2018 Hawaii (Oahu)

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Family Thanksgiving (Nov) in Hawaii: family, friends, and a Jellyfish sting.

Travel

2018.Oahu.Flight.jpegWe paid an extra $100 for an upgrade to First Class: which made the travel so much more bearable.
2018.Oahu.Double.jpegThe Uber Driver was overjoyed at the double rainbow... a good omen.
2018.Oahu.RoomView.jpegAnd the accommodations were great (and discounted): we went as part of Bridge Tournament Nationals that my Mom/Marcus participate in.
2018.Oahu.SantaCastles.pngThere were a couple of Santa Sand Castles (at a neighboring resort). It was Thanksgiving, but close enough -- and we alternate Families/Holidays, so we are going to Pheonix and M's family for XMas.
2018.Oahu.XMas.jpegSo a few family shots for Christmas Cards were required.
2018.Oahu.Pool.jpegThere was hanging out at the pool. (Which was not heated and a bit cold).
2018.Oahu.Tube.jpgA shockingly fast water tube/slide at the resort.
2018.Oahu.ShavedIce.jpgObligatory shaved ice.
2018.Oahu.Lamberts.jpegAnd Lamberts ice-cream. (I was "the spoon", that didn't get my own... but tasted everyone else's). I won't fork a family member, but I might spoon them.
2018.Oahu.Scuba.jpegMy brother did a little side scuba adventure with some friends. (My certification has long expired).

Beach Time

2018.Oahu.Beach.jpeg Hawaii isn't complete without mai tai's on the beech.
2018.Oahu.Beach3.jpeg Drinks all around...
2018.Oahu.Beach1.jpegAnd the traditional burying of the sibling!
2018.Oahu.Beach4.jpegPaddle-boarding in the lagoon. (My pics weren't flattering).
2018.Jellyfish.pngI got hit by a box jellyfish on Waikiki. It was a light hit: about 2" long on inner thigh -- a single red whip mark (and rash around it) -- very painful for a few hours, irritating for a few days. I shaved it with a razor, put on Benadryl on it (which burned a ton), but it was manageable. I'd suggest to avoid them if you can.
2018.Oahu.Beach5.jpegPoaching a little DQ from the kids will make it better.

Snorkeling

2018.Oahu.Snorkel1.jpegThere was a snorkeling excursion. Which was a short ride out from Waikiki.
2018.Oahu.Snorkel3.jpegTo a reef that had Sea Turtles, and little fish that "car washed" them of parasites.
2018.Oahu.Snorkel2.jpegAn easy hang out on a catamaran.
2018.Oahu.Snorkel6.jpegThen it was everyone in the water (life vests required?).
2018.Oahu.Snorkel10.jpgTake underwater shots with your phone in a baggie, isn't the best quality.
2018.Oahu.Snorkel11.jpegLook, a blurry Turtle (that you were supposed to touch), but the turtles didn't always follow the rules.
2018.Oahu.Snorkel7.jpegAfter about 20 minutes of that, it turns into a booze-cruise, where you just sail around before going back.
2018.Oahu.Snorkel8.jpgThey were liberal with the alcohol in the drinks. My wife is a 1 Mai Tai girl, and she had 3.
2018.Oahu.Snorkel.jpgMelissa and Marcus got trashed, and the kids were playing guide animals to the happy-wobbly adults.

Dole Plantation

2018.Oahu.Dole1.jpegWhile driving to North Shore and getting a waterfall instagram (Ella's requirement), there was a "short" lunch diversion to Pineapple Plantation.
Oahu.Dole23.png Which took a few hours and involved a train tour...
2018.Oahu.Dole4.jpegFamily photos... souvenir shopping
2018.Oahu.Dole5.jpegAnd pineapple whip for desert.

Church

2018.Oahu.Church.jpgMarcus had diabetes and was on the short road to death, when he visited this Church. The Pastor mentioned he would be cured, and he soon got a rare liver/kidney transplant, which cured his diabetes and he got a new family (us). So we returned there to a black, gospel, very rival feeling church.
2018.Oahu.Church2.jpegWe had snapped a flashless picture before they announced "no recording/photography", so we honored the request... after that. But the music/singers/praise was incredible. Ella mentioned "any of them could be on the Voice". Just about everyone in the choir solo'd, and the little 80 year old frail lady belting gospel music like Aretha Franklin. My brother talked about stepping up their churches game, with the enthusiasm of this place.

SideStreet

2018.Hi.SideStreet.pngA local friend suggested we try Side Street Inn: so we took the family.
2018.Oahu.SS3.jpegIt was in an office building looking place. We were warned: each serving will feed a Samoan. So we ordered a sampler for 3-4 people -- it fed nine of us, and we had left-overs. I'd describe it as fantastic Asian Fusion. We went back the next night and ordered the same thing, and it was still delicious.
2018.Oahu.SS2.jpegIt won awards 8 years in a row, and at $150 with drinks (for 9 people) it was a bargain... with huge and tasty mai tai's .



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