Trouble in Paradise, our Aulani TR

[kidsatheart]

Originally Posted by cardaway

Thanks again. I looked at their site but couldn't find any specifics. Maybe I need to look again.

Oh, sorry. Maybe these two links will help you out.

http://resorts.disney.go.com/aulani-...sort/families/

http://www.mousesavers.com/hawaii.html#adventures
Scroll up and down on this Mousesavers link for more.

You're awesome for sharing all this with us.

You're awesome for saying that. Really, I'm awesome? Thanks.

[louiesowner]

Thanks so much for this wonderful read... we are leaving in just over 3 weeks and can't wait. We are renting a car, so we are doing our own excursions. Question for you... is the flea market worth it? We also plan on going to costco to do some major shopping for the week.

Stefani

[a1000monkeys]

Originally Posted by louiesowner

Thanks so much for this wonderful read... we are leaving in just over 3 weeks and can't wait. We are renting a car, so we are doing our own excursions. Question for you... is the flea market worth it? We also plan on going to costco to do some major shopping for the week.

Stefani

The swap meet has a lot of crap but there are a few vendors worth checking out. It's really big but its repetetive so you really only need to walk about a quarter way around before you see the same stuff from different vendors.

Last time we went I got some inexpensive but decent sunglasses and DW got some homemade lilikoi jam and marlin jerky.

Be sure to keep valuables out of sight in your car when you park. Break-ins are common.

[kidsatheart]

Originally Posted by a1000monkeys

The swap meet has a lot of crap but there are a few vendors worth checking out. It's really big but its repetetive so you really only need to walk about a quarter way around before you see the same stuff from different vendors.

Last time we went I got some inexpensive but decent sunglasses and DW got some homemade lilikoi jam and marlin jerky.

Be sure to keep valuables out of sight in your car when you park. Break-ins are common.

[Kickapoo Joie Juice]

Originally Posted by kidsatheart

Our happy(?) couple

Oh, her body language is speaking volumes, there!

I would be exhausted by her drama-you are doing a much better job of not saying anything than I would be. Look on the bright side-this trip is letting your DS see her true colors before they get too committed...


I am so enjoying the TR, drama and all

[kidsatheart]

Originally Posted by Kickapoo Joie Juice

Look on the bright side-this trip is letting your DS see her true colors before they get too committed...


I am so enjoying the TR, drama and all

You are right on about that, sista! I consider the price of a trip to Hawaii a bargain compared to an eventual wedding followed by the eventual divorce.

[mkhurley]

Originally Posted by a1000monkeys

Be sure to keep valuables out of sight in your car when you park. Break-ins are common.

So your sayin we should close up the convertible when we'll be away from it also?? Most places we typically leave ours open unless the weather is questionable, but stuff is always out of sight.

[a1000monkeys]

Originally Posted by mkhurley

So your sayin we should close up the convertible when we'll be away from it also?? Most places we typically leave ours open unless the weather is questionable, but stuff is always out of sight.

So long as there is nothing in the car theft or vandalism wouldn't likely be a problem but a passing rain shower could be. They can appear pretty quickly.

We were in Kauai last June and it was sunny one moment and then it was coming down in buckets for a good ten minutes before the sun came out again.

[mkhurley]

Originally Posted by a1000monkeys

So long as there is nothing in the car theft or vandalism wouldn't likely be a problem but a passing rain shower could be. They can appear pretty quickly.

We were in Kauai last June and it was sunny one moment and then it was coming down in buckets for a good ten minutes before the sun came out again.

Ok, so it's like FL but farther West....or East I guess if ya go the other way... Thanks, we'll just close it.

[kidsatheart]

And so began 2012.

At some point during the day, DS (19) called and asked if I had time to come up to the Studio. I wasn't sure if I was being called in to referee or just exactly what was up. Happily, DGf had excused herself to go for a walk or something, so I finally had a chance for a private talk with DS. He was obviously still very upset and was compulsively & repetitively folding his clothes, putting them in the packing cubes we use inside our suitcases, then putting the cubes into the drawers of the dresser in the villa.

I think he had just begun to realize that the woman he was in love with had a dark side. (Don't we all, though?!) Its just that this was the first he had recognized it in her. Remember your first great love? Remember your break-up with your first great love? Well, he was on the verge of realizing that he was going to have to take that step.

There was nothing more for me to say or do, so elevatored down to our villa on floor 7. DGf was standing by the view window just off the elevator, so I invited her to come in to have something to eat. Texted DS to come down as well.

Anyways, there was still some fun to be had. DS's (17) tonsils had been much better lately and I encouraged them to get their snorkel gear (we brought our own along) and come on down to Rainbow Reef.

Here they are getting instructions from the CM. Note to the right is a cube-shelf, where you can store your things while you are snorkelling. Oh, if you aren't familiar Rainbow Reef is stocked with many tropical fish, a menhune or two and some other surprises. It is part of the large Imagineer-made Waikolohe Valley area.


Shower area for before-and-after snorkelling. If you've been in the pool prior, they want you to rinse your chlorine-soaked self before you go in with the fish.


Preparing to snorkel


Rules, no standing up (except at the entrance/exit), no clinging to rocks along the edge, no kicking your feet, swim in a clockwise direction, and put up your hand if you need a lifeguard's assistance.


It doesn't look that big, but once you are in, you are transported to that under-the-sea experience. It costs $20/visit or $39 for length of stay. We paid the single visit rate, but I might be tempted to do length of stay another time.

They didn't stay long, but DS'F words on coming out was, That was cool.

Now that they had their snorkel gear with them, they decided to try out the lagoon. When you pay for Rainbow Reef, they punch your pool wristband. With that signifier you can go to the beach-side rental place and pick up fins for use in the lagoon.

I found a single beach chair on the sand and kept their few things with me. Time for a little sunshine and to relax with my magazine. Interestingly, food/beverage servers do work the beach area. I wondered what it would be like working barefooted, back and forth with drinks and such.

Here's a view of the beach towards the Marriott Ihilani.


And, a view of the beach in the opposite direction.


The sand is separated from the resort by a grassy area, and a lovely walking path.


One morning, I was in the right place at the right time and joined the Morning Stretch group on the grass there. Nice! Do try to attend, if you visit Aulani.

A better view of the walking path...or jogging path, depending on you!