My trip to Hawaii 2000 Part 6

Our Trip To Hawaii Terry' Story

Sun. Aug.13th :We leave Corona at 5:00 a.m. to the LA Airport and depart LAX through Delta Airlines at 8a.m. Susie can't wait to begin swimming....in orange juice that is. Joanie receives her honorary flight attendant wings.(don't ask) Terry plays "space cowboys" in the restroom.(had to be there) Rosie enjoys a smooth trip with prayer and a little help from her pharmacy. Terry and Joanie are the only passengers to be given emergency parachutes. Go figure. We Arrive at Honolulu Airport at 10:30 a.m., get our rental cars and check in at the impressive Ala Moana Hotel.Immediately, we begin shopping at the conveniently located Ala Moana Center. Our first Hawaiian dinner couldn't be any more American (barbecued ribs, chicken and mashed potatoes) from the food court, but it was finger licken good. Later, we attend the opening service of the International Women's conference hosted by the Word of Life Christian Center in Honolulu. The praise and worship is awesome!

Mon. Aug 14th : Joanie drives us in a rental car to Waikiki beach. We discover our favorite store while shopping...ABC. After we eat, we head to the beach. The scenery is gorgeous, we walk right into warm waters, try to act like surfers but almost drown instead. If you're going to "wipe out" this is the place to do it ! When we return to the hotel, we are moved to a non smoking room on the 16th floor with a great view of the city and the harbor. We prepare for evening service and meet the rest of the church group in the lobby.

Tues. Aug 15th : Pearl harbor is today's destination. Visiting the U.S.S. Arizona is both a somber and fantastic experience. This is when we really miss the men in the family and think "wish you were here" We take a scenic drive to Pier 7 in Honolulu Harbor and eat at the Restaurant Pier 7 This place is so nice, weddings are often held here.

Wed. Aug 16th : Once again Joanie is our chauffeur as we head to the by-weekly Flea Market at the Stadium. Terry is possibly the only American in Hawaii using travelers cheques...and for key chains and snowcones no less. Finally we leave and head to the Polynesian center but some van gets a blow out right on the freeway..... Us! We wait for 2 hrs. because Joanie suddenly gets shy and refuses to hike up her skirt and hold up her thumb. Budget rent a car finally comes with a new van but it's too late to go to the Polynesian center. Instead we go sight seeing all over the Island and visit the Dole plantation. This place is home to the world's largest maze (in the shape of a pineapple) We don't dare go in for fear of getting out right before the scheduled flight home. We opt instead for more shopping. That evening, Joanie, Susie, and Terry go back to the Ala Moana center, raid the Clinique counter and have dinner at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory where three different varieties of shrimp dinners are devoured. " Gumpisms" cause so much laughter we are almost thrown out. ...out of the bar according to some bystanders. Joanie will be happy to quote a variety of insightful phrases by Forest and Bubba.

Thurs. Aug 17th : A large group of women from Rosie's church will share this fun day together. We start with breakfast at the Eggs 'n Things Cafe. Terry has banana crepes to go with her coconut and pineapple syrups. mmmmmmm. Great food and fellowship makes for a great combination. Off to what we have been waiting for.. the Polynesian Center in our finest native costumes. .again. The all day package includes shows in each of the Polynesian villages, an IMAX film about the history of all the islands in the pacific rim, an authentic style luau, a canoe ride throughout the park and a front row seat to the "horizons night show. What a fantastic day ..... even if Joanie does get "carried away" by the Fire King of Samoa.

Friday Aug 18th While on our way to Hanauma Bay we get sidetracked and when we spot anOscar Meyer Wiener mobile. Everyone regresses to age seven and sing the theme song for a wiener whistle. In order to cover up this nonsense, we have a quick breakfast at the Mc Donalds next door. Before we know it we are looking down at what must be the most beautiful view on the island - Hanauma Bay. Now it's time to snorkel and let the fish laugh at us. Rosie slips and falls and is taken to an urgent care center but not before she is given 1st aid by a lifeguard that looks like he stars in "Bay Watch". ( we're on to you Aunt Rosie )Meanwhile Susie turns into Ms. Limpet and harasses the fish all afternoon. She has the sunburn to prove it too! On our way back we vow to make the most of our last night in Hawaii so after Rosie is tucked in and cozy, we venture out to the "night life" in Waikiki. Tojump-start our sense of adventure, we walk into our Hotel's famous night club called Rumors hoping to get"carded" but get completely ignored instead. "not to worry" Joanie andTerry say " WE know the macarena" and they quickly jump onto the dance floor. Susie whips out her camera and flashes away like she's paparazzi at a New York gig. Within five minutes, all three run out coughing and wheezing from all the smoke. So much for night clubbing. The girls take the bus to Waikiki and shop till they drop.....at a quaint little cafe called "Cheeseburger in Paradise". By 1 p.m. they call it a night and flag down a taxi. By 2 a.m. they watch a beautiful display of fireworks alongside the city lights from the balcony andthank our Lord Jesus for this wonderful trip. By 3 a.m., they finishpacking and go tobed.

Sat. Aug 19th : Two hours go by and the phone rings ; wake up call. It's time to go. Susie has to tip the Bell hop double because he has to load up all her suitcases (8) on a separate cart.The group arrives at the Airport at 8:00 and makes it's final farewell toHawaii at 9 :00. Rosie makes her entrances and exits in a wheel chair so this makes her a VIP Needless to say everyone sleeps all the way to LAX. It won't be long before we greet our families back home.

I am so happy we got to visit this place. I will never
forget this vacation and I thank God we got to go!