It's 10:20 pm and the thermometer outside our window is reading 12 degrees.
I think I vacuumed up the last remaining Hawaiian sand from our carpets today. What a trip! In honor of those 12 degrees, here are 12 highlights:
1) Family...not only did go to a warm and beautiful island but, we were able to spend time
with Jeff, Ann and the rest of the Hawaiian Jex crew.2) Friends... Jim and Annie Davis. We found out in the fall that we were all heading to Hawaii at the same time, a beautiful coincidence. Thankfully, Jim survived the sea urchin attack.
Sue, Lucy, Trevor and Jamon on Kailua Beach
3)The sunshine... The colors of sunrise beganaround 6:15am, by that time at the Jex home, not only had she already played with Sue and Lu but, Aedan's delicious breakfasts were almost ready pancakes, crepes, and French Toast. These were all on school days! We are still riding that wave as we can still remember the way the sun feels on our skin...the sun was up by 7am!
4) The surf... from the first day at the beach, Lucy was wanting to go deeper. She tried her hand at everything even snorkeling for a second. She was up on a surfboard, boogie boarding, turtle floaty surfing (Kailua Trevor style) and body surfing. My niece, Aedan, gave Rob surfing lessons. Jamon gave Susanna a ride on the boogie board.
5) The sand...Susanna was more cautious about the open water but, she made plenty of sand creations and then a few days in, thanks to her cousins, she discovered body surfing! She loved it for the rest of the trip.
6) The snorkeling: Lanikai and Haunauma Bay
7) The surfing and boarding: Kalama, Kailua, Waikiki and Bellows
Everything Rob knows about surfing, he learned from his 11 year old niece.
8) The Huge wave and sun bathing sea turtle watching: Laniakea on the North Shore
9) Polynesian Cultural Center. We loved the roasted pig, New Zealand was a highlight with a visiting middle school dance group. Susanna was very entertained when the men with extra thick grass skirts danced over a big fire at the Evening Show. It was great.
10) The Food: Teddy's Burgers, Hawaiian chili, pineapple, papaya, Thai food the roadside restaurant owner, sensing our confusion, took care of us by making us a plate. Best of all...overheard by her parents in car, Lucy said to Susanna, "I'm serious Susanna, that restaurant last night had food called Poo poo [Pupu]!"
11) Portuguese Man-of-War and other WILD life..Lucy personally met one, we snorkeled with sea turtles and beautiful tropical fish including the Humuhumukununukuapua'a! We also saw a 5 inch long centipede. We are not used to such bug life in cold Alaska!
12) Barbecues on the turf 10 yards from the surf at Bellows. What a great place to stay.
Bottom photos: (Left: LDS Temple in Laie; Right: At the PCC Luau)
8 comments:
ahhhhh, hawaii. i'm jealous. except, i don't deserve it as much as you guys... i have light for more than 4 hours a day.
sounds like you had a blast. glad to hear it.
i think we've rescheduled our trip to the great, dark north for the end of jan/beginning of feb. can we eat salmon with you?
:) the wiggling walters!
You guys so deserve some sun! Your family is so cute!
What a fun vacation!! Try to stay warm in the cold Alaskan weather.
Hey I found your blog from Nichole. Hopefully you dont mind... What a fun vacation. Im very jealous.
Silly Lucy. I laughed about her comment about the PUPU to Suzy
It sounds like you guys had a blast!! Funny that while i was reading your post, Isreal Kamamawiwo's "Some Where Over the Rainbow" started playing on my Ipod...so fitting. It made me feel like I was there! I hope everything is going well for you!!
Sounds like so much fun!! I'm glad you were able to escape and enjoy the sunshine!
Great list. Amazing vacation. Awesome family. Jeff gets the 'Awesome-guy-who-saved-the-vacation' award.
What's the word on the family's return to the lower 48?
Post a Comment