After a somewhat quiet and less-than-exciting Christmas 2016, we decided that in 2017 we were going to do something different. At dinner on December 26, we determined that Hawaii was the perfect combination of lots of airline miles for Tommy, while not using a ton of our miles for free tickets for Lizzy and me. So began our year-long preparation for our first family Christmas trip, to Oahu.
December 19, 2017
Our day began at 3:30, so we could get the early flight to Los Angeles. Gay and Ed arrived to pick us up at 4:30. We got loaded up, and were at the airport by 5:15.
December 19, 2017
Our day began at 3:30, so we could get the early flight to Los Angeles. Gay and Ed arrived to pick us up at 4:30. We got loaded up, and were at the airport by 5:15.
Our flight to LA was quick and uneventful. After a brief layover, we boarded the long (6.5 hour) flight to Honolulu. Lizzy enjoyed a 2.5 hour nap en route.
As soon as we descended through the clouds to prepare for landing, we were greeted by the beauty of Oahu.
Once we landed, we had a little surprise waiting for us. I had arranged for a lei greeting, escort through the airport, and a limo service to take us to the hotel.
We had a wonderful ride to the hotel, and our driver dropped us on the back side of our hotel tower, the Ali'i, which was much more convenient than taking us to the main lobby and having us walk.
The Ali'i lobby was all decorated for Christmas!
The Ali'i lobby was all decorated for Christmas!
After heading up to our beautiful Ocean View rooms (which were 1 room apart, on the 10th floor), we changed clothes and reconvened to find some food. Just outside the Ali'i doors were located the hotel turtles, parrots, and some beautiful koi and other fish in an elaborate pond system.
We had lunch/dinner at Tropics, right on the beach and outside the Ali'i doors. Lizzy enjoyed a frozen drink and couldn't wait to get out to the beach!
After eating a good lunch, we turned her loose to the beach!
After the beach time, Gay and Ed were ready to call it a night, so the 3 of us walked around, exploring the resort, tracking down the torch lighter, and having some ice cream!
December 20, 2017
Our first full day in Hawaii began by obtaining our rental car at the hotel, and heading to breakfast at the famous Anna Miller's. It was delicious!
Our first full day in Hawaii began by obtaining our rental car at the hotel, and heading to breakfast at the famous Anna Miller's. It was delicious!
Next, we went to the Aloha Bowl Swap Meet for some great souvenir shopping. We bought a conch shell, and Lizzy was blowing it successfully (and loudly) by her fourth try! She chose several necklaces, hair clips, and her name done in bright, tropical calligraphy by a local artist.
Next, we went to Pearl Harbor to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. There was a 20 minute documentary before the short boat ride across to the memorial. Lizzy found the documentary, explaining why Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, "certainly interesting."
Once we got to the memorial, we had ample time to view and let everything sink in. The fuel from the Arizona, still leaching out and into the water, is an image that will stick with us forever.
Once we got to the memorial, we had ample time to view and let everything sink in. The fuel from the Arizona, still leaching out and into the water, is an image that will stick with us forever.
Afterwards, we dropped our car back off at the hotel. Gay and Ed needed to get caught up on their rest, having not slept well the prior night. We enjoyed some down time at the hotel, which including taking Lizzy into a jewelry store and asking her if she could choose any piece of jewelry in the entire store, which would she chose. Out of all the stunning diamond rings, necklaces, etc., she chose this pearl ring as her "wish" choice:
We had dinner at an on-site Japanese restaurant, which was pretty yummy, then we went to get ice cream again!
We ended the night by giving the bronze lion statues outside the Ali'i doors a big hug.
December 21, 2017
We had breakfast on the balcony, joined pretty quickly by 8 hungry (and pushy) pigeons! Liz was delighted by these feathered visitors.
We had breakfast on the balcony, joined pretty quickly by 8 hungry (and pushy) pigeons! Liz was delighted by these feathered visitors.
Lizzy spent the morning and early afternoon at the beach with Gay and Ed, as Daddy and Mama went out diving and snorkeling with sea turtles, respectively.
Once we returned, we showered, changed, and got ready for the luau! Fortunately, it was onsite at our hotel, up on the rooftop under the stars. We were lucky to have secured front-row seats for the experience. It was delightful, from the food to the performances to the weather.
Once we returned, we showered, changed, and got ready for the luau! Fortunately, it was onsite at our hotel, up on the rooftop under the stars. We were lucky to have secured front-row seats for the experience. It was delightful, from the food to the performances to the weather.
After the luau, we were heading back to the Ali'i. We passed by the rear of the stone Chinese lion statues guarding the Rainbow Bazaar area. Lizzy delightfully pointed out, "Look! This status has an anus and testicles!" Then she posed like this, on her own, for a photo.
December 22, 2017
We had a fun beach morning together, while Gay and Ed walked the beach and did some shopping. Lizzy and I crafted a large and elaborate fortification against the waves. She was quite proud of it, as it took several hours.
We had a fun beach morning together, while Gay and Ed walked the beach and did some shopping. Lizzy and I crafted a large and elaborate fortification against the waves. She was quite proud of it, as it took several hours.
In the early afternoon, we had to leave our fortress to go back to the room for an in-room pizza picnic, getting dressed, and heading back out to the Port Hilton pier (directly behind her in the above beach photo) to do our submarine adventure!
Once heading down the pier, we stopped for the obligatory pre-boarding photos.
We looked thorough our submarine guide, which included a page on identifying the fish species we would be seeing. We looked down from the pier, and spotted this school of trumpetfish.
Soon, it was time to board the boat to head out to the submarine. We watched it surface!
We boarded, and were pleased to see how comfortable it was inside.
The ride lasted about 45 minutes, and we made it down to a depth of 109 feet. We saw a green sea turtle, an eagle ray, and tons of schools of fish.
After we surfaced, we boarded the boat to return to the hotel. We watched the submarine dive for the next journey, and enjoyed some gorgeous views of Diamond Head from the Pacific.
After returning to shore, we walked over to get a shave ice from the food truck parked by the hotel lagoon. She chose rainbow, and we shared a passion fruit/mango one.
We got dressed for a nice dinner together, as it was Gay and Ed's last night in Hawaii. We went to Hau Tree Lanai down Waikiki a bit. The venue was on the beach, with old Hau Trees coming through the floor. Our table was right beside two trees, so we ate directly beneath the tree canopies. While we were eating, we watched the sunset so clearly below the horizon. People in the restaurant actually applauded when the sun set, it was so spectacular!
December 23, 2017
Gay and Ed headed home early this morning, and Daddy went diving, so Lizzy and I spent the morning walking around the resort, at the lagoon doing paddleboarding and then the Ali'i pool.
It should be no surprise to anyone that knows her that she immediately was able to hop up on the paddleboard, stand completely (and confidently straight), and successfully paddle around the lagoon by herself. She's so good at everything she does!
After paddleboarding and a little bit of beach time, we went up to the Ali'i pool. While in the hot tub, we had some fun fruity drinks brought to us.
After paddleboarding and a little bit of beach time, we went up to the Ali'i pool. While in the hot tub, we had some fun fruity drinks brought to us.
As we were sitting in the hot tub, we were carefully watching the time and the flight tracker, and sure enough, we saw Gay and Ed's flight take off to head home.
We headed back to the room to get cleaned up, rest a bit, and wait for Daddy to return from diving.
Once Daddy returned from another successful pair of dives, we decided to go in search of some ramen. The Concierge had recommended the best ramen in Honolulu, and it was amazing! Afterwards, we walked down the road a bit to get some Uncle Tetsu's cheesecake, which we had first discovered in Sydney. Lizzy chose coffee flavor for her cheesecake selection!
As we were walking back along Waikiki to our hotel, we saw the real-life Santa Claus relaxing on a patio on the beach, resting before his big day tomorrow. It makes sense he would leave from Hawaii, since the International Date Line is just to the west, and he begins in deliveries on Christmas Eve to the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, and Australia! We couldn't believe our luck.
December 24, 2017
The original plan for today was to hike Diamond Head and then do some exploring. After having breakfast and getting the car (we snagged a convertible for the day), we headed out to do just this. We arrived at Diamond Head and drove INTO the crater through the tunnel.
December 24, 2017
The original plan for today was to hike Diamond Head and then do some exploring. After having breakfast and getting the car (we snagged a convertible for the day), we headed out to do just this. We arrived at Diamond Head and drove INTO the crater through the tunnel.
Once we arrived at the crater parking lot, we saw it was full and we'd have to wait to hike it. Having been inside the crater, we decided pretty quickly we'd rather explore. After all, we'd been inside it. We turned around, and decided on a whim to head in an easterly direction.
After just a few moments, we were rewarded with this view, and realized we had made a good decision.
After just a few moments, we were rewarded with this view, and realized we had made a good decision.
Our first stop was this lookout point along the coast. While here, we saw two humpback whales spouting in the sea, and could also spot the island of Molokai
After enjoying the view, we proceeded a bit more down the road to find Sandy Beach. We just splashed around here a little bit, preferring to save our swimming for a different stop. It didn't stop a big wave from getting our shorts a little wet unexpectedly!
She wrote Mele Kalikimaka in the sand :o)
She wrote Mele Kalikimaka in the sand :o)
Next, we were hoping to try snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, but the lot was already full by the time we arrived, so we went to the next beach down the road (there is a beach every 5 minutes, it seemed!) We ended up at Makapu'u Beach Park, where we spent a few hours of play time, splashing in some of the most fun waves we've ever seen!
After fun beach time, we headed up the coast a bit more to the town of Waimanalo Beach, where we found a little hole in the wall restaurant that was delicious. Lizzy ordered steak, salad, and rice for her lunch, and we played with Christmas Snapchat filters while we waited.
We had passed a blowhole earlier, so we decided to double back a short distance and check it out. While the blowhole itself paled in comparison to the Kiama blowholes we saw in Australia earlier in the year, the scenery was worth the stop!
We were all having so much fun, that we decided "why not" and drove across to the other side of the island. En route, we did a quick stop at the Dole Pineapple Plantation for some pineapple ice cream floats and souvenirs.
We made one final stop at Laniakeai Beach. While the turtles weren't there (the North Shore waves are too rough in the Winter for them to safely come ashore), it was beautiful.
We drove back to the hotel, said goodbye to our wonderful rental car, and walked around the hotel. These two naughty tourists touched the Hilton Hawaiian Village mural!
Santa found his sleigh, and a very willing reindeer hopped out of the passenger seat to pull him.
December 25, 2017
Mele Kalikimaka! Lizzy was so excited to wake up Christmas morning, and see that Santa had filled her stocking with goodies. Her favorite items were a Mario and a Yoshi amiibo for her Switch and 3DS.
We spent a gorgeous Christmas morning at the pool, doing the water slides.
Mele Kalikimaka! Lizzy was so excited to wake up Christmas morning, and see that Santa had filled her stocking with goodies. Her favorite items were a Mario and a Yoshi amiibo for her Switch and 3DS.
We spent a gorgeous Christmas morning at the pool, doing the water slides.
As that pool began to become crowded, we excused ourselves to the Ali'i pool deck for some quiet and lunch. Here was our Christmas afternoon view from the hot tub, where they brought our lunch box.
Lizzy wanted one more fortress on the beach, so we moved down to the beach for another complex structure.
Alas, it was time to get cleaned up for Christmas dinner. We headed to our 5:00 dinner reservation at Wolfgang's Steakhouse, where steak is ordered for 2, 3, or 4 people. Lizzy also discovered a deep love for blue crab, so that's good to know!
As we were walking back after dinner, Lizzy and Daddy were talking about getting ice cream at the hotel one last time before we left. Thinking this to be a good idea, I said "okeily dokeily." Lizzy replied, without missing a beat, "Shut up, Flanders." Ha! She is so genuinely funny.
December 26, 2017
Our shortest "major" vacation ever was sadly coming to an end. We could have happily stayed another week at least.
After a last breakfast at our favorite breakfast venue (we had breakfast 5 mornings in a row there), we went back to get Lizzy one last ice cream (at 9:30 am) and get our bags to head to the airport. Before we left, though, we had to fulfill a class assignment. As her class is studying geography, they're trying to collect postcards from all 50 states. We, of course, volunteered to send one from Hawaii. Earlier in the week, she had chosen this one, and had me transcribe this message. We mailed it from the hotel, so she's looking forward to seeing it again when she returns to school next week.
December 26, 2017
Our shortest "major" vacation ever was sadly coming to an end. We could have happily stayed another week at least.
After a last breakfast at our favorite breakfast venue (we had breakfast 5 mornings in a row there), we went back to get Lizzy one last ice cream (at 9:30 am) and get our bags to head to the airport. Before we left, though, we had to fulfill a class assignment. As her class is studying geography, they're trying to collect postcards from all 50 states. We, of course, volunteered to send one from Hawaii. Earlier in the week, she had chosen this one, and had me transcribe this message. We mailed it from the hotel, so she's looking forward to seeing it again when she returns to school next week.
We headed home, enjoying a wonderful (and seemingly quick) flight from Honolulu - LAX. We had a 3 hour layover in Los Angeles, and once we returned home to Indy, we were shocked to feel brutal -2F temperatures. None of us were quite prepared for an 83 degree temperature difference!
Hawaii was absolutely wonderful. We all enjoyed it deeply, and look forward to visiting again in a few years.