Paradise Cove Birthday Celebration

September 10, 2011

    For my B-day I decided to go to Paradise Cove Luau in Ko Olina. We all dressed up for the special event. As we first walked into the venue there was a man singing in a gazebo and it was beautifully decorated and landscaped. We walked around to where the tables were with our Mi Tai’s were waiting.  They had both non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions. I got the non alcoholic and it was quite delicious! We continued our walk and meet a couple and a photographer. We got our Shell Lei’s put on and a picture. Once we got in a guy greeted us and gave us a run down on the events and assigned our seating for the evening. We went to look at the beautiful view and to take some pictures.

We then went and explored around the venue before the “flower shower”. What happens is a brave man climbs a tall palm tree without equipment with a sac of flowers and then at the tops sprinkles the flowers on the people bellow.

After the flower shower we went to the beach where they had a Hukilau ceremony on the beach. “Guests are invited to participate in the ceremonial pulling of the fish nets to the rhythms of the conch shell and Hawaiian chants.” It was pretty entertaining watching the men put on a funny skit on the beach and then they helped pull in the nets at sunset.

After the ceremony was over I decided to continue to check out the venue and saw a table where they were making head bands with flowers in them. I decided to get one and watch how it was made. The coconut palm leaves are braded and flowers are placed into the openings in the braid. We got to choose the flowers we wanted in them. I chose purple orchids and plumeria flowers.

After the headband I got a matching bracelet. The bracelet was made form grass blades and was more flexible but less sturdy.

I then checked out the Imu Ceremony. The Imu is an underground oven that the whole hog is cooked in all day long. They also had plenty of music and hula dancing during the ceremony. I took more pictures of the sunset and went over to where Trina and Kasey were getting the fake tattoo’s and got one too.

After that we went to the table and got ready for dinner. The dinner was buffet style. The menu is bellow:

·         Salad Bar

·         Macaroni Salad

·         Pasta Salad

·         Poi

·         Lomi Lomi Salmon

·         Fried Chicken

·         Island Fish w/ Macadamia Nut Creme Sauce

·         Kalua Pig

·         Steamed White Rice

·         Fresh Pineapple Chunks

·         Haupia

·         Chocolate Cake

·         Banana Coconut Cake

·         Hot Coffee or Hot Tea

·         Taro Rolls & Butter

I had the Kalua pig, friend chicken, rice, pineapple, taro roll, coconut cake, chocolate cake, Haupia and a lava flow drink

While we ate they had music playing and then started the show. I got to do the “Hukilau” hula on stage and Kelsey went up as well but we got separated. They taught us the moves first and told what each move signified in the story of the song then we got to do it to the song. After we got a certificate for participating on stage. The rest of the show that night was really funny and entertaining. We all had a good time.

After we got back home the girls had a surprise for me so I waited as they brought it down. I closed my eyes when they told me to and when I was allowed to look they sang happy birthday and had a container of Double fudge brownie ice cream with candles in it. I had some ice cream in a cup and we all talked for a bit and they decided that they wanted to go to a bar on base at Club Pearl. We all went to the Country Bar and had a good time. Some nice men invited to teach us the moves and it was challenging but fun.

More pictures can be seen at http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v521/delic1999/Camp%20Adventure%20in%20Hawaii/September%2010/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ20

Okinawan Festival at Kopi'olani Park and Waikiki

September 4^th, 2011

Trina and I planned out our trip for the day the night before. We looked at the public bus schedule to figure out how to get there. We went to the wrong bus stop at first but luckily the right one was pretty close. The bus ride is over an hour long so it gets boring really fast. Once we got to our final stop we first stopped and watched some performances.

We decide that we should get lunch so I decided to get an ANDADOG-“The Okinawan version of the corndog. The andadog is a whole hot dog on a stick that is dipped into andagi batter and deep fried.” It didn’t taste much different than a regular corndog to me. Trina and I sat under the shade of a tree and ate our lunches. It was a very warm and sunny day. We rehydrated and cooled down before we went exploring again. We checked out a tent that sold different plants, a tent that sold snack foods, and a market place tent. I bought some “Hawaiian pretzels” which are like French waffles you buy at the concession stands at the festivals and fairs. They have a different taste which is lighter then the ones back at home. We also walked around and took pictures of the park.

Red-creasted Cardinal

Queen Kapi'olani statue

Before we left I wanted to try the ANDAGI-“The andagi, or Okinawan doughnut, is an all-around Festival favorite. Basic doughnut ingredients, such as sugar, flour, milk and eggs are mixed into a batter and deep-fried in hot oil. The hand "dropping" of evenly rounded scoops of batter into the hot oil is a show in itself.” They were pretty good. They reminded me of a fritter in taste and a funnel cake.

Trina's picture on the Andagi

After the fest we walked across the street to Waikiki beach and changed to go swimming. I learned fast that having swim shoes is a must at the beaches. The rocks/coral are everywhere which makes it really rough to try and enjoy the waters.  We stayed for about an hour and then changed to explore Waikiki. We stopped at an ABC store and got post cards and other things. I was glad to pick up a couple of bird guide to help me identify the birds I have been seeing. We then explored the street on our way to find The Cheesecake Factory to have dinner. We had to wait in a long line to get in to make reservations. We had an hour and ½ to kill before dinner so we decided to check out International Marketplace. We stopped at an area that had live steel drummers playing on a stage and rehydrated while listening to them. We then decided to check out the other side of the street. There was this cool park lit up with tiki torches so we decided to check it out. We found a statue in the park and took some pictures and noticed a bridge walkway so we went up to the bridge to get a different view.

The revolving restraunt in the background

We then decided to check a Forever 21 store which was massive before we got paged to eat. I went down to claim out seats while Trina purchased some items. We then got to sit down to out late dinner at the Cheesecake factory. This was my first time there and it was ok. The best part was the cheesecake which I took home and ate later. I got the Chocolate raspberry truffle one.

Me and Trina at The Cheesecake Factory

We ended up getting back really late. We missed the early bus when we got there because we didn’t realized it was right in front of us. We had to wait an hour to get on it. Then it took forever to get back to base. We found out that the Makalapa gate was closed and we had to walk all around the base to the Nimitz gate in order to get in. We didn’t get to be until after 12am. Very long an exhausting night.

Kayaking Mokulua Islands and lunch at Kailua Beach Park

September 3, 2011

   Today we went kayaking through ITT which is place that you go through on base to does special events for a lower rate through the military. The prices are really good and they provide free transportation and sometimes meals as well. This trip cost $25 and included transportation, gear, and lunch.

  Today I had to get up early to meet the girls downstairs to go to the NEX to go pay for our trip at ITT before we left. We got there and paid for our trip and I had to run to McDonalds next door to buy some water since I accidently left my water bottle in the lobby at the hotel.  When I got back I had to pick out a life vest for the trip. We left later than scheduled due to another group being late to meet at ITT. We left without them and they were to meet up with us later. When we got to our destination they had up get the kayaks ready for the trip. We then went to the beach to use the restroom before the trip.

Trina and I decided to be partners for the trip. We had to carry the kayak down to the water which was no easy task. We had help getting into our boat and off we went. It took us about 15 minutes to get to the island. It took a lot of muscle strength to go against those waves. We got to the island which is a seabird sanctuary.  

We went with a small group to walk around the island to the “Queen’s Bath”. The rocks we black as coal and there were steep areas to traverse to get where we needed to go. It wasn’t the easiest to do with a still sore ankle but I did it. Some of the people jumped into the Queen’s bath and there was no way I was going to do it. I took pictures of the brave ones who did.

Sarah jumping into the "Queen's Bath"

A storm went through as we were at the Queen’s bath with an icy cold rain. After the rain passed we went back to the beach to swim for a little while before we had to head back. Trina and I went out near the head of the pack and took pictures on the way back from the kayak.

Sarah, Kelsey, Trina, Kasey, and I

We got back and had to drag the kayak back to the truck to get loaded. We went to Kailua Beach Park to use the restroom, change, and eat lunch. We had cold meat sandwiches, Pringles, and rice crispy treats for lunch.  Once we were finished we went back to the NEX and walked back to the hotel. The trip was really cool and was a good experience.

Day 5: USS Arizona memorial and Waikiki beach

August 27, 2011


    Today was a busy day. We meet down in the lobby at 7:15am and headed for the WWII Valor in the Pacific National Monument where the USS Arizona Memorial is at. When we got there we got to look around on our own for a while. I took lots of pictures and it was sprinkling off and on during this time.

USS Bowfin

Bird of Paridise flower

Plumeria Tree

       At 8:15 we went to see a film about the attack of Pearl Harbor. The film was about 30 minutes long and quite moving. After the film we boarded a small ferry boat and went to the USS Arizona Memorial. It is a small memorial so we didn't spend much time there.

USS Arizona Memorial

      When we got back to shore we took some pictures and a group photo before we left to get breakfast at McDonald's.

Kelsey, Sarah, Me and Trina

      We then went to the swap meet that is at the Aloha stadium. The vendors wrap all the way around the stadium. It was pretty interesting some of the things they had many vendors carried. I bought a shaved ice, a Hawaiian tank top and a Hawaiian dress. We only had an hour so I didn't have much time to check things out. After the swap meet we decided that we would go to Waikiki beach and have the next day off. Our PC David ended up taking the wrong exit so we got to see a little more of the island before we got to go back to the hotel since it was 10 miles before we could turn around to go back.

Stairway to Heaven

     Once we got back to the hotel we only had 30 minutes to change and pack our lunch before we had to meet in the lobby to go. The trip was a little long bout what a beautiful beach! The waves were much stronger than I expected. It was a lot of fun! Trina and I mostly hung out together at the beach. We stayed for quite a while before we decided to go back.

Waikiki beach

     To get back home we had to take "The Bus" which is their public bus transportation on the island. It took and hour and twenty minutes to get to Makalapa gate. From there we had to walk in the gate and then to our hotel. It was a long but very fun day!

Andrea