Farris Family's Day Off

Day 1 - July 19 - Travel day

Kati had her heart set on Hawaii for her birthday, and off we went! A few days before our departure, we were nervously tracking a hurricane headed towards Oahu. We crossed our fingers that it would dissipate before our flight. Fortunately, by the time we left California, it had weakened to a mere tropical depression. With that concern behind us, we were ready to go.

We opted to fly out of San Jose, which was totally worth it, and after a breezy 5-hour flight, we touched down in Honolulu, Hawaii. Within an hour, we found ourselves at Aulani, one of our cherished retreats. We've been regulars there since its grand opening in 2011, back when one of the towers was still under construction!

For the remainder of the day, we just soaked up the resort atmosphere. Our room, which I'd book again in a heartbeat, was on the first floor facing the luau lawn. It had a sliding glass door that opened right onto the grass. While most folks chase after ocean or pool views, this spot is smack dab in the middle of everything – super convenient. We could lounge on our patio and catch the luau... sort of. As you can see from the picture, the view's a bit obscured, but hey, that's no issue since you have to pay extra to attend the luau anyway!

Day 2 - July 20 - Kualoa Ranch

We ventured to Kualoa Ranch today, a spot we've visited multiple times. If you're new to the area, this ranch is famous for being the backdrop of many films, including the iconic Jurassic Park. There's no shortage of things to do here. Activities range from a movie tour via bus, horseback riding, to tearing up the trails on quad bikes. Plus, there are the WWII bunkers now used for tours, showcasing film memorabilia instead of military hardware.

Day 3 - July 21 - Pool time with friends and the Polynesian Cultural Center

Today, we linked up with the group. If you've skimmed the Highlights, you'd know we hadn't planned this trip together. Our vacations just happened to sync up, and we discovered this coincidence just a few months before departure. So, even when we don't plan vacations together, we end up vacationing together—ha!

We spent the day lounging by the pool, and made the most of the Aulani snorkeling lagoon, where you can swim with fish. I opted out of the snorkeling adventure to capture some memories through my lens.

After soaking up some sun by the pool, Kati, Mia, and I headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center, our first visit there. The place was brimming with opportunities to buy Polynesian souvenirs and to explore through various tours. The best part? All proceeds support Polynesian youth in their college education and the center's operations. It's definitely worth a visit. We wrapped up our day with a unique nighttime paddle boarding tour, where we glided through the water learning about Polynesian culture.

Day 4 - July 22 - Shark cage diving, Waimea Falls, and pool time

Kati, Mia, and I ventured about a mile offshore from Oahu's west coast for an unforgettable shark cage diving adventure. It was a thrill, especially for my young daughter experiencing it for the first time. Despite my usual struggle with seasickness (mainly dizziness and sweating) on small boats, I pushed through.

Once we reached the floating shark cages, the boat captain maneuvered them close for us to enter. The cages had open tops, bobbing on the surface. As we neared, we could see about seven massive Galapagos Sharks, each around 10 feet long, circling the area. The only thing that truly unnerved me was the deep, bottomless blue of the ocean below. However, the sharks were anything but aggressive; they didn't even bump against the cage, though they did swim quite near.

Here is a two-minute clip that I took with the GoPro

After our thrilling shark dive, we headed to Waimea Falls. Parking was straightforward, and from there, it was just a short stroll to the gift shops, eateries, and the trailhead for Waimea Falls. There's an entrance fee for the trail, but once you're through the ticket booth, it's an easy, 3/4 mile walk on a mostly flat, paved path. The journey was scenic, with lush flora lining the way—think towering palm trees with broad leaves, vibrant hibiscus, and a gentle stream flowing alongside, all fed by the waterfall itself.

Upon reaching the falls, you'll find a life jacket stand. Regardless of your swimming prowess, wearing one is mandatory. It's a safety rule at Waimea Falls. They also enforce other regulations for your safety; for instance, you're required to stay clear of the left side of the water due to the risk of rock falls from the towering cliff face. The water depth here ranges from 15 to 30 feet. There's a spot right next to the falls where you can perch on the rock face; we enjoyed sitting there and even took a few jumps into the water from that spot.

After our time at the falls, we gathered our belongings and retraced our steps back down the trail. Once at the visitor center, we refueled with some lunch before making our way to the car for the drive back to the resort.

One thing my family is passionate about is water. So naturally, once we returned to Aulani, we made a beeline for the pool!

Day 5 - July 23 - Kati's Birthday

I slipped out of bed early, before anyone else stirred, to make my way to the store just across from Aulani. My mission: to get Kati a birthday cake. Thankfully, they had small ones, which was just right. I also made a quick detour to one of the shops inside Aulani to pick up a special Lounge Fly Aulani bag for her.

Once we were up and about, we embarked on a boat excursion for snorkeling and wildlife spotting. During the trip, we were treated to the sight of pilot whales swimming remarkably close to our vessel. Watching them was absolutely mesmerizing.

After a boat ride of about an hour, we reached our snorkeling destination. First, one of the crew members had to check the water conditions for safety, ensuring the current wasn't too strong and directing us on where to swim to stay close. This was no issue for us, seasoned as we are with snorkeling adventures worldwide. In the water, we encountered turtles and a vibrant array of tropical fish.

Kati and Mia seized the chance to use the paddle boards provided by the crew.

After our excursion, we headed back to Aulani for more pool time and beach time.

That evening, once the sun had set and darkness enveloped us, we attended an astronomy presentation right at the resort. We had the opportunity to peer through their telescopes to view stars, nebulas, and other celestial wonders. It was quite an experience, giving us a glimpse into the vastness beyond our world.

This picture is what we saw through the telescopes they had pointing up at the stars.

Day 6 - July 24 - Lanikuhonua Lagoon and the Aulanu luau

Today marked our final day on the island, with our departure scheduled for the following day. We decided to take it easy. A short 8-minute stroll from the Aulani resort brought us to the serene beach of Lanikuhonua Lagoon. This spot is unique because it's protected by a reef, which keeps the water calm without waves. Occasionally, sea turtles make appearances either on the beach or in the lagoon itself.

As the day progressed, we joined the luau festivities, which offered a feast, dance, and a show infused with a Disney flair. It was the classic Hawaiian luau experience, featuring fire dancers, cultural storytelling, traditional dances, and live music. And, as expected, Disney characters made their grand entrance earlier in the evening, adding a magical touch to the event.

We concluded our journey with a treasure trove of memories to reminisce about and one more adventure checked off our list.

Day 7 - July 25 - Flight from Honolulu to San Jose

Alas, all good things must come to an end - or at least take a brief intermission until the next adventure. We packed up our souvenirs, memories, and that residual sand that always seems to find its way into the corners of your luggage, and made our way back to the Honolulu airport.

The flight back to San Jose was, as one might expect, filled with the usual airplane antics: the pre-flight scramble for overhead bin space, the in-flight battle with the armrest, and the inevitable existential pondering over the airline's meal choices. On the plus side, if you're looking to catch some shuteye or watch a movie, there's nothing quite like the hum of jet engines to set the mood.

Until our next adventure, where the skies are less turbulent and the adventures are even more absurd!