Sunday, February 1, 2015

Hello Hawaii

This post is so late. Perhaps part of the reason that I put it off for so long is because in my mind, publishing this post symbolizes an official return to reality. That might not make any logical sense, but I guess to me, the act of /journaling or summarizing/ marks some sort of conclusion or ending. But what I learned and gained from the Hawaiian experience? Here's hoping it will last a lifetime.

Summary:

Tuesday, December 23rd 2014:
- Arrival: Greeted by beautiful birds upon arrival at the resort
- Snack: Uncle Jerry's Bananas Ice Cream Sundae
- Dinner: Kalua Pork Burgers at Queens Court's Food Court
- Movie: Neighbors





Wednesday December 24th 2015:
- Morning: woke up early for the sunrise and had the breakfast of champions
- Drove up the coast to visit Pu'uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park
- Lunch: Kona Coffee and Tea's Macadamia nut encrusted chicken with mayo/dijon sauce
- Dessert: Okinawan Sweet Potato Pie with Haupia Topping
- "Don't get kayaks with holes in it. You will sink, but honestly, it's just water. It's not that big a deal."
- Black Sand Beach
- Dinner: Macaroni Grill's Pasta Milano
- Movie: Maze Runner




















Thursday December 25th 2014:
- Day at the resort: paddle boarding, snorkeling, sea turtles
- Snack: Vanilla smoothie by Ocean Tower
- Dinner: Sansei Seafood Steak and Sushi Bar's Issei Sushi Combo
- Dinner Pt. 2: Chicken Bowl from the grocery store
- Movie: Planet of the Apes







Friday December 26th 2014:
- 12 Hour Twilight Volcano Tour
- "If you have a basketball and a bucket of paint, and you paint the basketball, that layer of paint is the size of the Earth's crust."
- "Look for rocks that look like geese, geese that look like rocks... geese rocks."
- VOG: Volcanically originated gases
- "It's a good strategy to believe that everyone in this parking lot is actively trying to kill you."
- "It was pretty quiet back there. I wasn't sure if you were deceased."











Saturday December 27th 2014:
- Ziplining at Umauma Falls with guides Michael, Derek and Aiden
- "How long have you been doing this?" "Like 3 days, so I'm pretty comfortable here."
- "We did good today! Usually we get an 80% return rate."
- "Woah, LeBron James over here. LeBron James. BALL IS LIFE!"
- "If you liked the ride, tip the guide. If you liked the zip, leave a tip."
- Stopped by a beach on the way back to Waikoloa
- Dinner: Charley's Thai House (yes, we had calamari 3 times during the trip.)
- Movie: Sex Tape







Sunday December 28th 2014:
- "Eat a lot! The pineapple didn't come out of a can."
- Surf lessons with Kona Surf Adventures at Kahaluu Beach
- Snack: Hawaiian Shave Ice: mango, blue Hawaii and pina colada
- Dinner: Imami's Green Sand Beach
- Movie: Don Jon







Monday December 29th 2014:
- Quirky candies
- Farewell Hawaii, Hello SF






Lessons / Highlights from Hawaii:
  • Nature.
  • Food.
  • Sunrises.
  • Sunshine.
  • Sunsets.
  • Mythology.
  • Caves.
  • Explore.
  • Take risks.
  • Photography.
  • Adrenaline.
  • Always in paradise.