FROM STORM TO SUNSHINE (HAWAIIAN ADVENTURES)



It was February 12th, 2014 the day before myself and my best friend Mara were suppose to leave for Hawaii.  I was at work when I received an alert on my phone that my flight had been cancelled due to the snowstorm that was approaching.  The air was brisk but there were no flakes in sight.  Our flight was scheduled to leave the next morning, hours before the storm was to begin.  I needed to know why the early cancellation.  So I called and was told my plane was stuck in another state where the storm had already began.  Just great.....  I was determined to fly to Hawaii.  

I stayed on the phone with the agent for about 30 to 45 minutes until I got the response I wanted :).  She found another flight leaving out of Newark Airport opposed to JFK.  The bad news was it was leaving about three hours earlier than our original flight and it was with United Airlines.  I've flown with United a few times and every time I practically starved to death LMBO.  They hardly give you anything to snack on even if you're flying more than 4hours.. The plus side (if thats what you want to call it) is that their movie selection is awesome, but seriously bring your own food or pay the elevated prices for their onboard snacks.

Since Mara and I were sick of the cold weather we went along with the change.  I called my mother and asked her to pick me up some snacks for the trip as I still had to finish packing and prepare to leave out earlier than expected.   Around 3am the next morning we made our way to Newark airport.  It already started snowing and the rodes were slippery so we took extra precaution while driving.  

Everything seemed to be going well. We boarded the plane on time and were about to take off when the pilot gets on the loud speaker and makes the following announcement "passengers please be advised we will be held at the gate for an additional 20 minutes as the wings are deiced." Those 20 minutes turned into three long hours.  That's correct, I said three hours........  

All of the passengers started getting restless and then we heard it "everyone take your seats and fasten your seat belts we are preparing for takeoff".  We didn't get excited until the wheels were up and we were actually in the sky.

17hrs later we were on the ground at Honolulu International Airport.


Once we reached Stay Waikiki Hotel and wasted no time. We showered, changed clothes and headed back out.  On our way to find something to eat we stumbled on an Art In Motion performance by Wayno Gabaylo.  He spray painted canvases to the sound of music.  From there, we went to a Fine Arts gallery that was near by.










We grabbed a bite to eat at The Cheesecake Factory before meeting up with Mara's son Jordan who was playing young Simba on The Lion King Gazelle tour.  We called it a night shortly after.







Day 2: 
The next morning, we enjoyed the complimentary breakfast at the hotel and afterwards, we hung out at the beach.  While J (Jordan)  was at rehearsal, Mara, myself and J's father Jason made a stop at the famous Leonard's where we enjoyed warm, delicious, flaky  Malasadas (Portuguese donuts).


After picking up J we headed to Soma Tei, a fine Japanese restaurant specializing in Ramen noodles.  It was superb.  Their crispy fried chicken was equally delicious.


While checking out the area we found out that the Pow Wow School of Music (a program focused on music education for Hawaii's youth) was having a block party the following evening. During this time graffiti artist from all over the world fly to Hawaii to showcase their skills on buildings and walls in a certain part of town.  We stopped by the area beforehand and came across a few of them still working.  Me being the art lover that I am was more than thrilled.  The colors, the details, the talent and the concepts were amazing.  My favorite piece was the face of a Hawaiian king that was chiseled into the side of a concrete wall. Sick!!!!!!  




Day 3:
Myself, Mara, Chantel and J's grandmother Marcia went on a tour of the island.  The first stop was to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Park, considered one of Oahu's jewels.  The water was pristine and the view was breathtaking.  From there, we drove along the coast to a beautiful beach where we had a little fun.  With a lot on the agenda we packed it up after a while and continued our tour.  

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we couldn't tour Lulumahu Falls as planned, so instead we drove along the Dole plantation, stopped to indulge in some local delicaces and took a boat ride to a private island where we ate lunch.  










Just when you thought the fun was over.... When left the private island and made our way to the prettiest temple I have ever seen.  The Byodo-In Temple.  According to the information found online, the Byodo-In Temple is a smaller-scale replica of the over 950 year old Byodo-In temple in Uji, Japan.






The final stop on the tour was to the Nuuanu Pali lookout which is a historical landmark and scenic spot with panoramic views.  You can see Gilligan's Island (the real one) from the lookout.  





After a long and exciting day we were not done. We showered, changed clothes and headed back out. There would be no sleeping on vacation. LOL!!! We went to dinner at a neighboring restaurant by the name of Keoni.  Afterwards, we made our way to the Pow Wow block party I previously mentioned. It was very cool. There was a DJ spinning the latest hits, tons of graffiti artist on deck, food galore, drinks and a good number of tourists and locals. This was definitely a great way to end what was a fulfilling, educational and exciting day.








Day 4:
Mara, Chantel and myself went to the Honolulu Museum of Art and relaxed for the rest of the day.



 



Day 5:
We spent most of the day at Kuhio Beach.  In the evening, we went to the one of the oldest original Hawaiian restaurants on the island called Ono Hawaiian Food restaurant.  










Day 6:
Another chill day. We went back to Kuhio Beach, had lunch at Jimmy Buffets and afterwards while Mara and the rest of the crew went to see Jordan in another Lion King performance I watched a Hawaiian fire show. 







Day 7:
It was all about Manoa Falls on day 7.  Mike our hotel bartender who was also a tour guide on his days off offered to take myself and Chantel to Manoa Falls since we didn't get a change to visit Lulumahu Falls during our island tour. It was absolutely beautiful.










Day 8:
It had to come to an end some day. :( 



UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN HAWAII.

See more photos from my trip on my photography site:
www.aroundtheworldgirlphotos.zenfolio.com

Comments

Popular Posts