We've landed, yipp...wait why did we come home again? I thought we were gonna just all quit our jobs and retire early.
While our vacation was fun and full of adventure, we didn't do everything, but that only means we have to go back! Soon! Haleakala was amazing, under water reef tour was cool! Surf lessons were fun and "permanent." Next time more pool time, sun lounging, and definitely more Mai Tai's!
The biggest thanks go out to Nonna & Papa for such an amazing treat and family bonding time! A vacation like this only comes across every so often, and we're incredibly fortunate to be a part of this loving family and this amazing experience. Thanks to Adam for not laughing at my "surfing style" and thanks to Apy and Mason for their water splash time with Jack & Hazel. Trying to bat at the water jets spitting water up from the ground was hilarious!
Until next time? Or should I say until next year?... Aloha and mahalo for following along with our adventures!
Saturday, May 15, 2010
The waiting game
Packed all our belongings, threw out all the trash, and somehow managed to convince ourselves we HAD to go home :(
skipped the long check in line thanks to an open luggage porter, beat tip we ever spent! Breezed thru security, got all our shoes back on, belts back thru the loops, and DVD players back in their cases. Next a bite to eat at the bar n grill, oh goody large beers are on tap!
Now, we wait, last minute potty breaks, souvenier shopping, and get lei'd one more time, flowers that is. Next we board for the "mainland," still trying to figure out how we convinced ourselves we have to go home. Jack kept saying, why do we have to go home? Cameron gets to stay! Not fair. With the promise of a return trip, hopefully next year, that seemed to keep him a little content, for now!
skipped the long check in line thanks to an open luggage porter, beat tip we ever spent! Breezed thru security, got all our shoes back on, belts back thru the loops, and DVD players back in their cases. Next a bite to eat at the bar n grill, oh goody large beers are on tap!
Now, we wait, last minute potty breaks, souvenier shopping, and get lei'd one more time, flowers that is. Next we board for the "mainland," still trying to figure out how we convinced ourselves we have to go home. Jack kept saying, why do we have to go home? Cameron gets to stay! Not fair. With the promise of a return trip, hopefully next year, that seemed to keep him a little content, for now!
Friday, May 14, 2010
Some morning time with jacques cousteau
Yesterday was fun, some pool time, afreehula show, and plenty of Mai Tais.
We're all riding on a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine. Once aboard the reef dancer, we head out for our under water sea life adventure! Only takes a minute before we see a couple sharks! Picking up a bit of the food scraps in the marina frm the returning deep sea fishing boats. Saw plenty of triggerfish, some sea stars, even a green sea turtle chillaxin on the coral.
Next a little stroll down front street, stop in at the local bakery, then over to the bench under the banyan tree to enjoy some shave ice. Jack picked the flavors, green apple & blue raspberry, oh bonus at the bottom a scoop of vanlla ice cream, score!
One more pit stop on the way back to the condo at the surf lesson spot. Had a little chat with the instructor from Wednesday and the photographer about my Hawaiian Tattoo, they cut me a deal on the pics their photographer took of us surfing. I will try to post when I get home, as their on CD, pretty cool shots though! At least I'll post the shots where Adam and I are standing up hanging ten \M/
A little nap after some lunch and it's off to the pool for one last afternoon of splishing and splashing before we have to pack up. Tonight, Japanese food and watching the sunset.
We're all riding on a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine. Once aboard the reef dancer, we head out for our under water sea life adventure! Only takes a minute before we see a couple sharks! Picking up a bit of the food scraps in the marina frm the returning deep sea fishing boats. Saw plenty of triggerfish, some sea stars, even a green sea turtle chillaxin on the coral.
Next a little stroll down front street, stop in at the local bakery, then over to the bench under the banyan tree to enjoy some shave ice. Jack picked the flavors, green apple & blue raspberry, oh bonus at the bottom a scoop of vanlla ice cream, score!
One more pit stop on the way back to the condo at the surf lesson spot. Had a little chat with the instructor from Wednesday and the photographer about my Hawaiian Tattoo, they cut me a deal on the pics their photographer took of us surfing. I will try to post when I get home, as their on CD, pretty cool shots though! At least I'll post the shots where Adam and I are standing up hanging ten \M/
A little nap after some lunch and it's off to the pool for one last afternoon of splishing and splashing before we have to pack up. Tonight, Japanese food and watching the sunset.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Surfs up dude
Surfing lessons for Adam's birthday was awesome. Or should I say totally gnarly, dude. We had 30 minutes of sand/beach on board lessons, then off to the real deal. We ended up with about 90 minutes of surfing, and I ended up with what our instructors called a "Hawaii Tattoo." Basically, first wave up, I ended up losing balance and wiping out, natural instinct reach for something to hold on to. First thing I found, a large chunk of coral, and managed to slice open my hand. Long story short, I didn't let a flesh wound slow me down, I continued on surfing for the remaining 90 minutes, then ended up with a short drive to the medical center, 10 stitches later, all better. Actually, antibiotics, hydrocodone, and a Blue Hawaiian later, things are numb enough to get by.
More play time in the pool, apparently, Hazel managed to go down the big kid slide all by herself, while Jack and Cameron had to watch from the sidelines. After more pool time, some quick 2 hour naps, it was back to the pool, only this time, Pirate Ship pool time at Cameron's hotel.
Finish the evening with some tritip, good family dinner, and some more Leonetti, then a little frog hunting. Tonight, Nonna picked up a few flashlights for the kids, so they could spot the reptiles even easier.
Tomorrow should be filled with more stories of underwater adventure, hula dances, and of course, more pool time. Nite all!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Pirate ahoy!
Cameron, Jody, Tim, & Jeff arrived! Jack and Hazel were introduced to the coolest kid pool here, a mini pirate ship, with spraying water, two water slides, and a max depth of 1.5 feet. Once thd kids figured out they could go on their own, it was hard to keep up with them! Hazel found that going down the slide on her own was better than when I took her.
Off to another family dinner with all our empty stomachs and a little rain. Tia Juanas was good, Fajitas, chips and salsa, oversized appetizer nachos, glad I ordered them for dinner, and had a couple Dos XX's to wash em down.
A little sprinkle of rain didn't slow down thd frog hunt! Stopped off at the store for some fresh batteries, and a few free comic books (real estate guides). Found another 7-8 tonight, most just chillin, but at least two enjoying the quiet time. Jack said they were "best buddies," but I'll let you decide if it's something more by the pics.
Now off to sleep for plenty of rest before surf lessons with my little bro. Psyched to treat him to his birthday present here, and excited to try and hang ten, let's hope we can stay up!
Breakfast time!
After my 4.5 mile jog along the beachwalk, we had Papa's French Toast, some bacon and fresh pineapple. An hour of pool time, and off to the Sugar Cane train, all steam locomotive 120 minute trip to Lahina and back.
Along the way we make a stop at the first station, where we're encouraged to pick the local hibiscus, the tour guide says they feel depresssed if no one picks them. I hop off the train for a quick minute pick 6 or so for all the ladies in our group, and we're back on the track again.
After watching the engine disengage from the cars and used the turntable, the 67 year old locomotive then took us back on our return journey.
Lunch at Duke's on the beach, good drinks, good food, and great company. Popular favorite, ho daddy fish n chips, ice teas and blended Fu-Fu drinks.
Monday, May 10, 2010
Maui jumping frog
Sliding, sliding, and even more sliding, you'd think the water slide would get old, no way says Jackson. After a morning of pool time with Nonna & Papa, some lunch and a nap for all but Kristin who made us look bad by running 10 minutes on the treadmill another 35+ on the recumbent bike. After naps, and hour or two of more water slides and pool time, don't forget the Mai Tai's!
Post water time, a big pasta dinner with the family on the lanai, and of course some great wine. Hey, look at that Leonetti found his way over to Maui :)
Full from dinner, but not quite ready for bed, Nonna decides to take us all on a frog hunt. We snap a half dozen or more glow sticks and get the kids psyched to find some frogs. Within the first 10 feet of exiting the building, we start to see them. They were huge, as big as my fist if not bigger. Uncle Adam and Auntie Apy took several pictures while Papa decided to imitate them, or at least try to step right behind then so they jump.
Some wine, a Mai Tai or two (surprise huh) and we're retiring for bed. Have a good night, tomorrow Jody and Cameron arrive for some fun!
Post water time, a big pasta dinner with the family on the lanai, and of course some great wine. Hey, look at that Leonetti found his way over to Maui :)
Full from dinner, but not quite ready for bed, Nonna decides to take us all on a frog hunt. We snap a half dozen or more glow sticks and get the kids psyched to find some frogs. Within the first 10 feet of exiting the building, we start to see them. They were huge, as big as my fist if not bigger. Uncle Adam and Auntie Apy took several pictures while Papa decided to imitate them, or at least try to step right behind then so they jump.
Some wine, a Mai Tai or two (surprise huh) and we're retiring for bed. Have a good night, tomorrow Jody and Cameron arrive for some fun!
Talk about the best bike ride ever
How much more enjoyable could a 26 mile bike ride be? How about the whole thing is downhill, and you have to use the brakes 100x's more than you peddle once! Amazing smells, flowers everywhere, temperate weather, and no rain!
Stopped a few times for photo ops, churches, a few passing cars, and of course the most unbelievable bakery in Matsui. The Kamodo Bakery, phenominal coconut Danish, shaped long like a butterhorn, and light and flakey.
Now a little breakfast at "the best pancake place in town.". Macadamia nut banana pancakes with powdered sugar and whipped cream!
Stopped a few times for photo ops, churches, a few passing cars, and of course the most unbelievable bakery in Matsui. The Kamodo Bakery, phenominal coconut Danish, shaped long like a butterhorn, and light and flakey.
Now a little breakfast at "the best pancake place in town.". Macadamia nut banana pancakes with powdered sugar and whipped cream!
Get up to watch the sunrise? On vacation?
Seriously, who intentionally gets up way too many hours before they need to on vacation, in Hawaii no doubt!
Managed to breeze thru Maui at 2am, surprising not much traffic. Arrived right on time, along with 16 other half awake crazies.
At the summit, it's s balmy 48 degrees. Sunrise was amazing, overheard frequent phrase at picture time, "aim high to grab the color, slowly pan down, smiles all around, and perfect." Now, to warm up in the van down to the drop point.
Managed to breeze thru Maui at 2am, surprising not much traffic. Arrived right on time, along with 16 other half awake crazies.
At the summit, it's s balmy 48 degrees. Sunrise was amazing, overheard frequent phrase at picture time, "aim high to grab the color, slowly pan down, smiles all around, and perfect." Now, to warm up in the van down to the drop point.
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