Day 8

The  Verdugos arrived!!! We laid them of course... Picked up their rental then headed off to Costco, which in my opinion is the best route to go... We split the cost of food and liquor and BAM !!! INSTANT SAVINGS !!! We spent almost 2x as much as party of 4 in Maui!!!

Priority #1 stock the liquor and fill the flask.

Priority #1 accomplished.

The Place The Marriott Waiohi grill $$:
Great Nachos
GREAT drinks... Insert flask.
Great Wings
Great burger
Great smuggled in drinks.

***spoiler alert... Verdugos +Bravence =shit show.
The evening went according to plan. GINA passed out at 4pm. The guys + Alex booked out catamaran excursion and rented snorkel gear while I babysat (updated my blog). All in all. It went exactly to plan.

Day 7

Home away from home...we absolutely love Kauai. We enjoyed our time in beautiful Maui... But now we're moving on to our happy place. With as crazy busy our life is back home and the crazy hours CB works... This truly is his happy place. And that for me. Is. Priceless.

Weve traveled Kauai many times and are more partial to how quaint and lush the Island is. When we check in the first thing  concierge says is "welcome home" and it feels so true.

The Place :Kanapalki Joe's $$
We always come here on our first night... A sports bar Located right out side of where we stay at The Waiohi Marriott.   Good times. Great Food. Great service. Great fun. Always the choice after a long travel day and an empty fridge.

Tomorrow we rest up for some last minute things things before the Verdugos arrive... Because then the party begins!!!! 

Day 6

This day CB and I wanted to make extra special...our little peewee turned 4!!!

Today was packed with great fun...we started out the morning talking to family and reading P all of his well wishes from family and friends!!!

The place: slappycakes $$$

This place is located directly across from our resort in the Times Market places...you can see it from the corner when you make that left at the light... From the outside it looks like it might have been an old bank, the carport and 8ft glass doors kinda give it away...but when you walk in , man, it's cool...very urbaney ( in my world that's a word...so shhh CB) the tables have a griddle in the center to  make your own pancakes!!! This place was so yummy..you can choose toppings and batter flavored too !!! I ordered the Truck Stop which came with the most amazing biscuits and sausage gravy!!!well definitely be back again!!!

After hours and hours of incredible snorkeling at our little spot in Kapalua Bay...the day was filled with turtles and even an octopus!!! Yes an octopus...some random snokler swam up to X in the middle of the ocean and handed X a FREAKING OCTOUPUS!!! It was a super amazing!!! There was a lot of squealing coming from our little family...since that's the only sound we can make with snorkel masks.

The place: Royal Luau , Kaanapali
After much needed rest we headed out for our final celebration for the day...at the Royal Luau.  At first we were really reluctant to do a cheesy Luau with ridiculous matching outfits... But we said screw it when in Rome, right?! So yes...like dorks we matched..and yes we choose "the Best Luau " in town , which was actually really amazing. Of course Peewee made friends with a 40 yr old black guy, who was also celebrating his birthday,go figure right? Ya. The show was great. It rained a little, nothing a couple of STRONG mai tai's couldn't cure!!! Peewee and X danced on stage and took pictures with dancers...they filled there bellies with great food and we enjoyed the evening in good company. All in all Peewee had a pretty great 4th birthday!!!

Day 5

Sorry... I've been a bit behind...I suppose that's island life for ya!!!

Today we decided to look for waves, a wave, any wave will do. X has been chomping at the bit to surf... Problem is , it just not the season...I guess. But his dad us DETERMINED to find the perfect location so x can "ride".  We traveled about a half an hour up the road, CB for this spot on our road back from Hana.  The waves looked AWSOME from the road, but after X and CB swam what seemed like a mile out they were met with  some rad 1-2 footers. Let's just say there wasn't a lot of hang 10 goin' on.  Disappointedly we packed the little suffer up and headed back into town.

We found ourself at Whalers Village ( the petite version of Fashion Valley Mall...I mean it had a Louis Vuitton, no joke )another part of Kaanapali over by the Shereton. If you park here at the mall you can just walk over to the beach, then have your ticket validated at the food court.

The spot to hang was at Black Rock. This beach had great snorkeling...the water was crystal clear...and even though there was cliff diving, the rock seemed a little to advanced for X to jump off of...i don't care how much Polynesian this kid thinks he has ( which tests have proven he has none...wrong island kid). I stayed on the beach with Peyton because his snorkel was malfunctioning.

The place: Whalers Village $
They had this DELICIOUS place called Subway, there X dined on a fantastic footling BLT. See where I'm going with this????...CB satisfied his hunger with a bacon cheeseburger from RubyTuesday... peewee and I ate at a "Sbarros". I really wouldn't come back to this mall for anything else other than to get our parking ticket validated by.

Once we filled our bellies with traditional mainland food, we went home to relax for a bit before we headed out for a night on the town in Lahiana.  This place was great...I have to say my favorite part of the island, quaint beach town with local shops, artisans crafts, a warm and friendly vibe, beautiful view of the ocean, rich history and the sound of families and laughter. Perfection. We played the part of tourist...bought island shirts, jewelry and gelato. This evening was more of a mommy night if anything...the boys were good sports though.

Day 4

Soooo....after breakfast , which consists of eating all $268 worth of food. I packed snacks and we headed out to Honolua Bay where the guy from Boss Frogs said was "the best snorkeling". Once you get there you have to find parking...and by parking that means squeeze your rental off to the side of the road on a one lane bridge. Then make your way down an easy marked path. But be careful...because if you are as graceful as I am you will roll your ankle and eat shit (and.yes. i did).

Once we got to the end of the path there is a small table with more "souviners" being sold by locals.  There they will tell you the "rules" of the beach. And if you pay them no mind they will "kick you out" of the PUBLIC BEACH. However being the respectful travelers we are, we waved and said malaho.

Not impressed with the "best snorkeling beach" not sure if it was the tide...but it was super murky and  little to no visibility unless you got really far out there. Which of course we did...and aside from really cool coral formations there wasn't a lot of fish to stare at. And well, Peewee was over how "cold" the 85* water was.hmph. So we tapped out and headed back to the actual best snorkeling beach here on the West side, Honokahua Bay. Of course here Peewee swam out with us about 100-125 yards and got to see more turtles!!! All in all the day was a success!!! Our bellies were telling us it was time to eat...and since we were tired and lazy we decided to stay in and dine here at the resort.

The place : The Resturant here at the Ka'anapali Beach Club ( I'm sure it has a name)$$$
It was their all you can eat seafood night...CB loves his crab legs and the boys and I love our fish.  I have to say though it was just ok. Not bad. Just eh-.  You get a 20% discount for being a member and you have to make reservations. Which of course we did not. But I got us in on my charm of course and were seated at the best table in the house. Although CB will tell you that it was because of the cancelled reservation.

Day 3:

The road to Hana was interesting...a 2.5 hr drive to go 60 miles. Let's just say there was a lot of curves...car sickness..and belly laughs. All to get to the famous "Black Sand Beach" which should have been called "Black Rock Beach" it was beautiful but that was it. After spending much of our morning driving to this location (which by the way was CBs idea .. And not a bad one) we worked up  quite the HANGRY appetite!!!


Now, mind you...the road to Hana is on the otherside of the rock ... High high high up...in the freaking jungle. I'm convinced it where all of the real Hawaiian people have gone to escape, well, people like us. However along the sides of the road are make shift storefronts where the native people  sell their local produce, artisan crafts and other "souviners" that well again  people like us will stop to buy a $5 Hawaiian banana.moving on.

The place: Island Chef, "Hana Village Market" $$$

Here in this marketplace were three make shift restaurants, one of them 'Island Chef was in airstream. Quite possibly the first of its kind...and here is where CB and I purchased 2 $20 coconut and shrimp plates. As delicious as it was it wasn't worth the $40 or 40m wait.  This price did not include drinks...you can find those down the path at the yellow "building" for $20.

After we shoved our bellies full of food we found ourselves back on the road again. This time on the way to the Lava Tubes, in Hana. This place was actually really cool.  For $12.50 you can grab a military grade flashlight and head down into a cavern..Chuck, the owner purchased this place year years back and created a great tour packed with fun history for everyone!!!


Back on the road to Ka'anapali ... After we got back we were starving (seems to be the theme of the trip) we took a nice evening stroll across the way to Pizza Paradiso!!!

The place: Pizza Paradiso $$
This place had great pizza, the boys ordered their standard pepperoni piazza...which came on a thin crust, I was surprised CB enjoyed it as much as he did!! I ordered the Big Fat Greek Gyro...that was delish!!!! After we walked over to the Shave Ice place...which was really weird because it had a radio station (????) inside...and the guy was a creepy super liberal weirdo.

DAY 2

Day  2  :

Today I was awoken at 5am by two very eager children who have clearly never swam in a pool before.  After breakfast and some rigorous swim training sans floties for Peewee  (which by the way took him only a day to learn, because ,well, he's a genius ) we decided to head off to Boss Frogs for some rental snorkel gear.  With snacks all packed we decided to check out a local hot spot for snorkeling about 15-20m up the road .  And well of course I have to document the following otherwise CB will make me erase this all and start over. The the village idiot (moi) broke her  5 Day old BRAND NEW-phone. Apparently the Water resistant Galaxy S5 can not stand the likes of me while snorkeling.  What can I say. I suck. My husband rocks. The end.

Back to snorkeling at this rad beach neither one of can remember the name too ( insert later: Honokahua Beach) Peewee did AWSOME  this kid weighs 32.5 lbs and stands at a little over 3'3 and snorkeled for hours with his big bro....they even ran into a turtle!!! Needless to say after all this fun in the sun they worked up an appetite !!! So off we went...


The place : Mamas BBQ and Rotissarie in Lahaina $$

Talk  about good,fast  and cheap.  This BBQ spot offered some of the best ribs around. the sauce was fantastic, the ribs were great and the teriyaki chicken was delectable.  Best part you ask ? The fact that they give it to right then and there NO wait!!! you can also do take out as well!!! A definite return.

So far we have been pleasantly surprised with all the yummy and fun things we've done!

Bravence Vacay 2014

Well we've arrived in Maui...our first time here.  Just the Boys and I.  Of course we love or little island of Kauai, we decided however to test out Maui and find out what all the fuss is about!!!

As always never disappointed at how happy and inviting the Aloha state can be.  CB and I are blessed to share  these memories with the little ones.

Day 1:

We arrived in the evening the night before so we weren't able to see Maui in her glory ( or our view )

But again we woke up to the most fabulous ocean view here at the Ka'anapali Beach Club. After much fun in the sun we decide to head to Kihei a small town next to Maalaea Bay a good 45 minute drive form where we're staying...and there is we're we had best lunch you can have on the first official day of  your (14 day ) vacation!!!

The Place: Coconuts Fish Cafe $$

I have to be honest it was not our first choice or second for that matter.  CB wanted to check Out this rando  "hole in the wall" that might have looked super local from the highway, but when pulled into what looked like an industrial parking lot  realized this is where serial killers come to dine. So back in the road again...to what look like a safe strip mall, with a Safeway and all. There we spotted while sitting at a red light Diamonds Bar and Grill .... Seemed safe .  So we busted a u-ie and made our way in...come to find..it was JAMMED PACKED with all the tourist who can't go a Sunday with out football.  We slowly backed out and decided to walk down to Coconuts Fish Cafe which we  all claim we chose from the beginning. The place was small, quaint and crazy busy.  The decor reminded me of Islands Fine Burgers and Drinks with long surf boards as  tables.  We each ordered the shrimp and chips and a bowl of seafood chowder and a side of onion rings. It was all DELISH. Especially the sweet onion onion rings. The o-rings is what sold us.  It was very reminiscent of  onion rings we used to order from our favorite restaurant Yakatori II may it RIP. We would definitely return to this spot again!!! The entire experience was great !!!!

MALAHO

Ma-la-ho  definition : idiots way of saying 'thank you'
Origin: idiot