"

Me: "Oh thats so sweet, he is polydactyl...

Him: Ummm no...he is missing one...

Me: Oh.

Maybe I shouldn't be allowed to speak to strangers...haha but seriously.

So anyway, grabbed our gear, and went out into the lagoon. The water was pretty cold, since it wasn't very sunny at all this day, but I was a brave little camper, and went out to the rocks. I ended up seeing the 3 legged turtle, an eel (EEK), and many other fishies. The water could have been a bit more clear, but I will blame that on the dark clouds above me, and not the lagoon.

After about 30 minutes, I got tired and went back in and continued to get my sun...or cloud on.

After a little while, once everyone had come back in from snorkeling, we decided to walk around the sidewalk/boardwalk area thing that follows the ocean, and the resorts all along the coast line. This is the west shore of the island, so it is actually WAY less populated then the Waikiki side, and to be honest, it was so much better. I think I would have hated having to stay on the other side..I mean..it is still Hawaii...but naww mean?

Took a few pictures from our walk..

See..pretty grey?

Aulani is on the right

Lookin a wee haggard aren't we beks?

A self shot? Why not

After our walk, we basically were kind of spent from spending the day at the beach and pool and going on water slides into the pool...yeah I may have thrown some elbows into some kids faces to be first in line...so what? Judge me.

Later that night, we had planned on going to Roys, that was right across the street from our hotel. Roys, is this pretty nice restaurant, and it is on a golf course, and serves asian fusion type food. Well, lo and behold, after listening to the news, the Roys' that we were supposed to go to, had burned down!! We had gone the night before, just to make sure it was within walking distance to our hotel, and it seemed dark for a Monday night, but to be honest, we didn't think TOO much of it. Well whaddaya know!?!? IT was because it was black...not the lights turned off. Hah.

So anyway, fortunately for us, they have another one in Waikiki. So we got all gussied up, and made the journey to the great wide open...of the city.

Not too many pics of this...well really none at all, except for a self portrait in the elevator.

Actually, I know I took pics of my food...but they are on  my Droid...and haven't gotten my pics off that phone yet. Le Sigh.

Beks, over here

Think I am getting this self portrait thing down.

So we walked around downtown Waikiki for a little while before our dinner reservation. It doesn't even look like Hawaii. There are Louis Vuitton, Coach, Prada, Fendi, Michael Kors, Jimmy Choo, and Sephora shops up and down the strip, and ick...just not what I want to see when I am in Hawaii. So we only looked around for a little bit, then found our restaurant.

The food was delicious! Since our food was going to take a little bit longer for them to bring out due to the volume of them taking on the other burned down Roys' reservations, they brought us these cheesy risotto cakes. Seriously amazing, and crab cakes...and I really cannot even remember all that was on this platter of goodness, but I died a little bit. I had a cocktail, that was super good and again, cannot remember what was in it, but knew that it made me warm and fuzzy. For dinner, I had salmon that was encrusted with macadamia nuts with fresh asparagus and mashed potatoes. Oh.Em.Gee. Seriously. So amazing. I need to really start branching out when I go to restaurants, because every time I do, there are seriously some amazing dishes out there, that I cannot make myself.. Weird.

Anyway, after dinner, which took a few hours, and was so amazing and wonderful and just one of those with such good conversation that you have the warm fuzzies...or maybe that was my cocktail...? Anyway, I digress.

We went to dessert at Cold Stone! Even the Cold Stone is Hawaiian...pretty sure only my Seester will get that reference. But anywayze.

After our ice cream, we found the heep, and headed back to our hotel..

Where we...

Did pong with mom.

Yeahhh...I can't believe I am typing this right now.. You indeed read that correctly,

The set up

emotions ran high

Professional shot...for serious

Waiting for me to make my move...but I was kind of bizzay taking pics..

They were pretty impressed by my underhand shot...it is definitely perfection.

All in all, I think we won 1 game? Lets not really get into that...

Then we climbed into bed for we had to wake up early the next am!!

xoxo Love you all

Hawaii- Day 2- Pineapple paradise!

Aloha!

This morning we woke up and decided to just lay by the pool and the beach for most of the day. I don't really have too many pictures of such an event, because well...what else is there to say, or take pics of...besides our sexy selves in our bikinis. Hah.

We were going to do some stand up paddle boarding, but the weather was kind of iffy. It would be completely sunny and wonderful, and I am not even kidding you, like 2 minutes would go by...and we would get completely drenched in rain. Of course it was warm rain! But rain nontheless. So we didn't want to go in the ocean for such an occasion.

Since we weren't going to do the paddle boards, we decided since we had to go into town to get some groceries, that we would go to the Dole Plantation! Yum! I am a HUGE fan of pineapple...AND, the Dole plantation is the only place in the world, besides Disneyland and Disneyworld that you can get Dole Whips! Which for those of you who do not know my love of Dole Whips..it is detailed in my Disneyland post...as well as a picture. They make me slide off my chair, and do cartwheels and vom rainbows and shit. Yeah..that good.

Totes Amazeballs.

So we packed up in the ol' Jeep, and drove to the plantation which was about 30 minutes or so away from our hotel.

Yay we are here! And decorated for Christmas. Love Love.

We got there a little bit late in the day, and since the weather was iffy, they shut down the maze, which apparently is the largest, or one of the largest mazes in the world! Cray Cray!!

So we decided to just take the train tour where you go around and tour the plantation and see where the little slices of heaven are grown.

Here is a little bit of our fun in the beginning..

Straight up Gangsta

The tops of some pineapple!

Him a Yittle guy

Well hello Young Prince

I don't know which way to go

I don't even know...

Here we are...

We have been workin hard

I like to hula

She does too...

Loves

She played upon a ladle...I mean..ukelele

Pretty

Here comes the train!

Watch out boys, she'll spit you out.

Shes a beaut.

He clearly has been working all day

So we boarded the train, and it took us through the plantation and went through the beginning stages of growing the pineapple to actually packing it and shipping it off to the pineapple plants. It was about a 15 minute tour.

They also grow other things at the plantation like my other favorite...

Coffee!

And of course pineapples!

Christmas decorations with a giant pole in the way...classic

After we departed our train, we went to the gift shop..where we got dole whips!! Of course...and my camera was not really working at this moment in time, so sadly no pics of the joyous occasion.

However, it was working for my Hawaiian name key chain. Apparently Rebecca (misspelled) in Hawaiian..my name would be Lepeka.

Has a nice ring to it? Yeah I didn't think so either.

This was the view right outside the plantation, couldn't help but snap some pics :)

And then it was time to take the trip back to our hotel because we were getting hungry for din.

Driving by the base...this made me happy.

This was abandoned...and you know how I am with abandoned places!!

After we drove back home and made some taco delicious...and then basically hung out and played catch phrase. Um...for those of you, who have not played this game. Please do. It is amazing, and so much fun.

Then we went to bed to prepare for another amazing day.

xoxo