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11/27/2008: "White Sandy Beach of Hawaii"

Aaron and I are back from our honeymoon and it was absolutely perfect.

I want to thank everyone who contributed to our honeymoon fund, and especially Karen H who let us stay for free at her luxury condo in Ala Moana with a full lanai and amazing view of the Honolulu Harbor!

Our first morning there I woke up in this giant white bed, the large sliding glass door to the lanai was open and I looked over and all I could see was a long stretch of blue ocean. It felt like being in a movie!

Because our housing was free, we got to spend our honeymoon cash on doing all the fun things I never got to do when I was a student there (and flat broke). Not being the kind of people who throw money around in real life, it took a bit of getting used to. There was only one time where we got up from a restaurant after viewing their menu, but we had true sticker shock. I was soooo relieved to get out of there! I wouldn't have enjoyed myself spending so much on a single meal and Aaron reminded me that "it's good to know who you are!". Amen!

We found it a lot more interesting eating at the cheap places where the locals eat, all kind of fusion cuisine, and one of my favorite experiences was an adventurous dim sum experience we had at a tiny restaurant called "Happy Garden" in Chinatown where we shared a table with a Chinese couple who helped us order since we had no idea what anything was.

Some highlights from our trip which included:
A sunset sail on a catamaran with dinner, tropical drinks, and a fireworks display.
Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay where we saw an amazing array of incredibly bright tropical fish.
A trip to the Polynesian Culture Center where we learned to throw spears, weave palm fronds, and play the ukelele. We also got to go to a luau, drink out of a pineapple, and see a wonderful evening show.
Long board surfing in Waikiki for Aaron while I surfed in an outrigger canoe.
Bobbing up and down in the surf of Waimea Bay at sunset.
Boogie boarding and body surfing on multiple islands.
Horseback riding through breathtakingKualoa Ranch.
Driving around the island with the top of our convertible down listening to Hawaiian music.

Since we've been home Aaron and I have been trying to learn to play the small wooden ukelele that we bought there, our first attempt being "White Sandy Beach of Hawaii" by one of my favorite artists, Israel Kamakawiwo Ole'.

I saw you in my dreams
We were walking hand in hand
On a white, sandy beach of Hawaii
We were playing in the sun
We were having so much fun
on a white, sandy beach of Hawaii

The sound of the ocean
soothes my restless soul
The sound of the ocean
rocks me all night long

Those hot long summer days
Lying there in the sun
on a white, sandy beach of Hawaii

The sound of the ocean
soothes my restless soul
The sound of the ocean
rocks me all night long

Last night in my dreams
I saw your face again
We were there in the sun
on a white, sandy beach of Hawaii