Day 1 : The departure and arrival.
So, its Sunday, the day after we had to drop off Isaiah at the airport after getting up at 4am, get a few last minute purchases, and pack. Not bad, got about 6 hours sleep and was up again at 4am to get ourselves to the airport. Woosh, we are off and running with the first leg from Orlando to Denver. (3 hours) Woosh, we are off again from Denver to LA. (3 hours) Woosh, we are off again from LA to Hawaii. (5 hours) And the pony is looking out the window as we are about to land in Hawaii. Okay, so now get this, we have backtracked in time, like something from the "Time Machine" and have been 11 hours on the plane. Dawn never set her watch so according to FL time, we have now been up for 19 hours when we land at the airport. (Shown Below)
Then, because this is a company trip, they want to have a Beach Bash at 8:30 that night, so after 45 minutes on a bus, we arrive at the hotel. Get checked in, get our complimentary Hawaian shirts, then head off to dinner and such. Needless to say, I was WAY too toasted for pictures that night, but it was okay and we ended up crashing out at about the 25 hour awake mark.
End Day 1 : Gift, Hat, Shirt, Kazoos (For Day 2) and snacks.
Day 2 : Olympics and Shopping
After a nights sleep on a not so pleasant bed, I am starting to think this whole trip is doomed. Rain is in the forecast every day and the reports are that the water is going to be too choppy to do anything in the actual ocean. So, morning rituals taken care of, we head down to the beach to at least look before breakfast. The rain is light and the beach turns out to be breathtaking.
The day starts to look up already and then came breakfast. The pond was amazing and it was literally a foot from our table. (Though we did end up right next to her DM which I thought was amusing and had to snap a picture) The food was wonderful, from the omellets to the fresh pineapple and more. Wow. And then, after breakfast, we wondered back through the open courtyard to our room to get ready for the event of the day and the view inside the hotel was as wonderful as outside. So, off we went to, as they say, let the games begin.
So, after dropping off the lei whcih we got when we landed and only vaguely rememberd the next morning, we wonder off to find our "team" meeting spot for this event when Dawn spots a web, complete with spider. It was awesome. Once we find the team we are supposed to be on and get dressed in our goofy attire, the rain starts up in earnest. We did the games anyway. Kona Coffee Run, shoveling coffee from a pail to a cup via 4 people, the Hula Race, dressing up the various Corp types in flippers, straw hats, glasses, etc and a few more of like games. I even participated in the tug o' war. Got three wins and a couple of losses and a few nice rope burns to boot. And here is everyone in the rain and not caring a bit. It was fun.
So, then it is off to our room just long enough to see a break in the rain and WOW, the view from our balcony is amazing. Needless to say, we spent every morning with a cup of coffee up there first before breakfast and every night there with a drink before bed. Listening to the surf every night while going to bed, made the rock bed almost unnoticable. However, the rain was not to be held back and came on even harder as evening approached. So, then it was off to Lahaina for shopping. It really reminded me of Key West with Hawaian items. However, the oldest Banyan tree in the US was amazing to see. It was HUGE! After a bit of shopping, a very bit and dinner at Bubba Gump Hawaii, it was back to the room for a night before the big excursion the next day. Needless to say, I was having doubt with all the rain, but that is tomorrow...
End Day 2 : Gift, Beach Towels that have Hawaian flowers and the names of all the Islands and flip-flops.
Day 3 : Excursion
So, up again in the morning to a bright sunny day. I am amazed by this as it was perfect since we were going on a hike to a waterfall. I was so proud of Dawn, even though she was scared to the height thing, she repelled down the final cliff and climbed the waterfall with me. I sat in under the fall while we have a picture of both of us standing next to it. It was beautiful. The sun lasted just long enough to get off the hike and ready for the nights Luau. Then, right before the big Luau, which was indoors due to rain, it began to pour and broke just long enough for the fire dancer, but that is for later. Now, pictured of the hike.
Half way up - Dawn, it isn't that high
Me so happy - Told ya I could do it!
Happy Couple - What? Me worry?
HOW much further? - WOW!
And on the ride home, the clouds begin a movin'
Then there was the Luau. Sometimes they brought a bunch of Leslie's employee's on stage with tehm even. It was a hoot. Those dancers are amazing and the pictures just don't do them justice. But here they are anyways with the grand finale - the fire dancer just before the rains really started up and all hell broke loose sometime that night. We also got a professional photo taken with the Hawaian dancer. Will scan and add later, along with more pics from the other waterproof camera.
End of Day 3 : Gift, Really cool carved turtle to represent protection.
Day 4 : Day of no power, so ROAD TRIP!
Yes, you heard it boys and girls, the whole south side of the island is without power due to the prior nights storm activity. So we decided to take the generous donation to our trip made by an annoymous person and rented a car. They don't call the Road to Hana (the drive we decided to take) the most beautiful drive in the US for nothing. WOW. Though, I have to wonder what is up with the broken down junk heaps on the road. There must have been 6 or more of them. Wierd. Even through the rain and flooded roads, it was amazing. We saw the last working sugar plant in Hawaii, drove through the flooded streets and then down the coast to Hana. The pictures say more tha I ever could.
Rain, pouring down - Sugar Mill
Flooded Road - Road starts with fastest trees ever...
Moving on up-Broken Car???
From on High - Pretty Pumpkin
Just... wow....
Clearing the road - Whats with these cars?
We drove that-Hard to see, but 30' waves from the storm
Once we get back, there is power just long enough to take a shower for the dressy awards dinner and then bamph, it is out again. Come to find out it was only on for about an hour or so. I won't bore you with any pictures of the awards dinner, because it was just that, pretty boring. However, Dawn got a tiny surf board with her name engraved on it and the awards club logo and such. It was way nice to hear her name announced as a winner and see it on the video they made of the trip. It was cool. Anyone wanting to see the video once we get it, ask and I will burn copies.
End Day 4 : Gift, Very nice frame for the Luau picture and picture book of Maui.
Day 5 : Waiting for power and plane...
Again, the power is out and it flickers on just long enough for us to take a quick shower and its gone again. Oh well. We wander a bit, then pack and I get the bright idea of sneaking onto the shuttle early for the airport. At least they had power. So, off we go. Now realize, we are on Hawaii time now and we got up at 6am. We hung out at the airport until 9:45 when the plane left and had the same three plane ride home, except the first stop was San Fran instead of LA. So, with the time we got up, the time shift, and the time on the plane, by the time we got home and unpacked, it was a 34 hour day. We were wiped. We slept for 15 hours and now I am writing this, the following day. Weee... Though, the monkey Dawn used for a pillow on the trips did get a bit drunk on the way out of Maui. All and all, it was a great trip. Hope you made it this far. :) Laters all...
