Shortly after arriving at the pier, we were inundated with a fierce thunderstorm consisting of down-pouring rain and wind gusts. Paul was skeptical about finding a beach that evening with the fear of bad weather and bad waves. Fortunately, the storm passed and the evening ended up proving a beautiful one. It was perfect for driving the houseboat to the perfect beach spot.
The first segment of our relaxing and fun-filled adventure in Lake Powell, compliments of Paul and Natalie. We also enjoyed the company of Troy, Kim, Boyd and Debbie. No kids, beautiful weather, and great friends. Who could ask for more?
On Saturday, we ventured North again to the Dole Plantation. It was a lovely drive, and a lovely day for some time in the World’s Largest Maze, the Plantation Garden, and on the Pineapple Express. We also had some yummy food in the cafe. Abby couldn’t handle the entire Maze, so Bridget, Abby and I sat around the gift shop area and waited for the boys to complete all eight paths. Abby decided to try out her lungs a few times but decided that it was better to be quiet than to wait in the van all alone while we finished our visit.
After the Plantation, we visited Shark’s Cove, where we got rained on. After realizing that Shark’s Cove is not fun without reef shoes, we headed over to Waimea Bay and enjoyed the large waves throwing our bodies up onto the beach.
BTW: you may want to sit back and watch the movie from a distance or it may make you dizzy. Think of Cloverfield.
On Friday we took an Underwater Adventure Sail on the Maita’i Catamaran. It was supposed to include snorkeling, but the waves were too high for snorkeling, so we only sailed. I was on antibiotics and already had a sensitive stomach so, unfortunately, as the waves got higher, the nausea increased in intensity until I was riding the plastic bus. As a result, there are only photos and video of the first hour or so of the excursion. The captain did let everyone jump in the water for a few minutes, but I’m not sure how long that lasted as my mind was elsewhere. The kids enjoyed it however, and in the end that is all that mattered. I had already experienced something similar in Aruba. It took a few hours for my stomach to settle down before we could head to Hanauma Bay for some swimming and snorkeling.
We stayed all day Wednesday at the Polynesian Cultural Center, which included the Ali’i Luau and the Horizons Night Show. We didn’t read the tour pamphlet thoroughly which directs you on how to tour the center to make the most of your visit. As a result, we missed visiting some of the islands, such as Fiji and Hawaii. I guess that is why they suggest you spend two days there. Regardless, it was a great experience. We really enjoyed our time there. The Center was probably one of the top highlights of our trip.
On Wednesday we arose early and headed–or tried to head–north to Laie where the Polynesian Cultural Center and the Laie Hawaii Temple are located. One word of advice: DO NOT use Google Maps on Oahu. They will lead you on all kinds of wild goose chases. Just use the tourist maps that are provided around town. You’ll get there in a flash. Needless to say, it took us a lot longer to get to Laie than it should have.
Since the Polynesian Cultural Center does not open until 11:00 a.m., we stopped at the Hawaii Temple first to have a look around. Yes, it looks just like the pictures, but farther away when standing near the Visitor’s Center. It is also quite a small temple, about the size of the average house in our neighborhood… :-). The grounds are absolutely beautiful and very manicured, like all other temples. And the same peaceful spirit was present everywhere we went. Jed told Abby that we were walking through Jesus’ garden. It was very sweet.
It wasn’t crowded yet because the shuttles don’t start arriving until after the Polynesian Cultural Center opens. So we had the grounds all to ourselves. It was very convenient for picture taking. Kind of reminds me of our wedding day :-).
On our first full-day in Hawaii, we spent the morning on Waikiki Beach playing in the sand in front of the pink hotel next to the Sheraton. Our hotel was actually not far from there. We were on Lewers Street, which is right in the midst of all the new shops and restaurants, and just a block away from the beach. It was a great location.
In the afternoon we visited Pearl Harbor. This was after we had to exchange our rental van because the bell chiming wouldn’t stop, even when all of the doors were securely closed (i.e. “slammed”). We couldn’t bear the thought of driving a full week with the constant chiming of a bell. It was very nerve racking.
Shirlee had told us to visit Pearl Harbor in the afternoon, so we dutifully did so. Yes, it wasn’t as crowded. We missed our USS Arizona Monument tour because we were snacking after sauntering through the museum displays. We didn’t know that we should have snacked first, taken the monument tour next, and then looked at the displays inside the museum last. They don’t really give you any directions of how you should visit the site. So we had to wait an extra 30 minutes before taking the monument tour.
However, we enjoyed Pearl Harbor very much. It was a sobering, informative visit. The grounds are beautiful, although the museum seems to be under construction for a new facility. The guides were friendly, and the tourists, who wouldn’t obey the naval personnel’s instructions on the boat, were funny. Maybe they don’t understand English.
After Pearl Harbor we visited Costco (following a suggestion from a guide book) to purchase a week’s worth of food for our tiny kitchen and stayed inside the remaining evening. I think we all went to bed around 8:00 p.m. The time change wore us out.
Our family took our 2008 Spring Break in Oahu, Hawaii. We had a blast in Paradise. Everything was colorful and beautiful. The time change made it easier to awake earlier (although now it’s even harder to get to bed early). There were many things to do for free. All the people were friendly. The weather was consistent from day to day, something that was not lost on Triumph the Insult Dog. Bridget commented that it was the best vacation that she has ever been on. I must say, it might be difficult to select a different vacation destination next year. Click Here, or on the picture below, to view our vacation photo collection on flickr.
Oh, and look for movies in the near future…
Our last port was Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. It definitely had a “U.S.” feel to it. There were more American establishments and American surfer-looking teenagers working at the beach. There were a lot more big, fancy houses. Yet it also had an international, Caribbean feel to it. The best of both worlds?
This day was the only one where we experienced rain. The impending storm teased us right up to the point of dragging our lounge chairs on the beach to a desirable spot. The heavens then let loose for about 15 minutes, getting everything wet. The trees were not the kind to protect you (or your stuff) from weather. But we certainly weren’t cold. The rain was as warm as the ocean water. We figured that we may as well get in the water while it rained. We were already drenched. It felt great.
The Ultimate Island Experience was very touristy. We learned that Blackbeard’s castle is actually not a castle that he lived in. The United States built it to attract tourists. It is also housed within hotel grounds. So that was a bit disappointing. However, the period houses were interesting and were, I believe, authentic. And the 99 steps were certainly not as long as the steps we climbed in London. But they were charming. All in all, a very charming island.
After a second day of cruising, our ship docked at the port of Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The island is actually split into two. One side is controlled by the Dutch and is spelled Sint Maarten. The other side is controlled by the French and is spelled Saint Martin. The ship port is on the Dutch side.
We took a bus ride over to the French side to a 300-year-old former sugar plantation, Loterie Tree Farm, and enjoyed their treetop adventure tour which consists of a series of zip-lines, rope swings and bridges suspended from platforms mounted in the trees. It was fun. No picture taking, however. There were guides down below who would get after you if they saw you pull out a camera. They certainly got after you if you slowed things down.
Upon returning to “St. Maarten,” we took a water taxi to the shopping area and started to stroll along the boardwalk. It wasn’t long before I had to stop. The heat, beating sun and humidity took their toll. I needed shade. So we relaxed on the beach and in the water for an hour or so before heading into the shopping district to visit stores similar (or the same) to those of the previous two islands.
I did learn one thing however. If you see something you like, buy it. Don’t assume that it will be on the next island. It may not be and you will therefore have to settle for something less.
Our next port was Curacao. It is just 15 miles North of Venezuela, we were told, although I have read that it is actually 35 miles North. Maybe it’s Aruba that is 15 miles North. One of them is! This is also a Dutch island, as seen from the architecture throughout the island.
The people claim descent from over 50 different ethnic backgrounds, and the native language, Papiamentu, is a creole mixture of Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, English, French, African, and some Arawak Indian. Our taxi driver told us that. It is also a very affluent island from it’s oil industry.
Our shore excursion took us on an early boat ride to van der Valk Beach where we lounged and explored. We did not have our complimentary beverage, however, because it was only punch. Who wants punch? A diet coke would have worked for me.
Three hours later we were transported back to the ship, had a shower and lunch, and shopped in Curacao…after wandering about wondering where the shops were and hiring a taxi that took us the long way around in order to make more money, only to realize when we got there that we had been across the bay from the shops but didn’t know it because the bridge was up…Aargh. I guess it helps to read the ship’s instructions about the port… :-).
Our first port, Aruba. Beautiful turquoise waters, white sandy beaches. A hurricane had touched down the Saturday before we arrived, which was Tuesday, so the waters were a bit murky. But the weather was lovely and hot, the water was warm, and the snorkeling was memorable at Arashi Reef and by the sunken WWII ghost ship, the Antilla. We had lunch at Pelican Pier on Palm Beach and explored the beach before the Catamaran took us back to our ship for an afternoon of shopping at the “Duty Free” shops on shore. Of all the islands we visited, Aruba (independent nation of the Netherlands) had the fanciest cars.
Brad and I took an early anniversary trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico where we boarded a Royal Caribbean ship and sailed for seven glorious days stopping at the ports of Oranjestad, Aruba, Willemstad, Curacao, Philipsburg, St. Maarten, and Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas. Our adventures are captured in a series of videos. Above is the first installment: Cruising. Look for the island adventures in the near future. Enjoy.
Viewer Discretion Advised: Some content may be unsuitable for children.
Brad and I had been casually asking each other, for several weeks, where our family should go for Spring Break. On the way home from our date late Saturday, April 14 we spontaneously decided to go to San Francisco. We asked Dallen’s opinion when we arrived home and, after almost having to talk him into it (only after we suggested that we would fly), booked the flights and the hotel early Sunday, April 15, while the other kids slept. On Wednesday, April 18 we started on our adventure.
Click the movie above to watch our five day adventure in the “City by the Bay.”
Mom and Dad thought that I would be the hardest to please on this vacation, but they were proven wrong. I had the greatest time of anyone. I loved riding on all of the transportation…the buses, the cable car, the taxis, the Bart, the airplane, the boat, the escalators, the elevators, and the stroller when I was very tired. The only thing I did not like was the rental. It was too much like home.
It was so much fun for me to see new sights every day, all day long. I didn’t have naps during the day, so I was exhausted by the end of each day. The first night I fell asleep on the cable car and then later that night in my stroller. I didn’t wake up during the bus ride or the walk home. I barely made a move when transfered to my double bed. When I awoke the next morning I was in a good mood and ready for another day of high adventure. Actually that was true whenever I awoke in the same room or bed with Mom.
On Sunday I walked all the way from Union Square to the crossroad of Washington and Taylor streets. But then that was pretty typical of the entire visit. My little legs were so worked. I bet that my muscles have bulked as a result.
The morning after we arrived home I was disappointed to be back in my home with nothing to do but watch Dora and Diego. I more or less drove my Mom crazy the entire week because life had become, once again, slow and boring. I think that when I get older I will definitely become an adventurer!
Click on a photo below for a larger view…
Wow, when we first arrived in Oakland, Jed and I just wanted to stay at the hotel, not stop in any stores. Well we got to the hotel a little early so we stored our bags and did what every girl likes to do, we went SHOPPING!!!!!! We all loved that. Oh, if my mom didn’t mention I will. Abby got these shoes and after that she would not take them off!!!!! So me, Jed, and Abby went swimming after walking and shopping. That night, my dad wanted to take us to ” Fisherman’s Wharf ” and get something to eat. I did not want to go. When he said it I expected it to only have fish. But we spotted In-n-Out Burger. MMMMMMM!!!!!!!!! When we went on the boat to Alcatraz I was more then excited. It was so amazing. It was getting really cold but we still went to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was so cool. The rest of the vacation was really fun as well. When we had to leave I was bummed. I had to go back to school again, but hey on the bright side I got a lot of stuff.
- Bridget 
p.s. I want to go there again.
Click on a photo below for a larger view…
Jed declined to share with everyone his experiences in San Francisco during Spring Break in April…so a photo tour will have to suffice. Click on an image below for a larger view.
Well, as most of you all know, the Baldwin family went to San Francisco for Spring Break. I’m going to write about my experiences. This is my most favorite spring break that I have had in a long while, I got to go to a concert on Tuesday night and then go to San Fran the next morning, on a plane!! Now, I have riden in a plane before, I was just two or three and I don’t remember. So, I was excited that I got to go the first remembered flight.
So, we went early in the morning on Wednesday and arrived at noon, where after dropping off our bags at the hotel, went to the Levi store, the first ever!! This was the most antisipated event that I had because I wanted to see the wall of every pair of Jeans ever made by Levi’s! In the end, my mom bought me a pair and I love them. We went to Fisherman’s Wharf that night for dinnner and random shopping as well.
Thursday was the day that I went to The Rock or better known as Alcatraz! I got to see the infamous prison and go on a audio tour through the entire cell building. Just a bit of random info… There was a whole community of the guards and prison owners families up above all of the insanity! I got a little patch and a prison hat, which is pretty cool. We also went to Peir 39, and the Golden Gate Bridge, we walked to the first tower and went back because of the temprature and heavy rain.
Then on Friday we went to Stanford and Half-Moon Bay! We also went to my dad’s business’ partners and made some good relations by bringing them food and beer (tells you a lot about our family). Friday night I had the best Salmon that I have ever had in my entire life! If you want good sea food go to Scoma’s…
Saturday we went to the Golden Gate park and went to a museum and looked at pricless pieces of art…After we went shopping for a while. When we were done the kids hung out at the hotel and watched tv while the adults went on a date, looks like I had to babysit this weekend anyway.
Sunday was rather eventful. Mom and Dad bought a couples paintings that were being sold right on Union Square. Jed failed to communicate and was “lost” for a bit and freeked the whole family out. My mom, Abby, Jed, and I all hiked up to the spot where the painter painted one of our pictures and went to the cable car museum after taking a few pictures. Then we all walked through China Town and bought a few things and went back to the hotel for the last time. We left and caught the BART (subway system) and went back to Oakland to catch our flight back home. We got home around nine o’clock and were all very tired, I don’t think that my legs have ever gotten a better workout than this past week…
P.S. If you ever have the oppurtunity to go to San Francisco, I would HIGHLY recommend it!!
-Some random words from Dallen Baldwin
Click on a photo below for a larger view…
