Hawaii - Day 8 : Dolphins

This morning, we took a cab to The Kahala Resort - a posh 5star hotel which is home to 6 dolphins.

They have programmes where you can pay to swim with dolphins, feed dolphins etc. But since my economical son said he only wanted to see the dolphins, we just watched for free.

There was also a stingray and some fishes in another pool.

Then we walked around the hotel taking pictures. This is the gazebo that almost became the venue for my sister's wedding. Good thing they didn't take it. It would have been very hot and uncomfortable and they would look like exhibits because the restaurant where hotel guests have their buffet breakfast is right next to it.

Joe had fun running on the green grass.

And trying to push Ah Chor...
Ahh....needed some help.

Then we walked to the Kahala Mall nearby. It was a very hot walk. Joe enjoyed watching cartoons inside the Gymboree store.

And he played inside a toy store. I came back to find him with a new toy from Yee Yee.

He loved it so much he slept hugging it.

But he said he will share with his baby sister.

We made our way back to Waikiki for dinner at Planet Hollywood.

Halfway round the world and 18-hour time difference to have fried rice in Planet Hollywood!!!!

I had chicken alfredo. Joe took one look at it and said "maggi mee!". very expensive maggi mee

Yeah....what a day!

Hawaii - Day 7 : International Market

We were supposed to stay in today to get some rest. Even Joy-Anne was happy watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.

But my sister suddenly wanted to have some buffet meal. So off we went to Perry's Smorgey on Kuhio Ave. It was a great disappointment.

So we just ate to fill up and then made our way to the International Market to walk off the calories. All the shops there sell almost the same stuff. Hawaiian wear which look like our own local batik, key chains, shell leis, magnets etc etc etc.

The highlight of the day for Joe was a rainbow in the sky.

Did I mention the road names are pretty funny? Our apartment is on Niu St. Then there's Launiu St. And there's also a Uluniu St.

Hawaii - Day 6: spending money

We took the free shopping shuttle to the Hilo Hattie store. At the entrance, we were greeted with free shell leis as souvenirs. Joy-Anne got a lei too. looking cool with cookie monster's shades

Hilo Hattie is home to the world's largest Aloha shirt.

After the Hilo Hattie, we went to Baby Emporium to get a new stroller. I was quite happy with it. Paid USD83 for the Combi Flare. Combi strollers are no less than about RM800 in Malaysia.

We spent the entire afternoon/evening at the Ala Moana Shopping Center. I did quite some shopping.

We entertained Joe with a paper bag. Kept him occupied so I could eat. Retail therapy is good.

Hawaii - Day 5 : Grand Circle Island Tour

We set out early today for a 120 mile tour of Oahu. The bus picked us up at 7.55am. Joy-Anne was all excited.
Joe was excited too. He woke up early at 6am and was sitting in his stroller, waiting by the door by 7.30am while all of us were still getting ready.


We set out from Waikiki and headed east. First stop was at the Diamond Head lookout.

Then we stopped to see Hanauma Bay. This has been voted the best place to snorkel. We will be coming here again on Wednesday morning. The beach is far down. There are 2 ways to get down and up i.e walk or take the tram. The tram costs 50cents to go down and USD1.00 to come up. Fuel is expensive!

We made another scenic stop at err....I can't remember. This was near Sea Life Park and Joe was fascinated looking at a hang glider.

This is the Pali Lookout. It's was breathtaking.




We made a 90-minute stop at the Dole Plantation. I've never seen so much pineapples in my life.

The highlight of today for Joe was riding the Pineapple Express. He was so excited waiting for the train.

Joy-Anne was pretty excited too even though I don't think she'll remember anything.


Pineapple faces...

This was the Pineapple plantation garden. It was actually quite hot!

We cooled off with some Dole Whip. It's soft serve ice cream in pineapple flavour. We also got the Pineapple Float. Refreshing!

After Dole Plantation, both kids were totally tired out. They both slept for over an hour in the bus. We drove pass the North Shore, Sunset Beach etc but I didn't go down.

The final stop was at a macadamia nut factory. We had complimentary macadamia nut kona coffee and sampled various kinds of macadamia nuts. There was also macadamia nut popcorn which made Joe very happy.

The tree behind me is a macadamia nut tree. It can grow up to 30ft tall.

We finally got back to our apartment at 4.30pm. Joe was quite happy to take a bath.

All clean and happy! And tired....I hope he sleeps well tonight.

Hawaii - Day 4 : taking a break.

After plenty of walking yesterday (my feet hurt!!!) my sister and I decided to take a break. Walking is not a problem. But when you're also carrying a 8kg baby while breastfeeding at the same time and walking in the hot sun....it's a very long back-breaking walk.

So while we stayed home, my parents went on a tour of Pearl Harbour, the USS Arizona Memorial and the city.


The kids played at home and Joe was happy with the familiarity of Playhouse Disney on TV.


Joe playing pretend-cooking with yee yee.
And feeding his new Doc Hudson milk! (using a bottle of sunblock)