Hawaii 2008: I stopped counting days - Kauai

The next half of the week is spent in Hawaii's most northern island - Kauai. It's known as the Garden Island, as it's lush and green all over. My family stayed in Poipu on the most souther tip of the island. It's less touristy and defintely an Island you want to visit to just get away from it all.



Although, the southern tip of the island is inhabited by big name hotels and condos, you don't really get the feeling of being a tourist. Dining was okay. Our first experience was at Poipu Burger - and it was horrible service and horrible burgers all around. A mentionable place was Puka Dog - known for it's Hawaiian version of the hot dog. I highly recommend this place - but don't forget to bring the pepto for the less tolerant.



Other commendable places were the beaches around the island. Although a smaller island, the travel time is somewhat difficult and grueling as Kauai lacks a freeway system and is limited to windy roads. We were able to travel counter-clockwise around the island to the very north west corner past Princeville to a place called Hanalei. The beaches there were perfect for snorkeling. We were able to see a few sea turtles and a lot of fish.

Back to the south of the Island, Poipu beach park was a safe place to snorkel as well. A lot of fish life and coral. One of the days, we were able to buy fish food. Caution, as the fish food attracted a treamendous amount of fish. They would swarm around you and it was a little overwhelming at first.



Kauai was a great place to relax. There was also a canyon more inland to do more outdoor recreational activities. We did not participate in the inland activities - being from Arizona, we already had a canyon. Other mentionable places was Kauai Coffee Plantation. Lots of free coffee samples too!



Finally, our one week Hawaii tour came to an end. We took the 30 minute short flight back to Oahu to transfer to a bigger plane for the mainland. Unfortunately, the plane was delayed a few hours. Hawaiian Airlines was nice enough to accomodate us with meal tickets. We took the several hours to rent a car and drove to Honolulu/Waikiki to shop. Finally, we made our flight and arrived back to Arizona around 6AM (3 hour time delay).

Hawaii 2008: Day 3-4 Oahu Stuff

Hawaiian Coffee Plantation (located at the Ala Moana - Westin Waikiki):
Probably the best coffee I've ever had. Having some of this actually questioned my actual taste for Starbucks. My recommendation try the Mocha blended drink which has a bit of gelato in it. Tasty!



Night Life:
Apparently, Honolulu/Waikiki has a night life but defintely not on a Sunday night when we were there. After the proposal, Lisa and I trekked back to the hotel, showed and changed and went out to what seemed the only bar open that night, the Yardhouse.

Circle Hotel:
Apparently, the Circle Hotel is one of the oldest hotels on the Waikiki strip. We decided to stay one night after having a few at the Yardhouse. Although today, it is now one of the smaller hotels there shadowed by parking structures and other hotels. Great service though provided by Steve. Thanks Steve!

Fine Dining:
Aracino Italian Pasta and Pizza located on Beach Walk Avenue in Waikiki offers a great italian feel even in the islands. We had a great lunch the morning after.


Hiking at Diamondhead:
Defintely not for the faint of heart, nor anyone without at least a bottle of water. Located on the southeast end of the island next to Waikiki, Diamondhead Crater is ... well, a big crater. After a very hot hike up to the very top, the views are breath taking. I would bring a couple bottles of water. And I wouldn't bring your kids or senior citizens (LOL).

Kailua Beach:
Rated one of the top beaches in the world, Kailua Beach stood by it's claim to fame. One thing I even noticed was that the sand was so fine, not like the ones in Waikiki. Swimming and kyaking were big activities there. There was a small island 1/2 a mile away from the shore in which we swam/snorkled to. Overall, I wish I had more time at Kailua. In the town of Kailua, we ate some of the local lunch areas and had an Acai smoothie for the ride home.

Hawaii 2008: Day 2 - the Proposal

LOST:
Lisa and I are die hard Lost fans. In fact, last time I was in Hawaii, my sister and I were able to sneak onto a few Lost filming locations located in North Shore. According to www.lostvirtualtour.com, there was a privately owned beach in Haleiwa where the Survivors camp was located.



After Lisa declined my idea of eating out at Banzai Sushi (located in North Shore town of Haleiwa), I had to think fast.

LISA AND I, and the PLAN:
Well, just so we're on the same page, I've been planning for months to propose to my girlfriend of five years. Lisa and I were college sweethearts, as we met through fraternity and sorority functions at the University of Arizona. Back then, I was in charge of sorority relations and led our pledges to serenade her sorority. Lisa has also known me as everything musical and so I wanted to incorporate that part of my life in the moment.



My original idea was to visit Banzai Sushi where there was a little stage in the patio dining area where musicians would often play. I would excuse myself and reappear a few minutes later where, accompanied with a guitar at hand, sing the song Adam Sandler sang to Drew Barrymore in the movie, "the Wedding Singer." I even practiced the song flawlessly for weeks.

Well, now that Lisa declined my inviation to the Banzai, I thought fast and asked her if she wanted to visit the area of where Lost was filmed (which by the way is private property - enter at your own risk). This would be the setting for a romantic view of the sunset.

PROPOSAL:
We proceeded to park at the Haleiwa beach park, and snuck past the obvious signs of "private property." We finally stopped at a place called Puena Point. After a few minutes of what stalling, and what can be described sweating excessively, I whipped out my guitar (which I happened to have in the car), and sang the song "Grow Old With You." Which by the way, I was so nervous, i completely forgot the lyrics, almost. After the song, I got on one knee and asked her to marry me.

Hawaii 2008: Day 2 - Back to Haleiwa

AROUND OAHU:
After a great morning in Waikiki, Lisa and I trek it back to the North Shore. We headed up the Pali Tunnel (which cuts right through a series of mountains) and headed up east of the island down the 83 Kam Highway. Along the route, we were able to pass by some great locations like the China Man Hat, and Kauloa Ranch (site where many movies and tv shows were filmed - I'll get to that later).

Last year, we were able to stay at a house located on Waimea Bay. During that time, we caught the time of year when the waves on the North Shore were most calm. We were able to snorkle in the clamness of the bay. We've heard stories of the exclusiveness of surf season, and when we visited this May, we knew why.




The waves this time around were crashing like no other and snorkeling visability was not very clear. Nonetheless, the north shore was still a beautiful place. We stayed for an hour or so soaking up the sun.

At this time, it's getting near sunset. I've planned to end the day with a nice dinner at a nice little Sushi place in the town of Haleiwa called Bonzai Sushi. We were able to eat there last year in August and so I asked Lisa if she felt like going. She said she did not want to go to the restaurant on account it was "hippyish." Little did she know, this would foil my plans for her next!!!!

Hawaii 2008: Day 2 - Surfs UP

BREAKFAST: Woke up bright and early Sunday morning refreshed and ready to go. My parents, Lisa and I ate breakfast on Ford Island (near Pearl Harbor) at this Cafe in the Pearl Harbor Museum: spam, eggs, rice - Hawaiian Breakfast!

SURFS UP: Lisa and I are determined to get surfing lessons and drive over to Waikiki and met a surfing instructor trying to solicit us a lesson - Uncle Gil. We signed up at a beach side surfing lesson booth for $35/person for 1.5 hour lesson. Lisa really killed it on the waves. I had about 4 out of 10 waves I actually caught. Overall fun, but very exhausting when paddling out.

Hawaii 2008: Day 1 - Dead on Arrival

After being prepared to leave on time, we call PHOENIX's Discount Cab 2.5 hours before departure. They are NO show, and it's 1.5 hour before we are set to depart. Typically, you want to be at the aiport by that time. What a way to start off the vacation, thinking we're going to miss our flight. After calling 4x's and getting disconnected 4x's seeing the status of our taxi, my parents drive and we park at the temporary parking at the airport. It's about 45 minutes before departure. Regardless, we make in just in the neck of time, and arrive on Saturday afternoon in Oahu, Hawaii.

After getting the rental car and checking into the hotel, we proceed to eat at a local Filipino cafeteria establishment called Filipino Express located in Waipahu, Oahu. At that time, it is already 3-4PM in the afternoon, and flies are swarming around the food (Food Health code anyone?). Despite them not having any LUMPIA or PANSETTE (your typical filipino food), we eat anyway the 'few-hours old' left-over cafeteria style filipino food. The food is nothing short of spectacular.

We get back to the hotel and unpack, and pretty much sleep until the next morning. Remember we are 3 hours behind Phoenix time so we are all exhausted and dead tired. Lisa and I originally wanted to go out Saturday night to Waikiki. Oh well.