Recently, Jeff and I spent a week in Hawaii...without the kids! When we landed in the morning it was raining, and the rain went through the night. When we woke up, the sky was blue, and we went for a "power walk" around the grounds of our hotel...our first glimpse of Hawaii sunshine!
We enjoyed a lot of relaxing at the "cove" sipping Pina Colada's...
One of the biggest treats was spending the week with Jeff's parents. Jeff's cousin Britney was getting married in the Laie temple...what a great reason to spend the week in the Aloha State!
One night, we ran in to Samoan High Chief Sielu Avea, on my left. I celebrated my 15th birthday at the Polynesian Cultural Center where he climbed a tree to get a coconut for me, and have a picture of. He and a few others were slicing open fresh coconuts and handing them out to the guests...Jeff became a believer of this Hawaiian delicacy!
Enjoying a clear sunset...
Of course, since we were vacationing with Jeff's dad, golf had to be in the plan which Jeff was just fine with. They went to Makaha Valley where the views were quite stunning...
I guess we all have our separate ways of tanning...
Spending a day at the Aloha Swap Meet to get the shopping fix out of the way.
Snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, one of the coolest places on Oahu. Fish were everywhere, Jeff was pretty excited to come across a couple of sea turtles as well.
A huge highlight was visiting the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor. The significance was going on the private tour with Jeff's grandparents. Grandpa Bill served on the ship during the Korean War, first stationed in one of the gun turrets, then as a dental assistant. We thoroughly enjoyed listening to his stories about his time spent on board. It was emotional for him, but also for us.
North Shore shave ice...classic!
Laie temple...
Jeff's dad had heard stories about a unique golf course in Kahuku, a few miles from the temple. Behind them is the clubhouse, 'nuff said.
The view, however, is what is great about the course, not necessarily the conditions. No one, though, was complaining about golfing next to Big Blue... with clear skies... on a warm day... in Hawaii...
Some pics of the grounds around the hotel...we could've spent the entire trip there without leaving and been just fine.
Jeff had read about this great beach on the East side of Oahu called Lanikai. It wasn't exactly right off the highway as we had to drive through some obscure places to get there, but the sand was incredibly soft, and the water was clear blue...well worth the trek.
Our Last sunset before leaving. Can't wait to go back...
