I hope your year~ 2013~ was as fabulous as my own! I wanted to reflect for just a few moments before telling you all about the absolutely spectacular adventure I had on O'ahu just before Christmas.
My re-cap; I was blessed to return home to my beautiful islands of Hawaii a total of four times, one to each of the major islands. In March I spent almost two weeks on Maui. I visited the very special and gorgeous island of Kauai in September for my birthday. Then in October I experienced again the always changing and giving island of Hawaii- The Big Island. I have so many special ohana (family) there now! But I also continued my education and personal experiences at Disneyland in January, and at Walt Disney World in May! I am a lucky girl- and value every visit and all that it gives me!
These regular visits allow me to not only stay current with my own continuing education, and love for the islands and all things Disney. This gives me the personal experiences I need to stay fresh and connected with Hawaii and Disney, so that I will always have the very best information to share with my clients! I do not just "call" myself an expert- I earn it!
But I must say; this year I did with out hesitation ... save the very best for last! I left for nine days in December to the ever changing "gathering place", my second home~ O'ahu! This was a trip not like any of my others. But all about a very- very special person, who started as a client, and I now call family. My 'sister', my friend Linda Eisenstadt, and her wonderful husband Larry!
We met in person for the first time on December 10th, at our first stop and "home away from home" the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. This was the first time I was getting the chance to share Hawaii- my way! Something I have always wanted to do, and now had the chance to give to these two exceptional people.
We started with the ever popular "Royal Circle Island Tour"- and I still recommend this for you all! It was the most perfect way to see the entire island... and never think once about traffic, directions, or where we would go next!
Our day was filled with beautiful and scenic stops and experiences from; North Shore, Kualoa Ranch, the Macadamia Nut Farm, the Pali Lookout, Makapu'u, and much more! I have done this tour many times, and will continue to recommend it! It's a fun and stress-free way to see all the beauty that is O'ahu.
Because of Larry's love for history, and my thought that no one should leave this island without a visit to Pearl Harbor, this was our next experience. But I did not reserve just 'any' tour! I joined my friends on a very special day with "Home of the Brave Tours". This intense and fact filled day started at Ft. Shafter. We were privileged to be there for the raising of the flag, with canons fired and full guard ceremony! It was truly a moment that brings you to tears. More people should experience theses types of things- the things our enlisted men and woman do out of love and respect for our country... every day! We continued on to the visitors center at Pearl Harbor, and of course to pay our respects at the Memorial. We had just missed the 71st anniversary ceremonies by five days.
This special tour took us to Scofield and Wheeler in the North Shore, and poignantly ended with a drive through of "Punchbowl", the National Cemetery of the Pacific. But I also want to mention a special couple, the owners of this fabulous company Glen and Janet Tomlinson. They have created a truly unique and important experience with this tour, and I highly recommend it to everyone! Mahalo nui loa, Glen and Janet!
Our next adventure, well was really something very important for us all, for different reasons. My beautiful friends introduced me to the Jewish faith, and on Friday I joined them at 'temple'. It was a day that is always remembered by the Eisenstadts, and in the Jewish religion, for them it was the anniversary of the death of Linda's father. I learned so much, and was so warmly welcomed at the synagogue. I had never been to 'temple' before. But thanks to my friends and my 'teacher', I understand it all much better.
On Saturday I shared with them just a small part of the history of the Hawaiian people. We had a guided tour of the breathtaking... Iolani Palace. Located in downtown Honolulu, this is a place that is sadly missed by many visitors. I hope you will keep it in mind, and make it a part of your next visit to O'ahu!
I can't forget to mention one of my most favorite activities on this great island... eating! Every night we experienced yet another fabulous dining venue in Honolulu! One night at the ever popular "Duke's" at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, beach front and glorious! We dined at "Japengo", the signature restaurant at the Hyatt Regency, it's crazy good! I introduced my friends to "miso butterfish" at the always busy "Tiki's", at the Aston Waikiki Beach hotel... so ono! But our favorite, and the most memorable was our evening at "Chai's"! Chef Chai has been a friend for several years now- and I frequented his "Bistro" at the Aloha Tower Market Place. But last year he moved to a new location, and has a new - glorious- fresh menu! If you have visited Chai's before- you must return! Not sure how it happened... but the food is even better! Many thanks Chef~ dinner was amazing!
Our last four days were spent in the beauty and peace of the North Shore. On Sunday we checked out, and traveled up to the wonderful "Turtle Bay Resort". This is a highly recommended way to really see and experience this island. SO different from our surroundings in Waikiki, yet only an hour and a half away! This was a perfect way to end this trip, in the best part of this beautiful island.
I have had the privilege and honor of calling O'ahu my second home for many years now. But this trip was different, and very special to me. I saw it with special people, and shared it with 'aloha'. My passion for Hawaii grows every time, and this time tenfold!
Happy New Year everyone~ just some very special thoughts from this Travel Professional.
No comments:
Post a Comment