Delayed Honeymoon - Oahu

“Wednesday Cameo Gal and I are flying out to Oahu for a delayed honeymoon, leaving the Dog of Honor with friends. It's only fitting that since our marriage was delayed for months, that the honeymoon would be, too. After a week there, we will visit my sister in Portland for a week - to help out and meet my new nephew (born 10/13/04).

Family and friends have given us the frequent flier miles to go (I'm lucky that I have a Dad who goes to Asia more times a year than I can count), and some very generous wedding gifts will cover most if not all the travel. It will be strange going on this grand vacation, when I was recently dirt poor and had no income at all.

In Oahu, we plan to:

Snorkel (Hanauma Bay?)
Walk around the Waikiki area (maybe 1/2 day)
Walk around Historic Honolulu
Hike (prolly the 10 mile Maunawili trail).
Travel around the Island to the less crowded parts.
Visit with my aunt came to work there shortly after pearl harbor, and worked until retirement there for the Marines. She helped manage the human resources for the rebuilding of Pearl Harbor.

Any other ideas? Favorite trails?

We will probably steer clear of the Polynesian Cultural Center (not in the budget).

I don't know about Pearl Harbor. I've been there lots of times with my Aunt, it was very moving - because she was there so soon afterwards, saw some of the devastation and met many of the survivors. I have no need to go again, so it will be up to Cameo Gal.

I'm finally feeling good enough to really enjoy the trip, but I do have to be extra careful about the sun. I will probably wear my MSR hat and lots of sunblock. Gee, can you tell I'm thrilled? It will be all the more fun, because I already know I adore being married to CG. We won't just be celebrating getting married, but we'll be celebrating survival, renewal and 6 months of really enjoying being married.”

“Congrats!”

“That's awesome, Pedxing. I'm happy for you guys. I know you two will have a blast.

You might want to check out Wameia Bay (sp?) on the North Shore of Oahu. It has the biggest waves in Hawaii. I've never been, but have fantasized about checking it out for much of my life (I spent most of my teen and college years surfing). If the waves are big enough, they supposedly crash with a powerful force that shakes the ground. Pipeline (also on the North Shore) is also supposedly easily viewed from the beach, and you can witness what many regard as the world's most perfect wave. Might be fun to check out, even if you don't know anything about surfing.”

“I was lucky to be on a full expense account the first six times I was there during the '80s. However, the Polynesian Cultural Center was worth the money. I rate it the number one thing to do, rather than throwing money on lesser attactions. Hanauma Bay Snorkeling is number two. Hanauma named best U.S. beach.
Oahu's North Shore, where you can body surf, is number three. You can backpack and hike here in the 48.
last edited: 10/30/04 10:00:50 PM”

“Ped, I'm surprised you can go in the sun with burns.

I think any island is all about the water that we don't get in the U.S., so I concentrate on being in the water snorkeling.

I just saw a show on the north shore's resort called Turtle Bay by the pipeline. They have a beautiful calm bay there for swimming if you can get access to it without being stopped by the resort people. Walk right through like you own the place, lol. Bring your bathing suits and towels just in case.

Have a great trip!!!!”

“If I were going this would be what I would want to see:

Mauna Loa
Earth's Largest Volcano

Rising gradually to more than 4 km above sea level, Mauna Loa is the largest volcano on our planet. Its long submarine flanks descend to the sea floor an additional 5 km, and the sea floor in turn is depressed by Mauna Loa's great mass another 8 km. This makes the volcano's summit about 17 km (56,000 ft) above its base! The enormous volcano covers half of the Island of Hawai`i and by itself amounts to about 85 percent of all the other Hawaiian Islands combined.”

“Thanks everyone for the input.

I did see Moana Loa once, while it was erupting (not big stuff, but glowing lava flow) on the big Island (on a totally crammed day long tour where we got up in Honolulu before 5AM and flew to the Big Island).

Thanks for the ideas Tango, Artex, Nowslimmer and Lipstick.

Lips: I have to wear a hat and wear SP 40+, and reapply it. I talked to my plastic surgeon about it. The grafts are all more than 7 months old, so they aren't as sensitive - but they will improve over the next couple years. I was told I always had to be careful. Also, at this point, I'm told that if my scars get sunburned they will stay discolored forever.

I'm a little self concious about swimming, because I am still multi-colored and have black on my toe nails (looks like I used black nail polish months ago and they grew out) - but its not extreme or gory - so if other people have problems with it, they will just have to grow up a little.”

“BTW, back in the 80's and up to '91, camping was free in the state and national parks. In county parks it cost one dollar per nighta, but sometimes it was necessary to travel a ways to pay and get the permit. On Oahu most campgrounds were only open 4 or 5 days per week. I guess some hikers were a little too much for them on weekends.

Have a great trip.”

“Ped - so nice to hear such good new! Enjoy!

(Any stops in Los Angeles on your trip?)”

“Hey Phil - I'll be going via Portland, OR - because my sister just had a baby.
I hope I end up in your corner of the country some day, please let me know if you are headed towards mine (and the home of the amazing Sox).”

“Be safe in the sun and have fun!! :-)”

“can i come?


jk... have a blast and congrats again.”

“Sounds like a wonderful honeymoon, pedxing. Enjoy and be sure to take lots of pictures to share.”

“Awesome, just awesome plans!!!!”

“Ped, Oh, definitely don't let your discolorment keep you from doing everything you want to do.

I had a scratch on my face, and I had to stay out of the sun to keep the fresh skin from scarring, so I know what you mean or in your case, maybe the grafts came from areas that got less sun, lol :)”

“Thanks all, I've been packing and getting dining coupons on line for some places recommended by Frommers and others (and for the restaurants at the hotel I'm going to). I'm definitely psyched!”

“Lips, most of the grafts are on my chest and legs and hands. Most of that will be covered, and I have gloves I have to wear to keep the grafts healthy on my hands. The only really exposed grafts (except when I swim) are on my ears.

The skin came from my back and arms.
last edited: 11/01/04 9:49:24 AM”

“awwww, that's so cute! congrats. :-)

my dad got whatever-the-worst-degree-is burns on over half his body when he was a teenager, and had many skin grafts, too. he goes out in the sun all the time! i don't even think he applies more sunscreen than everyone else...although it HAS been a few years since he was a teenager, LOL.”

“Sounds like an awesome trip, pedxing!
I'm very happy for you and your bride - sounds like you are really enjoying life!”

“Keep in mind that the Polynesian Cultural Center is kind of a commercial for the Mormons. If you don't mind listening to a little of their BS (and it really isn't that big a deal), the show they put on really is quite good.

Anywhere along the north shore is remarkably uncrowded.

You must take a walk along Waikiki Beach. It is a kick - lots of hilarious people-watching to be done!

Take a Pearl Harbor tour, even if you're not into military history.

One final thing: HAVE FUN!!!!”

“Hey Ped...

If you like to body board and/or do some serious body surfing....the a cove up past Hanauma Bay and right next to Makkapuu Point....go to Makapuu Point or Kaupo Beach parks....

If you looking for a beach with tamer waves then...IMHO...the best beach on Oahu is Kailua....if you go...make sure you walk further down the north end....alot less people.....plus you may get to swim with a Sea Turtle....

The North Shore....well what can I say....those waves are way too massive for me dude....they'd knock me on my head and I wouldn't like it...ha ha

On the tourist-ty side....I'd say USS Arizona is a must see....also the Dole Plantation is kinda cool (ya sorta have to pass by it anyhow heading out to the North Shore area).

Hanauma Bay is nice and easy....plenty of fish....snorkel your arse off...but wear a shirt with UV block....

Diamond Head was kinda cool as an easy walk...nice views! Usually wind surfers are just below ya and there's a really cool lighthouse down below as well....

Waikiki....I wouldn't waste any time here unless you're looking for some night life or something to eat.

Kahana Valley SP has some nice little trails....

Oh...one last thing....make sure your trousers are nice and secure...those waves will rip'em right off....”

“Wow, you are lucky! Thinkbubelz & I went to "The Big Island" in 1999 with my aunt, brother and cousins... such a beautiful state with absolutely fabulous weather!

Can't add anything about Oahu, as we never got to go there, but if you like sushi or fresh fish, a really yummy thing to get at the supermarkets is something called "Poke" it's like sashimi tossed with onions or green onions, hot pepper flakes, salt and sesame oil. Everything is so fresh there!

We also attended a luau-- which was a lot of fun if you can spare the expense. :-)

Most of all, enjoy your time with your honey and RELAX!

I do hope that you have a direct flight-- When we went in 1999, we flew out of Detroit to DC, missed our connection and was stuck a few hours, then flew to Denver, missed ANOTHER connection, delayed again and then to San Francisco (where my aunt lives.) We left home at 8 am and didn't get there til 2 am (local time).... flew to Honolulu 2 days later... the Jet lag took 1/2 of our vacation to get over....We vowed never to take United again....

Hopefully, you will have a much nicer and more reasonable flight over-- I think if you try to stay up the first night (even if you are exausted) and to try to get yourself into the local time, the jet lag may not be so bad!

Oh! and if you do have an on plane meal-- call ahead to have them make a "special meal" for you (i.e. there are usually different options for each meal, such as kosher, vegetarian, fruit plate for breakfast, vegan, diabetic, seafood, etc...)
I know that a lot of airlines have minimized their meals, but if you ask for a "special option", usually the food is better than what the rest of the people get (because it's prepared separately). We ALWAYS try to get a special meal on the airplanes if possible... Usually, the vegetarian ones are pretty good--we tried Kosher once and it was really bland... LOL...

Have a great time!”

“Oh....one other thing....do yourself a favour....rent a convertible!”

“stratus, the north shore does have a calm bay by the Turtle Creek hotel.

Ped, I use a t-shirt when I snorkel sometimes if I'm going to be snorkeling for a long time, so that may help you for your grafts and sunburn.”

“lipstick....I suppose there are some coves on the North Shore that like to sleep but...being the surfer dude that I am....more like wannabe...I know of none that exist there....soooo...thanks for the tip....”

“Ped --

You will burn through a wet cotton t-shirt. Not as bad, but be careful.

Have a blast.”

“and oh yeah . . i can think of at least a few variations on a honeymoon theme that should keep you out of the sun for hours at a time . . .”

“We got BowlderSon a long-sleeve shirt that is common among surfers that is designed to keep you from getting sunburned. All the surf and dive shops sell them.

Actually, we found that, snorkeling for any length of time, we would get pretty cold, so we rented wet suit tops. The water temp is about 80, which, of course, is almost 20 degrees below your body temp, so it feels good at first, but eventually cools you off....”

“stratus, I just saw the calm bay on tv on the travel channel. They showed you the pipeline, then they showed you this calm beach located at the resort. The water was totally placid.

I've been to the North Shore too and only saw the waves, but I didn't go to this hotel where the bay is supposed to be.”

“Thanks again for all the ideas. I have one UV shirt. I think when I snorkel I will combine a t-shirt with a water resistant sun screen and avoid the peak 4 hours of sun.”

“Ped,I mentioned to my husband what lee said about getting burned through a t-shirt. He said that he thinks you can if the t-shirt is thin. I must say I have seen some really cheesy thin t-shirts, but I'm sure Ped doesn't buy clothes like that, lol :)

Maybe you could bring a tiny bottle with liquid clothes detergent to give the UV shirt a quick rinse every night. If you bring one, put it in a zip lock bag incase it leaks.

Also, bring some extra zip lock bags and ask the hotel restaurant for the old bread from breakfast (tell them it's for the fish) and put it in the bag to feed the fish in Hanahuma Bay. Let a little bread out at a time and watch the fish swarm around you. Get one of those Kodak underwater throw away cameras. It will take great pics.”

“Just on the news, face transplants for burn victims and people with diseases. The chances of the grafts taking are 50%, because they have to find the right cadavers.”

“Lips: In the past, cadaver skin has only worked as a temporary stop gap measure - giving surgeons time to harvest and grow more of the patient's own skin. It would be great if this was a permanent solutio.

Anyway - I'm off and hoping there is no major terror spectacle in the air on election day. I guess I'll find out who won when I arrive, unless they give updates on the plane.”

“Enjoy your vacation! Don't forget the sun is pretty strong in Hawaii-- :-)”

“Two more gems worthwhile seeing on Oahu are the Bishop Museum and Queen Emma Summer Palace.”

“Ooooh! I saw this too late!

If by chance you get to see this,,,,


DON'T FORGET THE KEYLIME PIE!!!

;o) Enjoy!!”

“Bring home lots of Mango jam.....”

“More in a day or two, but we got back tonight. We had a wonderful time on the honeymoon and with my sister, helping out with her new baby.

So what's happened on TT in the past two weeks? Did Laqtis and Dunadan follow through on their bet(and if so, what thread did they post their farewells on?)? I'm hoping they didn't - heck I even told 'em I thought they'd lose the bet.”

“Hey ped, I hope you and your wife had a great time, and I can't wait to hear the details.

What's been going on....well, lets see....arguing, lol. Some of the democrats are still angry that Bush got elected again.”

“Welcome back.

Pictures?

last edited: 11/17/04 11:17:22 PM”

“Welcome back...you missed a complete TT meltdown, see the Ebannott thread as well as,... oh phunk it, almost all threads in the last couple of weeks are flameworthy. Enjoy!”

“yup, ped, i believe they're gone, but still lurking.

glad you had a fun time, looking forward to pics!”

“Welcome back! I hope it was all both of you hoped it would be. Can't wait for a severely censored trip report!

What Currahee said.”

“Tango is no fun. ;-)

Welcome back. Glad y'all had a nice time.”

“Welcome home! Trip report? Pictures? =)

Yep, it's like the dead of winter (cabin fever) on TT lately.”

“Is your uh, is your wife interested in... photography, ay? 'Photographs, ay' Snap snap, grin grin, wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more?

They could be taken on holiday.
Candid, you know, CANDID photography?”

“Stove I know more than I want to about Paris Hilton. I don't want Ped to be the Paris Hilton of TT! ~grin~”

“LOL!

Well we took a few pics on an instant camera - my digital was misbehaving. I'm trying to work hard today to catch up. I just read the EBA- Not! thread and I'm bummed. This time its people I really like, and who I have hiked with, getting mad at each other. I hate seeing people I'm fond of fight, even more-so when its public. We all need forgiveness sometimes, and we all need to forgive sometimes - probably we need both most of the time.

And Lips, I'm not happy about Bush winning - even though I expected it. Right now, I can only hope that the rest of the term will go very well and his policies will, in hindsight, be born out by events. I'd rather be happy than right.”

“Check out the bring back Dunadan thread.

laqtis and Mutt both left. They both said they agreed to the bet because they felt it would make them stay away for awhile. I can't recall the thread names. You might just list the last 2 weeks and go to edit, find, and then put their names. It'll search through all the crap take you right to the thread.

Glad you had a great vacation. Yall deserved that after what you've been through.”

“Sounds like you and Cameo Girl had a great time! I second the thought that you deserve all the good things in your life!
=D”