Yes, I know it has been a while since I have blogged. I have been so busy and well, lets face it....lazy. I will try to do better about getting this updated. For now I will just do a recap of my AMAZING Hawaiian vacation.
We went to so many different places while we were in Hawaii. We spent a month there so it was easy to do lots. We went to:
USS Arizona - It was so touching to watch the video about the attack on Pearl Harbor and then ride out to the Memorial. The kids were fascinated.
Manoa Falls - After some coaxing we hiked to Manoa Falls beneath the canopy of the tropical rainforest. It was like stepping back into the Land that Time Forgot.
Honolulu Zoo - Syd and I got to visit the Zoo on Christmas Eve with Grandma and Grandpa. The Zoo is 42 acres and home to 995 different animals from the tropics. Komodo Dragons, orang-utans, elephants, primates, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and a variety of African animals.
Bishop Museum - We could have spent the entire day there. Unfortunately our feet would not cooperate and we had to give up the museum before we really wanted too because we were exhausted from walking around.
Sea Life Park - We saw dolphins, sea lions, and penguins perform by the sea. The Sea Life Park offers Hawaii's most diverse array of close-up marine animal encounters. We were able to see rays, turtles and sharks in the 300,000 gallon Reef Tank.
Polynesian Culture Center - The Polynesian Cultural Center is Hawaii’s #1 visitor attraction, with villages and exhibits representing the 8 cultures of Aotearoa, Fiji, Hawaii, Marquesas, Samoa, Tahiti and Tonga, and Easter Island. It is set on 42 acres and has a lagoon that hosts canoe tours during the day. Wrapped up the day by watching the show "Ha Breath of Life," which features over 100 performers and the thrill of Samoan fireknife dancing.
Dole Plantation - We sent Syd and Buck through the "World's Largest Maze." She was so cute trying to find her way through.
Pacific Aviation Museum - The Museum occupies WWII hangars that bear the scars of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack. It is located on Ford Island at Pearl Harbor, the nation's first battlefield, which is dedicated to showing the patriotism and valor of the American aviators in the Pacific. We were able to view an F-14, F-15; a 1942 Japanese Zero and its opponent, the Wildcat, all in full diorama exhibits. The kids even got to do a flight simulator while we were there. It was fun watching them enjoy this.
Pearl Harbor - The kids got photos taken with Veterans. It was an emotional experience for me. One that I would classify as Sacred.
Waikiki Aquarium - Syd and I went with Grandma, Grandpa and Buck. Founded in 1904 and administered by the University of Hawaii since 1919, the Waikiki Aquarium is located on the shoreline of Waikiki Beach next to a living reef and across from Kapiolani Park. The Aquarium – third oldest in the U.S. – showcases more than 500 marine species, and maintains more than 3,000 marine specimens. The Aquarium is also home to two endangered Hawaii Monk Seals.
Diamond Head - The kids and Sharman hiked with Sharman's parents and brother to the top!The silhouette of Diamond Head State Monument sits along the Honolulu skyline just beyond Waikiki. This 760-foot tuff crater is one of Hawaii's most famous landmarks. The crater was named Diamond Head by 19th century British sailors who thought they discovered diamonds on the crater's slopes. These "diamonds" were actually shiny calcite crystals that had no value.
Valley of the Temples - The temples were beautiful lined with a cloud mist. It was serene and mystical looking. A site I will not soon forget.
Chinatown - Both Sharman and Zack got their hair cut from a little hole in the wall place in Chinatown. They looked so much better after the hair cuts.
Iolani Palace - The only royal palace on American soil and Queen Emma's summer palace. The kids thought it was pretty interesting. We had a great time especially on a rainy day we were able to stay dry.
King Kamehameha Statue - Hawaii isn't Hawaii without a stop to see this statue.
International Marketplace - We were able to take a stroll through International Marketplace, a bazaar of clothes, jewelry and souvenirs from the island's colorful merchants set under the shade of a large banyan tree. Towards the end of our trip we were even able to take Kurt and Amy there with us.
Aloha Tower - This was not exactly what we thought it would be. But the fish in the ocean along the boardwalk were amazing. It was fun watching everyone feed the fish.
Hanauma Bay - Although Zack still wasn't feeling well we snorkeled among the bright colored reef fish and played in the sand.
Nuuanu Pali Lookout - Better bring an umbrella and a windbreaker. Syd fed the wild chickens and had a blast. The view from the top was breathtaking.
North Shore - The surf competitions there were lots of fun to watch. Grandpa even won a really nice water bottle while attending a surf competition.
Waimea Bay - There was a shark warning while we were there and the waves were so strong and dangerous the kiddos couldn't play in the water. Of course, once a shark warning was issued everyone headed right towards where it had been spotted. Really?! Some people need to think.
Battleship Missouri Memorial - This was one of my favorite stops. It had so much information and it was truly a spectacular opportunity to walk along a real battleship. It really gave me a strong sense of patriotism.
USS Bowfin Submarine Museum - Of all of the places we went with Grandma and Grandpa, this was a true gem. It was fun to see the gleam in Grandpa's eyes as he was able to walk through and touch all of the history this submarine contained.
USS Oklahoma Memorial - What a humbling experience. They only have markers lined up to signify the men who served. It is a very reverent experience to see all who have sacrificed for me.
Children's Discovery Center - You would think this would be a hit. Actually, it was a bomb. It was designed more for small children and my kids are just past the stage where this was something amazing. Well it did keep us busy for an afternoon I guess.
Ala Moana Shopping Center - If you need a good place to find food and shop, this is the place. We were able to eat at Bubba Gump's while we were there and that is one of my favorite restaurants!!
Duke Kahanamoku Statue - On the way to the Zoo, we stopped and took a photo of the Duke Statue with Grandma, Grandpa and Syd.
Farmer's Market - Each week we would go to this little farmer's market and get fresh pineapple, pork plates and avocados. It was really great to have fresh produce so accessible and inexpensive.
Hilo Hattie's - We enjoyed free juice, entertainment, food samples and craft demonstrations. We purchased a dress for Syd and one for me and a new shirt for Zack. It was great to get TRUE Hawaiian wear.
Fort DeRussy Military Museum - This was a great exhibit. It was free and truly covered so may different aspects of the military. It had something for everyone. The kids were tired after walking through and I have to say my feet hurt too, but that was because this was the very beginning of our trip and we were still soft.
Oceanarium Restaurant at the Pacific Beach Hotel - On New Year's Eve we ate dinner at the Oceanarium Restaurant at Pacific Beach Hotel, where an incredible three-story, 280,000-gallon saltwater fish tank holds hundreds of Hawaii's tropical fish. It was truly amazing!!
Turtle Bay Resort - What a beautiful cove. Sure wish we would have seen turtles and had a clear day to explore the tide pools. Doesn't matter...a bad day in Hawaii sure beats a great day anywhere else.
Surf Competitions - There were plenty of competitions to watch and lots of people who were just there to try out their skills. Sharman and Zack even took surf lessons and did VERY well. Zack rode his first wave all the way in. WAY TO GO BUD!!
Halona Blow Hole - Best time to visit this site is on a rainy day. The weather pushes the waves even more powerfully through the blow hole thereby producing a much more dramatic effect. It was so beautiful.
Sandy Beach - The only beach that has emergency personnel on site at all times. This is the most dangerous of all of the beaches on Oahu. We even saw a helicopter take off one day as we passed the beach.
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort wildlife exhibits - The kids love the outdoor exhibits which included the hotel's very own penguins and flamingos. It was incredible.
Fireworks each Friday night from the balcony of my in-laws condo. The Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa hosted fireworks on Friday evenings in remembrance and celebration of King Kalakaua's Jubilee.
Yep this is a taste of our amazing trip. I will try to include some photos when I find my cord for my camera. Sorry it has taken so long, but finally I am back.
Down Stairs Family Room. Lots of room to spread out. Unfortunately we have a fence right outside of the house so we have no yard but we love our house.
This is a photo of Zack's bathroom downstairs. It has a shower that is so large the kids could make their own room in there if they wanted to.
This is Zack's room. He now has his bed, a full desk with book shelves and a dresser. We still need to get him some carpet remnant to keep it a bit warmer and so he won't have to step onto cold floor in the morning but it is looking pretty nice now. We also need to get some blinds to keep it cooler in the summer.
This is Sydney's bathroom. She has decorated it super cute with a dolphin/ocean shower curtain. Being a bit OCD ensures that this is a good bathroom for guests to use too.
The walk-in closet in my bedroom. I love all of the shelving.
This is where I get ready each morning. The bathroom in the master bedroom. It is nice to have a nice LARGE counter with room to get ready each day. We just wish it had two sinks instead of only the one.
The master bedroom. The light you see to the right is light from the balcony. Yep, we have a balcony outside of our bedroom. It overlooks.....the back of a store and the freeway. Not a fantastic view but at least it isn't overlooking the dump.
This is the dining room. You will notice the back of the dining room has a half wall. That is where the stairs take you down to Zack's room and the spare room. Behind that is Sydney's room. She loves that it is also carpeted.
This is our spare bedroom. We have a queen size bed in there now and it is really nice to be able to accommodate people who want to visit.
This is a view of our downstairs family room. The door that is open is the door to the spare bedroom. The closed door is the laundry room. It has a ton of room and even a huge closet behind the laundry room.
This is my scrapbook room/library. Ok, it is more of a library than a scrapbook room, but all of my scrapbook supplies are stored in the closet in this room out of the way. I love this room. Who wouldn't want to have a library in their home. Also, this is where we have set up our Christmas tree this year.
This is the living room. You walk into the house (see the front door is wide open) and right into the living room. The room behind the door is our library room. We have a sectional, couch and recliner chair for Sharman in here. Also, our entertainment center with TV (thank you so much Amy). It is pretty nice.
This is a view of the front of our house. No, it doesn't look that big from the front, but when you get inside, wow it is big. Our place ends at the shrubs.
Here is a view of our kitchen with our pantry, and in the back right you can see the door that leads to Sydney's bathroom. Right next to that is our bedroom.
