Just Call Us Tourists!

 

Pearl Harbor was high on our list!
Especially for my kids.

Since we all arrived on different days, most had already checked it out.

Travis and Sunni's family hadn't yet, so we ventured over together!

Hallelujah,
they FINALLY figured out a better process to secure tickets!

You check in on an ipad, they get your information, and text you when your que
group is ready to board the ferry.

SO seamless and fast!

I think we waited 20 minutes. 

I remembered a yummy restaurant down the road from the last time we had

been to Oahu, Anna Millers.

It was mid.
 Must have gone downhill the past 10 years, or we have

gotten more high maintenance, ha!

We were carb loaded and ready to hit the famous swap meet!

Love when the baby gets a nap in:)

We met up with everyone who had just got hit with rain!

Perfect timing:)

I LOVE Waimea Bay!

Luckily those dark clouds didn't give us any more wetness!

North Shore knows how to do burgers right!

7 Brothers is so so good.

But the real MVP is this macadamia nut crusted shrimp salad.

UR MY GURSH!!!!!

I loved our hotel because it wasn't massive.

Kids could bounce from the rooms to the pool with ease and

it wasn't overly crowded.

They had the best pool and grassy area with volleyball, corn hole and pickleball.

It was like we had our own airbnb.

But even better because people gave us fresh towels daily!!

They would swim until getting kicked out at 10 pm for closing.

The kids would swim while adults played games outside or in the lobby.

Feeling the Culture, Day!

Grammy bought us tickets to spend the day at the 
Polynesian Cultural Center, or the PCC.

But first we met up at the temple for some baptisms and walking around
for those who couldn't go inside!

The Oahu temple grounds are beyond spectacular.

So big and lush with a straight shot view of the ocean!

Of course he had to get crazy and pretend to fall in!

We stopped in the visitors center.

The missionaries were either pumped for a crowd, or wishing they
had the next shift, ha!

It looked the same from when I was in school 20 years ago.
I wonder if they will ever have an overhaul like ours in AZ?

We went to Seven Brothers for Burgers in the strip mall.
  For some reason Taco Bell next door was calling my name!

The best combo lunch right there!

The PCC was just as amazing as I had remembered it!
It's such a bummer they open at noon,
because you really need more time to explore the 6 Island villages!

When we arrived our group was ushered to the side
and then given 3 personal tour guides!

Grammy wasn't sure exactly what she purchased!

However it was wonderful having them lead us around to the shows

and entertainment and help save us seats!

The opening water show was a must!
They have each Island come out on floating platforms and

perform their cultural dances and chants!

Jesse got picked out of the crowd to go up front and battle with

2 other guys who were also in the crowd.

Canoe rides!

Learning how to weave palm leafs. 

The shaka!

Group games

Nap time

Tattoos were a hit!

We sent all of the kids in one boat and the adults followed.

IYKYK

This guy is a LEGEND!

He was here when I went to school!

He looks exactly the same.

I guess climbing palm trees keeps you young.

Fresh coconut water.

Our lovely guides, who are BYUH students.

They are mostly from places

like Tonga and Fiji. 

They come here until all of their schooling is finished.

Which means not going home for years. 

They get free schooling, room and board in return for working at 

the PCC.

A dream opportunity for them.

After we tipped our guides, one started crying!
Makes you appreciate the life you have!

Time for our royal Hawaiian feast!!

Hands down best luau food, ever.

After dinner we went to the HA: Breath of Life show.

I don't have any pictures but it was spectacular and I loved the fire dancers!