On September 28th we left Arizona in style and flew ✈ first class. Our first leg was to San Francisco.
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| We are like kids acting like it is our first time flying first class. I love the look on the woman's face in the background. |
We arrived in Honolulu, picked up our rental car and headed for the IHG Army Hotel. Basically an old barracks building being run by Holiday Inn. I even earned points for staying here. We checked in about 9:30 pm Hawaii time. At the counter was a Welcome sign!
Rob's first meal in Hawaii was from the Thai Shack. He was so excited! We drove through Pearl Harbor and saw where Rob's ship was docked many moons ð ð ago. There was an Army ship in the berth now.
We then went over to Hickham Air Force Base and spent a little time on the beach ⛱. You can sit there and watch the planes take off. Right on the beach is The Lanai at Mamala Bay so we went for drinks and dinner.
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| Pacific Salad |
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| Nut Crusted Ono |
We took a drive around the Island ð, our first stop was the Lanai Lookout.
Our next stop was the Halona Blowout Lookout.
Makapu'u Lookout! This is where Rob met his soul mate. She told Rob you can hold on to me as long as you like. She even told me, just because I look at the menu doesn't mean I'm going to order.
We had been looking for a spot to eat. We finally found this tent on the side of the road offering $5 BBQ Plates, perfect exactly what we were looking for. The woman told us I will hook you up with the special. Rob is like, okay. Well $40 later we had the special and a lot of food. Tray one had LauLau (pork wrapped in taro leaves), Kalua pig, macaroni salad (made with spaghetti noodles), and white rice. Second tray had BBQ chicken, lilikol smoked meat ð, and garlic shrimp over rice. ð
We drove to a nearby park and enjoyed our feast.
According to little Ms. Google, for the month of September, we traveled 2,049 miles. On September 16th we walked more than any other day with over 15 miles (I think this is incorrect). We also covered 3,089 miles flying.
On October 1st, we checked out of our hotel and hiked Tripler Ridge Trail ðĢ.
Time for a trip to the Commissary and Exchange. We are going to have some home cooked meals!
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| Baked chicken with potatoes and carrots ðĨ |
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| Beef roast with mashed potatoes ðĨ, broccoli ðĨĶ, and a salad ðĨ |
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| Scrambled eggs ðĨ with spinach over toast with a fruit salad ððð |
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| Spaghetti ð and meatballs ð§ with a caprese ð ð§ |
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| Chicken ð Avocado ðĨ Burgers with Corn ð― on the cob |
We had to go to the Barefoot Bar at the Hale Koa for a Mai Tai and Sunset.
Back home for a Champagne ðū Toast to celebrate our month in Oahu.
We returned the rental car back to the airport and we decided to take the bus to Chinatown. OMG was that an adventure trying to figure out where to catch the bus ð. We eventually figured it out and made it to Chinatown.
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| Pad Thai |
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| Seafood Spicy Soup ðē |
I finally taught Rob how to play Dominoes, he is not a fan.
We have gotten in some Waikiki beach time. I even had a kid wipe me out with his boogie board.
These tourists just picked up a surfboard and started posing and taking pictures. The owner just patiently waited for them to finish. Reminded me of when people would climb on someone's boat at Rod n Reel and pose and take pictures.
Mai Tai's at the Mai Tai Bar at the Royal Hawaiian are a must! Susan is the best and she makes a mean drink. This is our favorite spot for Mai Tai's.
We stopped at the Five Star Poke Truck for dinner. It was good, but not spectacular. Wished we would have went to Maguro Spot, they always have a line.
We watched football at Kuhio Food Hall. Great bartenders and great prices especially during happy hour 2 to 5 same time the late game is on. If you have Lee as your bartender you get a magical ðĐ experience. #MagicLeeHawaii We also tried Giovanni Pastrami lots of tv's and the French fries ð were awesome.
If you are looking for a dive bar Kelley O'Neil is your place. We have been here a couple of times and the music ðķ is good. They have a happy hour until 8 pm. It's across the street from Moose McGillicutty's - Rob's old hang out that burned down years ago.
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| Eddie S |
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| Michael D |
On Sunday Dukes Waikiki is the place to be, thanks to Jimmy Buffet. The music by Henry Kapono was really good, even the locals come to listen. We had a fun afternoon.
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| Duke's Cheeseburger |
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| Falafel Naan Sandwich |
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| Homemade udon noodles ð |
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| Tempura |
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| Curry Nikutama Made to order udon noodles served with seasoned sweet beef and soft egg in Curry broth |
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| Nikutama & Shrimp Tempura ðĪ Made to order udon noodles served with sweet and savory flavored beef, hot spring egg, and Kake sauce |
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| Spam Musibi |
Another good place to eat was the Rainbow ðDrive-In. We went for brunch and tried their Loco Moco. Loco Moco is a hamburger patty and fried egg served over white rice with brown gravy. The macaroni salad served on the side was really good. The best I've ever had.
On October 14th, Nick and Shae arrived! They had a long day of travel so we had a chill evening at home. On the 15th we started our morning off with breakfast at the Rainbow ð Drive-In. Nick and Shae had Fried rice with 2 eggs and sweet bread French toast. Rob had corned beef hash with gravy and egg and I had the macadamia nut pancakes.
October is Pride month in Hawaii and they celebrated with a Pride Parade and Festival. We attended part of the parade.
The guy we are renting from flew in from Vegas. According to him he was the main attraction. We did not see him, but he sent Rob pictures.
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We all checked out the beach before Rob took us all on a tour of the island.
Everyone was ready for a little snack ð so we stopped at George's truck. George was pushing the plate lunch. Rob and Nick ordered a cold coconut and a poke bowl ðĨĢ, George said I give you sample of everything plate. Next thing you know $10 for coconut ðĨĨ, $10 for poke, $20 for plate lunch. We were not a fan of George's, but his Laulau was actually good.
We've been wanting Sushi since we arrived and tonight we finally went to the Sushi Spot - right down the street from our condo. We ordered jalapeÃąo poppers, edamme and four rolls. Super delicious ð!
On October 16th, we decided to hike ðķ♀️ ðķ♂️ ðķ♂️ ðķ♀️ the Pali Notches Trail ðĢ even after reading that it is known for being one of the the most dangerous but stunning hikes in Oahu with steep and rocky cliffs and only recommended for advanced hikers and climbers. We checked out the overlook (Pali Lookout) before starting our hike.
Well, 2 seconds into climbing the very first part my feet slipped several times and I decided it was safer if I did not go. All I needed to do was slip and break a hip. Rob helped me climb back down and Nick and Shae continued on. After returning me to 'base camp', Rob scampered up to join Nick and Shae. They completed most of the hike, but did not continue to the end because it was pretty much the side of a cliff. In all the hikes we have been on Rob said this was his favorite - probably because I didn't slow him down. lol
After they finished the hike it was off to Aloha Stadium for the Swap Meet. It was stall after stall of stuff, swimsuits, hats, belts, bags, purses.
Drinks, sunset, pizza and wings, oh what a night.
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| Barefoot Bar @ Hale Koa |
OMG, I think they are attempting to kill me. Today, October 17th, we were up and out by 5:30 am, yes that is correct, am. We were hiking Diamond ð Head to see the sunrise. As you can image Nick and Shae made it to the top way before we did.
We toured the Dole Plantation on the Pineapple Express.
Toured the Plantation Gardens.
A few Pineapple ð tidbits: Pineapples do not ripen anymore once they are picked. You should rinse the Pineapple ð so it is less acidic. Top off a heavy meal with a slice of Pineapple.
Luau at the Hale Koa. We all got Lei'd
I'm telling you they really are trying to take me out, today we did the Koko Crater Railway Trail ðĢ. The railway station was used during WWII to transport people and supplies to and from the military bunkers at the top. The railway was built between 1942 and 1943. It was only a 1.6 mile out and back, which is nothing, but the trail heads up at 990 ft at a very steep incline with 1,048 steps ðķ♂️ ðķ♀️ ðķ♂️ ðķ♀️. The top of the summit is 1208 ft above sea level.
I thought the view was better from down lower, but still very pretty ð. Glad I made it to the top.
After the wonderful hike we headed to Sandy beach ⛱ for lunch and a refreshing dip in the water. The waves were breaking like crazy ðĪŠ, there is a warning sign for dangerous shore break. Rob put his feet in and Nick and Shae went all in, I stayed up in the sand.
We went to the Mai Tai Bar for a much needed Susan's Mai Tai. Susan took care of us.
Dinner was at the Kuhio Avenue Food Hall, Nick and Shae had Tacos and Rob and I had Ramen.
On October 19th, we went on a kayak adventure. It started out as a perfect morning. We had the perfect weather. We got our little briefing on how to get to the beach. Our first destination was the flat island.
Our next stop was Mokulua Island a State Wildlife Sanctuary. Rob struggled to get us there as I am not much help. When I did "help" my paddle was never in sync with his. Once we got on Shore there was a seal sunbathing on the beach.
We enjoyed lunch ð and another seal showed up all the attention and he was afraid to come ashore. The winds had already started to pick up, but we explored a little before deciding it was time to head back.
We were told to head back no later than 1 pm since the weather was going to pick up. We left a little after noon and yes the weather picked up. Again, Rob struggled with rowing us back and I helped as much as I could (I'm a weakling). Everyone was passing us, like we weren't even moving. We finally made it to a beach for a break and realized the snorkeling equipment on the back was over the side dragging like an anchor. Aftrer a short break we paddled the rest of the way. We barely made it back.
We enjoyed dinner at To Thai For recommended by the bartender at Kelley O'Neils. Pad Thai spicy and no spice and 2 orders of Spicy Fried Rice. Definitely recommend.
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| Pad Thai |
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| Spicy Fried Rice |
Rob and I had a pretty relaxing morning on October 20th, Nick and Shae left early to hike The Crouching Lion Trail ðĢ. Nick was very nervous and Rob and I were very excited. Nick was planning on proposing at the top of the mountain ⛰. He even hired a photographer to take engagement ð photos ðļ. We were patiently (you all know how patient Rob is) waiting for them to return, as it kept getting later and later. We kept checking social media and nothing, no phone call, we were starting to get worried. Finally, they walked in the door and Shae yelled I'M A FIANCÃE.
The dinner was phenomenal. Our waiter Tyson started by offering a round of Champagne ðū.
We are very excited for the happy couple. Photos by Right Frame Photography.
On Friday the kids scheduled a swim ð♂️ with the sharks ðĶ adventure. Good thing Nick proposed the day before. I think Shae might have fed him to the sharks ðĶ. Rob and I decided to tag along and hang out on the North Shore while they went swimming ð♀️. Well, as we were driving Shae received a call canceling the adventure, the water was too rough. So we spent the morning exploring the North Shore.
Finished the evening off with Mai Tai's from Susan, Sunset, fireworks ð,and a little dancing.
Fireworks every Friday night by Hilton Hawaii, you can see pretty much from any place on the beach.
Manoa Falls Trail a 1.7 mile out and back with an elevation gain of 633 ft.
Nick and Shae taught us how to play Heads Up (wished I would have gotten pictures), it was hilarious. They also, taught us to play Queen's.
On Sunday the kids were able to go on their swim with the sharks ðĶ ðĶ. They said it was amazing, they were so glad they rebooked. Afterwards they went snorkeling at Sharks Cove, recommended by locals Lido and Kathy, who said it was better than Haname Bay. Nick and Shae had a great time.
We were all disappointed that we could not tour the Arizona Memorial. I tried to obtain tickets prior, but due to maintenance Issues they were not releasing additional tickets.
Shae did a great job planning an itinerary, it about killed me, but it was awesome.
We flew to Kauai to spend 4 nights.
Our resort was in Princeville, it was a very nice 2 bed ð 2 bathroom condo. Only problem was no air conditioning.
Almost 15 years to the date we finally made it back to the beach we were married on. We had discussed coming back every five years which never worked out. Anini Beach!
I didn't do a great job of capturing our time here, I was not up to par, my apologies Nick and Shae made us dinner, it was nice to have a homemade meal not cooked by me. They taught us another card game, Bullshit. Here are random pictures of our time
We arrived back in Oahu for a little beach time and of course for our very last Susan's Mai Tai. We even had reserved seating.
Today Saturday October 19th was a sad ð morning. Rob, Nick, Shae and I went for breakfast at Rainbow ð Drive-In before they headed to the airport. We had a great time and the two weeks went by so quickly. Rob and I cried ð as they drove off.
Halloween in Waikiki!
We met several locals over the course of our month here, in Hawaii. They gave us suggestions on places they liked, this list is the places we were not able to check out. Koa Pancake, Eagle Cafe (any meal), Liliha Bakery (the one on Nimitz, better than Leonard's), Murphy's in Chinatown, and Side Street Inn on Da Strip, and Buzz's Steak House.
According to little Ms. Google, for the month of October, we only traveled 805 miles, our shortest. On October 17th we walked more than any other day, our hike up Diamond Head. We did 5 miles worth of kayaking.
Stay tuned ð! Planes, Trains, Boats, and Tuk Tuks are in our future
"I left my heart in Hawaii." - Unknown Author
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