It has been exactly six months today of waking up to this view every morning. Time flies when you’re having fun!
6 Months
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Tag Archives: Oahu
Hanauma Bay
Today, our field trip was Hanauma Bay (which is where everyone goes snorkeling on Oahu). Hanamua Bay is actually a volcanic crater (possibly the last volcanic action on Oahu). The ocean eventually cut through the low wall of the crater, which formed the bay. I hadn’t been yet, so I was pretty excited to go. It was beautiful! I even went snorkeling with the help of some of my kids (seriously one of them held my hand). For those who know me and how afraid of the ocean I am, this is big news! I didn’t last long but I made it far enough out to see a few different kinds of fish and coral. Then I started to panic, so I went in :). Baby steps…
So beautiful!
Waikiki Beach
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Kailua Beach Park
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Today for work we took the kids to Kailua Beach Park. We had a beach clean up and then played in the ocean. Not bad for a Friday at work :).
Mom’s Visit: Part Two
On Monday after I got off work, we went and hiked Manoa Falls so my mom could see a waterfall. I have done this hike a few times and it is usually muddy..but NOTHING compared to what it was this time. People were going barefoot because it was easier. The mud was pulling my shoes off my feet and it was very easy to fall! However, the hiking through the mud was definitely worth it…the waterfall at the end was amazing. It’s normally just a light trickle of water…but it was flowing beautifully when we got there! After that, we headed home to take a shower and went to have drinks and dinner. We ate pizza at JJ Dolan’s, drank well-earned drinks and had dessert at Du Vin.
Mom and the giant Banyan tree at the beginning of Manoa Falls.
Looking up through the trees.
Standing under the tree arch in the mud.
SO MUDDY!
My mom in the bamboo forest.
Manoa Falls. So beautiful!
Drinks at JJ’s.
Chocolate Soufflé for dessert.
Today after work, we ventured out around downtown and wandered through some of the stores. We also stopped at a crêpe place for lunch. For dinner, we had Cuban food (probably my favorite restaurant here) and tried a few new things that Josh and I hadn’t had yet. Everything was wonderful!
Banana, strawberry, nutella crêpe.
Mojitos.
Cuban appetizer sampler: croquetas de jaiba, papa rellena and platanos.
Josh’s dinner: pargo a la cubana
My mom’s dinner: ropa vieja
My dinner: fricase de pollo
Mom’s Visit: Part One
My mom arrived on Thursday and since then we have been taking her all over the island doing as many things as possible! I picked her up on Thursday and in complete tourist fashion, got her a beautiful lei from Chinatown! We then stopped by the apartment before heading to the Kailua Farmers’ Market where we met Josh for dinner. After that, we headed home and called it a night!
Lei from Chinatown.
So happy she’s here!
On Friday, we stopped by Spitting Caves, hiked to Makapuʻu Lighthouse and then headed to Serg’s for fish tacos. It started raining so we headed back to Honolulu and wandered through Chinatown for a bit. For dinner, we were touristy and had dinner at Duke’s in Waikiki. They are famous for their Mai Tais and we decided my mom needed to try one! Dinner was delicious and was a perfect way to end a busy first day!
My mom at Spitting Caves. Super happy to be there!
My mom and I at the top of Makapuʻu Lighthouse trail.
Josh and I at Duke’s.
Crab Wontons…our delicious appetizer!
My mom and I split fish. So good!
Josh had ahi..also amazing!
Saturday, we headed to the North Shore for some shrimp, açai bowls and shave ice. Our first stop was Giovanni’s. We had corn and shrimp (so good). After enjoying a fantastic lunch, we headed to Haleiwa for dessert. First, we all split an açai bowl (my mom’s first one) then headed across the street for Matsumoto’s famous shave ice. We all picked one flavor and split (mom: tangerine, Josh: coconut creme, me: cherry). Delicious! After our tour of food, we went off-roading on the trail to Kaena Point. It was an extremely bumpy ride with a beautiful rewards at the end. We wandered around Kaena Point and took pictures of the incredible scenery and the endangered birds (albatrosses and shearwaters). We then made our way back to Honolulu for my mom’s first experience of Shabu Shabu!
Our buddy hanging out with us while we enjoy our açai bowl.
Shave Ice!
Me napping on Josh on our way to Kaena Point. I was tired!
My mom and I and Josh’s car on our way to Kaena Point.
My mom and I at Kaena Point.
Vegetable Shabu Shabu. So good!
On Sunday, we hiked Mariner’s Ridge. It was cloudy and rainy but we still had a decent view at the top! After that, we went to Kailua to have lunch at Kalapawai Cafe and then Josh gave my mom a tour of base. We ended the day with dinner at home and some time enjoying the hot tub! First few days of her trip have been a blast :).
Josh and I hiking to the top of Mariner’s Ridge.
Josh at the top of Mariner’s Ridge enjoying the view.
My mom and I at the top of Mariner’s Ridge.
Kapa`ele`ele Trail
Yesterday, I went on a short hike with my boss and coworker to see if it was a good hike to take the kids on for our summer program. It was SO much fun. After our hike, we were heading to lunch at Masa and Joyce in Kaneohe and spotted a Hawaiian Monk Seal hanging out on the beach. It was definitely a Hawaiian adventure day for me!
Ms. Maureen and Liz hiking!
Kahana Bay. So beautiful!
Steps on the trail.
Pretty flower…no idea what it is.
Tunnel under the road to the ocean.
Kahana Bay after going through the tunnel.
Tons of crabs hanging out on the rocks.
Chicken Katsu
Hawaiian Monk Seal!
Today, I was driving down the road with my boss and a coworker, after checking out a hike for a field trip for our summer program, and Liz spotted a Hawaiian monk seal, or ʻIlio-holo-i-ka-uaua, sunbathing on a beach. They are an endangered species and it was so INCREDIBLE to see one in person! We were able to get so close and he didn’t seem to mind. He even snorted and rolled over onto his stomach after a bit. I can’t believe how close we got! It’s days like these that make me want to live here forever :).
Kayaking!
Today, Becca, Ben, Josh and I went kayaking off of Kailua Beach. Josh and I did this a few months ago and had a great time and this time the weather was much nicer. It was a beautiful day and we had a great time kayaking to two different islands. We all got plenty of sun and a great workout! Definitely a great way to spend our last full day with Becca and Ben!
Becca and Ben on Popoi’a (Flat Island).
Josh pointing at a hole and telling me to stand in it for our picture.
Josh and I on Popoi’a (Flat Island).
Two shearwater birds hanging out.
Becca, Ben and Josh swimming at an inlet on Moku Nui Island.
The inlet filling up with water.
The water rushing out of the inlet.
Josh and Ben
Dining Out
Tonight, Josh and I went to his battalion Dining Out dinner. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was a lot of fun to experience some of the traditions and to see everyone all dressed up!
Nic, Tony, Anna, Andy, me and Josh
Josh and I 🙂
365 Days Of Hawaii 