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Hawaii, Spring 2002 |
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Friday, April 25 - Saturday, May 4 : Destination? Tropical shores!
Despite staying at separate hotels, the far-flung family managed to spend much of its time together, having family dinners, taking side trips, and (of course!) enjoying the beach and the pool. Tour guide Todd brought everyone to the famous North Shore for some shopping, sightseeing, and snorkeling; he and Jeff even proved that stupidity doesn't end at puberty by leaping (many times) off a jutting cliff into the ocean at Waimea Bay. (Jeff says he's still shaking the water out of his ears. Todd says he just wanted the photos so he could brag to his coworkers.) Small pleasures included the ubiquitous umbrellas in tropical drinks (bequeathed to the kids); fruit stands where the vendor would cut you slices of the juiciest, sweetest pineapple you've ever had; shave ice in a rainbow of flavors; perfect surf almost every day at Waikiki; and the crab-stuffed wonton appetizers at Duke's on the beach. Jeff, Paul, Justin, and David all caught their first waves. After his lesson, Jeff had to be forcibly restrained from venturing out into the water at the crack of dawn each day. Paul and Kathy, the king and queen of popularity, inevitably ran into thirty or so good friends (OK, three) and managed to find time to socialize with them and show up for all the family events and tackle Benihana with the entire brood. Dad immediately found himself promising to play tennis every day with a group of locals who quickly seized on the opportunity to recruit him (it's OK, Dad, you can probably write off the trips to Hawaii for those Honolulu tennis league matches). Mom, felled by an inexplicable allergic reaction for about half the trip, at least managed to use the down time to get some much-needed peace and quiet. (Don't worry, I won't tell Dad about the $347 room-service bill for all those chick-movie rentals.) C.C. proved her tenderfoot status by immediately getting blisters, forcing her to go shopping for a new pair of cool, hip sandals that wouldn't rub the wrong way (honey, it was a medical necessity!). Todd wheeled, dealed, and made connections all over the island -- by now, he may own three hotels and Park Place. Lori, Kathy, C.C., Mom, Dad, and Justin and David got up close and personal with the dolphins at the Kahala Mandarin hotel. Dane showed his uncle Dave who the real Frisbee player in the family is, while Tate discovered the joys of blue Hawaiian shave ice. And, of course, both the boys loved hanging out with their older cousins. Dave, Todd, C.C., Paul, and Jeff got a chance to play some beach volleyball island-style and had a great time. Jeff had to be forcibly restrained from venturing out onto the sand courts at the crack of dawn each day. Lori became the master of the walkie-talkie and the coordination of the caravans. (Best walkie-talkie moment? When Todd called Lori -- who was sitting in the back seat.) All too soon, it was time to say Aloha to Hawaii and head back to our regular lives. But our photo gallery will help us recall the good times...and help motivate us to plan the next getaway. |
After nearly two years of talking, planning, and compromising, the Holland Family Trip to Hawaii finally happened. All the extended Hollands -- David and C.C., Todd (sans Jen, forced to stay at home by her evil college professors), Kathy and Paul and Dane and Tate, Lori and Jeff and Justin and David, and of course matriarch and patriarch Patti and Paul -- winged their way to Oahu for an island getaway.