Luau #1 Hale Koa

I named this #1 because most people who visit Hawaii want to do a luau. 

It's actually amazing that we've been here almost a year and have only done one so far. 

I feel another coming on, when Danielle comes to visit in July :)

I first luau was with Gabrielle & Brian. We went to one done by the military resort in Waikiki. Excellent choice, we had such a great time!

We walked around in Waikiki for a while, the Hale Koa is a beautiful resort!

Lush gardens to walk around in, and right on the beach.

This is a Banyan tree, all the vines come off the tree and root, making several trunks.

The Luau had a pre-show and activities going on just before dinner and the show.

 Like: how to open a coconut, Hawaiian sarong fashions, hula dancing lesson.

The best part was when Cousin Louie climbed the Palm Tree!

You could learn to make a lie bracelet, weave a headdress, or get a tattoo.

We were shown the traditional way a luau pig is roasted in the ground with hot rocks. 

Although I'm pretty sure they prepared ours in a bit more contemporary way.

The meal was very cultural (we didn't leave too full)

It was presented family style

THE HALE KOA LUAU ROYAL MENU

SALADS (served Family Style)

Cucumber and Papaya

Seaweed

Lomi Lomi Salmon

Fresh Pineapple

MAIN COURSE - ADULT & YOUTH

Kalua Pork

Mahimahi Fish

Soy Sauce Chicken

Teriyaki Beef

Fried Rice

Poi

Sweet Potato

Banana Fritter

DESSERT(Served Family Style)

Coconut Cake

Haupia Pudding

The show had lots of music, dancing, and fire!

It will be hard to top this one!

Sea Life Park- For The Birds!

When Maggie and Bill were here, we visited Sea Life Park. 

As aquatic adventures go, it was pretty mediocre but we had fun anyway.

The best part was the bird aviary, free to all guests with complimentary feeding sticks. 

It was bursting with colorful cockatiels

and lovebirds ready to eat out of your hand. 

There are 6 birds on ken in this picture.

They were enamored with his backpack and hat!

As you see, our friends Maggie and Bill are on the other side of the fence.

A little too up close and personal for some people :) 

This  is my hand, the birds were very accustomed to people.

So much fun!

Yes, there were actually sea life in this park...

Hammerhead

Turtles

Penguins

seals

with a show-this guys was not performing for anyone!

Sea lions

With a show, they were pretty adorable!

 Tropical fish

A large tank filled with many sea creatures

I loved this giant manta ray!

Military Beaches are Marvelous! Bellow's Beach

It's time for a beach blog! Ken and I are not very "beachy" people, 

but we do love the beauty of it all!

I was introduced to this particular beach by my dearest "Hawaii friend" Khris!

Bellow's Beach

Located on Bellows Air force Stations in Waimanalo (East side of Oahu)

One great thing about the military beaches is that they are usually not very crowded. 

The mountains and islands that enclose this beach make it one of the prettiest on the island.

If this doesn't make you want to visit Hawaii- nothing will :) 

Thanks to Khris for sharing this gem with me and being a great friend.

These pictures were taken in the Fall.

Gabby and I found out that the waves can be a bit rough in the Winter months.

We swam there in February and got toppled a few times, 

she almost lost her glasses, and I had an unfortunate wardrobe malfunction.

That and the unsettling danger signs made it a less than ideal beach trip- but we had fun anyway!

From Here To Eternity

Just a little movie adventure for those of you who like the classics!

Many movies where filmed on Oahu, this movie filmed in 1953 

won 8 academy awards that year. 

It was set in 1941, Hawaii, days leading up to the attack on Pearl Harbor.

This most famous scene from the movie was filmed at Eternity Beach- 

although it was called that after the movie.

This is what it looks like

my picture :)

So, it's not technically a beach but there are usually swimmers there.

When Maggie & Bill visited I finally had a cohort in crime to swim with me at the cove. 

(Ken is no fun) Just kidding Ken <3

"The Decent"

Ken captured the adventure beautifully!

Maggie in pink- me in black/flowers

Waves were a little crazy

 We got toppled a few times (not captured on film) 

and we put our towels too close to the surf ie: wet towels!

Well, that's about as close as we are gonna come to this...

Oh Hollywood!