Day 5 - Lots of Driving and PITA Husband!

Good LORD yesterday was a long day. And Tony was in BIG trouble!

You know.. I can barely remember what happened yesterday morning..

First of all we went to the Scrapbooking store for Gloria. We got there, parked (wierd ass parking meter system, there was this big board with numbers and slots, and you had to fold your 1 dollar bills up and push them through the slot associated with the number you parked in, very old tech!) (As a complete tangent, our local Westfield Shopping centre car park has the funkiest new parking system! Every parking spot has this light above it, and when there is no car parked there, the light is green, when its filled its red so you can see which spots are empty from the side as you pass the section. It has this sensor that detects whether there is something below it or not. Its bloody fantastic! Then as you drive through the place there are signs in each aisle saying how many spots are available! Is that not the most fantastic thing you have ever heard of!?)

Anyway, back to Hawaii..

So we park and go the the shop. Its Sunday, so obviously its closed. Bah!

Back in the car we get and off to the Sea Life Park.

Now this was very exciting cause one of our most favourite movies is 50 First Dates, which was filmed in Hawaii and in the Sea Life Park, which is where Adam Sandler's character worked. We took some photos in a couple of locations we recognised from the movie.

We had a fabulous time there. Josie thoroughly enjoyed the Dolphin shows, and the Seals and Penguins (Penguins in Hawaii?! I hope they have their sun cream on! Also one of the penguins - Willie - was from the movie!) (Another tangent! I have stocked up on sun lotion here! Why you may ask? Cause they have this funky spray on lotion that comes out as a clear mist and not as cream, so that you don't need to really rub it in, you just spray it on. Its fabulous. So I think we will have to add that to the US products we get Harri and Alison to bring/send, along with Edge shaving Gel and Foaming Hand Soap ;-)

Right, back to Hawaii again..

So the SLP was fabulous, and we fed turtles, and watched the shows and had lunch. It was great and I think Seaworld will definitely have to be a goer in California! Feel guilty dragging Harri to Seaworld again, especially since we are going to Disneyland and Universal Studios, but I just can't bare for Josie not to see SHAAAAMU!

After we practically crawled out of the SLP (with Tony having also strained his back carrying Josie, my back is heaps better tho, thanks for asking Karen! ;-) the plan was to continue on driving up the coast, around the top, and down to the North Shore for dinner.

Of course things with us are never simple.

May I stress that no matter what he says, what his excuses are, and who he tries to blame (ME!), TONY was on directions, and MARI was driving!

So off we went.

We drove for about 20minutes before we hit the first point where Tony had been too busy staring at the beautiful scenery to keep an eye on the map and make sure he knew where we needed to go in the event of any turn offs etc. So after two u-turns and a left (not in that order) Tony finally proclaims us "right" (this means everything is now proceding correctly in "yobbo").

About 20 minutes later we arrived back in Waikiki... HUH!? Weren't we meant to be going NORTH!?

Turns out we had gone straight when we should have turned and had gotten on the wrong highway and had circled around the back of Honolulu and returned from the opposite side from which we started! In his defense, street signs are funny here. Thats all the defense he gets.


By this time it was about 5pm but Tony really wanted to go to the North Shore for dinner, which is fine, but at that point we should have gone through the middle of Hawaii up to the North Shore, and then come back after Dinner along the coast, which was longer. But, wanting to see the scenery Tony was unable to abandon his earlier plan and so we retraced our way back to the point we had made the wrong...lack of turn...and got onto the correct coastal highway.

Unfortunately the "highway" was more of a "main road" (sometimes one lane each way!) and by the time we got there it was about 7pm, Josie was asleep and had not had any dinner. We figured that she would wake up for some food soon so we stopped at a Food(land? planet? mart? something..) and I got her some breadrolls, ham, cherry tomatos and bananas. Just as I got back into the car, missy woke up, which was good cause then she had something to eat, which was a relief.

At this point we decided to just go back home and have dinner there cause it was just getting too late.

Soooooo... you would think that this was where the story ends.. oh no..

We hit the highway, which was great cause at 55mph (90kph), we would eventually get back to Waikiki in about an hour, but of course Josie hadn't been to the toilet in a long while and havign been asleep for some time earlier when we eventually thought to stop beside the (now real) highway we discovered she had already quietly gone some time ago (probably in her sleep). So.. well.. wet rental child seat.. uh oh! And to my great pleasure Tony discovered this when he carried her out of the car to the roadside to go. Tony cleaned the seat up when we got back and it dried overnight on the balcony.

So we got back to the hotel and we were just starving. Josie was still up and full of beans so we went to one of the restaurants at the hotel and had dinner. It was yummy but we got out of there around 1030pm so Josie didn't actually get to bed till about 1130pm!!! Luckily she had that couple of hours sleep in the car.

Needless to say we all woke up pretty late this morning.. 9am when we had a lovely call from Harri ;-)

Soooooo.. that brings us to now.. Its 1pm, Tony, Josie and Gloria have gone to the Scrapbooking shop to give it another go and I am having a few hours to myself to calm down from yesterdays shenanigans.. lets just say I am OVER driving on the wrong side of the road ;-) Tony's turn today. Wonder how he's going.. lol..

When they get back today we are going swimming for the last time in the hotel pool, and then packing for tomorrow. We have to be at the airport at 830am tomorrow morning for Gloria's international flight back to Sydney. Mat don't forget to pick your mother up from the airport ;-)


~Aloha~

Day 4 - Hilo Hattie's and Spending FAR Too Much!

Well as the title says, we went a little crazy today, but lets start at the very beginning..

My Tony did me proud this morning! He got up at 830am, right when I woke him. Although then he went to have a shower, which was NOT in the agreement!

In any case, we were gone by 10am, which is a HUGE improvement on the other days!

First off we sat in the car for 10 minutes working out how to get to Hilo Hatties. Its like a big factory outlet place with lots of Hawaiian fashions, trinkets and chachkis. It wasn't as cheap as we had hoped and we did manage to restrain ourselves. Having said that, we somehow ended up with a purple ukelele (sp??).. Luckily our luggage was not completely full.. lol..



After that we were off to Ala Moana shopping centre, but then passed a Best Buys and Tony simply HAD to go there, of course. He needed an SVideo to RCA adapter so we can watch our region 4 DVDs on the hotel room's TV through his laptop... as you do.. ahh well..

And then we were on the road again, but hungry so we decided to go have lunch at that big Aqarium place in Waikiki.. but when we actually got there we found that it was not a restaurant. Bah humbug! We were starving so we set off to find somewhere to eat, ending up at an IHOP, which is an International House of Pancakes. I had a steak sandwich. lol.



After lunch we headed off to the International Marketplace again and went a bit crazy, although I am happy to report that souvineers have now been bought. Oh and I am going to have to get another fridge for all the magnets..

When we finished there, well, we were hardly walking anymore. Got back to the hotel and Josie decided that she wanted to go down to the beach. Now it was about 7pm by the time Tony and she went down there. They sat on the sand and made sandcastles and dug holes for a while, and it was just so lovely and warm, Josie was in a little two piece swimsuit and happy as Larry!

Meanwhile I lay on a recliner on the balcony of our 10th floor apartment and watched them. Then I fell asleep and didnt wake up till Josie had come out of the shower and found me out there! Tony, being very heights phobic, stayed inside, while Josie and I sat on the balcony for a while and watched all the little people below.

Thats about it for today. I have somehow pulled a muscle in my back methinks so am in a little pain. Luckily the plans for tomorrow are lots of driving!

We are gonna take a drive around the Island and check out various places along the way!

~Aloha~

Day 3 - Honolulu Zoo & Spagetti

Well it has been a pretty full on day today. We started off with plans to go to the Honolulu Zoo, then The Old Spagetti Factory for lunch and then to a scrapbooking store for Gloria.



We ended up doing all of that except the scrapbooking store. By the time we got out of the zoo it was almost 3pm again, and what do you know, we were starving and tired as!



So the Zoo was lovely. Again, doesn't compare to Taronga, but it was great. It was so hot though that most of the animals were off hiding in the shade, except for the Hippos who were frolicking in the water.



Bought a few souvineers (the fridge in the room is amassing a nice collection of Magnets, shhh! Don't tell my mum!), then went off to The Old Spagetti Factory.



On the way the following conversation was heard:

Josie: Daddy, are we going swimming now?
Daddy: No honey, we are going to have lunch, and then later we'll go swimming.
Josie: Bugger.

The place where The Old Spagetti Factory was, was like an outlet centre type thing. When we got there the restaurant was closed till 5pm dinner, so we had an hour to kill. We went through a few shops but we were just buggered so we grabbed a table and chairs and sat around looking at our watches.

At one point Gloria went off to look at some shops and we were at the table for a while till I needed to go to the loo. As I approached the loo, Gloria was standing at the ATM right next to it, looking confused and frustrated.

Mari: Whats up?
Gloria: I don't understand why my credit card won't work..
[Waves card around at Mari]
Mari (with rolling eyes): Uhm, because thats your drivers license..
[Walks off to the toilet shaking her head]

So we got to The Old Spagetti Factory and got seated. I am not a huge fan of spag bol, or any kind of spag really. Tony and Gloria loved it, and I must admit the bill was astonishingly low, especially compared to Tony Roma's.



By the time we got home it was far too late to swim (about 7pm) and we were all just nackered. Managed to download our photos so far to the laptop and clear both my and Gloria's memory cards. Then Tony took Josie to bed.



After a few minutes there was a lovely fireworks display, which we all watched, and then it was really time for bed. While Tony was in with Josie, I got a real treat! Days of our Lives was on! It was great watching an episode from 3 months ahead!

And that brings me to now.. Tomorrow's plans are:

Get Tony out of bed by 830pm. Out of the room by 930am. Off to buy souvineers! and shirts and stuff, then a scrapbooking shop, then a shopping Centre, then back to the main drag to have lunch at this place that had that huge aquarium display I mentioned the other day, then to the Magnet shop, then another scrapbooking shop and then home. Hopefully we will be back in time to do some swimming!

As an addendum, I would like to thank Ryan Ozawa from Hawaii Up Podcast for the suggestions on what to do in Hawaii that he emailed Tony about. Its really helped us in deciding what to do!

~Aloha~

Day 2.. Aloha Tony Roma's !

We woke up this morning around 930am or so to find another glorious day in Hawaii!



We had decided to visit the Waikiki Aquarium, the Honolulu Zoo (they are both quite small we were told) and then go to Tony Roma's for dinner.



Well, again, getting Tony out of bed is like getting me out of a shop with MAGNETS lining the walls!



We got going around 1pm. Got to the Aquarium and had a look around. It was lovely but obviously doesn't compare to Sydney Aquarium. Didn't take us long to get through it all, and Josie loved all the fish and seals etc. They even had Seadragons imported from Australia!





By the time we got out of there is was almost 3pm and we hadn't had lunch yet so we decided to go to Tony Roma's for a late lunch and then go to the Zoo.



Got to Tony Roma's and of course had the ribs. It was delicious!



We were sitting against a wall and Tony was on the side of the wall next to Josie. Of course Josie had her lunch and then got board so was climbing back and forth behind Tony.
Tony: Josie what ARE you doing!?!?
Josie: I'm just trying to get in your BUM!
..at which point we all burst out laughing.



After that we drove Gloria back to the hotel and we went off to the zoo. Of course by the time we got there it was closed. Doh! So we are gonna try that tomorrow now.



So we got back and decided to go down to the beach.





Now we ALL know how much I DETEST sand. Its common knowledge. I hate the beach, I hate sand and I would much rather go swimming in a nice clean pool. So we get down there, spread out a towel and Josie gets right down to building a sandcastle. Lovely. We took her down to the water for a bit but she was scared of the waves. We watched the sunset over the water which was lovely and took some photos.





Then we went upstairs and took a lovely shower and got all the sand out and Mummy was much happier at that point.



Josie had her dinner (she has been living on vegemite sandwiches, cherry tomatos, schnitzel and fish rissoles, but I think we will run out of everything by the end of the Hawaii trip. I hope Harri has some Vegemite!! Or at least knows where to get some!) and then Tony took her to bed.

After she was fast asleep, Tony and I went for a walk to the local convenience store to check it out. Gloria has been raving about the ABC Store, and when we got there it was like Chachki Heavan! Managed to get some nice Souvineers for people.

Tomorrow we hit the Zoo, Hilo Hattie's (another Chacki place to get some shirts, tops, shorts etc) and Ala Moana (Shopping Centre I think??). Should be fun!

Aloha!

Its Sunny! Its Raining! Its Sunny! Its CONFUSED!

No I am not going to do this twice a day!

I know I only updated the blog this morning but Tony hadn't checked his mail so I've come down with him.



So today we spent most of the afternoon in the pool. Josie has gotten back into the whole swimming thing with great aplomb.



At first she was a bit nervous but she settled down almost immediately. We swam and splashed for a couple of hours while it rained, then stopped, then rained, then the sun came out, then rained, then sun.. etc.. the rain was lovely and cool though.





Once it started getting a bit cold we headed off..



After the pool, we headed down to Waikiki and walked around the International Marketplace where there were endless stalls of trinkets, nick nacks and hawaiian print dresses, tops and sarongs. I got Josie a kids sarong so she can look like mummy, hehehe. There was also a shop with its walls covered in magnets. Fridge magnets. I saw, my jaw dropped, but we were on our way home and Josie was really tired by that stage so I couldnt stay and ogle, but we will return!



On the way to the marketplace we passed this huge building with a floor to ceiling window, and it looked like the whole place was filled with water because there were fish, stingrays and sharks swimming around in front of the window! It was the most bizarre thing I have ever seen. It took me a little while to work out why the sight of sharks swimming behind a storefront window was a bit wierd. There was also a diver in there playing with the Stringrays. Has he not heard about Steve Irwin !?



I've taken some photos of it, and photos of Josie in the pool etc. I am actually not taking as many photos as I thought I would be, or should be.. I need to step up my game!



Well thats about it. Fingers crossed Josie sleeps through the night tonight and we dont have a repeat of last night! Ugh!

Aloha!

Here We Are!

Aloha!



I wont do a big update, its 25c per minute!!

However, plane trip was good. Josie slept most of the way with her head on one lap and her feet on the other. We didnt get much sleep tho. I got about 2 hours and Tony I dont even know cause he would wake up ever time she turned.



Its very hot, but theres aircon everywhere so thats great.

Our room is gorgeous and has 180 degree views of the ocean.



We spent yesterday picking up the rental car (a Mazda van) which *I* drove (on the wrong side of the road!), and I'm so proud of myself. Its acutally not that hard!

Then we got the hotel, checked in, its all gorgeous. Of course we already had a welcome msg waiting for us from Harri, and then she called so it was lovely talking to her wqithout that delay you get on overseas calls!



Then we went grocery shopping and bought way too much, but now we at least have fresh schnitzels, chicken soup and tony made some chicken and pasta in a tomato base! So I guess we are saving money in going out, but we are definitely stocked up on Ben and Jerry's (Ice Cream for those not in the know, the worlds BEST ice cream!).

So obviously by night time we are absolutely nackered, however Josie woke up at about 1030pm and couldnt get back to sleep. After several hours of tossing and turning, and eating, and drinking, and complaining, and book reading, she finally fell asleep, as did we all. Woke up at almost 10am this morning very refreshed. Hopefully tonight will be smooth sailing.

The weather here is lovely, very hot, but Alice Springs was hotter.

The people are very nice and helpful.

I will check mail and maybe update the blog every couple of days, so check back for updates!

Aloha!!

Ahh The Nostalgia..

I'm sitting here waiting for Tony to get home and having nothing to do, I googled Marianna Kleytman (my maiden name).. as you do... And I ran across a website I did many many years ago of our wedding photos..

I've stuck the link in the Links section on the right.. check it out ;-)

Ok they are here and missy is very excited!

Tata!!

Here We Go..

We almost had a terrible hitch!

I rang the airline to confirm our tickets and they informed me that I did not have a ticket for Josie!

AAAAGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

They said that I had a week to pay for the ticket (her ticket was bought seperately cause we had frquent flyer seats and she didnt) and since I didnt, they cancelled the ticket.



This whole thing did not make sense to me. I had to pay for airport taxes when I booked the FF flights for me and Tony, so why wouldnt I have paid for her ticket at the same time?? I mean it was booked in November, so I cant remember what happened back then.. but why wouldnt I have paid for the ticket?? I dont remember anyone telling me I had a week to pay for the ticket?!

Anyway, after several long steady breaths I asked if the flight was booked out. Luckil it wasn't, and luckily Tony and I resevered the seats on either side of her seat, so it was still available..

But oh what a start to the trip!

I dont know if I will be updating the blog from overseas, I will try to, but no promises!

Wooohoooo 21 hours to lift off!

Oh The Timing !!

Can you believe Josie has a cold and its 5 days till take off?!

Well maybe not a cold.. congested, blocked nose.. but no coughing, sneezing or fever.. yet.. *spit* *spit* *spit*.

Please please please say a little prayer that she gets better by Monday! Its Father's Day breakfast on Monday morning at the school and I would hate for her to miss it! ;-(

She has already missed school today, and when Tony told her she wouldn't be going to school this morning she burst into tears cause she wanted to see her 'fweiiinds'... poor bubby..

She'll most likely miss school tomorrow too.. just in case.. and the party she was going to tomorrow afternoon for Guy's 4th..

Waaa...

Go MEEBO Go !

Check out my little Contact Me widget ! On the right down the page a bit!

How cool is that?!?!

Say hello if I'm online!!

Woohoo!

(my hubby is soooo clever!)

Bookweek Parade

Its Book Week this week at school!



Our very first bookweek parade was today and all the kids had to dress up for it. As this is my first go at it, I decided to take it easy and just went with a fairy. I don't sew, and this is the closest thing I had to a costume ;-)



I think she looked so cute ;-)



The school video taped the parade which is great. I am looking forward to the end of the year when we get a copy of the stuff they have been taping all year. Can't wait.



Anyways, here are some pics.. the girls look just gorgeous!

Josie Invents The Anti-Bath

Most children seem to believe that the purpose of the bathtub is to provide an area of relative dryness once they've distributed its contents over the rest of the bathroom, and Josie is no different. I went to Granny's place last night to bag up the wisteria vine that Ant and I had cut up on the weekend, to find Josie in the bath and Granny trying somewhat unsuccessfully to get her out of it. All Josie was interested in getting out was the water, which she was earnestly trying to scoop through the enclosure door.

As soon as I got there Granny felt I could take over child extraction duties. Lucky me. Well The Serious Voice™ didn't work.

Mat: You know what I used to do with your daddy when he was in the shower?
Josie: (Looking interested but not venturing to ask)
Mat: I used to get a bucket of cold water and throw it into the shower!
Josie: Noooooo ... cold water on YOU!
Mat: Oh I think it'll go on you kiddo.
Josie: No! (thinks for a moment) We don't have a bucket!
Mat: I'll FIND a bucket Miss don't you worry! Pull that plug out!
Mat: Ok now pull it out and leave it out smarty bum! You just wait till your daddy gets here!
Mat: What are you ... stop licking the bathtub! (this of course was like a red rag to a bull)

Finally she came out, after again attempting to saturate me with the last remaining bit of water in the tub. God help me when I have my own kids.

Heeee's Too Sexy For His Hat ...

Not only did we suck quite badly in our attempts to master the fine art of golf on the weekend but Antony also reached new heights in his attempt to master the even finer art of dressing like a golfer:


Though we were embarrassing ourselves quite badly, I was surprised to find that my mutant power appears to be that I drain all nearby people of any skill they might have had before coming into range. The guy who tee'd off after us and who asked if he could play through, since we were going so slowly, then produced a tee off which could only be described as a DB (to quote Roy and H.G.) .. a dog's breakfast! So I at least felt better after that.

Celebrations!

Woohoo!

August 28th, 2006

1000th hit on the blog!

Hooray!