We decided since Daryl couldn't come home for Hanukkah and New Year's, what better way to end the year than for all of us (Bonnie, Stuart & Sheryl) to visit him. Besides a week in Hawaii sounded pretty good with the cold weather quickly approaching California. Below are a few pictures and some narration. There is a full slide show at the end as well as an Animoto with music and effects. (Animoto's are soooo fun)
Our flight left San Francisco at 9AM, however we received a call from AA at 6:45AM (just as we were getting ready to go) that our flight had been canceled and we had been re-booked later in the day (through LA with a 4 hour layover). NOT OK. The agent was very helpful and after 30 minutes on the phone had us booked on a United flight leaving at 9AM. Unfortunately it left us little time to get there and make the flight.
With heavy rain it was close but as we drove we saw an awesome rainbow and knew all would be fine.
Sheryl and I dashed through the airport after an extra security screen (Thanks to Homeland Security) and we made the flight with a few minutes to spare.
When we arrived, it was off to the condo. Bonnie had spent untold hours checking out every possibility in the Waikiki area for the best view. She knows I love to just look out at the Ocean. Well as you can see below, she succeeded. The 2 walls of our corner unit were all glass and these were the day and night views. AMAZING.
We spent a few days just hanging out in Waikiki, enjoying the evenings and beach before we set out on our adventures. Daryl had 5 days scheduled off, so we had lots of family time.
After resting up, we headed for our first hike, to the top of Diamondhead (pictured below), it was a decent walk up with over 200 stairs and a scary tunnel just before coming out at the top. The views back to Honolulu and Waikiki as well as toward Kaniheo were magnificent.
After such a strenuous hike, we needed a day of relaxing before our next "adventure". Off to the North Shore, famous for home-made ice cream, Macky's famous shrimp truck , and some great beach time at Waimeha beach. We had a chance to visit the beach where Daryl volunteers to protect the turtles, can you tell which one is Daryl and which one is the turtle?
Well rested and ready, we set off bright and early (at least for us) at 11am for a hike to a hidden waterfall and pool. It was 1.5 miles each way. Because of recent rains the path was just one long length of slippery, slimy, gooey and sticky mud. After a couple of hours of sliding around the path we found the pool, swam around and headed back. Everyone enjoyed it, although I think next time, Bonnie might wait in the car.
Unfortunately, there was one problem; insect bites. They were drawn to Sheryl like bees to honey. By the time we returned to our hotel (after great burgers and onion rings at Teddy's), her legs were covered. She was on benadryl and cortisone cream for the next 2 days. We felt so bad for her, but it was still an awesome hike.
The rest of our trip was just relaxing, basking in the sun and enjoying the views from our Condo. We will definitely come back soon.
Below is our Slideshow and Animoto (same pictures), or just click on the links to see full screen versions of our trip. For Animoto, you have to click on the full screen icon to the left of the volume icon.
Below is our Slideshow and Animoto (same pictures), or just click on the links to see full screen versions of our trip. For Animoto, you have to click on the full screen icon to the left of the volume icon.
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Looks like SUCH a good time!!!
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