That's funny that you read mine- you have COMPLETELY paid me back and then some!
You seem to have picked the things I am interested in doing with my family- the North Shore, the luau, the Surf School, the ranch- did you go out on a canoe or paddleboard? Anyway, I am very impressed you both were able to get up when you surfed, I hope we are as fortunate (although I am not sure if we are all doing this or just the boys are). I did read that they are the best surf school, and it sounds like you agree.
Awesome day, thanks for sharing AGAIN.
We didn't go out on canoe or paddleboard, but there were opportunities to (the Paradise Cove Luau offered kayaking and so did Kualoa Ranch's secret beach). The guys at surf school were so enthusiastic in cheering for you to get up on the board, and they were ready to get you back for another try if you didn't do it right away - they really work to get everyone surfing! I hope you have lots of fun when you go - and I can't wait to read your Aulani TR!
Great trip report!
I am anxiously reading as I try to convince DH to go in March! We went to the Big Island last Thanksgiving and it was so relaxing! Looks like my family would love most of the activities you chose!
Did you find it was a lot of driving? I ask because I had thought to split our days between Waikki (sp )and Aulani! I prefer to stay in one place and just commute, if not too terrible. Hey I drive in LA no problem!! We would really like to Diamond Head, North Shore and maybe Pearl Harbor as well as shopping, snorkeling and swimming! We are picky eaters, isn't there a strip mall close by?
I love being able to go to Target where ever we go and get snacks and things! Funny thing in Kona we ate at (gasp) Taco Bell and Subway too! We aren't very adventurous food wise, though we did go to an authentic luau at the yacht club with all the ( weird to us and yucky!) authentic foods!
Can't wait for the rest of your TR!
I hope you are able to convince your DH! I didn't mind the driving, although you did have to trek a bit to get anywhere. Wakiki area traffic was thicker, but further out it wasn't bad (but the speed limit was around 35 so that was a little annoying). By the end we were glad our last 2 days were
Adventures by Disney so they could do the driving! There is a strip mall "across the street" (it's across and down a little) and they do have eating options, but we didn't eat there (one day we almost got sandwiches and salads from the ABC store in the strip mall - they looked really good but then we decided on something else). Kapolei is a little town very close to Aulani (about a 5 minute drive) and it had lots of places to eat (Outback, Chili's, Panda Express, McDonalds, etc), but even so we went for convenience and ate at Aulani mostly (either the restaurants, private dining, or our groceries). I'm glad I'm not alone in being a non-adventurous eater, I was a little nervous to admit that I didn't love all the island food!
Thank you for all of your info. We aren't going until August 2012 but I still can't wait. DH wants to to a couples massage and you gave me a lot of info for him. And the pictures are wonderful. We reserved an Ocean View but we were told that the Pool view is just as good. Looking at your pictures, I am not sure I want to gamble. I LOVE waking up and sitting out on the balcony when we are on vacation. It seems to be the only time in my life that I voluntarily get up at dawn.
Keep the info coming!
Sue
The couples massage was so great, they really spoiled us! I've found myself home thinking that I could really go for another massage haha!
Ours was an ocean view, so maybe a Pool view would just be a lower level that just might not get the ocean view? No matter what it will be awesome to sit out there and listen to the sounds and watch the resort light up!
Thanks for posting this trip report ... have been trying to make up our minds as to what to do while there (we're all about the resort and Mickey), and this is helping a lot, especially the dining reviews!
The part about the wrist-bands cracks me up since as a teen we used to sneak into the extravagant resort pools, which is why its so strictly enforced now for resort guests only ... to keep the locals out!
Glad you had a great trip, and you were very fortunate to have seen both turtles and a monk seal! We see turtles once a month or so (usually hit the beach once a week), and I think I've only seen a monk seal once in the last 5 years or so.
I'm glad you are enjoying it! I wish my dining report would have been better - each year we try to be good dining reporters but we always dig in so fast and then forget what we ate later! We didn't really run into a lot of reinforcement with the pool wrist-bands, probably because it was so quiet when we were there. I'm so jealous that you get to be in such a beautiful place... I don't understand why everyone doesn't immigrate there after visiting once lol!
Great trip report so far! Wondering if you booked your surf experience in advance or did you wait til you got there?
We did book both of our excursions over the phone a month or so before we got there. I've read in other threads that some excursions have been canceled for not getting filled up so it seems like it's no problem to wait until you get there to book. I think the greatest advantage to booking there is that you get to get more information about the excursions (the people on the phone didn't have any information, but that might just be because it's so new).
I am loving your TR so far!! We live here and have been lucky enough to stay at Aulani a few times now. It's gorgeous. I just love reading what visitors have to say about our gorgeous island home!!
Romy's is not my fav shrimp truck. I like Big Wave (they offer peeled shrimp) or Giovanni's better (no heads but you need to peel.)
Hawaiian Monk Seals are very rare to see, lucky you saw one!! Seeing a sea turtle is considered good luck here too. And Laniakea Beach is a great place.
One hint--walk the paved pathway along the beaches to the right, past the Marriot, keep going on a dirt path to another private cove. You may find sea turtles there too. That's state property (all beaches belong to the people/state of HI.)
Don't forget to get shave ice. I like Aoki's in Hale'iwa. The reason traffic was backed up in Hale'iwa was because surf was up. Always backs up traffic. Imagine in winter, when swells are 30' and bigger!!! Major traffic LOL!
Thanks for all the hints - I wish I could pin it up somewhere for everyone to see! If we are lucky enough to go again we'll try one of those shrimp trucks. DH definitely did enjoy the shrimp, but if he didn't have to work so hard he'd love them even more lol. If I would have known about the private cove we would have walked there every day in hopes of seeing turtles again! They (and the monk seal) are the most beautiful animals ever!
Honestly, the people and the beauty of the island made it a spectacular vacation. DH is military so I think I've asked him a million times since we landed in Honolulu if he's sure he can't get posted to Oahu (he's sure... although I'm thinking about asking his boss just to be really really sure). It's like being in another world! Thank you for continuing that feeling by sharing more tips here... is that what they call the Aloha spirit?
I've read about half of this, I've got to run but I'll be back! GREAT details!
On Sunday I had a trip to Aulani booked for about 2 hours!
We'll have to wait until 2013, like I had planned, but I love all the details. I'm definitely getting the ocean view room!
So glad you are enjoying it! I saw there was a sale on plane tickets to Honolulu this weekend and DH said "book them!" Too bad we have weddings and graduations booking up our vacation next year
I am really enjoying your TR, it is fantastic! We hope to go to Aulani in a couple years and I just love seeing the pictures and reading about what you did each day-Thank you!
Thank you! I hope you get to go!