We flew from Atlanta to Salt Lake City and had an one and a half hour layover. We had a short lunch and boarded for the final leg to Oahu. We landed at Honolulu International Airport and picked up our rental car. We drove to the rental house in Punalu'u. After we unpacked, we drove to Papa Ole's Hawai'ian restraunt for dinner.
Sunday, May 14, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiGood morning from Oahu! This is our Hawaii Day 1. The sun is rising, the roosters are crowing and the birds are chirping! We have wind chimes and we hear them every time it's breezy and we can hear the surf in the background. It's country and beachy! Awesome! Oh, and some mountains to the right!! Bob and Jenny got up early and took some sunrise shots. Then Bob, Sue and Jen headed to the beach and Jen dipped her toes in the Pacific. We went to a shopping center in Honolulu for Mother's Day lunch at Romano's Macaroni Grill, and then visited Denise Yamada at work at Godiva Chocolate Store. After we picked up some groceries, we went back to the rental house.
Monday, May 15, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 2. Today we visited some of the North Shore beaches. Jen was hoping to see turtles, but they weren't out today. We did see surfers and the ocean was brilliant blue and aqua. We also visited Haleiwa town and Jen had a Matsumoto Shave Ice.
Tuesday, May 16, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiToday was Hawaii Day 3 and Bob, Sue, Jen and Denise went to Pearl Harbor to see the USS Arizona Memorial in the morning. In the afternoon, we toured the USS Missouri. Later we had dinner with Denise at Toci, one of Rob's favorite seafood restaurants.
Wednesday, May 17, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 4 was a Photography Tour for Jen while Bob and Susan had a rest day. Jen went on a photography tour with other photographers to various locations around the island. Jen saw Tantalus Lookout, Byodo-In Temple, Waimanolo Beach, Makapu'u Lookout, Lana'i Lookout, Blow Hole Lookout, and sunset at China Walls. Jen was too tired to edit photos tonight because we have an early morning tomorrow!
Thursday, May 18, 2016, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 5 is beach and snorkel day! It was a little overcast, but we hoped for clear water and cool underwater shots. The snorkeling today at Hanauma Bay was amazing! Bob and Jen saw so many beautiful fish and Jen took lots of photos to share. We are trying to find time in our busy schedule to go back for more snorkeling before we leave!
Friday, May 19, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 6. This morning we took a catamaran tour at Kualoa Ranch. We saw Chinaman's Hat and Kualoa Mountain from the bay. We also saw sea turtles swimming! Very cool! Next week we'll be back here for a horseback tour, so Jen and Bob had to introduce themself to some of the horses. This afternoon and tonight we visited Waikiki Beach. We saw the Duke statue, the condo where Rob lived when he first moved here, ate at the Yardhouse (one of Rob's favorites), watched the sunset and the Friday Night Fireworks.
Saturday, May 20, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 7. We hiked Manoa Falls (which was beautiful), went to lunch at Kona Brewery (another favorite of Rob's), picked up some Kona Fire Rock pale ale and Leonard's Maladadas, then took a scenic drive along the coast.
Sunday, May 21, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 8. Bob and Jen hiked Hauula Loop Trail this morning. It had beautiful views of the valley and It was a great way to start Sunday. Then we all met Denise Yamada, Darren, Danielle, and Denise's sister, her husband, and their son at Haleiwa Joe's - Haiku for brunch. It's a nice restaurant that is open to a beautiful garden down below and mountains behind that. Then Denise, Darren and Danielle joined us at the Hoomaluhia Botanical Garden. Another lovely island day.
Monday, May 22, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 9 was a busy day! Jen got up and went down to the beach to photograph the sunrise. Then we headed to Diamond Head and Bob and Jen hiked to the top and saw amazing views! We were pretty hungry after that, so we went back to Kona Brewery with Sue and this time we got pizza. Of course Bob had another Pipeline Porter, his favorite. Then we hiked the Makapuu Lighthouse trail. These views were awesome as well! We were hot and tired, so we went to the Dole Plantation for some frozen Dole Whip. On the drive home we stopped at Turtle Beach and we saw two Green Sea Turtles sunbathing! Jen was so excited to see them.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 10. Today Jen did another photography tour while Bob and Sue had a rest day. Then we tried Haleiwa Joe's - Haleiwa We had another yummy dinner and Jen had many more photos to edit.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 11 and Rob's birthday - the day we planned our trip around. Jen and Bob started with a horseback tour at Kualoa Ranch. We knew Rob went zip lining there a few years ago with Denise Yamada for his birthday, so we thought it would be nice to have an adventure there as well. This evening we chartered a private sailboat for a sunset sail with Denise, Darren, and Danielle and spread Rob's ashes near Waikiki. While we were spreading his ashes a rainbow appeared, which was perfect as Rob loved seeing so many rainbows when he lived in Hawaii and often posted photos of them on Facebook. We also scattered flowers in the water in remembrance and shared our favorite memories. We enjoyed the sunset on the way back to the marina. We had dinner at Moku Kitchen, another restaurant Rob enjoyed. Happy Birthday Rob from Jen, Mom, Dad, Denise, Darren, and Danielle.
Thursday, May 25, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 12. We started the day with a walk at Turtle Bay and saw some amazing Banyan trees. (Lost, Pirates of the Caribbean and some others have shot in this area) After we ate some fruit and other snacks, we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. We learned about Samoa, Aoteroa, Hawaii, Fiji, Tahiti, and Tonga. Then we went to a luau and saw a show featuring all the island cultures. Fun day!
Friday, May 26, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 13. Bob and Jen got up early and went over to Ko Olina for a swim with dolphins and turtles, and reef snorkeling with Wild Side Specialty Tours. It was an amazing time! We saw so many dolphins and were able to swim near them and watch them jump and swim around the boat. We also saw several sea turtles and many colorful fish. We highly recommend this experience for anyone visiting Oahu! That evening we went to Gordon Biersch at Aloha Tower Marketplace. Denise arranged to have some of Rob's friends and co-workers join us for dinner. It was great to meet them, spend time with them and hear them talk about Rob. Another great day in Hawaii!! Thank you Dennise.
Saturday, May 27, 2017, Oahu, HawaiiHawaii Day 14. We got up early to see our last Hawaii sunrise (for this visit), then Jen visited Waimea Valley. It was a tropical botanical garden walk to a waterfall where people swim. Jen wished she had more time to explore there, but she got some great photos! Then Bob, Sue, and Jen went to see Denise Yamada and see her house where Robert Gregg lived for three years. We met Denise's mom and Darren and Danielle's grandmother and had our last meal in Hawaii with them. It has been an amazing two weeks that we will remember forever! We are sad to go. Aloha!
Sunday, May 28, 2017, Marietta, GeorgiaWe landed safe and sound in Atlanta (Jen took some pics flying over downtown - spotted CNN Center from the air), Jen picked up the G-Pack and went straight to the park for a walk. Now we're home, tired and resting.