Hawaii, Jan 5, 2023 - Day 2

 Today was our first full day in Hawaii.  We woke up early so we could go see the dolphin show that is only a few times a week.  Set our alarm for 7:15, in order to get there by 8:00am.

We saw our turtle friends in the Salt Water Lagoon and many other fish, including a puffer fish which we hadn't seen before. We have been to this resort a few times, so we know our way around. We enjoyed our stroll around to the location in the morning to watch the Dolphins, looking at what has changed since we last had been here.

The Dolphin show was pretty neat, the let the dolphins out of their habitat into the lagoon where they teach the viewers about the mammals as well as let them show off in the water.  There was a lot of people watching unlike the last time we saw the show (a few years ago). 

After the 10-15 minute show we headed to the Island Breakfast.  This is usually a feast of great traditional breakfast and Hawaiian foods, but this time it was very simple and not as impressive.  We headed up the omelette station.  The only extra Hawaiian food would be the tray of rice... where before they would have seaweed, soups, authentic baking, and so much more.  It was seat yourself, and get your own beverages, which was a lot different.

After breakfast we continued on our walk around the resort.  We stopped at a few of our favorite viewing spots before heading back to the hotel.

We headed to Kona to pick up a few groceries and Reef Safe Sunscreen at Target. Before that we visited Hula Daddy Coffee to pick up some coffee and to Kona Brewing for some lunch. Lunch did not disappoint.  It was just as good as we remembered and the atmosphere in there is so nice with so many plants, and umbrellas.  AA had a flight of beer, so Lola had to drive back to the hotel. She stopped at the scenic look out and saw some roadside goats on our way back to the hotel.

Once back, we headed to the pool.  It was 28 degrees so it was nice to feel the heat of the sun and get our bodies moving in the pool after a long day of sitting yesterday.

AA got us some beverages and we lounged by the pool.  MBMell gave us updates as they watched the World Junior Game as we couldn't find it on tv and had no ability to stream it in the USA. Once we found out they were in OT, we headed back to the room where MBMell graciously FaceTimed so we could watch the winning goal!  GO CANADA!  We miss our travel friends, so Lola also gave them a room tour once the game was over.

Once the call was over, we headed just off the hotel property to watch the beautiful sunset.  It was magical.

Walked just up the street to check out all the holiday lights and head to Tropics Ale House for supper.  It was slow service, but the food was sure good.  

Headed back to the room after supper, where the moon is almost full and lighting up the sky.  We hung out at the Kona Coffee area because we can't seem to get the internet to work on our Laptops in our hotel room.  We have a busy day planned for tomorrow, so it is time to get some sleep.

Night, Lola.

Hawaii - Jan 4, 2023 - Day 1 (travel Day)

Both AA and Lola have been counting the days to get back to Hawaii, and it finally has come.  We are travelling a little earlier than normal, but so excited to head to Hawaii just after Christmas in the new year.

We felt like our travel day was pretty uneventful, but once Lola started writing, it had more events than she thought.  We ordered an Uber to pick us up just after 12pm and just as it was supposed to arrive, Lola couldn't find her sunglasses.  AA rushed to see if she had left them in the car, but as he went outside, she found them in her backpack.  We didn't make the Uber wait long, but we were sure winded when we got into the car.

At the airport the line for bag drop off was very long.  It felt like we had waited for hours, but AA said it was only 30 minutes or so.  Since there were so many people in the baggage drop off lines, security was a breeze.  We made it through with no difficulty or wait time. 

We got to the gate, and AA got us some Starbucks while we waited to start boarding.  It was a pretty full flight, but we had room for our carry on suitcase which AA was worried about as we were one of the last people to board the plane.

Our flight to Vancouver was very scenic.  The snowy prairies identifying known places like Warren, and Delta, turned into beautiful Rocky Mountains and Cloud cover  and no snow as we got closer to our first pit stop.  AA read his book most of the way while Lola starting watching Emily in Paris.

Once in Vancouver, we got off the plane, and headed to Customs and US Security.  Once arriving there we also didn't have a very long line which was nice, zipped through with our Nexus cards and ready for some food. We were excited to watch the Semi Final Canada vs USA game while we waited to board our next flight.  What an eventful game that we watched the first half in the restaurant where all the people were very into it,  clapping and cheering when they scored with watching the last half on the iPad waiting at our gate. 

Lola didn't get the best seat in the house.... game was on behind her.

Our plane was a little late leaving, but we boarded quickly and got off for our 6 hour flight to Hawaii.

Lola watched Frozen II as well as finished the third Season of Emily in Paris.  It was long, with a little bit of turbulence, but not bad at all. We enjoyed our snacks and beverages along the way.  

Once we arrived, we got off the plane, and to our surprise the airport tarmac and entrance felt different.  We think they added a gate to the airport since we had been there last.

AA went caught the first shuttle and got the rental car while Lola waited for their bags.  Lola didn't wait long at all for AA to come get her after she had got the bags, and off they went to their Hotel/Resort for the night.  At this point it was 1:00am, where we checked in and got to our room.  We were pleasantly surprised to stay in the 1 hotel complex that we had never stayed at before (there are 3 in total).

Waiting for AA to park the car.

We went to bed quickly as it was a pretty long travel day, and we needed to try and get onto Hawaiian time.

Mahalo, Lola.