Bellini-induced Brain Freeze

Honor and Family August 3, 2006 Waikiki travel tip: If you’re interested in seeing Pearl Harbor DO go as early as you can. We had read this piece of advice in several sources and only in one guidebook did it actually suggest that wait times may be shorter in the afternoon. Trust us, even if you show up at 11:30AM, note that it’s not even afternoon yet, you will be TOO late to catch a tour. This is just based on personal experience. But don’t you worry your pretty little heads, we woke up at 5 so we would be ready for TheBus that would get us to Pearl Harbor a couple of minutes after 7:30 (when the visitor centre opens). We actually had a sit-down breakfast, which caused us to catch TheBus later than planned, so we got there at 8 instead. The line did not seem too long, it coiled around once on itself on the lawn. It was I would say 8:45 by the time we got into the centre and were handed our tour tickets. We would be on tour 11, 10:15am. This gave us plenty of time to take the...

Tour of beauty August 2, 2006 Today was our Grand Circle Isle tour. It’s really hard to convey through words everything we saw. I’m certain it will not sound like very much, even looking at my pictures they do not look like a whole lot, but I have lots of memories and that’s all that matters. First off, before our tour even started, we texted Civic and waved to him from the Duke Kahanamoku statue. The night before when we visited Duke a guy said that we were on the internet. I was glad that he explained himself since it sounded kind of sketchy his claim that I was on the ‘net. Turns out there’s a webcam that looks down on the statue 24 hours a day. So this morning we surprised Civic when we asked him to check out the statue and he found us standing there. Heehee. Our first picture stop was at Hanauma Bay. Despite all their warnings about protecting the reef (Daisy went back to snorkel there on a later day, they make you watch a video about the reef before you enter the water) t...

Rise Up August 1, 2006 This morning was our “welcome breakfast” put together by Aloha V.I.P. tours. Daisy was raring to get on with the rest of our day, and I did not blame her one bit, but this was just something I had to do so I would be able to let everyone back home know if it’s worth their while or not. (A few friends of the family are going to Honolulu in the next couple months. It’s like a Hawaiian revival amongst the social circle.) It was a little hokey as they placed fake flower leis around your neck as you pose for a picture in the hotel’s garden. Apparently they used to take your picture as soon as you deplaned with your real leis. But given that some tourists arrive late at night and look a bit haggard after their long flight the pictures would turn out a tad undesirable. Now they take it the morning after so that you are refreshed and looking your best. A phoney arrival photo, yours for 18 dollars! We passed. Yes, the breakfast did take a bit long (I think it wa...

Surf’s Up Before I forget, Lahaina Shores Beach Resort was the hotel where we stayed while we were in Lahaina. GREAT location! Very nice room, too. Huuuge closet (if you’re planning to stay a long time this is great), a dignified kitchenette (though we only ever used the coffeemaker, fridge, and microwave) and a great bathroom. I don’t know what those are called when the sink is in a separate “room” from the toilet and the shower/tub…but those always come in handy, especially in the morning. Another thing I forgot to mention: If you do decide to take surf lessons and they give you the option between short and long-sleeved rashguards go with the long sleeves. Trust me . No, it is not hot wearing the rashguards. Yes, you will still tan under the rashguards (so make sure you get your shoulders and your back and backs of your legs since you’ll be face down in the water for most of your lesson. Don’t forget your face!) But those long-sleeves will save you a lot of grief in the lon...

Walk on July 30, 2006 I forgot to mention: first swimsuit I donned for my first day in paradise? A bikini! 3 cheers for me, I had never done anything like that before. Mind you, I felt like I was “popping out” of this particular top so I never wore it again the rest of my trip, but it was still a first to celebrate! Snafu no. 1: We weren’t able to find an available tour for this morning’s sunrise at Haleakala Crater so for now it remains on my “must-do”s for my next Hawaiian adventure. But even with that glitch in our itinerary, we were not lacking for things to do in Lahaina. We had breakfast at a quaint little joint called the Sunrise Café. Great breakfast, and I could almost swear that it was owned by a warm-hearted Filipino couple. (Yes, I’m bad with identifying Filipinos, but Lahaina had LOTS of them….just my hotel front desk alone was manned by no less than 3 Filipinos. One of them even commented on my great surname when I was checking out. Reminding me that it is the s...

And away we go Since I did not bother with keeping up my travel journal last week, I better write down everything I can remember before it all fades away. July 29, 2006 Everyone was stunned when I told them about how much I was taking with me for my one week in Hawaii. What can I say? I tend to pack the world with me. Four pairs of shoes? A bit much? I didn’t think so, they were all going to serve their own purpose. Hiking shoes for Diamond Head, flip flops for the beach, my trusty Pumas for long walks sightseeing, and some dressy sandals for the flights there and back. We were going to try and dress the part of business class passengers in hopes of an upgrade. It never worked. Let’s see, what else…at least 10 tops, only one of which had sleeves and those were short (you all know me, I wilt easily in the heat) and one long sleeve yoga zip-up…but I expected to only use it on the plane. A sundress for the luau, two pairs of shorts, and a skort. Forget about jeans, I don’t thi...