Post by elementary on Nov 10, 2012 14:22:39 GMT -5
My wife had a business trip to Hawaii in September and because so much was already paid for, we decided to make a family trip out of it. The last time I was there was in 1980, and boy has it changed. Waikiki was so built up, it seemed like more Beverly Hills with its high end stores than a tropical island. The weather was nice, and food good, but still, it took me a couple days to unwind to the point of actually feeling like it was a vacation (the prior week at school had been bothersome). Part of it, I would guess, would be having my daughter there, as well. Walking around I always had to keep part of my mind focused on her and her wants/needs, and she is such the explorer type, it was a little draining. (NOT THAT I AM COMPLAINING THAT I WAS ABLE TO GO - mind you...just stating conditions.)
So anyways,
We flew out on a Saturday morning and arrived in Oahu with little incident. Our hotel was at the Hilton resort on Waikiki for the first couple nites, after which we would be transferring over to the Marriot.
Here's the view from out first room:
They upgraded us at the desk to a nice, high floor family suite which pleasantly surprised us. It was big and roomy and had space for Becca to run around in.
The next day we headed out to Waimea Falls on the north shore.
It is a botanical garden as well as a park. It is filled with blossoms from all over the world, and birds flittered everywhere, most - we read later - imported from elsewhere.
There were also structures replicating the buildings the natives used centuries before, and a couple shrines as well - oh and mosquitos.
(my daughter liked the buildings... and the fish in the pond by the waterfall)
(and the Hawaiian shaved ice at the end of the trail)
We drove back towards our hotel and stopped for lunch at a little sandwich placed filled with locals that a couple people in the souvenir shop had told us about. It was pretty good.
We also visited a soap factory located in an old sugar mill.
The next day was spent at Haunama Bay snorkling. Becca loved it. She was a natural in her flippers and mask, though she complained about the salty water afterwards. This was another place that had been changed since my last visit in terms of rules and oversight. Years ago you could bring bread to feed the fish to get them to approach. Now that was expressly forbidden and you had to work to get them to care about you. I saw a lot of great, colorful fish, but my wife saw the best, a snowflake eel.
That night we allowed Becca to buy one of those oysters guaranteed to have a pearl. She picked a winner - it had two! We drilled one and made it into a necklace, and the other is now displayed in what we call our Cabinet of Curiosities - which is a carrying case filled with all the cool things becca finds (and rocks she steals from me...)
The following day (Tuesday) my wife had to work, so it was a Becca/Daddy day. I asked Becca where she wanted to go, and she indicated the Zoo. It's a neat little zoo located in the shadow of Diamondhead, and Becca had a lot of fun running around and playing in the children's section. It was not the most intriguing place for me, but she was happy.
It was here my camera battery died....
The last full day Becca and I spent at Waikiki beach. We went snorkling and she played in waves for the first time, giggling as each one lifted her up and lowered he gently back down. We also dove for little pieces of bleached white coral that the tide pushed up from the sand.
That afternoon we took a bus around town and stopped at the mall. I was hoping to get a book that showcased the history of travel posters as I really like that romanticized imagery. What I found was a food court filled with stalls bearing steaming samples from all over the world. Damn, that place was a trove of regional cuisine.
Becca and I flew out a day before my wife. For a five hour trip, my daughter was an angel. Couldn't have been better for being couped up so long in a metal tube.
There is a chance my wife will be sent back next year. I'm hoping to return and see more of the island.
thanks for lookin'
Lowell
So anyways,
We flew out on a Saturday morning and arrived in Oahu with little incident. Our hotel was at the Hilton resort on Waikiki for the first couple nites, after which we would be transferring over to the Marriot.
Here's the view from out first room:
They upgraded us at the desk to a nice, high floor family suite which pleasantly surprised us. It was big and roomy and had space for Becca to run around in.
The next day we headed out to Waimea Falls on the north shore.
It is a botanical garden as well as a park. It is filled with blossoms from all over the world, and birds flittered everywhere, most - we read later - imported from elsewhere.
There were also structures replicating the buildings the natives used centuries before, and a couple shrines as well - oh and mosquitos.
(my daughter liked the buildings... and the fish in the pond by the waterfall)
(and the Hawaiian shaved ice at the end of the trail)
We drove back towards our hotel and stopped for lunch at a little sandwich placed filled with locals that a couple people in the souvenir shop had told us about. It was pretty good.
We also visited a soap factory located in an old sugar mill.
The next day was spent at Haunama Bay snorkling. Becca loved it. She was a natural in her flippers and mask, though she complained about the salty water afterwards. This was another place that had been changed since my last visit in terms of rules and oversight. Years ago you could bring bread to feed the fish to get them to approach. Now that was expressly forbidden and you had to work to get them to care about you. I saw a lot of great, colorful fish, but my wife saw the best, a snowflake eel.
That night we allowed Becca to buy one of those oysters guaranteed to have a pearl. She picked a winner - it had two! We drilled one and made it into a necklace, and the other is now displayed in what we call our Cabinet of Curiosities - which is a carrying case filled with all the cool things becca finds (and rocks she steals from me...)
The following day (Tuesday) my wife had to work, so it was a Becca/Daddy day. I asked Becca where she wanted to go, and she indicated the Zoo. It's a neat little zoo located in the shadow of Diamondhead, and Becca had a lot of fun running around and playing in the children's section. It was not the most intriguing place for me, but she was happy.
It was here my camera battery died....
The last full day Becca and I spent at Waikiki beach. We went snorkling and she played in waves for the first time, giggling as each one lifted her up and lowered he gently back down. We also dove for little pieces of bleached white coral that the tide pushed up from the sand.
That afternoon we took a bus around town and stopped at the mall. I was hoping to get a book that showcased the history of travel posters as I really like that romanticized imagery. What I found was a food court filled with stalls bearing steaming samples from all over the world. Damn, that place was a trove of regional cuisine.
Becca and I flew out a day before my wife. For a five hour trip, my daughter was an angel. Couldn't have been better for being couped up so long in a metal tube.
There is a chance my wife will be sent back next year. I'm hoping to return and see more of the island.
thanks for lookin'
Lowell
