13 posts tagged “vacation”
When we last we left "the island boys otherwise know as McFreed", they were touring the North Shore...
The last day of our vacation in Hawaii came up without warning! Stefan had fallen in love with Josh's and John's "pooches" and Sean wanted to snorkel even more. But all things must come to an end.
USS Arizona Memorial
Our final tour for the trip was set aside for a visit to the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor. This celebration of the lives of all those who died on this battleship and other locations during the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, and during World War II in general was a solemn place to experience history.
One of the really interesting coincidences that occurred while we was that both the USS Missouri and the USS Nimitz were anchored right near the memorial. The significance of this is that Sean's father Larry flew off and landed on the Nimitz's flight deck and helped managed a project that installed missiles on the Missouri in the 1980s.
Sean made sure his new National Park Passport Book got stamped before we left (he bought one in Maui and somehow it went missing to his great disappointment)!
The Buddhist Temple
Before dinner, Stefan wanted to just relax and nap. So Josh asked if Sean wanted to take a quick errand run. And they did! Josh did this with Sean a few times on this trip. Sean saw it as his way of spending time with an old friend without making a big deal about it. Despite all the huge happenings and wonderful sites on this trip, its this little sidebar that Sean says is a strong memory for him. Sean and Josh are almost brotherly in some ways and that's just fine with them. Here are a few pictures of the place they snuck off too! This Buddhist temple was also used in the TV show "Lost". Josh and Sean rang a giant bell and lit incense sticks in silent prayer in honor of Josh's mom and a safe journey home.
The Final Dinner
The four of us gathered that evening for a final dinner in Josh's and John's backyard. John grilled chicken and purple potatoes. More of Josh's birthday dessert was left so we finished that off. We just all sat back, watched Josh's and John's dog eat a coconut while the 3 dachshunds ran around and around. We enjoyed our last sunset over the mountains and took some final pictures. And then as soon as we came we were at the airport ready for the trip home.
Epilogue
It was great for us to not only enjoy Hawaii but enjoy it with such great friends as Josh and John. The two of them were great hosts and we know we will be visiting I am sure more and more. There is no way to sum up here. Ending is just anticlimactic of course, so that's it! Hope you all enjoy our tales and our images!
Last time we left your McFreeds, Stefan and I survived snorkeling and celebrated with friends the lives of passed loved ones...
We woke up Tuesday and piled into the SUV with Josh and went off on a tour of Oahu's famous North Shore. Starting from Kailua we drove up the coast along the Kamehameha Highway (see map).
Our first stop was the Chinaman's Hat photo spot. We are such good tourists! We also visited La'ia Sea Arch (near the Morman Church's Polynesian Cultural Center). The local legend is that the various rocks at this location were what remains of a giant lizard torn apart by one of the gods. The sea arch was created by the 1946 tsunami that hit Oahu.
From here we decided it was time for lunch around Kahuku before we did anything else. Josh recommended taking in some local fare at Romy's Prawns & Shrimp. They grow their own! The service was very slow but worth the wait! The three of us snarked down a lot of shrimp... that still had their heads!!!! It was delicious but messy! But let us tell you from experience, a pound of shrimp is huge!
Our next stop was Sean's idea, Shark's Cove. Now there are no sharks here, but during the winter this area is ripped apart by huge North Shore waves made famous by the film Endless Summer.
Unfortunately, Josh forgot his snorkel gear and Stefan was banned from swimming so Sean went in by himself. He took a bunch of pictures underwater but we still need to get those developed. But for a minute there Josh and Stefan thought a monster was rising from the waves... only to realize it was Sean!
The stop on our drive was a popular local spot, Waimea Bay Beach Park. After climbing down a steep hill because parking was limited at the beach, Sean rested from a major snorkel migraine. Josh nearly scampered over to the 30 foot rock (that kinda looks like Jabba The Hut from above doesn't it?)and did his first jump as Stefan and Sean watched from the beach. During the winter, the famous North Shore waves beat on this beach; around the rock the water is clear of rocks and is very deep. Perfect for jumping off! Sean, ever the daredevil (haha), took the bait and followed Josh up for another jump. The video below is proof it happened! Be warned not for those squeemish of fat people in bathing suits! Please forgive the man cleavage... the gym is Sean's next stop.
After Sean (who the absent-because-of-work John had dared to jump) and Josh took the plunge, Josh let Sean know that with all the visitors they had had since they moved there in 2007 he was only the 2nd guest to dare the rock! Sean had a large purple bruise on his upper left tricep to wear as a medal for a few days after.
We wandered down the road some more after washing off all the sand (we still keep finding some!) to Turtle Beach. Many travel sources said that green sea turtles flocked there but Josh doubted it. He was wrong! Not only was there a turtle sunning himself/herself on the beach when we arrived we saw about 10 feeding just offshore between waves!
Josh drove us further down the road where we took a break from the action. Josh suggested it was time for Hawaii's version of the Maryland snowball, Shaved Ice! So we visited Aoki's and had a delicious cool treat and shopped for cheesy souveniors.
After getting our fill and Josh's playing around with a conch shell we got back on the road. There was more to see!!! We drove as far as Mokuleia Beach. This was as far as we could go without going off-road. We saw some great sites like skydivers and gliders at Dellingham Field Airport along the way. Plus, Josh showed us the YMCA camp they use in the TV Series "Lost"! This was a treat for Sean since he is a huge fan!
The day was coming to a close but we felt we had seen a lot. Josh was a great tour guide but there was one more place he wanted to take us! We drove back through the valley between Oahu's two mountain ranges, Waianae and Koolau. What a breaktaking and beautiful view it was. We could see the changes in micro-climates as we drove! Sean scambled out of the car at one point to catch a picture but got caught in Oahu's red volcanic dirt! But after a walk on the beach with Josh, John and their four dogs all was clean and well! The McFreeds were pooped but also sad about the idea that tomorrow night we would be leaving.
Below is the last scene we saw before the sun went down. The beach is down the street from Josh and John's house. We all "hate" them don't we now?
Last time on the McFreeds Hawaiian Adventure, Sean and Stefan had returned from Maui only too...
We made it back in one piece to Oahu excited to hang out finally with Sean's friends Josh and John. Sean and Josh met at a party in 1994 and have been friends ever since! This was the first time Stefan had met these two crazy boys and their "harem" of 4 dogs and 2 cats. Of course they both loved Stefan - because if you don't you probably hate Mother Teresa too - and it felt just like yesterday between Sean and Josh. John was just bemused with us as always and we relived some great times. One thing we left out was that Josh's birthday was the day we arrived and we enjoyed cake throughout our stay!
Dinner Out With The Boys
We relaxed most of the morning and mid-afternoon because we were dead tired on Sunday. We did a 2 hour run to Aloha Stadium to take in the swap meet. Josh and John later took us to a lovely dinner in Waikiki at a hotel on the beach. Here is a picture of the four of us canoodling with all mess of drinks and food! We later walked a little bit of Waikiki Beach.
"Where's Stefan? Oh Crap!"
Memorial Day was a busy day. Sean was again obsessed with snorkeling so Josh and he were excited about going to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Stefan had never snorkeled before but was excited to try! John came along for moral support and a nap by the beach.
Josh and Sean showed Stefan the ins and outs of snorkeling and then we were off! Swimming around trying not to touch the coral or what we thought was coral and seeing some great fish sights! Josh and Sean kept moving further out and Stefan kept up speed. Josh and Sean swam past the main reef into the bay and looked back for Stefan. He had turned back and seemed to be doing ok. Five minutes later...
"Oh crap!" Sean yelled through his snorkel loudly, as Josh and he watched Stefan being lifted onto a lifeguard's surfboard and quickly paddled in!! Stefan in the excitement and thrill of the moment had gotten a little too excited and had problems breathing that either led to him passing out for a moment or just stunning him long enough to make others nearby think he was in trouble. Two anonymous heroes kept him afloat before the (hunky) lifeguard arrived. On shore, Stefan had to go through a physical review to make sure any water in his lungs was out and they tested his vitals to make sure he was ok. Don't worry McFreed fans here is the paparazzi photo you want to see! Flattering isn't it?
God love him, Stefan was man enough to pose with one of his saviors! They were sorry that Pamela Anderson and the rest of the Baywatch babes weren't there to save him, but they still didn't understand after we tried to explain that in Stefan's eyes they themselves were just right (snicker). John missed all the excitement on the beach being pecked in the head by a wild rooster while napping. (Yes that happened too, no lie!)
Josh related later that Stefan had joked before what we are calling "The Drowning Incident" that maybe they should make a scene in order to get the lifeguards' attention... well next time he will be more careful about what he wishes for.
Stefan checked out ok and we three forbid him from swimming on the rest of the trip! Josh, John, and Sean continued to snorkel for a few hours and then time came to leave. Stefan remarked when we left that it was "the most beautiful place he had ever seen"... Sean added "and almost drowned at"... Shaved ice was soon to follow to cool us all down in the heat.
The day wasn't over! See McFreed Hawaii Part 5!
Last time on Maui, the McFreeds had just returned from the luau when...
Our last day on Maui was a busy one! Sean had a plan to see a sunrise and Stefan had a spa treatment all scheduled to start with! The day went on and before we knew it it was time to fly back to Oahu! Here is an account of our travels that last day!
Haleakala! It's Too Early!
If you know Sean, you know he loves our National Parks! His Mom took him to as many as she could in the Washington, D.C. area (where he grew up). He practically lived on the Manassas (Bull Run for you Yankees!) Battlefield as a kid. Stared down a herd of bison in his first visit to Yellowstone. Climbed a Teton. Endured Death Valley's heat, twice!
Walked through Fairyland (of course) in Bryce Canyon. Found rare Zion National Park snails. Saw the tall Sequoias of Yosemite and King's Canyon. Witnessed history in Boston, Plymouth, Valley Forge, and Gettysburg. And on and on...
But Sean finally got to Hawaii and one of its two national parks had to be on his list during our visit! Haleakala National Park is best known for its volcanic mountain.
It rises to 10,023 feet above sea level. However, the mountain continues down into the Pacific Ocean until it can be calculated as rising 19,000 feet in total. This measurement makes it one of the highest mountains in the world. The last lava flow occurred 870 years ago. The two other things Haleakala NP is famous for is the ahinahina plant (or Haleakala silversword) and for its population of Hawaii's state bird, the nene.
Sean's goal was to witness what is supposed to be a spectacular sunrise... which had him waking at 230am to drive two hours across Maui and up a switched back road to Haleakala mountain's summit.
Here is some video and pictures of that beautiful sunrise Sean saw that day! In the skyline shot, you can see the Big Island of Hawaii. You really are above the clouds up there! Stefan was still sleeping... soon to be rewarded with his massage at the spa at 10am. Sean was just tuckered out!
Driving Maui
Your McFreeds continued their journey around the island in our rental car. We walked around in the Iao Valley State Park and saw the Iao Needle, a natural rock pinnacle presiding over the Iao stream and surrounded by the walls of the Pu'u Kukui Crater.
We then started on the Road to Hana with the time we had left. A road that is known for its winding nature, it was a tiring swerve! The pics here are of what we saw on this drive...and maybe some of us!
Leaving Maui
We ended our day wandering the town of Paia and then quietly driving back to the airport to drop off the car... hoping Sean wouldn't pee his pants! We didn't want to go but we had more adventures to enjoy over on Oahu with Josh and John. Warning... don't wait for the Waikiki Express by Roberts at the airport! It is only $9 but it's a huge bus that takes forever turning the streets! (Note: Josh and John went to see Kathy Griffin while we were still on Maui... we missed our red-headed goddess but we enjoyed our day otherwise.) We took it and we didn't see Josh and John for almost an 1 hr 1/2!!!
So what awaits us in Part 4???!!! You'll never guess!!!
The McFreed Hawaiian vacation continues...
Everyone seems to put Maui up on a pedestal of vacation desitinations... and they were right! A beautiful island paradise with a lot of options to see and do. Your McFreeds had a blast the two days we were there and wish we had a day or two more to explore... but time is of course our enemy as we all know. (Insert heavy "sigh" here.)
Now to just fill in some gaps, we flew into Honolulu and met up with Sean's best pal Josh and his partner John. Spent one night at their house in Oahu; since it was better for them to finish out the work week, the next day we island-hopped over to Maui for a quick vacation alone. We rented a car and stayed at the Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa in the Kaanapali Beach area in western Maui. Our only complaint with the hotel was the parking, there isn't any... Sean had to drive around many times the first night to find a place and then utilize valet parking because the hotel has no parking. But otherwise the place was beautiful as the site link shows you and it was good enough placed to enjoy what we came for in a short time.
The Beach, Snorkeling, and The Pool
We awoke in the morning ready to enjoy the day on the beach. Sean was too excited about snorkeling for the first time since his 10 day trip to French Polynesia in 2006! Stefan was more excited about the beach, the pool, and the possibility of scheduling a spa day...and a luau! Stefan had only brought SPF 15 and 30... so Sean was worried, but trotted out anyway! After about a 20 minute walk down the hot beach, our fat butts had to sit and rest. Stefan enjoyed some time on the beach as Sean then continued on to his snorkeling goal, Black Rock.
The beach was busy but at almost 11am the snorkeling feeding frenzy had seemed to have ebbed a bit, so Sean plunged in. He swam out in his Keen waterproof sandals and snorkeling gear and saw some beautiful fish but nothing too spectacular. Then he heard someone yell "Turtle!" A Green Sea Turtle swam up about 2 feet away from Sean and took in some air! As the turtle swam back down another turtle swam in! Sean had seen what he wanted and soon came in after about an hour swim. Here is a YouTube clip that shows what Sean saw (not filmed by him).
Sunburned and wet, your McFreeds hobbled back over hot sand to the hotel and a nice cool shower. After a delightful lunch with very enthusiastic management, we jumped into the humongous pool! A lazy river of sorts in design, the pool had two open ends and a shadowed bar in the middle. Stefan got in first and swam around just enjoying being on vacation. One of the treats Sean discovered was a chuted slide that really woke him up! Sean even convinced a 62- year-old fellow with a white handle bar goatee and a "don't get my hair wet" wife to join him! Why should the kids, teens, and 20-somethings have all the fun right?!
Mai Tais Anyone??
Our (flaming) concierge Jeffrey (yes, we became fast friends!) booked us a luau for the evening. So after some showering and napping, your McFreeds couldn't wait to eat some pig and poi. Bedecked in our shell leis, we met our table mates. There was Ryan and Sierra, 25-year-olds & true high school sweethearts, fresh from their wedding in Arizona.
There was Nikki and Jeremy, married just the day before on Kuaui, with wedding guests in tow (they were all from Miami and Tampa, FL). And then there was an older couple from Bellingham, WA; he seemed puzzled and sleepy, she seemed excited but speechless. Ryan and Sierra made sure the offer of the open bar was not lost upon at least Sean (since Stefan doesn't drink) but even Stefan had a mai tai or two! Ginger, our drink "wench," soon singled out Sean for his obvious star quality (and after she dropped a knife and other silverwear on him accidently) and kept the mai tais and wine flowing! Stefan recommends their poi-baked rolls!
Nikki, the sage she is at 23 we are guessing, convinced Sean to always take two plates at a buffet luau since you really should fill up! So as you can tell we had a great time eating and drinking with our seat mates. They honored us by even staying and talking with us way after everyone left...and the cleaning crew was urging us with their eyes to clean up. What did we talk about? Weddings and wedding planning of course! Both younger couples were excited to hear about our planned "nuptials" and told Sean to stop making fun by calling it "our freakshow."
We passed out later at 8:30PM from exhaustion and libation... oh and the fact that Sean wanted to see the sunset on top of Haleakala Volcano. Wake up time was 2:30AM. Stefan chose to forgo the early wake-up call, and opted for a spa treatment at 1030AM instead. More on this in Part 3!
The McFreeds return in triumph from their adventure in the South Pacific...
As you may recall McFreed fans, your favorite celebrity couple travelled to Hawaii much like The Brady Bunch before them.
Did they survive? Did they get sunburned? Did Vincent Price try and give them a magic Tiki? Did anyone drown?Here is the exciting tale of what happened, who and what was seen, and where the "bodies are buried" so to speak! There are many tales and many pictures to share with all of you! Probably too much! So we are going to break out our post about our trips into several rather than one long scroll. So here is Part 1...
How Finding Nemo Saved Our Lives
We found a good deal on Delta which only had two legs to fly: Baltimore to Atlanta and Atlanta to Honolulu. Our friend Josh (one of Sean's best friends in the world) was going to meet us. We bought a portable DVD player and picked many things to watch on the way... making sure the battery was fully charged! Set up our iPods with all our favorite tunes (which Stefan later forgot his at home... oh no!). We even packed a number of snacks for the trip knowing full well that we'd get hungry over the long flight which was going to clock in at about 12 hours total if you count the layover in Atlanta. You' d think we would be prepared for anything! Wrong!
We would soon be put face to face with what being a parent is on our flight from Atlanta to Honolulu. A couple stationed on the islands for the Army was returning from visiting family in Virginia with their 2 and 4-year-old along. This was fine the first few hours despite the fact that the 2 year old kicked Sean's chair most of the flight. We enjoyed our flight, snacked, and watched 27 Dresses (and sadly we thought it was cute in parts; Stefan-the-sap did in fact cry at the end) and watched half a season of our favorite British sit-com Coupling (proobably cackling so much we were a distraction ourselves). Hour 7 came though and the 2 year old lost it... full tantrum! Quickly, Sean remembered he had smuggled Finding Nemo on with the intention of finally getting Stefan to watch it (that is a story in itself!). The "gay dads-to-be instinct" kicked in and we immediately suggested to the mother that she could use our dvd player and our copy of Finding Nemo. Unfortunately for her and her husband their dvd player had lost battery power...hence the "explosion!"
The lovely child almost immediately stopped crying and his brother was telling his mom what parts were his favorite. Suffice it to say, at the end of the flight the mom declared that we had "saved the plane" and the father thanked us for his much needed nap as the movie went on. Therefore McFreed fans, we recommend you bring a portable dvd player and a Disney DVD with you on future trips on flights over 5 hours as to eliminate any chance of "carnage" in the air .
Celebrity Look-a-likes Oh My!
A side story to our big flight was we had two celebrity impersonators on our flight that tickled our funny bone whenever we saw them. Paula Dean and Joanna Lumley (in Patsy Stone hair mode and red flight attendent outfit although not drunk) were our flight attendents! It was such a chuckle when they both came by to help us with a meal or drink or trash. The hair ("Paula's" was huge!) and accents were uncanny! Just imagine if it was the real Paula with fried chicken and Patsy brought the booze?