So I'm back.
I just had a wonderful weekend celebrating my anniversary with my sweet husband who surprised me with a fun date night and sleepover at The Hotel Monaco. We hadn't been on a date in a while and it was so fun to have some time with just the two of us. Our Anniversary is 11/11 which means we share it with a handful of newlyweds that just tied the knot on Friday.
It was so fun to see a few brides and grooms checking into the hotel at the same time we were.
As if that weren't fun enough, this Friday we are headed to Hawaii on vacation with my family
for Thanksgiving. I cannot tell you what a dream that sounds like with the busy work week
ahead of me so I'm definitely counting the minutes until we board the plane.
I cannot wait to sink my toes in the sand with my little boys and just soak in the sunshine.
Any of you have any recommendations of things to do on Oahu?
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Love Hawaii, we spend a month there every year and I am counting down the days till we leave in Feb, there really is no place on earth like it.
ReplyDeleteBest piece of advise for Oahu, get in a car and explore the island away from Waikiki. Honestly, Oahu is one of the most beautiful islands once you get away from the hustle & bustle! Also, not sure where you are staying, but when we go to Oahu we always stay at the Moana Surfrider, it is stunning and the history & architecture will have you smiling from ear to ear. Have safe travels and enjoy the sun!!!
Have a great time in Hawaii. You must get Dole pineapple frozen yogurt and get macadamia nut syrup.
ReplyDeleteSo fun! Definitely get away from Honolulu and Waikiki like Melissa said. My girls liked the Pineapple Plantation because there is a little train ride and tasting for kids. The Polynesian Cultural Center is sort of a must. Snorkeling for sure. On the North Shore there is a fabulous place to get shaved ice called Matsumotos...and get it with ice cream in it. So fun, I love Hawaii...I am jealous! BTW...I have been reading your blog for a while, my new goal is to always comment because I know how much we all love comments! I think your husband knew my cousin from High School...his name is Marcus Shields, Anyway...love your blog and have fun!
ReplyDeleteWe've spent a lot of time on the North Shore, so this is what I can recommend in that area:
ReplyDeleteMatsumotos shaved ice in Haleiwa
Shark's cove has great snorkeling and is much less crowded than Hanauma Bay, BUT it does not have kid-friendly access like Hanauma and no sandy beach, just rocky.
The waves are huge on the North Shore and peak in winter, although that is not very kid-friendly either. Maybe stick with Waikiki.
PCC has an option to go back if you do not get all your site-seeing in the first visit.
The cheapest place to grocery shop there is Costco.
Ted's Bakery makes some awesome pies.
Waimea Falls Park is a beautiful preserve to walk through.
Have a great week!
Happy anniversary! What a fun date (and easy to remember).
ReplyDeleteGo to Skydive Hawaii at Dillingham Airfield on the North Shore. Super professional and probably the most fun you could have! We've jumped with them twice. Great guys!
If it's still there, Matsumoto's Shaved Ice is an old-time shop where you can get the best shaved ice around. Hawaiian style includes adzuki beans and vanilla ice cream. Yum! I love it. Last time my brother went there he saw Ben Stiller.
ReplyDeletethe north shore is definitely a must. it's beautiful and much less touristy than waikiki. my favorite beach was waimea. if you're there in the evening, watch the sunset on sunset beach or banzai pipeline. like others said, go to haleiwa. it's a small surf town on the north shore. cool shops and really good restaurants. last thing for north shore is eat shrimp from one of the shrimp trucks. they're in between laie and the north shore and they're amazing!
ReplyDeletei think pearl harbor is also a must. but beware, you can't take ANYTHING with you once you get in the building. everything has be locked up or left in your car.
if you're staying in waikiki, take surfing lessons. they're kind of pricey, but so worth it. my husband and i had so much fun doing that. it was definitely a highlight.
also snorkeling at hanauma bay is awesome. if you can take your own snorkeling gear, it helps with the cost. and get there super early because they limit how many people can go in. once the parking lot is full, you have to wait until others leave.
have fun! i'm so jealous. oahu is beautiful!
Happy Anniversary! I can't believe it's been 7 years. I still remember running into you at Pottery Barn while we were both registering :) Can't wait to party it up at the beach with you and to snap photos of your darling family too.
ReplyDeleteI'm from Oahu and my family still lives there. Here are my recs:
ReplyDeletepineapple room (restaurant on top floor of macys at ala moana)
roys restaurant (chocolate soufflé!)
hike/walk to the waimanolo lighthouse (you should be able to see whales this time of year)
spitting caves (cool place to whale watch on the east side, near the lighthouse... I assume you can google it to find out where it is)
teddys hamburgers
shave ice: waiolas (in town), kokonuts (Hawaii Kai) & matsumotos (north shore)
mostly food recs, yum! Otherwise just play on the beach!
that's so great that you're doing a big family trip for thanksgiving! good timing with juggling two little ones and your office move :) enjoy every minute, hawaii is beautiful! xoxo
ReplyDeleteHukilau Cafe is cute and fun (it's kind of near the Polynesian Cultural Center, just keep going down Kameamea Hwy).
ReplyDeleteHiking Diamond Head is easy and fun if you are on Waikiki.
Dole Plantation on the North shore- incredible pineapple ice cream.
Walking around the Laie temple grounds is fun- they're beautiful. And the beach right in front of the temple (the BYU-H kids just call it Temple Beach) is a nice one for little kids- pretty sandy and shallow.
Haliewa is fun (North Shore), I second the suggestion to snorkle in Shark's Cove (scary name, but I never saw a shark there just lots of sea turtles) instead of Haunama Bay.
Wow! How exciting!
ReplyDeleteheyhomeslice.blogspot.com
The North Shore is a must. Definitely get away from the more high traffic tourist areas. Waimea Bay & Shark's Cove are both great for snorkeling. The Honolulu Temple is beautiful, and of course, don't miss visiting Pearl Harbor, or the Punchbowl National Cemetery. Two very sobering places. Most of all, enjoy your time on the beach with your darling boys! Wished I was coming with you!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog...
ReplyDeleteOh how I love Oahu (my gma lives there and we love taking our kids). My favorite beach on Oahu is Lanakai, rent kayaks in Kailua. North Shore is amazing to watch surfers and eat yummy food... makes you want to move there, live in a shack and raise surfer babies!!! The beaches at the end of the road on the west side of the island are desolate and only advisable during the day (you'll go thru some run down areas, beaches where homeless live, but it's incredibly beautiful out there- it's up the Farrington Hwy. from Ko'Olina which just built a huge disney resort). Waikiki is fun for half a day. If you get a chance, take the Hwy. 3 to or from the windward side- breathtaking! Enjoy.
Hi it's missy's sis in law. I couldn't pass up giving recommendations for ohau... Banana pancakes at hukilau cafe, malasadas at Leonards bakery in laie, sky dive Hawaii (i did it in college and it was awesome, not sure if I'm still that brave), shaved ice and shopping in haliewa.
ReplyDeleteOne day when I can afford to I will hire you to decorate my house :) you are amazing!
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