Dole Plantation

This weekend we went to the Dole Pineapple Plantation, cause we're pretty touristy. 

crossed paths with my spirit animal

First we went on a train tour, the Pineapple Express.

Before we got on, they took a picture of us with our new pineapple baby... because why not, I guess...

 It went through parts of the plantation and talked about the history and whatnot, I'm sure it was super educational...  but mostly I just took pictures of the plants and old farming machines

 All the machines had name signs, and for the most part I guess that was called for because they had weird random names. Except this one, the "Wheeled Tractor".

 Obviously I was born to hula

The Dole Plantation boasts 2008 Guinness Book of World Records "World's Largest Maze". So of course we had to do that.

"Created in 1997. Expanded in 2007. Area: 3.15 acres. 2.46 miles of pathway. Made of 14,000 local Hawaiian plants"

There are 8 stations inside the maze that the map helps you find. When you get there you trace the stencil from the station onto your ticket. Once you get them all, you head back out. Apparently if you do it super fast you also get your picture taken and hung up and get to sign your name on maze entrance sign.

We finished in a little less than an hour, but that wasn't fast enough to be cool... Last time Allan was there (like 8th grade I think he said) they didn't have maps to help you find your way, so it took them like 3 hours to finish!

We took turns leading the way between stations and I only got us turned around like twice and not even for very long. So I'm pretty good at this maze business I think.

After the maze we were pretty hot, so we took an ice cream break. They have a Pineapple Split that uses a pineapple cut lengthwise as a bowl with three towers of ice cream, chunks of pineapple, and strawberry, chocolate and caramel sauces drizzled on top. it was like $25.00 so we didn't get that.

 That is a "Dole Whip", aka pineapple ice cream that tastes approximately 700% stronger of pineapple than the fresh pineapple chunks around it. It was pretty intense. Allan couldn't finish his cone cause it was so pineapple-y. (I, however, am a champion and devoured mine.) 

 Allan refused to pose in this giant pineapple, despite my warning him if he didn't I was going to photoshop him into it. You can see what he chose... Or maybe not, on account of my skills being quite exceptional.

Then we went on a self guided tour through their gardens. They had audio wands, but I didn't care about listening to those

 This is a... uhm... min-DON-ohh... tree... "meen-da-NOW" that's a Filipino word 

Mindanoa gum tree. Probably my new favorite tree because it doesn't even look real. It looks painted and its bark peels like plastic wrap. So weird. I Love it.

 I think these are ti plants

wussup little frog

papaya

kukui tree

bananas

bananas with... I don't know what that purple thing is

On the way home I was finally able to get a good picture of one of my most favorite views.

These are my favorite mountains ever, but only from this side. From the other side they are much more "rolling, hills" rounded type mountains, not so intimidating at all. But from this side they are so sharp and mysterious. Every time I see them I can't help but think King Kong is on the other side doing giant gorilla things.

Also this weekend I finally got my library card! so I guess you could say it was a pretty good one :)

Puppy on the Beach!

because almost nothing is cuter than puppies on the beach. nothing.

I wanted to title this "bon's first beach trip" but unfortunately she hated her first beach trip so I didn't get any pictures. I was too busy hanging on to her leash for dear life as she tried her hardest to avoid the water and go chase the other dog that was there.

But this time she loved it. It wasn't crowded at all so we were able to let her off her leash (shh, don't tell on us, I'm pretty sure that's not allowed) and she was exploring everything. I was dying of cuteness.

fact: everybody pees in the ocean.

I'm a little bit in love with life :)

One Down

Last Saturday was mine& Allan's one year anniversary. And seeing as I've written a blog post dedicated entirely to my dog... I figure this probably deserves one as well.

Two weekends ago we were trying to finalize and make plans for our big day. We eventually ended up booking a dinner cruise package out of Honolulu and we were pretty excited. Later that week Allan says something about still needing to get me a present before Saturday. At that I panicked a little because he is the present buying king and loves to get people presents all the time. And I... am the present buying loser. I'm terrible at it. I like my presents to be meaningful, and useful, and, of course, wanted. So finding presents that are all three is always really hard for me and makes me hate present shopping. Add in the fact that Allan takes the car to work every day, so I'm pretty much stranded at the house until he comes home, on top of the fact that I would probably get lost trying to find the mall and I'm having a bit of a present buying anxiety attack. So I tell him he doesn't need to get me anything, honestly, "and I'm not one of those girls who say 'don't get me anything' and then get mad when you don't. I really mean you don't have to get me anything!" "but how do I know that this isn't part of that?!" "because it's not! now don't buy me a present!" fine. fine. fine!

Friday night I hear Tolliver's giant truck pull up "hey, I’m going out with tolliver" "have fun. whatchya going to do?" "...things." "....okay..?" Later I get a text saying they found a car that he thinks I'd like& promises pictures when he gets home. It was a cute little blue guy& he was right, I did like it. Quite a bit.

So Saturday we wake up "what are we going to do with our day until we have to be in honolulu?" "well the bank opens at 9." "okay." “I’m going there, then to the car place." "okay." "and you have to come with me." "okay.” Get up, make some french toast- because it’s my favorite and also it just feels like a special day kind of breakfast- and then head over to check out a car.

I guess the night before, Allan was able to negotiate the price down a bit. But when we got there the car guy wasn’t quite set on Allan’s price. Allan& I talked about it and it was looking like we weren’t going to get the car because he didn’t want to pay anymore for it than he had already told the guy. The boys stepped into the office to chat a bit and I waited by our car, a little bummed but ready to go. A few minutes later Allan called me over just in time for me to hear the guy say he’d give it to us at our price! So we signed all the paperwork& drove our new little guy home!

We had to check in for our cruise 45 minutes before our boarding time so we wandered around the Aloha tower a bit, and found a new potential restaurant to try out in the future (Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant).

Met my soul sister.

"let me take a picture of you with her" "why?" "because i want to."

And then found our ship. When we got on we were directed to our table in the dining room. Thankfully we had opted for the “private window table” option and I was really glad we did when I saw that most everyone else was crammed into tables with 10 other strangers. I’m not a fan of eating with strangers.

Part of the cruise was a hula dance show. When we sat down we assumed the show would be up on another deck, on a stage and stuff, you know, the usual "performance scene" because our dinning room was pretty packed. But no. They danced right there in between all the tables.

I need one her headdress...

We also got the “celebration” option. Meaning we got cake!
 

By the time we got around to taking a stroll along the decks it was starting to get dark, so I didn't get many pictures of the view, so you'll have to take my word- it was pretty nice.
 

After we got off the ship we weren’t really in the mood to go home just yet, so we tried to wander our way over to Waikiki. Approximately 2 miles later, I don't think we were even close, and it was getting pretty late so we gave up and caught a cab back home.

Pretty good first anniversary if you ask me.

It's crazy to think that we've already been married a year. It's been so hectic, and busy, and frustrating, and wonderful. I wouldn't change it for anything. I'm so lucky to be married to such a wonderful husband and best friend. Here's to many more!
 

That smile though! I mean, come on! <3
just ignore my inability to get my awkward self in the frame.

and bon was terrified of my camera for some reason...

also we're clothed, don't even worry.