Alooooooooooooooooooha

We're home! There's nothing better than leaving a great vacation then coming back to a great home ( and a busy schedule) I'm so happy I only have 2 days left of the work week when I go back tomorrow. We left last week and it was SNOWING! I'm elated that we're home to more sunshine and warm weather.
Our trip was FABULOUS!!! We had such a great time and we were sad to leave the beautiful island. It was a perfect, romantic, fun-filled week in a perfect, romantic, fun-filled place. We went with absolutely NO agenda other than to have a blast and just relax. That's exactly what we did. Usually I need a set schedule and plan for each day etc. but it was completely perfect the way we did things.

Wednesday we flew in, picked up our rental and drove to the North Shore and on our way there, stopped for a plate lunch we were both craving, walked across the street to the beach and ate. Then we checked-in where were staying, unpacked, changed and went for some macadamia nut ice cream and went to the point in Laie and just hung out and enjoyed the ocean breeze....

Thursday we were up at 5am. NO JOKE! We got up, drove to Sunset Beach, played around in the water for a minute and watched the surfers and then continued to drive around the island and went to town to breakfast to my favorite little hole in the wall joint called Hungry Lion. They seriously have THE BEST sweet bread french toast. By this time it was only 8am. :) We then went to Ala Moana beach and went swimming and laid out in the 85 degree weather. It was so perfect to just get up when I got too hot and jump in the cool ocean. Big belly and all, I didn't even care!

We cruised around town a little more and then made our way back to the country side, we rested for about 2 hours and then got up and got ready for the Polynesian Cultural Center.
My cousin Fano hooked it up with VIP Ambassador passes, so we walked around a few of the villages for a little bit and then headed to the Ali'i Luau which served the best food of kalua pork, taro sweet rolls, green salad, teriyaki chicken, poke (MY FAVORITE, although I am not supposed to eat a lot of it) and a ton of other dishes and, of course, we had to order our pina coladas. It was so yummy and the luau was nice, we then went to night show.






I always love watching the night show! I miss dancing so much and feel old watching all these young college kids dancing LOL. They are re-vamping the entire show since it's been in production since 1996, so it was nice to watch this version one last time. My Aunty Vai (RIP) who was married to my dad's older brother choreographed/produced the current Samoan section (which is the best section I must add,and I'm NOT being biased, even Ray agreed) and the new show launches in July and our cousin Alex choreographed/produced and wrote all the songs for the new Samoan section. I can't wait to see it. You don't fully experience the night show without buying a Pineapple Delight either and as stuffed as I was, I got one :) (The baby wanted it ok??)

Friday we woke up fairly early again and went to another favorite place, Hukilau Cafe in Laie with Ray's dear sweet great-uncle and his wife Sione and Adelle.
They are so sweet, Sione is Ray's grandpa's youngest sibling and he is so funny. It was wonderful visiting with them. We then took off back to town and went to Diamond Head to hike.

We didn't end up doing the hike, when we got there, the rescue helicopter was bringing down some people, not sure why, but that was enough for Ray to say "NO" on me doing the hike, and the lady behind the visitor center desk didn't help much by looking and pointing at my stomach and saying "No good fo huh" (No good for her) LOL. I was bummed out but knew it was probably not a good idea to hike the volcano and probably me erupt! So we just walked around a little at the bottom then took off to Waikiki to jump in the water and relax. It was soooooooooo nice.



We made our stop at Walmart to grab some cases of chocolates to bring back and I found some great things for the baby!! I was so stoked. I found a shopping cart cover that I've wanted, a boppy cover and a long bib.

I picked Kam's lil guy up some stuff too. We then cruised back to the country side, got ready and headed to Haleiwa Joes for dinner and more pina coladas. On the way there we stopped and watched the sunset which was absolutely breathtaking. It was a picture perfect moment.



Saturday, we were up and at 'em early again. We got up, ate breakfast at Papa Ole's and headed to town for the swap meet. It was so hot and I got sunburned just walking around. By the time we were done I was ready for the cool ocean again. We headed back to the country side ( I swear we put a thousand miles on the car in a week) and stopped at Pounders and basked in the sun and Ray got in the water. They call it Pounders for a reason and I wasn't about to get slammed into the ocean bed. I just was entertained by Ray thinking he could fight the ocean. I got my feet a little wet and then I got to bury Ray in the sand. We were laughing so hard, and since he couldn't move, I thought I'd make him into the prettiest, BIGGEST mermaid ever! He's such a good sport.


Sunday we went to town and went to visit my twin cousins Honolulu and Hawaii! YES, those are their names. They are so hilarious and I always love being around them. I haven't seen Lulu since his wedding, he is in the Navy and has been out on missions for about 18 months so it was so good to see him and his family along with Hawaii and his. Hawaii is a tattoo artist who did my tattoo last year and drew up his first all Tongan tattoo for Ray's sleeve. He did an amazing job and it looks beautiful. It took 2 sittings, so we went back on Monday and had it finished. Thanks Hawaii for the hookup :) He ususally charges 6 bills for something like this, but thanks to the family discount he hooked Ray up.




Sunday night the Feinga clan in Hawaii had a big eating for Ray and I. They are such a good family and I was so happy to finally meet everyone face to face and spend such a beautiful night together laughing and talking story. I love this family. The kids are so cute too and everyone was just loving and fun and we had a great time. Thank you Feinga's for the lovely night together. The Laie Temple is down for contstruction until next June, so I was a little bummed when we went for a drive and it wasn't lit up, but it's still as beautiful during the day.




Monday we packed up, said our goodbyes and headed back to town. Hawaii finished Ray's tattoo which took 9 hours in all. After, we stayed on Waikiki for the night. Stopped at Dave and Busters for a light dinner and MORE pina coladas, (ok I'm on a mission to see if there's somewhere that makes the best pina coladas that taste like this stuff called Coconut Snow. Coconut Snow used to be served at the restaurant my Dad used to play at here in Utah called the Hawaiian. Nobody has ever made something as good, so I called the manufacturer and ordered a case a few years ago, but I'm still looking for some place out there who makes them like that. No-one yet, but I'll just keep trying until I find it.) just went to a movie and then headed to Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville for yes, another pina colada (probably the best I had this trip) and we listened to the live band play. It was so fun. The band was really really good, and Ray and I got a kick out of the drunks dancing to the island music.






Yesterday we just hung out on Waikiki, ate a little bit and then headed to the airport around 3pm. Now we're home and missing the island life, but after a week, it's a little tooooooo slow for me. It was a perfect length trip! I'm so happy we went and spent the time together that we had- Ray is a fun traveler which I was happy about because if he just wanted to sit and watch sports or something then I would have been irritated, but he likes to be on the go just as much as me! Yay! Our next trip probably won't be for a little while, unless his schedule allows for our birthday weekend on May 7th and 8th, we might try to go to San Francisco, depending on what happens this weekend... I love Hawaii and it was even more fun to share it with my best friend and love! As they say in the island.... ALLLLOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHA