Monday, December 24, 2007

Happy Holidays





Sunday, December 16, 2007

HAWAII

DAY 2

On day one we just walked along the beach. It was nice and relaxing. We went to all the shops and looked around along the way.
On day 2 though we went to the flea market. It is meant for tourists. You can pick up stuff for everyone a lot cheaper than in the stores. We spent until early afternoon there. I even bought another suitcase there just to hold all of the thing that we bought. We got hoodies for all the kids, everyone has three shirts, we got shorts for the boys, dresses for Michaelle and I, and Tsenu got a Hawaiian shirt that buttons down.
After the flea market we went hiking in the rain forest to the waterfalls. I have never been in a place more beautiful. We were told the only thing that can bite us there is the mosquitoes. Whenever everyone else makes it, remember that the mountains are the most beautiful part of the island.


DAY 3



On day 3 Tsenu and I went on a submarine ride. Talk about a view of the island I never thought that I would see. It was amazing!!! We went 120 feet under and saw sea turtles, a shark, and more tropical fish then I thought I would. They warn you that the sea life cannot be made to come out for us.
After the submarine we went on a sunset cruise. The view was spectacular. We had dinner on board. I never thought that the etiquette dinners the young women made us sit through would pay off. But they did when I sat down to a table with three forks, three knives, and a fork and spoon at the top of the plate. The food was disgusting! Oh, I mean it. If the rich eat like that I know why they are thin!! Tsenu and I decided that the cruise more than made up for the food.


DAY 4
Tsenu and I went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We had the best time. The villages had performances that were both educational and funny. After spending the whole afternoon traveling from village to village we went to a luau. There was all kinds of traditional foods. Some were great and others weird; like chicken long rice. After the luau there was a big show. It had dancers from almost all of the islands. This final performance is were the fire dancers were. The center is something that has to be experienced, it is hard to describe.

Day 5
Tsenu and I had our own car and on day 5 we made use of it. We drove around the entire island. First, we drove as far west as we could go and then turned around. There is a section of road that the locals said washed out years ago. So you cannot actually make a full circle. Then we drove up through the middle of the island. After that we drove east all the way back around. We got on Highway 3 to finish our tour.
Highway 3 sits high on the mountain and has the best views. I wanted to go on it to see the stairway to heaven. They are metal stairs that stretch from the bottom of the mountain to the top. They go up along a ridge. A local said it is a public stairway but if you fall your dead. I thought the view from far away was fine with me.

Day 6

Tsenu and I went to the USS Arizona and on a tour of the Missouri. The navy officers take you out to the Arizona and back again. It is military land so you cannot go off on your own. Then we went to the Missouri. You are not aloud to take any picture until you get there. They do not want anyone photoing the base. Cannot image why! You also cannot take any bags with you of any kind; no diaper bag, purse, camera bag, or backpack. Tsenu and I seemed to be the only ones who got the message because everyone else had bags with them. They had to check them into a bag check in place or leave them on the bus.
The tour was fun but not the most fun we had. Tsenu have decided the Missouri and Arizona should be done the first day and everything else after!
Day 7 we traveled home. I was sad to see the last of Hawaii. Even though this trip was supposed to be my trip, Tsenu enjoyed himself as much as I did. I know everyone is thinking of course he did. But I have been asking to go for years and Tsenu has always said if I want to go, go on my own. He never wanted to step foot in Hawaii. He thought the humidity would kill him. He found out very quickly it is not as humid as he thought. Plus, neither of us have seen any place so beautiful and green.