Babbit the Aloha Rabbit: Day Seven

Let me preface this post by saying that we are not hikers. That's why it's still a little unbelievable to me that the morning of day seven in Hawaii, we climbed Diamond Head, the most famous volcanic crater in the world. I am not kidding.

Babbit enjoying the ride to Diamond Head


Ready to go!


And here, son, is where we're likely to die...

James and the kids went into the hike in very good spirits. I, on the other hand, was not so excited. I'd not planned for much more than some light walking in Hawaii and didn't pack shoes appropriate for hiking. After the whole blister-to-crutches fiasco over the summer, I was quite concerned about the condition of my feet after scaling a volcano.

As a precaution, I layered bandages over more sensitive parts of my feet and toes, wore socks under my sandals, and hoped for the best. Also, after having already spent six days baking under the equatorial sun, I opted to hike in long sleeves and a hat. Let me tell you, I looked KLASSY. (But there's good news: I didn't burn and my feet are fine. Looking dorkish pays off from time to time.)

My Gorgeous Hiking Ensemble


Wait up!


In one of the tunnels


We're going up there?


At the beginning of the steep (and scary!) 99 steps,
the second of four stairways after a very long hike


Looking Back


Babbit finally made it to the top...


... when I realized I left Bub's ADHD meds in the car
waaaaaaay down in the bowl of the crater.


Honolulu from atop Diamond Head

After lunch and one last shaved ice, we went back to the resort. Instead of heading straight to the lagoons, the kids and I walked to a section of natural beach just outside of Marriott property that Gracie called "the wild ocean." There we explored the tide pools and counted crabs and little fishies. We were hoping to wait out the honu (sea turtles) we were told beached there every evening, but the tide came in to quickly and too fiercely for my personal comfort. We explored for about an hour or so before returning to calmer waters.






We let the kids stay in the lagoon until sunset, and then we all swam in the hotel pool for another half-hour or so. After swimming, we went back to the room to have dinner. When we finished eating, we heard a loud Kaboom just outside. The neighboring resort was having a fireworks show, and we had a direct view! The kids insist that the whole island was celebrating James whose birthday was the next day. James has yet to correct them...

Babbit the Aloha Rabbit: Day Six

On Day Six in Hawaii, we did a little of this...


... a little of that...


... and a little floating around in the middle of the lagoon.


Gracie buried strangers in the sand.
(Actually, she's a little girl from Orlando named Emma.
They became "best friends" as they bonded in the ocean.)


After an entire day in the sun and water,
we went to the Aloha Tower Marketplace in Honolulu...


... where Babbit accepted a little luau love...


... Gracie posed with a hula girl...


... and we went to a sushi buffet at Makino Chayo.



Though it looked lovely, we were disappointed with the taste of the sushi. The Waygu beef, though, was fantastic, as was the lemon shrimp and the fresh crepe bar.

Babbit the Aloha Rabbit: Day Five

Our fifth day in Hawaii was spent in the pool at a neighboring resort. A short walk around the pool gave us access to a super kid-friendly swimming area complete with one of the few sand-bottomed pools in the state, a playground, and nets for both basketball and volleyball.

James and the kids spent the entire morning in the water (with the exception of two or three work calls -- the leash never truly comes off), while I stayed poolside to read and nap. In general, I have a rule about no sleeping in public, but when it comes to crashing waves, tropical breezes, warm sunlight, perfumed air, and a really comfortable lounge chair, I'm forced to slumber. As a result, the supply of morning pictures is limited...

Frolicing in the Sandy Pool


Shootin' some hoops



Making new friends
(Gracie and Katie exchanged addresses
and plan to become pen pals)


Back to Work


In the evening, we walked to nearby Paradise Cove for a luau. Every luau claims to be "the best," and while we know Paradise Cove is not the best, it is the most convenient. The food is mediocre, but the luau is very close to our hotel. Also, the staff really make concession for children by providing arts, crafts, and games in advance of the show, then room to stand -- even play -- while the show's going on. That makes for a true party atmosphere, in my opinion.


Taking a ride in a mololo.


Fire Dancer


Hula Dancers


My lil' hula girl dancing on stage


Scenes from the Day
(click to enlarge)

Babbit the Aloha Rabbit: Day Four

We began our fourth day in Hawaii by visiting the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, and due to the sensitive nature of the visit,
Babbit's appearances are few.

We prepared for our visit by reading books borrowed from the library, and our trip to the Memorial really made history come alive. The kids watched a film about WWII, saw things pulled from the wreckage in the museum, and met Arizona survivors. Even in their immature understanding, they were so interested in the events at Pearl Harbor and exhibited a great deal of respect. I was so proud (and surprised)!



The U.S.S. Arizona Memorial
(which spans the width of the sunken ship)



The Memorial filling with sunlight


The wall of the Shrine Room is carved the names
of the 1,177 men who died on the Arizona,
many of whom are still entombed inside.



The U.S.S. Abe Lincoln


Scenes from the Day
(click to enlarge)


We were finished at the Memorial while it was still early in the day, so we went souvenir shopping at the Aloha Stadium Swap Meet where local artisans sell their wares beside t-shirt vendors and sock dealers.


We browsed through all sorts of things...


... but Gracie preferred the jewelry stalls...


... while Babbit exhibited a penchant for Asian snack foods...


... and coconut brassieres.


Silly Babbit, bras are for girls!

We spent a little more than two hours circling the entire stadium, shopping all the way. We came away with armfuls of t-shirts, postcards, Hawaiian necklaces and bracelets, floral leis, shell leis, dried pineapple and mango, sarongs, sarong knot keepers, and carved wooden honu (sea turtles). After a quick lunch, we dropped our treasures in the hotel room and spent the rest of the day in the lagoon. What fun!