Hawaii

So, Hawaii is everything that I thought it would be, and more. Actually, going into this vacation I had remarkably few expectations, as I did't have enough time to form any. A quick breakdown of my activities the past 10 days (well, most of my activities) - this is mainly for my guidance, and not for readership:

(and for those of you wondering why I have found the time to blog while on my honeymoon - T.J. likes to sleep in, I don't. Simple as that).

1. Turtle bay resort was amazing! I am blown away though, by how early things shut down on the island each night. I guess I am used to Alberta, where the sun stays up over 5 hours later each day in the summer.
2. We snorkelled and used glass-bottom Kayaks to see sea turtles in the bay near the resort - talk about cool! First one we found was on the beach sleeping and couldn't have cared less that we were there!
3. I ate bacon every morning at the buffet! Totally scared to step on a scale now, but happy that I don't have the stress of trying to fit into my dress.
4. Giovanni's shrimp truck was yummy!
5. Kualoa Ranch - I got to see where part of Jurassic Park was filmed, as well as Lost, Pearl Harbour and many many more.
6. Snorkelling in Shark's Cove was epic!
7. Shave Ice is the best ever, though I wonder at how Matsumoto's got such a good reputation, as I found it mediocre at best. There was a little place by the food land on the East side of the island (I think it was called Angel's) that had the best shave ice.
8. I have never spent so much time napping - I love it!
9. Driving round the island in a blue mustang convertible rocks. Thank goodness that T.J. and I work well as a team when it comes to directions though.
10. Sunday we went shopping at the Aloha stadium - checked out all the vendors surrounding the stadium - I spent a lot of money!
11. Yesterday was the Honolulu Zoo - pictures will be up soon!

(daily itinerary, from the best I can remember)

Sunday September 12 - arrived at the hotel really late after getting our car and driving up the island after getting a little lost.
Monday September 13 - Went for a walk along the beach first thing in the morning. Walked really far, it was so warm, and humid! Then went for a drive down the east side of the island and ended up going around almost the whole thing - the drive was awesome!
Tuesday September 14 - went to Kualoa Ranch and Giovanni's shrimp truck in the morning. The ranch trip was a couple hours, and we saw tons of movie sets and a WWII bunker. After a lovely nap, we went snorkelling in a bay near our resort and saw our first turtle.
Wednesday September 15 - went kayaking in the same bay as before, with glass-bottom kayaks. Also saw the Lost giant Banyan tree. Also went golfing at the George Fazio course, was so fun! I was doing quite well by the end of it (we were the last on the course at the end of the day.) I had ribs for dinner at the clubhouse.
Thursday September 16 - Went snorkelling at Shark's Cove first thing in the morning, long before the crowds could get there. after an afternoon nap we went into Haweli for some shopping, and had Aloha General Store shave ice, as well as New York Style Pizza.
Friday September 17 - Went to the Dole Plantation, took the Pineapple Express train, ate more pineapple than I could ever imagine, went shopping and went through the world's biggest maze with a woman named Lin from Seattle. enjoyed our last night at Turtle bay by drinking our champagne and watching the sun set while walking around the resort. Dinner was a hawaiian buffet with prime rib at the resort.
Saturday September 18 - after our last buffet breakfast, we drove from the resort down the east side of the island towards Waikiki. I slept most of the way. Stopped at McDonald's where there was a very epic mural. It was really weird. Woke up in the middle of Waikiki and T.J.'s need for a map - a little stressful to say the least. After we checked in, we headed to the A La Moana mall (which is massive!) Ate Bubba Gump's Shrimp Co. shrimp, and did some shopping. We then walked down the main street which was closed for a festival - otherwise known as a business promo - found out there were 6 coach stores within 10 blocks of each other. There were stages on each block, and the music was really good.
Sunday September 19 - went shopping at the Aloha Stadium, had another epic nap, and watched the sunset at the Waikiki beach. Then went for dinner at this famous buffalo wings place, and played Buzztime - thanks to the time changes, we were 15th in the US at one point!
Monday September 20 - Spent the morning at the Honolulu Zoo after doing laundry at the hotel (our hotel pool is depressing) - we walked there which took a long time. Took lots of pictures of animals. Walked back to the hotel, then off to the beach for a sunset snorkel. Nightlife in Waikiki not really great (as we are not bar folk and don't really care about hitting a luau all the time, and are generally fooded out), so we went to a movie at the Ward Centre. Saw "the Town" with Ben Affleck - wasn't too bad.

And now here I am, all caught up.