SEPT. 30, 2011- MISC PICS

Here are a few pics of some additional things we did with Carolyn and Boyd.  We took them to Wahiawa Botantical Gardens, Shark's Cove in North Shore, Oahu and on another day Carolyn wanted to ride the Hawaiian Railway.

Wahiawa Botantial Gardens

Me and bamboo. 

This is a Eucalyptus deglupta (Rainbow eucalyptus)

It is sure one of the pretty trees I have seen here.  It grows 10 ft a year.

Egg Fruit Tree

Shark's Cove

Chris, myself, and the kids were busy exploring and snorkeling.  This is one of our favorite spots to snorkel there are so many beautiful fish to see.

The Hawaiian Railway

The Hawaiian Railway is the only railroad still running on Oahu.  We took the Sunday 90-minute long ride which departed from the station in Ewa along 6.5 miles of track to Nanakuli and Kahe Point where the train stops for a few minutes so passengers can admire the beautiful view of the ocean which happens to be at the end of the trip and then it returns back to Ewa.  But during the trip we saw mostly desert terrain until we hit Ko Olina resort and the beach view. 

In the train yard you get to see some of the train cars that have restored and occasionally make the 90-minute trip.

Steam Locomotive - Ewa 1

First steam locomotive used on the Ewa Sugar Plantation.

Steam Locomotive - Kauila 6

This coal burner was the first locomotive bought and used by Oahu Railway & Land Company.

Carolyn, Rowan and Boyd aboard Parlor Car 64

This car was designed and built for Oahu Railway & Land Co. founder, Benjamin F. Dillingham  

Diesel Locomotive 423: This is the train we will be on for trip.

The passenger cars are ex-military flat cars have been rebuilt to carry passengers.

Waiting for this train ride to begin. Don't we all look excited.

the view from the passenger cars

The view just before entering Ko Olina resort.  The hotel in this picture is the newly opened Disney Resort the Aulani.  Before we leave the Hawaii we plan on staying the weekend here.

Our ocean view.  This is the leeward side of the island.

SEPT. 30, 2011 - PARADISE COVE LUAU

Today we took Carolyn and Boyd to their first luau at Paradise Cove in Ko Olina.  The entertainment and food was great.  The kids had a lot of fun making lays, doing arts and crafts, and getting their picture taken with some parrots. There is plenty do including games of skill and watching the various demonstrations and learning about the Hawaiian culture. 

Waiting to get into Paradise Cove

One of the Tiki's at the entrance

One of the first activities we did was take a canoe ride in the lagoon

Carolyn went by herself.  Isabel and Grandpa Boyd stayed on the beach.

That's us out there! It was a lot of fun

After the canoe ride Isabel and Rowan got their pictures taken with the parrots and they both got an island tatoo.  Rowan's was a shark and Isabel's a butterfly.

Carolyn and Rowan making lays.

Making a headband

Isabel wearing the finished headband

Grandma trying on her headband

Rowan and Isabel learning the hula.

Isabel and Blondie Grandma, and Rowan

 

Grandpa Boyd getting ready to throw the spear at the target. Will he hit the mark?

He does.

Now it's time for the Hukilau, the pulling of the fishing nets from the sea to the rhythms of a conch shell, amid the lulling cadence of beautiful island chants.



Isabel with all of her lays.  She is such a girly girl.

Took these pics of Isabel, Daddy and Rowan while we waited for them to do the ceremony to pull the pig out of the ground.

My Hawaiian Princess

Sunset at Paradise Cove

The sunset ceremony with the Royal Court procession, and the unearthing of the traditional underground-roasted pig at Hawaii's only Imu Amphitheater

This pic isn't great but there's our dinner.  Kalua pork it is sooooo good.

Waiting to eat.

Now it's time for the luau.  There is dancing that brings the ancient story of Hawaii to life, including Rowan's favorite part of the evening the Samoan fire knife dance.  It is very hard to get pics of that believe me I have tried.