For the first time this trip, I slept for as long as I wanted to. I have no idea how this translated to hours, less than a full night’s sleep based on how the rest of the day went I think, but it was nice to just wake up when I wanted. I mean, this is vacation after all, right?
I made it out of the room sometime past when breakfast time on the resort ends at 11am, but before noon when I had another friend pic appointment. In pursuit of breakfast, I went down to the counter service place where I found a donut yesterday. This time a cinnamon roll caught my eye. Cinnamon rolls can be treacherous, though, because often it isn’t clear whether they are harboring fugitive raisins and clearly NO ONE wants that. I decided to take my chances. I know how to deal with a traitorous breakfast pastry if things go south. But success! No raisins! Disney was apparently trying to build up good will against the betrayal that would come to light later this day. I went to the beach with my cinnamon roll and thoroughly enjoyed it there.
I had smeared various sun blocking chemicals all over my body before I left the safety of the hotel. I also set a timer on my phone to tell me when I needed to reapply. So responsible. Even so, the day was very bright and I didn’t want to leave my shaded beach chair, but Katrina and Beth and I found ourselves in a situation that required another a coordinated photo. We three were together in New York three days ago, but now we find ourselves in three different time zones which are separated by three hours each. Clearly, we needed these photos. So, I wandered away from the beach looking for an appropriately scenic location. I went past the Aulani beach and found some rocks next to the ocean. I took the photo that I needed. See here.
But then I just sat and watched the ocean washing over a rock shelf below me and back again for a long time. The tide was coming in, so it was very, very slowly being submerged. It was interesting to see the giant, retreating wave that rebounded back into the ocean off the rocks gather up again and turn into another approaching wave that would again crash and rebound. There were some fish on the shelf. Fun, colorful ones. I decided two things. First, I’ve read in books about things being smashed to pieces against rocks over and over by the ocean (boats, people, etc). I decided that that would definitely suck. Second, the ocean is not my friend. Not at this point at least. I would need to be a much stronger swimmer to survive anything more dramatic than a shoreside dip in the ocean. Stay there, ocean.
My sunblock countdown was almost up, so I headed back to my room to get re-protected. Then, I climbed onto the bed and went to sleep. Or something like that happened. Unconsciousness ensued. It was so bright out and being out it in seemed to sap all of my energy. So, I took a nap and loved every second. Probably. I don’t know for sure. I was sleeping. What do you want from me?
The main engagement for me for the evening was the luau. So, I stopped by the lobby and had my ticket reprinted. Thankfully, no issues there. I sat for a while in the lobby watching waves of people this time. They were mostly people arriving at the resort for the first time and it was fun for me to see their happiness as they saw the hotel for the first time.
As I was sitting there, I remembered that I had wanted to check out the grocery store situation across the street. I just had enough time to do that and make it back for the luau. The biggest thing to come of that experience was that I found the same pineapple candy that I mentioned yesterday at the store. This stuff was Dole-branded instead of Aulani-branded. Same stuff though.
It was also only $0.70/oz as opposed to the $2.30/oz that it costs on the resort. Seriously? I love you Disney, but et tu, Disne?
The luau. It was a fun experience, but maybe not worth the money that I paid for it. I mean, technically, if I break it down and compare it to similar experiences, it was well worth it. But my overall impression walking away was feeling a little underwhelmed. Here are some highlights, though.
You gotta love the moment you realize that your drink has a lid and a straw, because it’s the non-alcoholic option and it’s what all of the other children are drinking.
There were a couple of crafts and activities to do while everyone was arriving and before dinner was served. They were mostly geared toward children. I didn’t bring any of those with me. Children, that is. I particularly enjoyed (like actually fondly enjoyed, not cynically enjoyed) the somewhat lifeless eyes of the man teaching a bunch of 3-year-olds to play ukuleles. “Okaaaay...number one….gooood...nooow…number two….gooood…” Poor guy. I wasn't planning to add a picture of him, but he needs a shout out.
I did get a warrior tattoo from a super buff guy in traditional Hawaiian garb. Here’s my tough face and my massive bicep.
The food was good. I took a picture of my food, but it was buffet-style, so I put the food on there myself instead of having it nicely plated for a picture by a professional. I only show it here to point out that orange and purple goop. The orange is sweet potato and the purple is sweet something else. I was really surprised by how good they were in a really unexpected way.
The show was good. Hula dancers are SO impressive. There was a nice story arc to everything. I did find myself wondering what a non-Disney luau would have in performing talent/hula training. That could go either way.
Anyway, that brings us to the end of the night. So. Yeah.
(As I write this, I’m in my room with the balcony door open. There is a performer at the next resort over just wailing on some big songs (Memory, Circle of Life, The Star-Spangled Banner). Get it.)