. . . going to a Hukilau . . .
My family has been chilling with me for the weekend and we've had a blast so far. I love how my family is just as open and adventurous as I am! It makes for doing family activities oh-so more exciting.
Friday night they arrived and we soon headed to their condo at Alii Kai, a very quiet condo complex in Princeville. We picked up some steaks, vegetables, and potatoes at Foodland and had an awesome BBQ at my parents' condo. It was soooo great to be in a kitchen! I've also noticed eating in a cafeteria doesn't give you much time to sit and enjoy your meal. I usually just scarf it down and head to my room. With my family here, I can casually eat dinner again! Yay!
Saturday, my family and I headed to a local south shore celebration called Plantation Days in Koloa. I talked my family in to going and I'm glad we did. We got to see a local parade full of local families, businesses, and politicians including the Hawaii Stat Governor and Kauaiian Mayor. Next to the parade was a big fair full of local foods and crafts. The celebration was supposed to celebrate the immigrant influences on Kauai, so the crafts and foods were very diverse. We didn't stay too long at the fair, because my Aunt Clare had recommend that we should try out "Puka Dogs," a Hawaiian style hot dog stop. We each had freshly squeezed lemonade and a Puka Hot Dog with different kinds of Hawaiian fruit relishes. I then took them through Kapaa and back on to Princeville. My parents retired back at their condo, and my lil sis George went back to the hotel with me.
On Sunday, my family and I headed to the great Sunday brunch. It was fabulous! I was so happy to be enjoying some of the great food again with some of my family. Since my family and I are big on food, I was glad to see the brunch got their approval. I knew it would, but its fun to still see it :) After some looking around the hotel and shopping in Hanalei, my family and I spent the rest of the day by Princeville Hotel's beach.
After we each had our prospective morning work outs, my family and I all met at my Parents' condo. We had a activities briefing from the condo's staff and also happened to win a 2 for 1 snorkeling cruise. This cruise will be amazing since it lets you go along the NaPali coast and is the only boat that will take you to Niihau, "the forbidden island." You can only access Niihau if you're 100% Hawaiian, so even to get close to it on a boat is an honor. My family and I are signed up for the 7-hour tour. Should be a long day, but what an experience! I'm pretty excited about it, since the NaPali and Niihau were two things I wanted to see. After going to the hotel and introducing my family to most of my coworkers, we headed out to Guava plantation and further onto Anahola. Once we finished driving around Kapaa as well, we went back to Princeville to get ready for the luau. Every Monday and Thursday, Princeville Hotel has a luau and since my window faces the luau grounds I usually hear most of the show without every seeing any of it. Since Jay had gotten a couple comp tickets for us to go to the luau, I was stoked to finally get to see it. The food was phenomenal! The dinner included things from poi, salads, fruit, marinated vegetables, "teri beef" (terriyaki beef), kahlua pork, rice, fish, and saimin noodles. Yum! My first taste of poi (mushed up taro, supposedly very healthy and also very Hawaiian) was pretty good, but I guess my mom claims that was the best she had ever had. Oh and did I mention free Mai Tais, well drinks, and Beer! Yes this was another favorite of my family as well. Dessert was delicious and I scored some great Haupia (kind of like a cross between coconut pudding and jello, very good especially if you like coconut) and rice pudding. After an awesome meal, the dancers performed and did a great job. Now I'm getting ready to head to bed, got to go to work tomorrow while my fam chills by the pool :) I know I'll be havin fun too though, how can you not have fun when you know your family is having a blast?!
Friday night they arrived and we soon headed to their condo at Alii Kai, a very quiet condo complex in Princeville. We picked up some steaks, vegetables, and potatoes at Foodland and had an awesome BBQ at my parents' condo. It was soooo great to be in a kitchen! I've also noticed eating in a cafeteria doesn't give you much time to sit and enjoy your meal. I usually just scarf it down and head to my room. With my family here, I can casually eat dinner again! Yay!
Saturday, my family and I headed to a local south shore celebration called Plantation Days in Koloa. I talked my family in to going and I'm glad we did. We got to see a local parade full of local families, businesses, and politicians including the Hawaii Stat Governor and Kauaiian Mayor. Next to the parade was a big fair full of local foods and crafts. The celebration was supposed to celebrate the immigrant influences on Kauai, so the crafts and foods were very diverse. We didn't stay too long at the fair, because my Aunt Clare had recommend that we should try out "Puka Dogs," a Hawaiian style hot dog stop. We each had freshly squeezed lemonade and a Puka Hot Dog with different kinds of Hawaiian fruit relishes. I then took them through Kapaa and back on to Princeville. My parents retired back at their condo, and my lil sis George went back to the hotel with me.
On Sunday, my family and I headed to the great Sunday brunch. It was fabulous! I was so happy to be enjoying some of the great food again with some of my family. Since my family and I are big on food, I was glad to see the brunch got their approval. I knew it would, but its fun to still see it :) After some looking around the hotel and shopping in Hanalei, my family and I spent the rest of the day by Princeville Hotel's beach.
After we each had our prospective morning work outs, my family and I all met at my Parents' condo. We had a activities briefing from the condo's staff and also happened to win a 2 for 1 snorkeling cruise. This cruise will be amazing since it lets you go along the NaPali coast and is the only boat that will take you to Niihau, "the forbidden island." You can only access Niihau if you're 100% Hawaiian, so even to get close to it on a boat is an honor. My family and I are signed up for the 7-hour tour. Should be a long day, but what an experience! I'm pretty excited about it, since the NaPali and Niihau were two things I wanted to see. After going to the hotel and introducing my family to most of my coworkers, we headed out to Guava plantation and further onto Anahola. Once we finished driving around Kapaa as well, we went back to Princeville to get ready for the luau. Every Monday and Thursday, Princeville Hotel has a luau and since my window faces the luau grounds I usually hear most of the show without every seeing any of it. Since Jay had gotten a couple comp tickets for us to go to the luau, I was stoked to finally get to see it. The food was phenomenal! The dinner included things from poi, salads, fruit, marinated vegetables, "teri beef" (terriyaki beef), kahlua pork, rice, fish, and saimin noodles. Yum! My first taste of poi (mushed up taro, supposedly very healthy and also very Hawaiian) was pretty good, but I guess my mom claims that was the best she had ever had. Oh and did I mention free Mai Tais, well drinks, and Beer! Yes this was another favorite of my family as well. Dessert was delicious and I scored some great Haupia (kind of like a cross between coconut pudding and jello, very good especially if you like coconut) and rice pudding. After an awesome meal, the dancers performed and did a great job. Now I'm getting ready to head to bed, got to go to work tomorrow while my fam chills by the pool :) I know I'll be havin fun too though, how can you not have fun when you know your family is having a blast?!
posted by L @ 1:03 AM
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