Oahu Getaway

We recently went on a short, four-day trip to Oahu. We were pretty excited, as its rare that we get to island hop (the island is very cost prohibitive unless you have a place to stay). The trip was planned mostly around Ryan (Toys R Us, WWE, Wet N Wild water park, giant maze, Dave & Busters, go karting) with a few treats/meals for us (Five Guys, Shirokiya's Village Walk, Angelo Pietro's, Waiola Shave Ice). A few highlights of our trip...

We rented a one-bedroom apartment, and had views of both Waikiki beach and Diamond Head...even from the pool (which also had two tubs, tennis courts and a children's playground). Rich and Ryan also hit gorgeous Waikiki beach two days in a row.

This was our view for the day at the water park (we were one of the first ones so we nabbed a cool, shady spot near the water)...which Ryan LOVED.

One day we checked out the World's Largest Maze. It's on the 'campus' of the Dole Pineapple Cannery. Based on pictures, I had a vision of a lush, green tropical maze that would rival the gardens of the Palace of Versailles. However, I'd say it's a tad less...grand? Most of the plants appeared far from lush...more, sparse and dry, I'd say? Given the physical landscape and use of drought resistant native fauna, it's easy to see why. Still, it was pretty easy to see through many of the 'walls' of the greenery or cut right through them (which Sgt. Rich refused to let us do, despite the oppressive heat). It also didn't seem very large. In my head, the 'largest maze in the world' could conceivably entrap, confuse and dazzle us for hours, possibly days. Weeks, even! (I'm slow, after all.) Instead...I think we deftly navigated our way to all 8 of the check points in under 20-30 minutes? I also wished they had put in an elevated scenic viewpoint so you could visually see the artistry of the maze, but there was no such look out point...another small disappointment.

On the upside, however, Ryan said he loved it. Thankfully, my happy kid is not the discerning, miserable critic his mother is. :-) We also moaned in delight eating our light, pineapple-flavored Dole Whip covered in fresh, sweet, juicy pineapple chunks. If I can buy this delicious treat anywhere other than Disneyland or Dole Cannery Plantation...please let me know!

We had no problems quickly navigating through the maze. No problems at all.

Hanging out with Sponge Bob and friends...post maze, post whip (which Ryan did not want, and then inhaled).

Hanging out with family at Dave & Busters

Our last day on the island, Rich took Ryan back to Waikiki to boogie board while I cleaned up our apartment. We met even more relatives (there were four of our families!) over at Waiola Shave Ice (a President Obama favorite, because it is...awesome). Ry got to meet two cousins he'd never really met before, and then we drove out to the K1 Go Kart Race Tracks. Despite the initial fear of the speed and loud noise of the cars, Ryan was hooked. He did really well on his second race, beating out two older kids and lapping them a few times!

I could have easily spent a full week there- there is so much to see and do and eat and we have amazing family there that I wish we could see more often. I think I mentioned to Rich about 43 times while we were there how much I wish we could live there instead of the Big Island (and we could move there tomorrow...but we'd live in a rented studio from the 1970s and I'd have to get a bus pass). So for now, all I can do is wait and plan for next summer, when we plan to return for a tournament for Ryan. It's only 12 months away. ;-)