Hawaiian Vacation Part 6- Oahu

Today was a low key day. I think I have worn everyone out to the point where they don't want to do anything anymore. This morning we went on our snorkel cruise. I really enjoyed the snorkeling. We saw turtles and fish. The turtles were my favorite since I have developed a new found love for them in the last 6 months. I think TJ really enjoyed snorkeling. He is a great swimmer so he was able to dive deep and see alot. I on the other hand could only go a few inches below the water! LOL! I haven't mastered the dive concept. I wouldn't say mom enjoyed snorkeling. She tried it then enjoyed the boat! Ha! I took a ton of pictures with a waterproof camera! I can't wait to get those developed. Until then we will have to do with the few we took with the regular camera!

The rest of the afternoon was pretty much filled with rest. I protested, but when the rest of the group threatens to mutiny you don't have much of a choice but to let them rest. We spent the evening on the beach watching the sunset. Tomorrow they have no choice but to do what is on my plan! We have already reserved the tickets to Pearl Harbor and bought our luau tickets! So take that!

Until next time,

Leigha

Hawaiian Vacation Part 5-Oahu

Today we left our sweet little home on the Big Island for Oahu! Before we headed out we snapped a couple of pictures with the Pemberton's. We had such a lovely time and I hope we can come back to Hawai'i really soon to see TJ's family again!

We arrived at Hilo International and went through baggage check etc. My sweet and amazing husband left a huge knife in his carry on bag so he caused a bit of a delay.When we finally took off the view from my window was stunning! It is cool to think we literally drove all the way around the Big Island over the last few days!

We landed in Honolulu and headed to have lunch with TJ's Uncle Paul and Cousins Kelly and Eric. We ate at a restaurant called Zippy's. I have never really noticed until now that there are two very distinct sides to my husband. He is VERY redneck Arkansas and he also is very Hawaiian. For example, we have white rice at nearly every meal. It doesn't really matter what it is, TJ makes rice. Well turns out that's how they do it here in Hawai'i. Everything on their menus has rice somehow mixed in. At least at all the local places we ate. Anyways, lunch with the family was great. Getting to know how dynamic and fun TJ's family is makes me want to visit them more! I am so happy they are my family now too! :)

Once we made it to Waikiki and checked into our hotel, we FINALLY headed to the beach! We had been in Hawai'i for 5 days and had yet to put on a swimsuit! There just weren't many places to swim on the Hilo side that weren't all lava rock for shoreline. The water was amazing and I pretty much love the ocean!

We just swam for a little bit before the sun went down. Mom and I headed to dinner and TJ went back to rest. We ate at Shore Bird right on the beach. It was so fun! We had to pick our own meat then we went and grilled it ourselves.

We were nervous cooking our own meat, but we lived...so far! LOL! Next up on Leigha's Itinerary 'O Fun is snorkeling and hopefully a climb up Diamond Head! Woo Hoo!

Oh and just for the record! I have never been teased so much for having an excel spreadsheet for a vacation! However, where would we be without it hmmm? Lost. That's where! :)

Aloha,
Leigha

Hawaiian Vacation Part 4- Big Island

Well, let me tell you about today. It started off a little rough. It involved lava rock and a car. That's all I'm sayin! Once we got past that we headed out on our 3 hour trek to the other side of the island. It was a long long long long drive, in the rain. I was driving and managed to get lost more than once! We were trying to get to Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Park. It was the Place of Refuge in 1550. Those who were too old, too young, or unable to fight in wars, defeated warriors, and law breakers went here to seek safety and receive a ceremony of absolution so they could return home without being killed. Sounds nice right?

Anyways, I was on a mission to find this place.We finally found the road with the sign saying 3 miles that way when the GPS decided to make us drive in circles...literally. We drove in a big circle past some crazy Hawaiian Rodeo and back again. We ditched the GPS and just followed the signs.

We finally made it and it was really cool! Not to mention beautiful!!! The Kona side of the island has sandy beaches. The Hilo side where we have spent most of our time is very rocky, and they are smooth rocks, they are lava rocks that hurt your feet!

Pretending to play Konane. We really don't know how to do it!

Tiki Man!

We're beat!

Rebuilt mausoleum that once held the bones of 23 ali'i (noble chiefs). Offerings were placed on the tower. 

The Ki'i stand watch over the above temple. They are trying to keep TJ out... 

This guy was building a tiki man!

This wall was built in the 1500's and is 17 feet thick!

Once we were finished at the national park we made our way over to Greenwell Kona Coffee. We took a tour of the largest distributor of the Kona coffee bean. They ship all over the world and to Starbucks! Lol! I had no idea that coffee came from a tree or that it took so so long to get the bean to perfection. While at the coffee farm I made friends with a chameleon! I loved her and wanted to bring her home, except Elizabeth would eat her.

This coffee bean tree is 120 years old! They don't use it anymore but it's still cool!

The weigh station.

120 year old weigh station

Apparently they let the beans dry in the sun for 10 days!

Huge avocados just randomly growing!

My friend! Can you see her?

Finally a sweet picture of the moms! I love them! And without them we wouldn't be here! :)

Tomorrow we head to Oahu. Our Big Island adventure has come to a close! We have had a blast here and I can't begin to imagine what fun the next few days will hold! Wait, actually I can. I have it all on my excel spreadsheet! :)

See ya tomorrow!
Leigha