Texas Wahine

Join Date 08/2004

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Altantis Submarine Adventure and Paradise Cove Luau

Adrian's been home on leave for the past couple of weeks, and we've used the spare time to catch up on some island activities that we missed before he left for the middle east. He has to go back to work on Tuesday, but we've had a great time and made some fantastic memories.

On Thursday we had a jam-packed day. We took a submarine tour in the morning, spent mid-day at the mall, and finished up the night with a luau.

We were kind of nervous about the sub tour because we didn't know how the kids (or me!) would react to it. We were running late (as usual), but arrived just in time to sit and wait for 20 minutes for the boat that transports passengers out to the submarine to arrive and pick us up.

We boarded the crowded boat and discovered that, in addition to having some nice plastic seats, the vessel also boasted a gift shop! Yes, a gift shop! Woohoo! We loaded up on dollar candy bars, AA batteries, and an overpriced refrigerator magnet, but decided against the Altantis submarine t-shirts that would have gotten stained within...oh, an hour or so of purchase.

I was impressed that I could use my visa debit card out on the open sea. Now THAT'S shopping!

We watched as the submarine surfaced, and that was a pretty neat sight. The sub blows air to let any nearby vessels know that it's coming up, and then you see the submarine through the water a bit. Finally, it erupts from the ocean, and when it does, it looks like this:

The submarine ride itself was only about 45 minutes. We were able to see all sorts of colorful little fish (although, I'd seen some of them before when we went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay) but also some predator fish and sea urchins and coral and sea turtles. Obviously, Atlantis has no control over what we see or don't see, but it seemed like the right side of the submarine (the side we weren't on) got to see a lot more cool fish for some reason (conspiracy?).

Under the ocean we saw two large sunken ships, artificial reefs made out of all sorts of stuff, large portions of two airplanes (that was really cool), and some Japanese-made fiberglass pyramids filled with sea life. The sunken planes and ships would have been cooler if they'd actually went down in those spots instead of being purchased by Atlantis and sunk, but I guess I can't have high drama all the time.

A portion of one of the ships looked like this (can you spot the two sea turtles?):

The boys were thrilled with the little adventure and Adrian and I shared our deepest kiss (120 ft. under water). Something neat to note is that when you get deeper into the water, all red becomes filtered out. Everything looks blue or blue-green, like this:

(What I'm holding in that picture is a replica of the Plexiglas windows of the submarine (the inside of the window is covered with glass as well. The Plexiglas in the windows of the sub are three inches thick.)

And here's a pic of my guys enjoying the trip:

Here I am:

After the submarine tour was over, we goofed around a bit inside the Hawaiian Hilton Village. It's filled with shops and statues and waterfalls and sunburned tourists.

Here's a pic of Adrian and the boys goofing off with a giant tiki:

After dropping some cash at the mall, we headed out to the Paradise Cove Luau.

We got there just after a couple of huge tour buses had arrived, and so our wait in line was frustrating, but we had Mai Tais in hand in no time. The Paradise Cove Luau is fun because it has games and activities as well as food and entertainment. Adrian and the boys played with some of the traditional Hawaiian "toys" they had at some of the booths, and we watched the casting of the nets into the ocean and the ceremony to unearth the cooked kalua pig. We also saw a guy climb a palm tree (all the way to the top!) and shower the crowd with plumerias (Xavier hunted around until he found one to give to me, isn't he sweet?).

The boys even got traditional (well, kind of) Hawaiian tattoos:

Xavier got a fierce-looking shark, and Orian got a turtle.

Dinner was a buffet of traditional Hawaiian foods like the kalua pig (ha, I'm so greedy, I filled a third of my plate with that bad boy), white rice, macaroni salad, poi, haupia (kind of like coconut jello), taro rolls, and fresh pineapple, and not-so-traditional foods like fried chicken, iceberg lettuce salad, and banana-nut cake. The food was fantastic, though, and we all ended up completely stuffed. We also got three free drinks, and indulged ourselves in the ancient Mai Tais and Blue Hawaiis that the local's ancestors so enjoyed.

While we ate, we were treated with a show by dancers representing many of the Polynesian islands. The costumes were incredible. The entertainment wrapped up with an exciting fire show that had the kids the most attentive I've ever seen them.

Despite the inebriated looking grins on their faces, the boys did not partake of anything harder than guava juice with a shot of cherry syrup:

It was a really fun and busy day, and I hope that the boys will always remember the special things they got to see and do when they lived in Hawaii.

And as a bonus (well, because I like posting pictures), here's some un-related pics:

Here's the boys burying daddy in the sand at Bellows (much of the upper body work was thanks to me...I've got skills).

And that's a sleepy little honu resting on the beach at North Shore.

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The Jersey shore just can't compete...

It's good to see you had a nice time. What I wouldn't do for a submarine tour...

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TheFazz:

The Jersey shore just can't compete...

Well, I'd like to visit the East coast someday...but now I've been a bit spoiled and I may be tough to impress...hehe

It's good to see you had a nice time.

Thanks.

What I wouldn't do for a submarine tour...

It was a unique experience, that's for sure. Not too pricey, either...under a hundred bucks for all four of us. I'd like to do it again...maybe on one of the other islands. It wasn't nearly as scary as I expected it to be, but I was a little disappointed that we didn't see any dolphins or sharks (sometimes the tours happen upon them).

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It wasn't nearly as scary as I expected it to be, but I was a little disappointed that we didn't see any dolphins or sharks (sometimes the tours happen upon them).

The only thing a tour would happen upon around here might be medical waste.

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The only thing a tour would happen upon around here might be medical waste.

Hehe...well...that could be interesting...I'd go on a medical waste tour!

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Sounds like a fun time, and nice pictures as well. Am I noticing a distinct lack of 'robot arm'?

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Danny:

Sounds like a fun time, and nice pictures as well.

Thanks. We really enjoyed it.

Am I noticing a distinct lack of 'robot arm'?

You sure are. He wore the robot arm for a few days, but he kept biting it and taking it off, so Adrian downgraded him to just taped fingers and a bandage wrap (also known as mummy hand, hehe)and then just taped fingers, and for the past few days, he's been going nude-handed. He seems to be healing very well. Good catch! hehe

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The sea is so beautiful! That is the bluest water I've ever seen!

Thanks for the sharing the pics.

I loved the honu. I didn't know they existed!

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Dusk:

The sea is so beautiful! That is the bluest water I've ever seen!

It's amazing...and on some parts of the island, the water is completely turquoise and you can even see the sand or corral beneath it. I still get excited when I see the ocean.

Thanks for the sharing the pics.

Thanks for taking the time to look at them. I'm not sure why, but I really enjoy posting pics (prolly partly cause I'm lazy and it's an easy way to show my family pics without having to write a bunch of emails, hehehe).

I loved the honu. I didn't know they existed!

Honu is Hawaiian for turtle, and right now is the best time to see them on the island. During this time of year (for a couple of months or so) they come right up to the beach. It's against the law to feed them or get too close to them, but just actually seeing one there on the beach so close to where we are swimming or playing is a neat experience. Adrian took this picture, and I think he did a fantastic job.

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Great pictures, i wish we had submarine tours around here as well, it would save me a trip to Hawaï, hehe!

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Looks like you had fun. I've gotta go SCUBA diving there sometime.

Here's the boys burying daddy in the sand at Bellows (much of the upper body work was thanks to me...I've got skills).

What, no sand-boobs?

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Toblerone:

Looks like you had fun.

That we did.

I've gotta go SCUBA diving there sometime.

Adrian's really interested in scuba diving now...is it difficult to learn?

What, no sand-boobs?

Bwahahahahahaha...actually, he did have a very nice sand rack, but he made me get rid of it...hehehe...

islandgurl:

Great pictures, i wish we had submarine tours around here as well, it would save me a trip to Hawaï, hehe!

Thanks.

I'll bet a submarine tour around there would be amazing!

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Adrian's really interested in scuba diving now...is it difficult to learn?

It isn't too hard, the things one has to learn is stuff one isn't likely to forget, mostly tips for how not to die (I'm guessing Adrian knows a bit about that!). I only got my open water certificate last year and from memory only one person didn't pass the theory test. As for the practical bit well I'm the biggest unco in the world and I managed it so I shouldn't think Adrian would have any trouble. The best thing is that once you're qualified you are for life, so even if the lessons cost a bit (and it will be far less expensive for you in terms of travel costs, I live 3.5 hours from the coast) it is worth it. Make sure he goes to a certified International SCUBA Schools (ISS) scuba training school, not only does it ensure you get properly qualified instructors (very helpful when they're telling you how not to die) but their certificates are recognised world wide by diving tour groups and so on.

Bwahahahahahaha...actually, he did have a very nice sand rack, but he made me get rid of it...hehehe...

Aww spoil sport, that would have made a great photo....

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Sounds and looks like you had an awesome time!

I wish I could do something like that. It would be so awesome. But unfortunatly Ohio doesn't offer things such as submarine tours and such things as a trip to the beach. Sure there are lakes.....but they're just not as cool as the oceans. I've only been to the ocean twice in my life. (Myrtle beach in South Carolina, and Cocoa Beach in Florida) But oceans are far better.

~carebear~

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A submarine? Kick-*ss. That looks like a blast. My wife doesn't like tight spaces, but wow!

Also, very nice family.

Well, I'd like to visit the East coast someday...but now I've been a bit spoiled and I may be tough to impress

True, but there is something about standing on the Cape when a storm is coming in, and the waves come in fast and crash into the rocks, and the wind picks up. Kinda cool.

IG

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Toblerone: Hey, thanks for the great info!

mostly tips for how not to die (I'm guessing Adrian knows a bit about that

Hehehe...yeah...

The best thing is that once you're qualified you are for life, so even if the lessons cost a bit (and it will be far less expensive for you in terms of travel costs, I live 3.5 hours from the coast) it is worth it.

Now that is cool...if I'm not mistaken, there is a training place right outside the base (and I think I remember a sign saying that you could use your GI Bill to pay for classes, so that might work out pretty well).

Make sure he goes to a certified International SCUBA Schools (ISS) scuba training school, not only does it ensure you get properly qualified instructors (very helpful when they're telling you how not to die) but their certificates are recognised world wide by diving tour groups and so on.

Very good to know.

Aww spoil sport, that would have made a great photo....

Hahhahahaa...yeah, sand boobies are great...

little whip:

Cool pics and it looks like you had a great time!

Thanks...we really did.

If I'm feeling well enough, Simon and I plan to go to Norfolk next weekend, explore an old battleship and take a boat tour around our huge Naval Base there, and take a peek at a submarine in there's any in town. They no longer publically post what's nearby, (for obvious reasons) but hopefully we'll get to see an aircraft carrier as well.

That sounds amazing. If you end up going (I hope that you do), it will be great to hear about it.

That submarine looks really claustrophobic, dunno if I could handle all those people rubbing up against me, ugh.

Yeah, I was worried about that...I thought I might freak out, but it actually didn't seem as bad when we were actually in the sub.

The scenery out the windows was beautiful though, and the luau sounds yummy.

It was hard to really do justice to the sub tour with the photos, but it was quite an experience...and the boys were so excited by the fish! And the luau was a treat, too...we gorged ourselves, hahahahhaa... (but at least we didn't take two plates back from the buffet like some folks did!)

Glad a good time was had by all...it must be wonderful to have Adrian home after all this time.

We're all so happy that he's home...it's nice to be a family again.

carebear:

Sounds and looks like you had an awesome time!

We sure did!

I wish I could do something like that. It would be so awesome. But unfortunatly Ohio doesn't offer things such as submarine tours and such things as a trip to the beach. Sure there are lakes.....but they're just not as cool as the oceans. I've only been to the ocean twice in my life. (Myrtle beach in South Carolina, and Cocoa Beach in Florida) But oceans are far better.

Well I'm jealous then, I'd love to visit those places...I missed my chance back in high school to go to Cocoa Beach and Disneyworld (land?). I've never seen the Atlantic Ocean...

Infogeek:

A submarine? Kick-*ss. That looks like a blast. My wife doesn't like tight spaces, but wow!

Yeah, very cool...not as tight a space as I thought, either...

Also, very nice family.

Thanks.

True, but there is something about standing on the Cape when a storm is coming in, and the waves come in fast and crash into the rocks, and the wind picks up. Kinda cool.

That DOES sound awesome. That's going to go on my to-do list...

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Sweet..........but I think I got one of your pictures by mistake..........

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Don't worry Texas, Cocoa Beach isn't as great as you think it is. Or at least I didn't think it was that great.

~carebear~

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Nice pictures Tex. And the ocean, beautiful! You guys really looked like you had fun and that's great.

I have to agree with Carebear, I've been to Cocoa beach too, it's not as wonderful as where you visited. But if you want to go to the ocean, I guess it's as good as you get because it's the closest on this side of town!

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And I thought NYC was impressive...I have always wanted to go on a submarine ever since I saw the Captain Nemo exibit in Disney World when I was 6.

I have also always wanted to visit Hawaii. Hardin and I were toying around with the idea of going for our one year anniversary, but it's too damn expensive. I would have never thought this but it's more expensive to go to Maui than Hawaii....hmm...oddd...

Once again, beautiful family pics. Your younger son looks like Adrian and the older one looks like you.

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SPC: Oops...hehe...I told Adrian his hair seemed to be thinning a bit...hehehe

carebear:

Don't worry Texas, Cocoa Beach isn't as great as you think it is. Or at least I didn't think it was that great.

Ahh, well...

foreverserenity:

Nice pictures Tex. And the ocean, beautiful! You guys really looked like you had fun and that's great.

Thanks!

The ocean here is really incredible...I have only seen the gulf down in Galveston, TX, so I don't have much to compare it to, but it looks beautiful to me!

I have to agree with Carebear, I've been to Cocoa beach too, it's not as wonderful as where you visited. But if you want to go to the ocean, I guess it's as good as you get because it's the closest on this side of town!

Hehe...well, Florida is one of the places I definitely want to visit. There's so much I haven't seen yet. It looks pretty good on CSI, anyway...hehe...

alison:

And I thought NYC was impressive...

I want to go there SOOOO bad!

I have always wanted to go on a submarine ever since I saw the Captain Nemo exibit in Disney World when I was 6.

Ahhh...very cool...I am just dying to take the kids to Disney World. That you still remember it means it must have been pretty darn cool.

I have also always wanted to visit Hawaii. Hardin and I were toying around with the idea of going for our one year anniversary, but it's too damn expensive. I would have never thought this but it's more expensive to go to Maui than Hawaii....hmm...oddd...

Well, the plane tickets are pretty high, but once you get here, there's tons of stuff to do (if you know about them) that aren't very expensive. We're on Oahu, and I would really like to see some of the other islands before we leave, particularly the Big Island (Hawaii). If you guys decide to go for it, let me know, and I'll hook you up with some tips on things to do that won't cost a bunch.

Once again, beautiful family pics.

Thanks.

Your younger son looks like Adrian and the older one looks like you.

We hear that a lot...it's strange how different they look...one is thin and light-haired and the other is stocky and dark-haired. They both have the same eyes, though...much like Adrian's eyes. I love it.

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