On January 5th, Rick and I and Brad and Ruth and Dee Ann and Kathy Mouritsen took off on a two-week trip to HAWAII! I had been a little nervous thinking that the two weeks was too long to be away from home, but we enjoyed ALL TWO WEEKS! By the end of the trip we both felt we could stay longer even....but unfortunately we have responsibilities at home.😉
We left SL at about 9 am and arrived into Oahu a little after noon. We each got cars and set out to find a place to eat. We found this little gem, the 604 restaurant next to Pearl Harbor and had a good lunch.
We then drove an hour north to find our Airbnb. We stopped at the grocery store to load up with food for the week. Dee Ann really found us nice home to stay in. We have never stayed on the west side before and it was kind of a ways from everything but we really enjoyed the newness of the home and the cute little neighborhood. We felt very safe there. We were surprised at how much homelessness there was on this side of the island. It's kinda sad. We saw people digging through dumpsters and garbage cans. I can't understand that mentality. Luckily if you have been/want to be homeless, then Hawaii is a good place for that. You wouldn't have to worry about freezing temps.
After getting settled into our home we enjoyed relaxing, snacking on foods and just hanging out.
The next morning we went exploring the area. We were also anxious to find a beach. After grabbing some KFC we met Dee Ann and Kathy at Makaha Beach and enjoyed hanging out there for a few hours.
The waters were quite rough but I thought I'd get in with Rick anyway. After a few minutes a big wave caught me and threw me under the water. I lost my favorite sunglasses! Ugh! I then got out and was happy to sit in my beach chair and read my book!
After a few hours at the beach we went back to the house and drove over to the swimming pool in our subdivision. There were some cute kids swimming. One of them was only three years old and she swam just as good as a little fish! It was so cute to watch. The pool was water was pretty cool, so we ended up in the jacuzzi. Bliss! We had been waiting for Dee Ann and Kathy to join us but they took their sweet time and arrived just as we were ready to leave.
That night we joined everyone for dinner at the 604 Beach House right close to our home. Surprise! It had the same exact menu as the 604 in Pearl Harbor. That's ok, though. We enjoyed dinner and talking about our day.
The next day was Wednesday. We had set a Temple appointment for later in the afternoon so we decided to stop by the Dole Plantation on the way. The others had gotten there before we arrived. I think they were all pretty much ready to leave by the time we arrived. Rick and I enjoyed walking around the Plantation gardens. We enjoyed the pretty foliage and even spied a lot of little geckos.
When it was time to go we each got us a dole whip. Man, it was good!
Next, we drove the rest of the way to Laie to get to our temple sealing session. We went to the session with the rest of our crew. Afterward, the others left and Rick and I stayed on for an endowment session.
It's strange that I did not remember too much the layout of the temple. It was different than I had remembered.
When we got out it was dark so we had to get a night picture!
Beautiful temple!
Most of the food trucks were closed down by the time we got out of the temple but luckily, we found this Pizza truck.
This pizza looks ginormous, but although it was big it wasn't as big as this picture makes it look.
But I will say this...it was a good'n!
The next day was Thursday, and Rick had set up an excursion to swim with the dolphins. Kathy wanted to come along. We got up early and drove over to the harbor right there on the west side of the island not too far from our home. The day was a bit cloudy and chilly, but the sun came out, which we were grateful for. So beautiful!
Rick really enjoying the ride!
Kathy and Rick vested up and ready to get in the water.
We saw dolphins right off the bat, swimming in front of our boat. They are so cool to see.
We did not stop to swim with these but made our way out to deeper (and rougher) water.
When we saw the next pod they were in 3,000 feet water. We all jumped in and I was right there with the leader while Rick hung back with Kathy. While some got a glimpse of the dolphins, we three did not. They swam away before we could get to them. All the meanwhile our guides felt like nazi's yelling at us to look down, look down! I was looking down but never saw a thing. We came back up not very happy with the crew. Anyhow...
We went looking for the next pod. We found some more so back in the water we went. Kathy was really tired because it was really rough water and hard to swim in. Even with fins. Rick and I jumped in. I swam for all I was worth trying to get to follow the leader... all the while with the man on the boat yelling look down, look down, again! Oh, I hated it and was starting to get seasick from the rolling waves. We swam quite a ways in this rolling water to get to where the pod was. Still no luck. A young lady crew member was very kind to Kathy and talked her into getting on a paddle board with her to get in on the action. I think Kathy enjoyed that. The dolphins all swam away before we could get over to them. I decided that was it for me. I was not getting back into the water.
We came upon the next pod of dolphins and Rick jumped in while Kathy and I stayed on the boat. Luckily he was able to see about eight of the dolphins, and I think he was happy that he did. I do not care to do that ever again, though. I love being on a boat but this was not fun. After the group got back on board we headed over to a more shallow spot to do some snorkeling for about thirty minutes. It was fine. Once you have been to places like French Polynesia, Fiji, and even Cancun area. Everything else is just, meh.
We were in about forty feet of water and I like to be closer to the coral and wildlife. But still, it was good.
After snorkeling we all got a sandwich, chips and a drink. Probably the best part of the whole experience, haha! Once we got back to the house, Rick and I decided to head to the pool. I got to read while Rick swam a bit. It was great!
I can't remember what we did that night but I'm sure we had a good dinner with everyone, haha!
The next day was Friday and we drove up to the North side again. We met Dee Ann and Kathy at the historic town of Hale'iwa. We stopped at a shrimp truck to get some food. I wasn't too hungry so I ventured across the street to see if I could find something light. I thought an empanada would be good. It was except it took THIRTY MINUTES to get it! I got one for Kathy as well, and the plan was to take it over and eat with the others. Rick and Dee Ann got done with their shrimp well before our empanadas were ready. I was miffed!
It took the joy out of eating them! I can laugh about it now but come on...why!!
Can you tell how much we love them? HAHA!
Although we could have spent more time in this cute little town we had to get on our way to be able to get to the Waimea Falls. We paid our entrance fee and hike for about thirty minutes on a paved path to get to the falls. Dee Ann insisted I get a picture in the big leaves! I'm glad she did!
On our way up...
The falls in the distance...
We made it. The girls did not want to get in, so I borrowed Kathy's water shoes (Chaco brand, I have to get some) and we got int the water. It was really chilly but actually refreshing after our walk.
Dee Ann was good enough to get some pictures of us while we were in the water.
Rick swam all the way over to the falls but I stayed close to the shore.
It was a nice experience.
On the way back we stopped at Waimea Beach to see the sunset.
It was beautiful!
Oh where did we eat that night?? Again I don't remember.😑
The next morning was Saturday. We hung around the house a bit that morning and then made our way to Honolulu to get to the Swap Meet. Since I had lost my sunglasses at that first beach I was excited to find some new ones. We found a place that had some that I liked, so I bought two pair! I also was in need of some new Hawaiian sandals. I bought a black pair and a blue pair.
We then met Brad and Ruth over at the food court to eat, yet again.
There was a Filipino food hut, so we stopped to get something there. Rick picked up some bbq sausages and a drink.
I knew we were going to eat dinner in a couple of hours, so I got a plate of noodles and ate a few and gave the rest to Rick. It was a good plan!
After the Market we drove over to Pearl Harbor which was literally a five minute drive from the stadium.
We really wanted to get there...just to remember. It is important to never forget!
We watched the twenty minute film and then left. No Arizona visit this time.
Our next plan was to meet up with everyone at a restaurant on Waikiki Beach called Lulu's.
the menu looked good so we made a reservation. I was super excited to see the sunset at that famous beach. We parked and then walked by this banyan tree. We had to get a picture:)
We had a little time before our reservation, so we walked along the beach. It is such a pretty place. My goodness! That sand was super deep and not easy to walk through but...worth it!
I got my feet wet!
Here are a couple of pictures of my cutie patootie!
So when it was time we walked across the street and found Lulu's. It was above an ABC store and was an open air eatery. When we walked in the noise was almost unbearable. There were a lot of people, and it was a bar, and everyone was talking loud and enjoying themselves. My first thought was, "Oh no, this is gonna be bad We will not even be able to converse with each other." Our waiter, the dreadlocked, tattooed, pierced, Cain came up to take our drinks. He could barely hear us. We got our drinks and boy were they pretty...and yummy!
Dee Ann ordered some appetizers, pulled pork nachos and buffalo wings, and we were happy. We noticed that people were watching the screens and cheering. There was an NFL game on; the Green Bay Packers against the Chicago Bears. There were people for both sides cheering. This is when it got fun. We got into the game. The Packers were ahead but the Bears were climbing. Our food came and we started cheering for one of the teams...the Bears because, "why not"? Anyway, we loved our food, we loved the game and watching all of the fans, and we cheered the Bears all the way to a victory!
Here is a picture of us watching the game.
After the sunset we went back to see the ending of the game and then headed back towards the west part of the island. What a fun experience this turned out to be!
The next day was Sunday. We found a church not too far from our Airbnb. It's always nice to get to church...especially in Hawaii!
That evening we made a lasagna dinner with salad and bread and fruit.
A real feast!
That evening, Dee Ann, Kathy, Rick and I played card games. It was a great way to end a Sunday.
The next morning we got packed up and as we were driving out saw this beautiful rainbow.
It was a good send off for our group and our time there on the island.
Leaving Oahu...
