Aloha! Dimocks on Vacation

We just got back from 8 days in Hawaii on Oahu.  Now that we are completely unpacked and the laundry is done, I feel like I can finally blog about the trip.

First, I would like to say how grateful I am for the inheritance check that paid for the bulk of the trip.  We try to take some sort of vacation every year.  We went to Hawaii for the first time two years ago to Maui.  Last year we spent three chilly, dreary days at Lake Chelan.  Needing sun desperately, I decided that another trip to Hawaii was in order.  We loved Maui, but felt we needed to experience the other islands.

We stayed at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  We lucked out and got a free room upgrade to one with an ocean view.  I liked that the Hilton was further away from the hubbub of Waikiki and that there were two Starbucks on site and lots to do, but it was just a little too big for my tastes.

We spent the first day and a half getting hopelessly lost trying to navigate Waikiki.  It was frustrating to say the least.  Streets are not labeled (even main intersections).  We gave up on paper maps and bus schedules and switched to Google maps.  Life got much simpler after that.

Linus' first order of business was to build Aunt Sally a sand castle.

Passed out after a long adventure to Haunama Bay Nature Preserve.  To our surprise, Linus frequently fell asleep on one of our shoulders as we walked from bus stops.

Trying to rock my post baby body.  The one thing I love most about Hawaii is that you basically just lounge around in a bathing suit all day.  It's not uncommon to see people just walking the streets in a bathing suit.  Some restaurants post signs reminding people to put on clothes before entering.

Trying the stand up paddle board.  It was a lagoon so it was much less scary that actually doing it in the ocean.

Busy cutting 4 teeth, Eileen constantly needed something to chew on.  In this case, it was the handle of a sand pail.

Linus exhibited no fear.

We rented a car one day and drove around the island.  First stop was the Dole Pineapple plantation.  In case you were wondering, Dole does not practice organic farming.  They actually use black plastic as mulch, and tell you so proudly.

Eileen loves ice cream and rolls her eyes back in pleasure with each bite.

Not happy when the pineapple ice cream is gone.

The North Shore is beautiful and a much simpler place than Waikiki.

We bought Linus water wings and after that, it was hard to get him out of the pool.  He LOVED swimming. I can't believe how quickly he progressed.

Orphan baby by the pool. 
Eileen liked the pool as well and provided hours of entertainment for the other guests with her constant bewilderment from splashing.

One pair of swim shorts was a little big.

Spending an early morning at the beach.

Eileen discovered a new mischievous passion for stealing sunglasses.

Ready to board a sailboat for a little snorkeling.

Practicing safety first.

Linus actually did go in the water for a moment before climbing back on deck.  I snorkeled for all of about 3 minutes before I got scared of fish and the possibility of sharks.  I am the biggest wimp.

Sea turtle off the side of the boat.

Dave and Linus went on an early morning run most mornings along the beach and were always kind enough to bring me back a latte.  One time they went shopping and Linus came back with a ukelele and a sea turtle bell.

Overall, it was a great trip.  We all came back tan.  I loved waking up every morning and looking out at the Pacific Ocean.  It has been great spending so much time with Dave.  We celebrated our 8th wedding anniversary on our last night in Hawaii.

The downside to the trip was dealing with the emotions and behavior of a toddler.  Linus spent a great deal of the trip in tears or whining.  He did not like listening and even took to hitting.  Needless to say, a lot of time was spent in time out.  It was maddening, and I have to admit that at times I was ready to just pack it in.

I now need another vacation. I have already started planning it.  Just Dave and me for a few days, on the Big Island, reading books by the pool while sipping lava flows.  Sounds like paradise.