Hawaii - Day 8

Welp, here it is. Our last and final day in Hawaii!!  We had the whole day ahead of us before having to head back to the airport so we spent most of the morning moseying (I looked it up, this is an actual word and this is the actual spelling) around, eating a late breakfast, and taking in the last of the beach.  In the afternoon we decided to go to the Dole Plantation to kill the little bit of time we had left. 

We took a ride on the Pineapple Express.  Choo choo! It took us all around the fields and told us all about how Pineapples grow.

After the train ride we got some delicious pineapple soft serve!!

Once we were done with the Dole Plantation we still had more time so we headed back in to Waikiki and had dinner and did some last minute shopping before heading back to the airport.  Then it was a long night of flying for us!  We left Honolulu sometime between 10pm and 11pmish I can't really remember and didn't get back to Denver until 8:30ish in the morning due to a layover in L.A. and the time change.  For next time we will definitely be flying out in the morning!

And that my friends was our trip to Hawaii!  I mean seriously, it only took me an entire year to finish!!  Ha ha ha ha!  Best trip EVER!...or so far :).

Hawaii - Day 7

So here we are again...still trying to finish up Hawaii posts.  It's only taken me a year.  Geezzz!   I just wanted to be able to enjoy it for as long as possible! 

OK - Day 7...In my opinion, Day 7 was the best day!  I was able to do something I have wanted to do for my whole life!  It started out with another trip to Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling.  We wanted to see if we could get there on a warmer/sunnier day.  It was sunnier but a bit windy.

On our way to the next adventure we pulled off at this little outlook, looking over the ocean.  It was so beautiful.  The water was pefectly blue!

Now, on to the best part of the day and possibly the week...

Visiting the Sea Life Park where we swam with dolphins!

We started out our visit eating hot dogs and watching the dolphin show.

Next, we walked around and mostly just watched the sea turtles until it was our time to swim with the Dolphins.

I have wanted to do this for as long as I can remember and it was just as awesome as I had imagined!  We were able to pet her as she swam by.  She came up and gave each of us a kiss and then when it was your turn to take a ride - we swam out in to the middle of the pool.  You would put your right arm out to the side and clasp your left hand to your upper right arm.  Then Nani swam right behind you and you had to catch her fins and hold on tight.  It was soooooo amazing!!  One of the best things I've ever done!   Once everyone had their turn we all got goggles and were able to just swim around the pool while she swam around us.  Soooooo cool!

Scot wasn't so sure about it when I first started talking about doing this but he had a great time too! 

The setting of the park was amazing, in and of itself.  It was right on the ocean!  So perfect!

After the Sea Life Park it was time to head back to Waikiki.  Our last night in Hawaii!! We went back and walked along the beach and had some dinner and maybe even shed a tear or two that we would be leaving the next day.  Ok not really but I swear I could have if I had really wanted to!!

Dinner at P.F. Changs over looking the shops!  So fun!

Stay tuned for our LAST and FINAL day in Paradise!



Hawaii - Day 6

On Day 6 we headed out early to get over to Pearl Harbor before it got really crowded, didn't work.  When we got there we went and got our tickets for the the Arizona memorial but we had about 2 hours to kill before our time slot so we were walking around checking things out and decided to take the audio tour on the submarine.  I DO NOT know how these men lived on this thing for as long as they did.  I think I would have gone insane but it was very interesting.

After the submarine we still had a little bit of time left so we walked around some more and then headed over to catch the boat to the Arizona.  Wow!  What a humbling experience this was.  I wasn't expecting to see what I saw for some reason.  I mean, I had of

course seen it in books and online but it was definitely different to see it in person!

Later that day we decided to head back in to Honolulu to go to the beach for a little relaxing and then to dinner at the Hard Rock.  We love Hard Rock restaurants.  I don't know why but we will usually go to one on almost every trip we go on if there is one around. I think it has a little something to do with the fact that we are not at all adventurous when it comes to food.  That night we did some shopping.  I bought a really cute dress for church from one of the stores and then they had the best, cleanest and most organized Forever 21 I have ever been to!  Fun times!

Hawaii - Day 5

Hey, remember when we went to Hawaii 100 years ago?  Well - here is Day 5 in case anyone out there is interested!

On Day 5 we of course got up and went to the beach but after that headed to Laie to visit the Temple, BYU Hawaii and the Polynesion Cultural Center. 

The Temple was B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!  It was just so breath taking and amazing.  We enjoyed walking around and taking it all in for a few minutes!

 We saw tons of these amazing trees when we were in Hawaii.

 We did a little walking around BYU Hawaii and then it was off the PCC.  We had such a blast there - although I am pretty sure it was approximately 250 degrees that day. 

 Tree climbing!

 Getting ready for our canoe ride.

 On our canoe ride.  This was fun but also kind of a life saver since it took us back up to the front of park for dinner. I don't think I could have done much more walking!

 Luau!

 Dinner - Yum!

 We had some time to spare before the show so we did a little more walking around and enjoying the scenery once our tummies were full! (p.s. - it's totally true that you don't know what you look like for sure until you see a picture and let's be honest, this dress is the most unflattering thing in the entire world.  What on earth was I thinking?  Ah well...)

The show was amazing but we weren't able to take pictures.  Another amazing day in Hawaii  down.  Man - I wish I was there right now!  OK, so let's see if I can squeeze day 6 out before January.  Ha!