Hawaii Highlights!

• Friday: We checked in at the Waikiki Sheraton (our room had an amazing ocean view) and hooked up with Todd & Lora Saxey. Together, we walked along the beach to Cheeseburgers In Paradise—an oceanfront restaurant. There, we became acquainted with a deep-voiced waiter named Gary (a.k.a. Bo Duke) who gave us some memorable quotes including, "I've only been here a month, but I'm staying forever" and "Alaska was great, but Hawaii's home." (For the rest of the week, Todd and Robb imitated him and came up with additional Bo Duke comments). We stopped at a few souvenir shops, including one of the ABC Stores (which were EVERYWHERE), to buy some groceries and souveniers—Melissa bought a sarong. She quickly grew tired of Robb saying, "How could something sarong be so right?"


• Saturday: We stopped at Snorkel Bob’s to rent some equipment and spent the afternoon at Haunama Bay. There, we snorkeled and saw a variety of fish (and a sea turtle!). Robb attracted some birds by feeding them Fiddle Faddle and got a few laughs from beach goers when he started dancing around singing "The Happy Working Song" from "Enchanted." Bigger laughs ensued, though, when an overweight, hairy man walked by in a speedo and Todd said, "Call the fashion police--someone's getting a speed-o ticket!" We returned to the hotel for a buffet, courtesy of lia sophia.


• Sunday: We arose early and traveled to Pearl Harbor—the sight of the Japanese attack on a Sunday morning over 66 years ago. There was a sacred feeling to the place. Then, we went to the North Shore, where we had a surprisingly tasty meal at Macky’s Shrimp Shack (a white bus on the side of the road). We proceeded to the Waimea Falls—which could be renamed the Wainema Trickle. Todd and Robb swam in the pool at the base of the Falls. We spent the remainder of the afternoon at Waimea Bay. Robb and Todd tried Boogie Boarding and have some painful memories of the waves turning them into pretzels as they were slammed repeatedly into the beach. For the next several days, they got the joy of rediscovering sand in noses, ears, and swimsuits.


• Monday: Without a map (smart decision!), our group of four tried to find the way to La’ie. Approximately two weeks later, we arrived in the small town, took pictures at the temple, and spent the day at the Polynesian Culture Center. Melissa quickly grew tired of Robb saying, "PCC--and you know me." After a buffet of supposed fried chicken (more likely fried squirrel), we drove to a beautiful little bay near the PCC to take pictures. We returned for the evening show, made particularly spectacular by Ta’o Tafiti—a little, energetic man who did an extended fire dance.


• Tuesday: Another day at the beach, with Robb and Todd boogie boarding and the girls catching some rays. We went to Ko Olina (a beach near a Marriott resort) for another snorkeling adventure. Though we discovered the remains of the Titanic, there weren't any fish, so we left disappointed. That evening, lia sophia treated us to a luau at the hotel.


• Wednesday: Swap meet! Then, we were off to Haleiwa for lunch. We watched some surfers, had shaved ice at Matsumoto’s, and went back to the hotel. Robb and Melissa were sad to see Todd and Lora leave for home that evening. The solo couple walked along the beach at sunset and met Minon and Keith Davis at a very authentic Hawaiian restaurant--California Pizza Kitchen--for dinner.


• Thursday: Robb and Melissa hiked Diamond Head, visited Punchbowl Cemetery (also called "The National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific"--a fascinating final resting place for thousands of war veterans), and returned to Le’ia for a session at the temple. They returned to the airport for a 9:30 departure, excited to reunite with the kids seven hours later.