Travelogue: Oahu

I know that I returned from Hawaii a week ago, but I figured that a recap post is better late than never. I can describe the trip much easier through words and some pictures anyway. And so...

Day 1: No major activities to speak of, we got in, went to eat at Cheeseburger in Paradise (very good) and tried to stay awake until 10...we made it to 9:30 before passing out.

Day 2: I will always remember this day because that's when Eric proposed! You've both heard the story, so I won't go into detail, but the experience was magical.

Day 3: After my engagement high, I was brought back down to earth the next morning with surf lessons! It was actually very fun, but my arms got so sore and I was battling a pretty intense case of sea sickness that I headed in about 30 minutes before the rest of the gang so that I could lay on my surfboard and try not to hurl. Here's a shot of me beforehand though, yeah!

Day 4: All the families rented Sebring convertibles to drive around the island and I will tell you that it was pretty fun. We first visited the Dole Pineapple pavillion (I had some sweet pineappe sorbet), then ventured to Haleiwa where we ate lunch and got some shave ice. Then we went on a beach tour near the North Shore trying to find the perfect beach. We went to three (and actually unpacked all our stuff and hiked down to a spot) before settling on the perfect one. It was semi-comical and semi-frustrating doing all that back and forth driving, and things almost came to a head when the keys got locked in our car at one beach. Eric and Sara actually broke in (through the obviously poorly constructed convertible top) and were able to pop it so we could get back in. That night on our way back home we ate at an authentic Hawaiian diner. I had what I will refer to as one of the best burgers of my life at that diner (Flamingo Diner) and I will never forget it!

Day 5: Eric and his stepdad went on a kayak tour out on Kailua beach (about 45 minutes away) in the morning and then everyone else went out to that beach in the afternoon to hang out in the sun. That was the best beach we went to the whole time. It wasn't very crowded and had some sweet waves for boogie boarding! After the beach, we headed back to Waikiki for drinks and then dinner at Tiki's grill.

Day 6: We got up early to hike up Diamond Head, which turned out to be pretty cool. It took about 45 minutes or something and the view was great. However, I think a quote from Eric's uncle Jeff best summed up the experience: "Off the record? A postcard would have been just fine." After a delicious lunch at the Cheesecake Factory, we were bused out to Paradise Cove for a luau! I had a really fun time. We made leis and threw spears and got to watch people shake their hips and stuff. I even tried poi! It was nasty. Here's me enjoying a "Blue Hawaii" - and enjoy it I did!

Day 7: We woke up early to go to Pearl Harbor and see the USS Arizona Memorial. Although we stood in line (which wrapped around twice!) for an hour, it was definitely worth it. We had to go out on a boat to see the memorial itself, which is built on top of the sunken Arizona. It was really incredible. After taking a small tour of Honolulu on the bus ride back to Waikiki, we went back to the beach and did an Outrigger tour. It's basically a big kayak that about 10 people get in and paddle out to sea and then ride back in on waves. It was so fun! That night we went to dinner at Duke's - named for Duke Kahanamoku, Hawaii's famous Olympic swimmer and surfer - and we were able to sit outside and sip delightful cocktails. I don't think I've ever had so many pina coladas in a week, it was great!

Day 8: Our last day was pretty laid back. We hung out on the beach for most of it. Right before we were about to leave, we saw the torch-lighting ceremony that they do on Waikiki beach every night. Guys dressed in nothing but a sarong run down the beach and light all the torches for the night. It was a fun way to end the trip.

All in all, it was one of the best trips I've ever been on. It was tough to leave and face the daily grind again. That's why I propose that the next gathering of the three of us should be in Hawaii! Please keep your calendars open!