Many of you receive these updates via email (as you had subscribed or been subscribed by me). I also receive these emails in my inbox.
The email received today inexplicably contains weird sized pictures, missing pictures and missing links and videos. Its inexplicable because the online version is fine.
So, if you wanted to see the post as it should appear, here is a link to the post.....
It must be annoying when the blog updates just stop ......... Like when your spouse stops talking mid sentence.....
I write the updates for two reasons; 1. To remember cool things that happened and 2. There is a feeling that people MIGHT be reading. You have no idea how excited it makes me feel when we return back to our normal life and people tell me that they enjoyed the blog posts. So, thanks for reading. And, thanks for letting me know that you have been reading. Enough about that....
One thing I forgot to tell you about the last blog post - I mentioned the following; "That night, we went to the local Waikiki Congregation meeting. We carpooled with Brandon and Halina (also from Melbourne) whom we bumped into in the food court the night before." Nice recap. I mentioned that we carpooled. But, did I mention what car we carpooled in?
This is Kylie and I in the backseat of the car with the 'ragtop down so my hair can blow?'
We were so excited. Our friends Brandon and Halina had hired what Halina termed a 'midlife crisis for the day.'
This was a pic we took after the meeting.
Where were we? Oh, I remember. So, as you might be aware, we are home. We dragged our camera (Sony Nex5n) with us on this holiday. But, never once did the camera leave my bag. We both took our iPhones and took aweome pics. I bought a $16 waterproof case (almost like a ziploc bag) and it was awesome! Took pics underwater, in the pool and no water damage. Funny thing about this $16 case is that on the last trip we did, I bought a waterproof case from the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in NY and spent more than $100 ...... and it wasnt waterproof.
This is similar to the case that I bought.
So, the last blog post, I ended with "So, then and there, we planned what us four Aussies were going to do the next day. And, let me tell you - it was a spectacular day!" Spectacular? Let me tell you all about it..... We four Aussies were in search of adventure. We planned to go to Hanauma Bay, famous for the beach and snorkelling. But, first, lets take a selfie (or a groupie) - note the disdain on the face of Brandon (who incidentally is a photographer)
We excitedly drove towards Hanauma Bay. Siri told us that the entry was just at the top of the small hill. But, we were greeted with this sign;
We knew that this might be a possibility. But, we really didnt plan on it happening. There are 300 parking spaces and all 300 were taken by the time we arrived. We were totes disappointed. But, we kept on driving and planned on going somewhere cool that we would find along the way and planned to return later in the day. First stop was Lanai Lookout. We stopped in the carpark, still dejected about missing out on snorkelling - we hadnt even noticed the majestic shoreline. We got out of the car to explore.
We watched these people swimming - the water looks still in the photograph, but it was treacherous. Those people were almost smashed against the rocks a few too many times.
We continued our drive along the coast to a lookout called Halona Blowhole.
Id love to say that this was my photo, but the spray was nowhere near this impressive. Thanks Google.
Like almost everywhere in Hawaii, there was always a few hundred other tourists.
Time to move on to the next spot - but first, lets take a selfie. I used the selfie-stick for this picture, which caused a few eyerolls.
We kept driving along the coast as we heard that there was a lighthouse with an awesome beach close-by. We found both of them.
This beach that you can see at the foot of the mountains was where we swam. It was, quite literally, the nicest beach I have even swam at.
Here is a pic I took of the lighthouse with the selfie stick.
So, if you are ever in Hawaii, the name of the beach is Makapuu Beach. It was awesome. Here are some pics/video I took there (yes, I was using my new waterproof case).
The water was crystal clear. The waves were awesome yet still wiped me out a number of times. The water droplet on the case makes Kylie look angelic.
After spending a few hours at this awesome beach, we stopped in a town for lunch. But, before we did, we sampled 'Shaved Ice' - otherwise known as a chunky slurpee.
Turns out, Barack Obama comes to this shaved ice place when he is in town.
We worked our way back to Hanauma Bay. The carpark was open again. We were VERY happy! We went through - we were even happier because after a certain time, you no longer have to pay to gain access to the beach. We had to watch a 9 minute video, which basically said 'Dont step on the coral.' We got down to the beach and they were no longer hiring our snorkel gear. And, the hire fee was ridiculous, so we probably wouldn't have hired them anyway.
Again, we were so close, and yet so far. No snorkeling for us that day! But, we did get to see the awesome view....
Home again, jiggety-jig. Man, were we tired!
Friday, May 15, 2015
I don't often take pictures of toilet signs - but I loved this sign so it's gotta be the main picture for this blog post.
Sorry it's been a few days..... I'm in Hawaii. Places to go, people to meet.... Including a Polynesian cultural centre. Here are a few pics from the show at the centre.....
We had a nice time. One thing about Hawaii is how much it caters for Japanese tourists - restaurants, stores and hotels. We love it! There is this awesome store we first visited in Kyoto called Lawson's - there just happens to be one in our hotel here in Hawaii. How can u describe it? It's like a 7-11, but with way, way, way more interesting stuff. So, I was looking around and I found this;
Here is a description;
Obvious question - what is the Ume fruit? Good question....
Kylie tried it first and said 'You will love this' while trying to keep a straight face. The verdict - The first sip was a little eyeball splitting. But, then - I loved it! Further to our love of all things Japanese, we had Okonomiyaki (basically, savory pancake). Amazingly cooked right in front of us on a grille with nothing more than what's shown in the pic below;
What an amazing treat!!! And, NOTHING LIKE the Okomnomiyaki I get from the food court at Werribee Plaza.
So, this hotel is huge! It continues to amaze me how many people we see coming and going. There are 32 levels with a total of 1636 rooms (thanks Wiki). I went to front desk yesterday, I overheard them saying that the hotel is at full capacity. But, is still branded to welcome the Stampin' Up! Achievers.
This entry area constantly is filled with people waiting for buses or tours, looking at the shops, meeting people ..... Such a melting pot of nationalities too.
We went on a trolley to Diamond Head. Here is a pic I took with my selfie stick;
Its a volcano or something like that (I wasn't listening to the tour guide). The view from there (as well as the view along the way) was amazing. The trolley is basically an open air bus with seats that face outwards.
Here are some pics we took;
So, as we were driving back into town, Kylie made use of the opportunity and started pinning....
It was too good to miss out on that pic....
That night, we went to the local Waikiki Congregation meeting. We carpooled with Brandon and Halina (also from Melbourne) whom we bumped into in the food court the night before. We also met Monica and Adam (who live about 25 minutes from us) at the meeting. It's a small Kingdom Hall with an older population. But, the singing was something I won't forget. I met one of my longtime Instagram friends nick_hawaii. Nick and DeAnna came to Melbourne for the convention. The meeting is at 7, so we grabbed a bite to eat afterwards.
Nick and DeAnna were super-helpful to us and gave us some awesome local tips about places to go. So, then and there, we planned what us four Aussies were going to do the next day. And, let me tell you - it was a spectacular day!
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
CChecked into the hotel - Sheraton Waikiki.
Wow! Just wow!
For a hotel that's older than me - it still looks pretty good.
We got a 'pillow gift' from Stampin' Up! It was a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses ..... Each. Admittedly, I'd never heard of them. But, after a quick google, was very happy. We selected and picked them up later that night.
Look out for some pics with our new glasses.
This is the view from our balcony.
No filter! And, yes, I used my selfie stick.
So, if you have been to Hawaii, you would know that there is ALOT of stuff for Japanese tourists. Including this .....
It's shaved ice. It was oishi. It was coconut and mango flavored. And, I'm going back and having another one soon.
Another weird thing about Hawaii is a fascination with Spam. It's EVERYWHERE! It even comes in different flavours. Whatever flavour it is - it's still gross!
We went into a shop and saw this;
It's a mould so that you can make sushi the perfect size of a spam tin. Hilarious!
Further to yesterday's post, I'm still tired, so I'd better be off. But, before I go, here is a pic of the outdoor dinner SU put on for us. It was delicious.
