Travel

Eliana’s Cupcake Cutie Birthday Party Sleepover – Sunday, June 19, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-19-11 Eliana is a Cupcake Cutie!

Friends:

This past Sunday, I threw a “Cupcake Cutie” birthday bash sleepover for Eliana to celebrate her 11th birthday! This is what the table looked like.

6-19-11 Eliana's Cupcake Cutie Table

This is what the individual place settings looked like. We had to kinds of cupcake plates and lots of hot pink!

6-19-11 Eliana's Cupcake Cutie Place Setting

First the girls made taco salad cupcakes, taco salads made inside ramekins that are made to look like cupcakes.

6-19-11 The taco cupcake, a taco salad made to look like a cupcake

A small tortilla is placed inside a ramekins and baked at 400 degrees for 7 minutes. Layers of lettuce, cheese, and ground meat are placed inside. Sour cream is piped on top with a grape tomato as the cherry and shredded cheese as the sprinkles. The girls’ tacos came out uber cute! Dinner was accompanied by a vanilla cream soda punch (1 part vanilla cream soda, 1 part ginger ale, hefty scoops of vanilla ice cream). Yum!

6-19-11 Eliana and the girls with their taco salad cupcakes

After Kid Chef Eliana that, made strawberry shortcake cupcakes with fresh strawberries.

6-19-11 Kid Chef Eliana makes strawberry cream cheese frosting with real strawberries

They were soooo delicious!

6-19-11 Strawberry shortcake cupcakes made by Kid Chef Eliana

Then it was time to blow out the candle on her birthday cupcake!! Actually, the cupcake she is blowing out is a candle in the middle of mini cupcakes!

6-19-11 Eliana and her birthday cake. The cupcake is the middle is actually a candle.

Then it was time to open presents. Kid Chef Eliana got a wild new apron!

6-19-11 Eliana gets a wild zebra apron for her birthday!

She also got a sweet little ceramic cupcake with an “E” on top.

6-19-11 Eliana gets a ceramic cupcake with an E on top!

I think one of her favorite presents of all was her new Cupcake Cutie Room!!!

6-19-11 Eliana's Cupcake Cutie Room

After opening presents, we played a game and the girls had a cupcake collage contest. They all voted on their favorite cupcake art. In my opinion, they are all winners!

6-19-11 Eliana and her friends with their cupcake collages

Then they made chef hats from construction paper and white plastic grocery bags. Adorable young chefs! You can make this chef hat too. Instructions are on Kid Chef Eliana’s website.

6-19-11 The cute little chefs make chef hats from construction paper and plastic grocery bags

Look at Kid Chef Eliana! Love the funky birthday glasses! :)

6-19-11 Happy Birthday, Kid Chef Eliana!

Then it was time to decorate cupcakes that the girls baked earlier. I created a “Cupcake Bar” with different types of frosting, different kinds of sprinkles, and chocolate chips. The girls went to town!

6-19-11 The young chefs decorate cupcakes at the Cupcake Bar

Josie’s cupcakes came out awesome!

6-19-11 Josie's cupcakes look oh so yummy!

After decorating and eating those tasty treats, we did our last craft and activity for the night. They made cupcake bags by decorating colorful canvas bags with bright fabric paint. They came out great and were perfect to tote all of their goodies home the next morning.

6-19-11 Eliana and her friends made cupcake tote bags - so precious!

It was a fabulous party and the girls had a blast. Cheers to the Cupcake Cuties! Young Chefs Rock!

6-19-11 Young chefs rock!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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NAS Belle Chasse Library Summer Reading Program – Saturday, June 18, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-17-11 The draw and tell story of The Emperor's Dragon from Dianne's book, Handmade Tales

Friends:

This past Saturday, I performed at the NAS Belle Chasse Library for their summer reading program, which was themed “A Mid-Summer Knight’s Read.” It was a special performance for me because my mom, who retired last month, worked on base for many years, my step-dad still works there, and I am a certified Navy brat! Thank you to Chaney Foote, who brought me to the base library. We had a small but super-fun crowd and I LOVE the castle and knight decorations that Chaney put up! The library was so cute!

6-17-11 An intimate but fun audience at the NAS Belle Chasse Library

I told my draw and tell story, “The Emperor’s Dragon,” from my book, Handmade Tales. Also from my book, I told another draw and tell story, “Catching a Pest in 7 steps.”

6-17-11 The draw and tell story of Catching a Pest in 7 Steps from Dianne's book, Handmade Tales

We got down, we got funky, we even became monkeys! Hilarious!

6-18-11 Monkeys in the audience!

I told the story of “Medio Pollito” with the help of Robin, an energetic boy in my audience. Thanks, Robin!

6-17-11 Tell the story of Medio Pollito

I also told There’s a Dragon in the Library but my camera died so I don’t have any pictures! We had a great time and I loved being at the NAS library!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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St. Bernard Library Summer Reading Program – Friday, June 17, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-17-11 Dianne de Las Casas does a draw and tell story called The Emperor's Dragon from her book, Handmade Tales

Friends:

This past Friday, I performed at the St. Bernard Parish Library for the summer reading program. I opened with a gift to Janet Perez, the children’s librarian. I gave her a set of poi balls from my trip to Hawaii. Poi balls are balls at the end of a long yard rope that are twirled in patterns. They are used by the Maori people of Aotearoa (New Zealand), which is part of the Polynesian Triangle. Janet tried her hand at the poi balls and did a great job!

6-17-11 Children's Librarian Janet Perez tries her hand at Maori Poi Balls

I apologize for the quality of the pictures. The backlighting made it hard for my little digital camera to take good pictures. My first story was “The Emperor’s Dragon” from my Handmade Tales book. After I drew the story, I showed them a Chinese dragon marionette that I picked up from my travels to Hawaii.

6-17-11 Dianne shows a Chinese dragon marionette she brought back from Hawaii's Chinatown

The next story I told was another draw and tell story from my Handmade Tales book called “Catching a Pest in 7 Steps.”

6-17-11 Dianne does another draw and tell story, Catching a Pest in 7 Steps, from her book, Handmade Tales

I did a fun traditional song, “My Aunt Came Back” and then told the story of “Medio Pollito,” a tale from Spain in which a half-chick with a full attitude does not listen to his mom. It’s a fun story with lots of audience participation. I ended with my book, There’s a Dragon in the Library.

6-17-11 Performing There's a Dragon in the Library

Dewey the Dragon made an appearance at the end of the story.

6-17-11 Dewey the Dragon from There's a Dragon in the Library makes an appearance

Then special guest, Kid Chef Eliana, came out and rocked the house with her song, Cool Kids Cook!

6-17-11 Kid Chef Eliana rocks her song, Cool Kids Cook

We all had a great time and I love visiting the St. Bernard Parish Library. Thanks so much, Janet!!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Big Island Hawaii Day 10 – Happy Birthday, Eliana! Hapuna Beach & Depart for Mainland – Wednesday, June 15, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-15-11 Hapuna Beach, Big Island Hawaii

Friends:

Day 10 was a special day in Hawaii for us. It was June 15th, Eliana’s birthday, and she turned 11 in Hawaii!

It was also our last day on the Big Island. We were flying to the Mainland later that day. So we decided to spend our last few hours at Hapuna Beach, a long stretch of white sand beach with clear waters just a little north of Waikoloa.

6-15-11 Hapuna Beach with its white sands and turquoise waters

It was early in the morning when we went the the beach was nearly deserted! This was surprising because we were told that it would be very crowded.

6-15-11 Hapuna Beach early in the morning. The beach is so peaceful!

The water was pretty shallow and the waves were gentle but there was a strong undercurrent. We made sure to stay close to shore to avoid any riptides. We all had fun playing in the fine sand and crystal clear waters.

6-15-11 Eliana and Soleil have fun in the sun at Hapuna Beach

We discovered some incredible sand art! Just WOW!

6-15-11 Will Honu be eaten by shark on Hapuna Beach?

Eliana had a great time being an explorer, staking her claim to an “island.”

6-15-11 Explorer Eliana at Hapuna Beach

It was a gorgeous day and we couldn’t have asked for better weather!

6-15-11 I love the fine sand and clear water of Hapuna Beach!

Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. We had to leave the beautiful Hapuna Beach to fly home…

6-15-11 Antonio and I bask in the glory of Hapuna Beach

It appeared that Eliana was stuck… Uh oh!

6-15-11 Eliana is stuck in the Hapuna Beach sand

We dug Eliana out of the sand and headed back to the room to clean up and fly out.

6-15-11 Eliana AKA Pualani boards the plane for our first flight to Oahu

Aloha, Hawaii! We will miss you…

But it was still Eliana’s birthday on our flight home. A super sweet flight attendant brought Eliana to First Class to make a birthday sundae (on a Wednesday). Hau’oli La Hanau! Happy Birthday, Eliana!

6-15-11 Eliana enjoys a birthday sundae on the flight from Oahu to Dallas Fort Worth

Until next time… Aloha!

Warmly, Dianne

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Big Island Hawaii Day 9 – The Coffee Shack, Punalu’u Black Sands Beach & Volcano National Park – Tuesday, June 14, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-14-11 Eliana at Punalu'u Black Sand tide pools

Friends:

Day 9 began with the pretty drive south from Waikoloa to Captain Cook, Hawaii. There, we ate at The Coffee Shack, a restaurant highly recommended by the locals.

6-14-11 The Coffee Shack is built into the side of a mountain overlooking the Kona coast

I saw my first Madagascar gecko at The Coffee Shack!

6-14-11 The Madagascar Gecko

For breakfast, I had a Portuguese sausage eggs benedict platter. Talk about Ono!!! Yum!

6-14-11 Portuguese sausage eggs benedict from The Coffee Shack

After eating at The Coffee Shack, we headed further south to Punalu’u Black Sands Beach.

6-14-11 Aloha from Punalu'u Beach, Big Island Hawaii

To describe Punalu’u in one word: spectacular!

6-14-11 Look at the view behind me... amazing!

It was a juxtaposition of cerulean sea cresting white against jagged midnight cliffs and ebony sands. Sea turtles swam in the waves, oblivious of human presence. It was an awe-inspiring scene showcasing Mother Nature at her best.

6-14-11 Eliana plays in the waves of the black sand beach

The black sand glittered like diamonds in the bright sun.

6-14-11 Three layers make a cool picture! Dry black sand, wet black sand, and waves at Punalu'u

We swam amidst the honu (sea turtles) and marveled at the oddities we found, like this rainbow rock, whose rainbow was revealed only when submerged in the water.

6-14-11 Rainbow rock at Punalu'u

I also found this heart-shaped stone, odd because it was also red in color!

6-14-11 A heart-shaped rock at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Of course, Eliana had to make her traditional mark… :)

6-14-11 We love you too, Eliana!

I just found Punalu’u stunning. It took my breath away.

6-14-11 The expanse of Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Endless beauty!

6-14-11 Waves crash against the black lava cliffs

As if seeing this magnificent work of Mother Nature’s art wasn’t enough, we headed to Volcano National Park. WOW! Yes, I saw Mt. Kilauea as a child but I was so little. Seeing it as an adult brought me to tears.

6-14-11 The Mt. Kilauea crater, an awe-inspiring sight!

It was as if Pele, the volcano goddess, was smiling upon us. We were granted a rainbow!

6-14-11 A panorama of Mt. Kilauea and the amazing full rainbow I caught on camera!

This is Pele, the Volcano Goddess…

6-14-11 Pele, the Goddess of the Vocano

It’s hard to describe what I felt as I stood there, overlooking this volatile, savage beauty. It was as if the volcano was alive and I could feel her “HA,” her life, coursing through me. It was a little chilly so I had to don pants, tennis shoes, and a jacket.

6-14-11 At Mt. Kilauea Volcano! WOW!

After witnessing the grandeur of Mt. Kilauea, we headed to the Thurston Lava Tubes. First, it was a trek through the rain forest to get there. What was amazing was that Volcano National Park had micro climates within minutes of each other!

6-14-11 Eliana and Soleil walk through the rainforest at Volcano National Park

Then we arrived at the Lava Tubes.

6-14-11 Soleil and Eliana entering the Thurston Lava Tube at Volcano National Park

The tubes are formed when hot lava flows rapidly through already cooling lava formations. A hole is formed, creating a cave. The Thurston Lava Tubes are large enough for humans to walk through.

6-14-11 Inside the Thurston Lava Tube at Volcano National Park

We left Volcano National Park, and drove around the other side of the mountain, having dinner in rainy Hilo.

6-14-11 Happy Birthday, Eliana, from Kuhio Grill in Hilo, Hawaii

Day 9, our last full day on the Big Island, was amazing. We saw some incredible sights and drove the perimeter of the entire island in one day. Whew! So cool!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Big Island Hawaii Day 8 – Glass Bottom Boat, Original Hawaiian Chocolate, Kona Joe Coffee & Magic Sands Beach – Monday, June 13, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-13-11 The picturesque Anaho'omalu Bay at the Waikoloa Marriott Beach Resort

Friends:

On Day 8 of our Hawaiian vacation, we did so much! We woke up early and went to Anaeho’omalu Bay to take a glass bottom boat tour of the bay. This is a view of the shore from the boat.

6-13-11 The view of the shore from the glass bottom boat

We learned so much about the sea life on the glass bottom boat tour. We spotted yellow tang, long-slate pencil sea urchin, and honu, meaning sea turtle in Hawaiian.

6-13-11 Honu, the Hawaiian green sea turtle

After our glass bottom boat tour, we decided to get in some beach time since our previous swim in “A-Bay” was at dusk the night before.

6-13-11 Eliana swims in A-Bay

After playing at the beach for a while, we got dressed and went to the Original Hawaiian Chocolate factory. Pam Cooper, one of the owners, was kind enough to give us a tour by appointment even though their tours are usually scheduled for Wednesdays and Fridays.

6-13-11 Original Hawaiian Chocolate farm and factory in Kailua-Kona

It was an amazing experience for me to tour a single-origin chocolate company, especially since my book, Blue Frog: The Legend of Chocolate, comes out in the Fall of this year. OHC grows their own cacao trees, from which cacao pods ripen.

6-13-11 OHC grows their own cacao. Here various colored cacao pods suspend from tree branches.

Here is a picture of the cacao pods up close.

6-13-11 A close-up of the cacao pods

Pam cut one open so we could see inside.

6-13-11 A cacao pod opened to reveal the white fleshy fruit

After the pods are harvested, the cacao beans are extracted and fermented. They are then placed on drying racks to sun-dry before they are roasted.

6-13-11 Cacao beans dry in the sun before they are roasted

After they are sent to the winnower (which removed the shells and turns the beans into nibs), they are then ground in a machine called a conch, creating a concentrated liquid. After conching for 15 hours, the chocolate arrives at temperer for its final process before it is poured into molds.

6-13-11 The chocolate, in its final stage of tempering, before it is molded

The result is astounding. Seeing chocolate created from the soil to the bar was a magical experience for me! OHC was the first single-origin chocolate in the United States, cultivating their own cacao and processing it into chocolate. Most chocolate factories buy their cacao from farms. OHC IS the farm and the factory! Wow!

6-13-11 Original Hawaiian Chocolate bars!

Pam, thank you so much for your incredible hospitality! We appreciate you. Like you say, “Chocolate is Aloha!”

6-13-11 Kid Chef Eliana, Dianne & Soleil with Pam Cooper of Original Hawaiian Chocolate

After our amazing tour with Original Hawaiian Chocolate, we headed to Kona Joe’s Coffee to see how coffee is made. I knew very little about the coffee making process and I learned so much from this tour as well! Kona Joe has a patented trellis system that his coffee trees are grown on.

6-13-11 Kona Joe's coffee farm with his signature trellis grown coffee

Here is a close-up of the coffee cherries on the trellis system.

6-13-11 Coffee cherries are grown on a trellis system patented by Kona Joe

This is the processing plant where Kona Joe makes his magic happen. Coffee on the Kona coast of Hawaii is the only coffee that is grown and processed in the United States!

6-13-11 The processing plant where Kona Joe makes his famous coffee

Of course, Antonio and Soleil were excited to shop for coffee. I am not a coffee drinker so Eliana and I enjoyed a cup of hot cocoa. The view from Kona Joe’s is amazing! You can see straight to the coast from the farm on the mountain.

6-13-11 Kona Joe's coffee farm overlooks the beautiful Kona coast

After our coffee tour, we took a leisurely drive around the Kailua-Kona area. We stopped at La’aloa Beach, also know as Magic Sands Beach because when the tide is high, the sands disappear into the water.

6-13-11 La'aloa State Beach Park, also known as Magic Sands Beach

We were at the beach during the late afternoon, when the surf was high. There was little sand but what little sand was visible was fine and white. The water was crystal clear too!

6-13-11 Eliana and I frolic at the Magic Sands Beach

The beach is dotted with volcanic rock and the waves can be quite strong. Eliana enjoyed dancing at the water’s edge.

6-13-11 Eliana dances in the waters of Magic Sands Beach

Antonio and Soleil were content to watch and take pictures while we played in the water.

6-13-11 What a beautiful beach!

Even Batman enjoys a little surf now and then…

6-13-11 To the Bat Cave... or beach

The Big Island of Hawaii has so many types of beaches! It’s amazing to see the variety of beaches, even on the same coast!

6-13-11 The water is so pretty and the sand is so white at Magic Sands Beach

It was another day in heaven!

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu & Big Island Day 7 – Waikiki Beach & Big Island Hawaii Arrival – Sunday, June 12, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-12-11 Oh so pretty... the Waikiki beach and Eliana!

Friends:

On our last day in Waikiki, we decided to grab some beach time at our resort at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Eliana and I really wanted to go swimming.

6-12-11 I spend some time on Waikiki Beach before we fly to the Big Island

Of course, Eliana had to send her message in the sand…

6-12-11 We love you too, Eliana!

We had a great time at the beach but it was time to pack up and fly to the Big Island!

6-12-11 The pretty pink princess checks in for her flight to Hawaii, the Big Island

We arrived at the Kona airport, which is completely open air. We were staying at the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort and rented a car to drive around the island.

6-12-11 Hula nani Eliana at the Kona airport

On the way to our resort, we traveled the Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway. We were astonished by the stark lava landscape and the organic graffiti!

6-12-11 A tradition on the Kona side of the Big Island - grafitti made with coral on black volcanic rock formations

Of course, we had to stop by the side of the road to examine the landscape further!

6-12-11 The lava creates amazing formations

Eliana makes her mark with scattered coral… Now she is a part of this curious tradition.

6-12-11 Eliana makes her mark on the Big Island!

Frankly, I was stunned by the volcanic desertscape. I didn’t expect it and it was such a surprise. I was taken by the landscape’s raw and stark beauty. It seemed so primal, like seeing the earth being created.

6-12-11 Me amidst a sea of black lava with a lone tree dotting the volcanic landscape

On the dry Kona side of Hawaii, you can see the sea, even from Queen Ka’ahumanu Highway.

6-12-11 A scenic lookout on Queen Koho'omalu Highway on the Big Island

We arrived at the Marriott Waikoloa Beach Resort on Anaeho’omalu Bay. It was such a drastic contrast to the hustle and bustle of Waikiki. So remote, so peaceful.

6-12-11 The amazing Marriott Waikoloa Resort on A-Bay, Big Island, Hawaii

We hurried into our bathing suits to catch a little beach time. The beach was a mixture of volcanic rock, salt and pepper sand, and azure water surrounded by lush flora and fauna.

6-12-11 The sun sets on Waikoloa

As the sun set, we dipped in the waters. The beach was practically deserted. It was so serene. A completely different scene than Waikiki, which is always moving, even at night.

6-12-11 A sunset dip at the beach

Then we decided to sample all the pools that the Marriott had to offer. I loved the slightly heated large infinity pool!

6-12-11 A night dip in the pretty infinity pool at Waikoloa

Our first day on the Big Island was a lesson in beauty. Not every Hawaiian landscape is full of lush palm trees and plumerias. Yet, the rolling lava desertscapes echo with a quiet, raw beauty. Not all beaches are full of fine white sands. Yet, the beach at Anaeho’omalu Bay is mysterious and just as beautiful with its sharp volcanic rock and coarse salt and pepper sand. Aloha from the Big Island…

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 6 – KCC Farmer’s Market, Polynesian Cultural Center & Sunset Beach – Saturday, June 11, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-11-11 The KCC Farmer's Market is crowded!

Friends:

On Day 6 of our Hawaiian paradise vacation, we went to the KCC Farmer’s Market.

6-11-11 The most beautiful hibiscus flowers at the KCC Farmer's Market

We heard that it was one of the best farmer’s markets in the country and couldn’t wait to taste the local flavors. We were not disappointed!

6-11-11 A kimchi sausage on a stick. Awesome!

We sampled lot of different kinds of foods. This caprese pizza was made completely from scratch with all local ingredients, even the tomato sauce. It had hand-stretched mozzarella too. Just fabulous!

6-11-11 Caprese pizza with all fresh ingredients!

Kid Chef Eliana and I had an authentic pineapple ginger ale made fresh. It was so delicious!

6-11-11 Kid Chef Eliana sips a homemade pineapple ginger ale at the KCC Farmer's Market

Antonio and I shared a Northshore Cattle Company beef kalua loco moco. It was phenomenal. I learned that Hawaii is the largest producer of beef in the country!

6-11-11 Kalua beef loco moco at the KCC Farmer's Market

We also had honey cream pineapple, the best pineapple I have ever tasted. Fresh Hawaiian sweet bread was amazing. We had our breakfast/lunch at the KCC Farmer’s Market. Kid Chef Eliana found these amazing spices!

6-11-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Kaiulani Spices at the KCC Farmers' Market

She was lucky enough to meet Kaiulani, the owner of Kaiulani spices. Kaiulani was so sweet. She gave Kid Chef Eliana some spices as a birthday present. Wow! Such Aloha!!

6-11-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Kaiulani, the Hawaiian Queen of Spices

After the KCC Farmer’s Market, we headed back to the Polynesian Cultural Center for our Ambassador Tour, which we missed on our first visit. On the way, we stopped at a local carver’s workshop. I picked up a hand-carved Tiki. The artist, Mailo, signed it for me! We always treasure art from the places we travel to and local handicrafts are a special prize.

6-11-11 A tiki is hand-carved and signed by Mailo, the artist

At the Polynesian Cultural Center, we were assigned a guide from Fiji – Louchrisha – who was so hospitable and knowledgeable. We loved her!

6-11-11 Cousin Louchrisha is our guide at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Our first order of business was the lei greeting. We had to greet each other with a kiss and bestow leis upon our partner. I caught Mom and Clay in the act. Awwww. So cute!

6-11-11 Clay kisses Mom as he gives her a lei greeting at the Polynesian Cultural Center

Eliana took a picture with a beautiful Polynesian young lady.

6-11-11 Eliana poses with a beautiful Hawaiian girl

Louchrisha took us to Samoa, where we watched a man make fire from wooden sticks and coconut husk.

6-11-11 Eliana and Soleil take a picture with a Samoan fire-maker

We also watched a man scale a coconut tree with his bare feet! Ouch.

6-11-11 In the village of Samoa, a man scales a coconut tree with bare feet

In Aotearoa (New Zealand), we did a Maori stick game. Eliana and I were partners and did the best of all the groups. Yay!

6-11-11 In Aotearoa, we play a Maori stick game

Then we tried our hand at Maori poi balls. This was easy for me because I did poi balls as a kid. My stepdad nearly killed himself with the poi balls. Hilarious!

6-11-11 Mom, Clay, Soleil & Antonio work their poi balls in Aotearoa

Next, Louchrisha brought us to the amazing canoe pageant featuring the dances of the various Polynesian Isles. We had great seats and I got some wonderful pictures. First was Aotearoa in green with their poi balls.

6-11-11 The canoe pageant featuring Aotearoa

Next was Samoa. I love how they balance on the canoes as they dance.

6-11-11 The canoe pageant featuring Samoa

Fiji floated by with fierce dancers.

6-11-11 The canoe pageant featuring Fiji

Next, Tonga was in fiery red and I loved their hair pieces!

6-11-11 The canoe pageant featuring Tonga

Hawaii danced gracefully in bright blue, representing the colors of the ocean and the sky.

6-11-11 The canoe pageant featuring Hawaii

The crowd favorite was clearly Tahiti with their fast hip-shaking dance, and careful balancing of the boat. I am always mesmerized watching Tahitian dancers and love their full skirts and tall head-dresses.

6-11-11 The canoe pageant featuring Tahiti

After the canoe pageant, we got to take a canoe ride ourselves! We toured all of the villages by water and exited the boat in Hawaii. There, we had a fun Hula lesson.

6-11-11 We all dance Hula!

Then it was on to Fiji, where we got our tribal tattoos. Mine was “Queen.” Eliana was “Warrior Princess.” Then we went to Tonga.

6-11-11 Eliana with pretty wahines from Tonga

In Tonga, we saw a drum show and learned how to weave an angel fish out of palm fronds. When the fish was finished, it was on a long reed. When you flung the reed, the fish moved to the tip and it looked like you caught fish while fishing. Soooo cool!

6-11-11 Weaving an angel fish made out of palm leaves on my fingers

I loved the Polynesian Cultural Center and felt such a connection to the many cultures of Polynesia. And there is still so much more to learn! I hope to one day write a book about Polynesia, collecting its rich folklore and the magical qualities all the islands possess.

6-11-11 Vina makes poi balls by hand

After our second PCC visit, we decided to take a scenic drive up the North Shore.

6-11-11 The Chinaman's Hat, an island off the North Shore of Oahu

It was really a pretty drive!

6-11-11 The scenic drive on the Northshore of Hawaii is beautiful!

Then it was time to take in the sunset at where else? Sunset Beach! We parked and then Eliana and I played in the sand and sea.

6-11-11 Eliana hangs loose at Sunset Beach

Eliana loves the water!

6-11-11 Eliana plays in the water at Sunset Beach

It rained on and off at Sunset Beach while we were there but I still managed to catch some beautiful pictures!

6-11-11 Sunset Beach on the Northshore of Oahu

Eliana and I love the beach!!!

6-11-11 The sun sets at Sunset Beach

After the rain goes, rainbows!

6-11-11 A beautiful rainbow caught from Sunset Beach!

Then I caught this postcard picture of Sunset Beach! Totally worth getting a little wet for! The perfect sunset to close another perfect day in paradise…

6-11-11 The postcard sunset at Sunset Beach

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 5 – Lei Making, Hula Lessons, Puka Dog & Chinatown – Friday, June 10, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-10-11 The pretty view of Waikiki from my Mom and Clay's balcony at the Sheraton Princess

Friends:

Day 5 on Oahu was spent doing a variety of things. The men (Antonio and Clay) went to the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor while the girls (Mom, Soleil, Eliana and I) took lessons in lei making and hula. We went to my mom’s hotel, The Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, and took our lessons there. Not only did we learn how to make orchid leis, we were also given our Hawaiian names. My Hawaiian name is “Mehealani,” which means “heavenly moonrise.” Eliana’s Hawaiian name is “Pualani,” which means “heavenly flower.” Soleil’s Hawaiian name is “Nalanani,” which means “beautiful sunshine.” Mom’s Hawaiian name is “Puanani,” which means “beautiful flower.”

6-10-11 Soleil, Eliana & I make orchid leis and receive our Hawaiian names

After our lei-making, we took an hour-long hula lesson from a tutu kumu (a grandmotherly teacher). It was quite a workout and we were all perspiring at the end of it!

6-10-11 Mom, Soleil, Eliana and I take an hour long hula lesson. What fun!

We worked up quite an appetite and it was time for lunch. So we headed to Puka Dog, a local hot dog stand located only on the islands Oahu and Kauai.

6-10-11 We fell in love with Puka Dog, a Hawaiian tropical hot dog. Ono!

“Puka” means “hole” in Hawaiian. A puka dog, is a bun with a hole inside. The sausage is inserted with a variety of tropical relishes and condiments. I had a lilikoi (passion fruit) mustard and pineapple relish Puka Dog. They were soooo good. Clay, my stepdad, loves them so much that he wants to open a Puka Dog franchise in New Orleans!

6-10-11 Soleil holds her tasty Puka Dog

Puka Dog is also renowned for their Hawaiian shave ice. There is no “d” at the end of “shave,” in case you are thinking I misspelled the word. Shave ice is a powdery fine crushed ice flavored with different kinds of tropical syrups. It is akin to the “snowball” of New Orleans although I have to say that the Hawaiian shave ice has a much finer texture. Just delicious!

6-10-11 A Blue Hawaiian Shave Ice from Puka Dog

After eating our Puka dogs, the girls decided to do some shopping at a nearby outdoor market. We found lots great bargains that rivaled the prices in Chinatown. Imagine that, in the heart of Waikiki!

6-10-11 The girls shop at an outdoor market and find Hawaiian bargains!

We met up with the guys again and headed to Chinatown for our second visit, this time on our own. We shopped for leis, souvenirs, and ate at the food court full of Chinese, Singaporean, and Filipino foods. Eliana and Soleil had traditional Filipino halo-halo, for the first time. Halo-halo is a shaved ice dessert with coconut milk, milk, ice cream, and tropical fruits, a great summertime treat!

6-10-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Filipino halo-halo!

I had my favorite pork hash with a “paper” cupcake dessert, an angel food cake-like pastry. Can you believe that the pork hash was only 50 cents each?!

6-10-11 I ate pork hash and a paper cupcake from Chinatown. I LOVE pork hash!

After our fill of food, we headed back to Mom and Clay’s hotel, the Sheraton Princess Kaiulanai, and watched a hula show as we sipped on tropical cocktails.

6-10-11 We watch a lovely hula dancer at the Sheraton Princess Kaiulani

The night ended with a stroll through a big Hula street festival in front of Waikiki beach.

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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Oahu, Hawaii Day 4 – Hanauma Bay & Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room – Thursday, June 9, 2011

by Dianne on June 22, 2011

6-9-11 Breathtaking views of where surf meets shore

Friends:

On Day 4 of our Hawaii trip, we went to Hanauma Bay. Before we went to the bay, we stopped at a scenic overlook and took some gorgeous pictures.

6-9-11 A scenic view of Oahu's rocky shore

The beauty of the Hawaiian Islands never fails to astonish me…

6-9-11 Smile, ohana!

Antonio, Soleil, Eliana and I had our hearts set on going to Hanauma Bay. My mom and Clay decided to spend their day with Reggie, Clay’s nephew, who is stationed on Oahu. They explored the Northshore while we swam and snorkeled in breaktaking Hanauma Bay.

6-9-11 Beautiful Hanauma Bay

Check out this phenomenal panoramic view of Hanauma Bay!

6-9-11 A panoramic view of Hanauma Bay from above

After viewing a video on the preservation of Hanauma Bay, we decided to walk down the steep hill. It was so pretty. The beach wasn’t very crowded and we found a nice spot quickly.

6-9-11 Happy to be at Hanauma Bay!

We snorkled lots and saw some amazing sea life.

6-9-11 Angelfish in Hanauma Bay

Unfortunately, my underwater camera was an epic failure and all but two pictures were blurry.

6-9-11 The underwater camera failed to take clear pics. Here we are snorkeling in Hanauma Bay.

But I did get this great picture of a sea urchin!

6-9-11 The long-slate pencil sea urchin in Hanauma Bay

We had so much fun frolicking in the sand and sea!

6-9-11 Eliana loves Hanauma Bay. She is a natural island girl!

Hanauma Bay is picturesque on land and in the sea! Everywhere you look is a good picture!

6-9-11 Island beauties at Hanauma Bay

Yes, we loved taking pictures at Hanauma Bay!

6-9-11 Antonio, Eliana & Dianne at Hanauma Bay

I even ate my Spam musubi at the beach! LOL

6-9-11 I confess... I love Spam musubi, a Hawaiian comfort food

Eliana made her mark at every beach we visited! It became our Hawaiian tradition… what a sweetie!

6-9-11 We love you too, Eliana!

Even roosters love Hanauma Bay…

6-9-11 A beautiful rooster roams the beach at Hanauma Bay

We didn’t want to leave this beachy paradise but we had reservations at Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room to celebrate Kid Chef Eliana’s birthday so it was time to go… On the way back, we saw the grand “Stairway to Heaven,” a mountain with “stairs” all the way to the top. Unfortunately, it is not safe to climb and it is illegal for visitors to do so. But it sure makes a pretty backdrop!

6-9-11 Eliana poses in front of Stairway to Heaven on Oahu

Going to Alan Wong’s Pineapple Room was such a treat. They treated Kid Chef Eliana like a princess! We ate the best food – gastonomical delights such as a marinated tomato and watermelon salad, compliments of the executive chef!

6-9-11 A tomato and watermelon salad compliments of Executive Chef Lance Kosaka from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

They even brought out a delicious birthday cake for Kid Chef Eliana!! WOW!!

6-9-11 A birthday cake for Kid Chef Eliana from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

Here is Kid Chef Eliana with Executive Chef Lance Kosaka, who gifted Eliana with sacred volcanic sea salt from the island of Kauai. We were wowed by the hospitality of the Pineapple Room. Not only was it an amazing experience for Eliana, it was wonderful experience for the whole family! And the perfect end to another day in paradise!

6-9-11 Kid Chef Eliana with Executive Chef Lance Kosaka from Alan Wong's Pineapple Room

Until next time…

Warmly, Dianne

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