Wednesday

Steve, Stefan and Jaclyn went on a snorkeling expedition this morning. Here's Steve's story:

The pictures on the travel brochures, that's how most people would visualise Hawaii! But like all pictures, they're crafted to tell a story. And the ones you see from Hawaii make you believe that it's a tropical paradise. Well having seen the sites and experienced the culture, tasted the food, smelt the air, etc, for a week now, I feel qualified to say that it's not quite like you imagine! Yes, it's a beautiful place, that's for sure, and the people are really nice, but everything is jolly expensive and it's not as serene as it's made out to be! However, like any place, you've either got to know about the places to go and see or go and find them! Boy, did we come across a beauty today: Hanauma Bay. 

 Hanauma Bay

 

Hanauma Bay is one of the most popular snorkeling places on the Island. Apparently three million visitors come and have a look and swim here each year. It's full of reef called coralline algae, home to many varieties of colourful fish as well as turtles. Too bad we didn't have an underwater camera! Swimming with the turtles was truly amazing. They gracefully glide through the water and appear not to be alarmed by onlookers; I even stroked one as I swam directly above it! We were truly awe inspired at our Lord God's creating and sustaining power.

Getting ready to explore the reef

A common Hawaiian gesture: Aloha, Hang Loose

After returning back "home" by mid afternoon, Jaclyn and I thought we'd try out the surf on Waikiki beach. We loaned some boogie boards from the hotel and caught a few waves. We're hoping to go back tomorrow as we need some more practise! It's amazing watching others do it, they can ride the wave for a long time, zig zagging as they go!

 Waikiki beach. You can see Diamond Head crater in the background.

Did you know that most of the sand on Waikiki beach is imported from California and Australia--

no wonder we felt right at home, we were on home turf!

 On the left hand side of the pier, a wall provides a barrier for the surf, it's like a swimming pool.

Fiona took the two younger girls for a swim on this side. After body boarding, Jaclyn and I joined Fiona and the girls. The temperature of the beach water is nice and warm, cool enough for a swim, but warm enough not to want to get out! 

 Can you spot Fiona and the girls. They're right in the middle, Fiona is wearing a white shirt and she's standing at the edge of the water holding the string attached to the boogie board.

Jaclyn with two of her darling sisters

We had a hard time convincing the girls it was time to go "home". We managed to persuade them by promising a swim in the pool and spa at the hotel; there was method in our madness: it was a nice way to wash off all the salt water!

 And Shantel's second tooth came out today! She could even poke her tongue through. That's what the other kids in her class could do!

And Taleesha gained her confidence and can swim on her own (but with her floatie on)!

Tuesday

Our adventure continues! Hurricane Flossie fizzled out to just drizzle.
Today it all cleared up and was as humid as ever!

We got up early as we were going on the Pearl Harbour tour. We had to be ready in front of our hotel at 6:45am. So after an early breakfast, we preceded down the lifts (we are on the 31st of 34 levels) and waited for the bus. It come around 7 and we then went through the tour formalities and where we came from etc. "So any Aussies", we and the people behind us call out "yes". The lady behind said to me, "what part?" I answered, "Perth". She replied, "yeah me too. Armadale". I said, "so are we!". I said, "well really, Seville Grove. She said, "me too!". Unbelievable, half way round the world and we sit in front of people that live in the same suburb on the same tour on the same day!! They lived just off Poad Street!

Anyway, we started off by going past some state buildings and memorials in Honolulu.

In front of our tour bus

State Building. Pillars represent palm trees and the cone out in the water represents a volcano

The High Court

From there we went to Pearl Harbour and started off with a tour on the USS Missouri. She was involved in the Gulf War and Dessert Storm. She was a looong ship, about 3 feet longer than the Titanic. All very interesting.

USS Missouri

After that, we watched a documentary on the attack of Pearl Harbour. Very moving but informative. We then went by a shuttle boat to the USS Arizona Memorial which sank and entombed 1177 crewmen who died when the ship sank. The memorial is placed over the mid-section of the ship where you can see parts of the ship below. 

One of the gun turrets. You can see an oil slick which is oil still leaking from one of the hatches.

List of names of those lost on the battleship

The memorial we were in that is over the USS Arizona

A model showing the ship and the memorial

On the shuttle boat

We then went to Punchbowl Memorial which is in a crater and named so because it looks like a punchbowl upside down. This memorial/graveyard is dedicated to the servicemen and their families who died in service in the Pacific.

Punchbowl Memorial

View looking towards Waikiki. The landmark at the back is the Diamond Head Crater which we can see from our apartment

Heading back we cooled off at the pool. Had KFC for dinner, but so different than back at home!
No chips, scone-looking dinner buns and Jaclyn was not impressed!

The pool and our tower. Our apartment faces the other side

The kids playground. The two girls are down the bottom.

Sunbathing on the pool deck chairs

The pond filled with huge koi in the foyer of our hotel

We have just a few days left here in Hawaii before we move on. 

We are thankful we could have this time as our holiday.

Also happy 12th birthday Jayden! May God bless you in the year ahead.

Monday

Well, today we had intentions of getting up early (which we sort of still did - 7am) and use the hire car to go and find a beach and swim and relax for the day. However, it was clouded over with rain, so we didn't hurry too much. After breakfast, we packed our picnic bag and while we were doing that, one of the kids turned on the TV. They were just doing a news report on an approaching hurricane (Flossie) and that we were advised to not head into the mountains due to possible flash flooding, wet and dangerous road conditions etc. We revised our plans and decided to return the car as we still could without being charged another day. So Steve and I went and brought the car back and walked back to our hotel (via Starbucks for a coffee!).

It was mostly drizzling but nobody minded the rain. It was business as usual. The rain made it more humid and so as soon as the sun did come out, it was warm and you dried up in no time! After lunch, Stefan and Jaclyn went off by themselves and did a bit of shopping. 

Starbucks coffee and looking a lot better!

Steve and I took the little girls and hopped on one of the trolleys that constantly do circuits around town. The one we took was the shopping one, so we got to see Waikiki and the big shopping centres. For Taleesha, it got a bit too much and boring!

A sleeping Taleesha

We headed back and had a bbq dinner inside the apartment! We have not had or experienced any affects of the hurricane yet, so we'll wait and see.

A beautiful rainbow right out our window, with Diamond Head crater on the right

The same view out of our window but a bit rainy and cloudy! The park area is a golf course with the rectangular area just right of the centre being a shooting range

Tomorrow, we hope to do the Pearl Harbour tour and will be picked up at the front of our hotel at 6:45am. Early rise!

Sunday

After waffles and maple syrup for breakfast we made our way to the Trinity Presbyterian Church in Kailua. Different than what we're used to: guitars, drums and the piano! The message was good and the people very friendly. We then drove to Lanikai Beach which was packed with people. Then we headed down south toward Makapuu Point. Heaps of people with kites were soaring the skies.

Makapuu Point

From there we carried on past Koko crater and Sandy beach, Hanuma Bay where Steve, Jaclyn and Stefan hope to do a snorkel expedition on Wednesday. We passed the Diamond Head crater which we can see from our apartment window and where Steve and I hope to do a walking tour at 6am on Thursday and walk to the top! Hope we're fit enough!

View coming towards Waikiki

So much of Hawaii is mountains! Very majestic with the tops in the clouds.

No sure what the front part is but the idea was the mountains in the clouds!

The afternoon was just a quiet one and after sandwiches for dinner, we walked to Waikiki beach and watched the sunset and a Polynesian dance.

Shantel at Waikiki beach

Polynesian Dance

 

 

Short video of the dance

After our walk, we got in our bathers and had a quick swim and a warm up in the spa! Beautiful!

We had a nice day and are enjoying ourselves immensely. Stefan is on the mend after be drugged up with Advil, throat sprays and lozenges!

We are thankful that we are nearly all 100% again and look forward to a week of tours and relaxing.

Saturday

After a good night's rest, Steve and Stefan headed off to Thrifty's to pick up our hire car. It was just over a kilometre away. Our car is a black Dodge Caravan, 7 seater with two car seats for the little girls. We packed some food supplies and headed off, first to find the church we hope to attend on Sunday.

Our three day transport

After finding the church (Trinity Presbyterian Church), we headed up towards the north shore. Around lunch time we stopped at Kualoa for a bite to eat. It was amazing to be at the beach at the base of the mountain ranges with the tops in the clouds.

Moving on we stopped at some local markets and bought a few Hawaiian clothes! Shantel loved her dance dress! 

The girls in the new dresses!

And since the locals love their shaved ices, we tried them as well. They were huge cones of ice which they drizzle with three different flavoured syrups. Lots of choices: banana, watermelon, bubblegum, vanilla, strawberry and so many more I can't remember them. All went well until Steve's fell apart all over him and on the car seat! It was quite funny but a mess to clean up!

The shaved ices and Steve blending in with the locals!

Shortly after we found a nice beach so Steve and kids all went for a swim.

 
 By then it was getting quite late and time we headed back to Waikiki. We found our way back using common sense since both our phones had gone flat :(   The kids were showered and after Macdonalds for dinner, they went to bed and I updated the blog!

Friday

Friday we awoke at around 8am and slowly got motivated to get up and out. Stefan was feeling a tad better but still not much energy. After breakfast we headed to the shops to get a few more supplies and get our phones activated. Stefan stayed in our room and slept some more. We got our phones going, so if you'd like our numbers, please drop us an email and we will pass them on. Before going shopping (and remembering we have no transport, just a pram to load up our supplies), we headed to Lennards Bakery who make the best donuts. Yum! They were just so airy and warm and sugary! We then went to Foodlands and did our shopping. After the checkout we spent quite some time arranging it all in the pram, and then had to carry Taleesha as she was all tuckered out and not interested in walking all that way. It was quite warm too so we were very relieved to be back in our air-conditioned room! The rest of the afternoon we just took it easy and then headed to the pool area where they have lots of bbqs. We had pork sausages which they call wursts, with tiny little patties which we expected to be the size of the hamburgers back home! The little kids went to bed and I updated the blog!

Recreation deck on the 6th floor

Our wursts, steak and patties!

The cook!

The view from our lanai (balcony) during the day

And the same view at night

Tomorrow we hope to pick up our hire car and tour the island and check out some beaches.