From the Big Island we hopped a quick plane to Oahu. The cool thing about airports in Hawaii, is that they are open air. We had a super hot, incredibly sunny day as we waited for our plane. The gates are all right together, and we walked right outside to the plane and climbed in. This is such a different experience than we are used to back home.
I'm telling you, this kid fell asleep all over the place in Hawaii.
Best. Traveler. Ever.
After a stop at yet another Target (we bought lots of snacks and water on each island), we fulfilled one of Sidney's bucket list items: the Dole Pineapple Plantation.
Ryan was shocked when we pulled up at just how big this place was. We didn't have intentions of taking the tour, Sidney just wanted to be some place that had pineapple everything. And so we went into the "gift shop", which was more like a Target of it's own, filled with everything pineapple!
We stayed in a hotel instead of an Airbnb on the north shore. Accommodations weren't as easy to locate on the north shore, but I had found a place with the most incredible pool, complete with a waterfall!
The ocean on the north shore in October is considered in transition; meaning some days it could be flat like a pancake, and other days the waves are ridiculously dangerous. By December, there are massive surf competitions happening on the North Shore. We happened to be there during some of the dangerous days, so instead of frolicking in the water, we were watching as surfers took turns at the waves. No way were we headed into that water!
Oahu allowed us to act a bit more like tourists and we climbed Diamond Head on one of the hottest days! Ha!
Can you tell that the weather was amazing in Hawaii (well, we think hot and humid is amazing though I know many people don't love it as much). We loved every second of that sun beating on our face. The climb up Diamond Head was quite treacherous for Lincoln's little legs but he loved the tunnels at the top; and by the time we were coming down, all of us felt like our legs had turned to noodles!
We climbed a lot of stairs, and then turned a corner and the girls looked up at more stairs and cringed....nooooo!! I kept reminding them that it will be worth it. They didn't believe me until we got to the top: "mom, this was so worth it!"
Onto the famous Waikiki Beach for lunch and some shopping. We love Waikiki, not for the beach itself, but just for the overall vibe. It is busy and the people watching is incredible. So much to do, and it is just such a picturesque representation of Hawaii with Diamond Head in the background.
We ate lunch at Duke's on Waikiki, a place Ryan and I had been 15 years prior during our honeymoon. At one point during the meal, Regan stood up and walked over to the stairs admiring the view and taking it all in. .
I'm pretty sure we could all get used to this place.
We couldn't leave Hawaii and not spend some time at Pearl Harbor. We walked around the somber grounds, reading and exploring and learning about the history. Lincoln was so interested in all that happened, wanting to know who were the bad guys and where were the good guys. Although we couldn't actually go out to the memorial (it's been closed for over a year due to safety issues with the dock), it was such an experience.
Our Hawaiian vacation is one that we will forever remember. We made countless memories and had amazing experiences. The kids were all excellent travelers and loved being in Hawaii. We honestly miss it every single day. Lincoln recently asked if we could just pack up all of our stuff and move there, adding "I miss Hawaii".
Me too buddy, me too.
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