 Day 2
Jet lag sets in.
We went to Waimea Valley, where we hiked up to a waterfall. We
would have taken a refreshing swim, but the water was about minus 20
degrees. That's about 100 degrees more refreshing than is
comfortable for me.
Light mist (read rain) was with us most of the day.
The kids went snorkeling in Shark's Cove. It was not possible for
sharks to swim into this protected area, so I can only think it was
named after the ferocious fish to keep visitors out. It didn't work.
I didn't snorkel anyway, because snorkeling when it is misting out
is somehow against the laws of nature.
They put me in charge of the keys to the rental car. Not a smart
decision. I dropped them in the trunk and closed it while all the
doors were locked. It cost us $90 to get rescued. I blame it all on
jet lag.
Day 3
I got a good night's sleep finally, but my family made sure I
never took possession of the keys again.
We drove to the International Marketplace in Waikiki and bought a
bunch of stuff to sell at our next garage sale.
My youngest son left his Crocs at the beach yesterday. I told him
he'd have to wear his water shoes for the rest of the trip unless he
could find a pair of sandals for less than $5. He learned to haggle
at the marketplace.
It rained all day again. Optimistically, I suppose, we bought
beach towels. If we didn't use them for swimming, at least we could
wipe the rain off.
Near Waikiki was Diamondhead Crater. After climbing 1 1/2 miles
to the rim, in the rain, we snapped some incredible pictures and
limped back down. It was totally worth it.
My sandal broke halfway up and I went barefoot to the top and
back. It's a claim most people can't make, because they are smart
enough not to wear sandals on a hike. I let my son haggle for more
sandals. He was getting good at it.
Day 4
Legs were screaming for mercy this morning. The humidity here has
caused my hair to explode. And how does one get so sunburned when
one has not seen the sun in three days? Beaches were out of the
question today. My legs would not have cooperated. I would have had
to transport myself to the water the same way a turtle does.
We visited the Dole Plantation instead and rode the Pineapple
Express train. It beat walking. Couldn't resist the offer of fresh
pineapple, either. I have two canker sores to prove it.
[to top of second column] |
 Continuing our journey, we arrived in Honolulu and visited Iolani
Palace, the last home of the royal family. Iolani Palace was on the
smallish side as palaces go, but it had every modern convenience
available in the late 1800s, including electric lights, telephone
and flush toilets. Of all the things we saw, my youngest boy was
mostly interested in the toilets.
Day 5
My son's glasses broke, so, after a bracing downpour, we went in
search of Krazy Glue.
We never found the Krazy Glue, but we found an outdoor farmers
market. We bought a chicken pastel to eat and a banana caramel one
as well. Then we ate our feast at a local park by the water. It
doesn't get any better than this!
It was decided that since my son wouldn't need glasses for
swimming, we would beach ourselves for the day, or at least until
the rain started again.
On the way home, we stopped to watch some parachutists. Well, all
except for my son. He was relentless in letting us know he still had
no glasses with which to see them.
Day 6
Bought some Krazy Glue and boogie boards. We would not be using
the two together, but I'm sure the cashier wondered.
Took the boogie boards to a beach and watched the kids "boogie"
while my husband and I developed second-degree burns on the parts of
our anatomy that didn't get sun-screened. Our haphazard distribution
of sunscreen gave us both a rather mottled look -- something akin to
a Dalmatian, only redder. Tomorrow we plan to simply sunscreen the
burned spots, so as to even out our future tan.
Day 7
Saw some "real" Hawaiians today. Those are the ones who wear
grass skirts, according to my daughter.
It was great that the Hawaiians finally showed up on our last
day. Ever since we told my 14-year-old that "Hawaii Five-O" was
filmed here, he has been fixated on how much crime there is on the
island.
The youngest only wanted to talk about the size of the garbage
cans and recycling.
My daughter was the official picture-taker. She took 942 pictures
this week! Not one was of a garbage can or a robbery.
Every siren we heard was followed by a rousing version of the
"Hawaii Five-O" theme song. In hindsight, I think we should have
rented a larger car... or spawned fewer children.
[By LAURA SNYDER]
Laura Snyder is a nationally syndicated columnist,
author and speaker. You can reach her at
lsnyder@lauraonlife.com
or visit www.lauraonlife.com
for more info.
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