Friday-Oahu

November 26th

Sarah’s Entry

   
    Up at 6 when Derek headed out to grab a Starbucks and fresh fruit.

    Vow renewal was nice, had to be there at 7:45 for 8:00 ceremony.  Bought the cd for $75.  The pastor reminded us of a Hawaiian “Cam”, from Modern Family.

    Back upto the room to change before heading off to Diamond Head.  I stopped at an ABC while Derek got the car to get a water and Maui style chips.

    Drive to Diamond Head was easy, walk was beautiful and so worth it!

    Ate our chips on drive to Dole.

    Dole wasn’t too crowded, got some whip in a waffle cone and some
Li hing power and macadamia nut honey for souveniers.  Off to Hael’iwa and Matsumoto shave ice.

    Sooo good, got a small with ice cream to split.  We had coconut and Li hing mui.  Both were great but the Li hing was amazing!

    Lauiakea Beach AKA Turtle beach so cool!  Great pictures of the turtles.  Best was the look on a little boys face as a turtle “snuck” up behind him.
   
    Waimea Valley, walked up the falls- $13 a piece.  Should have used the half off coupon out of thrifty map.  Shoulda had swim suit.

    Drove around 83 and made an impromptu stop at Surfin Taco’s.  Derek tried a fish taco which was on his bucket list.  I had the shredded beef taco.  They were both wonderful  Yum-O

   
    Dinner at La Marina with John and Lisa Bravender.  We tried the Hawaiian Poipa platter w/ smoked octopus, sashimi, and another salad w/ raw ahi.  D+I split a seafood pasta with ahi, shrimp, and scallops in a sweet marinara, pretty good.  The restaurant itself was a real tiki bar, one of the last left standing.

Derek’s Entry

    I woke up early ready to roll and stopped by Starbucks and down to a small fruit stand for some fresh fruit.  Found out that I love Hawaiian pineapples.  Hopped in the car, that we weren’t positive we were going to need.  So glad we did.  Started the morning out hiking up Diamond head.  It was a fun hike and at one point there was a stair case with 98 stairs.  Thought to myself  why not add 2 more stairs?  Took a lot of great photos on the way up.

    Drove around the island and saw some amazing views.   Went up to Dole plantation and picked up some Li Hing powder and a Dole Whip.  Then drove up the shore, got some shave ice which was good.  Seeing the turtles was cool as was driving around the shore line and through the mountains. Next stop was Waimea Valley to walk up to the falls.  It was cool, but we should have brought swimsuits to splash around in the lagoon.  Oh well, guess we learned for next time.  Driving along made me hungry and then I  saw a place called Surfing Tacos and grabbed a fish taco.  It was awesome.  Finished the drive and went back to the room to get ready for dinner.

    Had dinner with John and Lisa Bravender and his mom and step dad.  It was a fun time, glad I got to catch up with John.  Had a pretty good dinner, didn’t care to much for the octopus and raw ahi, but tried it anyways.  Back to the hotel.