Hitched in Hawaii

[love_the_life]

You'd be surprised

I don't think so....

 

[blackcat20]

I don't think so....

He's right, it was actually very tasty. Just way too much gravy for my liking.

 

[RooFlyer]

We touched down in HNL and picked up our car (this time a lovely new Mazda, would not have accepted another Versa), and hit the road to the North shore. We decided to go around the outside of the island for the scenic views, and arrived at the hotel just after 5pm.

Now that looks pretty nice! But you didn't do any touring on the Big island? Not even the volcano?

 

[blackcat20]

Now that looks pretty nice! But you didn't do any touring on the Big island? Not even the volcano?

Unfortunately no, we just didnt have time. That's why we're hoping to get back to Kona for our anniversary and do all those things we missed out on.

 

[blackcat20]

Dinner at Lei Leis on the Golf course was a nice way to spend the first evening. It's a relaxed bar/restaurant, and we were lucky to get a spot outside to watch the sun set.



Decent coughtails that didnt cost an arm and a leg.



Ribs and garlic mash. Not a great photo but they were delicious. As was the crab dip which is one of their specialties.



Night time pool views back at the main part of the hotel.

 

[blackcat20]

After a hectic couple of days I figured we could use a relaxing first day at Turtle Bay, so I booked one of the poolside cabanas for the day. But first, breakfast. The restaurant breakfast was included in our rate which was fantastic. There was a huge spread each day, featuring a variety of foods including all the usual eggs and bacon, hawaiian fried rice, fruit, yoghurt and an egg chef. This was my opportunity to load up on pineapple each morning. Plus they were capable of a decent pot of tea.

The fruit with house made granola was my staple every morning.


Eggs, bacon and fried rice.

Our palace for the day. You face away from the pool over the ocean, with curtains if youd like extra privacy. Unfortunately the "gentleman" from the next cabana had very important business to discuss on his phone, and rather than disturb his wife, decided he'd disturb us instead. Fortunately TV sent him packing....


The cabanas come with full service so we made the most of it. My delicious tacos for lunch.

With a mangojito for eeyore.

 

[blackcat20]

One of the nice things about the North Shore is the multitude of food trucks, which is good when you don't want to spend a fortune eating at your resort. We didn't have to venture far to find the nearest food truck park at Pupukea.

The first one was tried was The Elephant Truck, which does amazing Thai food. Hot tip: dont stand near the door or you'll soon be coughing due to the chilli fumes wafting from the van

Pad Thai for me and a chicken rice for TV.




Topped off with some shaved ice to sooth the mouth


The next day we tried the Pupukea Grill, which is known for its Poke, particularly the spicy tuna poke. Certainly lived up to the hype.

They also seem to have a cat.... Hawaii seems to be home to a lot of stray cats; there are many in the resort (including kittens) and signs everywhere reminding you not to feed them.

 

[blackcat20]

While at the resort TV played a round of gold on the Palmer course, and I got to drive the buggy around for the morning. Topped this off with a drink at Lei Leis with the other pair that played.


Then we caught up with our Kiwi friends in Haleiwa for lunch and a wander. I was getting a little hangry by this point so grabbed some Poke from another highly recommended truck (Okina Cafe), and then went for a wander while the boys waited at the fried shrimp truck. I wasn't kidding when I said I ate my body weight in tuna....



The town is full of quirky little shops and Art Galleries, and it didnt take long to find a few prints to take home from local artists, including Heather Brown. By the time the boys caught up to us we had made it to Matsumotos Shave Ice and joined yet another line.



Gorgeous hotel views...this first one is the view from the gym!

View from the beach in front of our cottage back towards the main resort building.

 

[TomVexille]

I was hitting them long and straight that day too. Nice clubs might have helped...

 

[love_the_life]

I was hitting them long and straight that day too. Nice clubs might have helped...

I thought it was all down to your golfing talent

 

[TomVexille]

I thought it was all down to your golfing talent

Let's just say the expensive clubs let allow me to utilize that talent

 

[blackcat20]

One evening we decided to treat ourselves to dinner a Pa'akai, the fanciest of the restaurants at the resort. Our concierge kindly arranged the booking for us, then we were collected by golf buggy shortly before our reservation. We were greeted at the door by our host who commented that we looked very happy. When we mentioned we were on our honeymoon there was a flurry of action to shuffle some tables so that we could have one by the window overlooking the ocean.



We were then able to partake in the complimentary sparkling wine as part of our honeymoon gift from the resort, which was a delightful Hawaiin rose sparkling called Lokelani and a bowl of delicious bread.


Being a splurge we decided on the five course tasting menu with matched wines.
First Ahi Tartar with taro chips, served with their other sparkling wine.



Then a grilled mango and goats cheese salad.



Catch of the day with green curry.



Beef short rib with risotto.



Tropical fruit sorbet.



There is a menu on their website that lists the tasting menu, but I cannot be sure we had the exact same wines.

That sunset view...

 

[love_the_life]

So much food!

 

[blackcat20]

So much food!

It's all pretty healthy stuff...managed to avoid putting on weight (it was the trip to mainland USA that did it).

 

[blackcat20]

On our last day at the resort, our concierge again checked in to see that we had dinner plans. We didn't, so they booked us in to Lei Leis again. As we stepped out the door, one of the other conceirge happened to be going past on a golf buggy and insisted on dropping us off at dinner. But first he took us for a little detour along the coast to see the magnificent sunset and take a few photos of us.





We weren't so lucky with our seating this time, being given a table inside near the back. But nevermind, the service was good.

I was keen on a cobb salad which was fresh and delicious. Love that the dressing was on the side too.



TV had a steak, also very delicious.


Then we splurged on some dessert; chocolate brownie.

 

[blackcat20]

I love all the little gifts we got in the room each day. We had Honolulu cookies, crispy coconut snacks, little wooden postcards and bottles of Hawaiian salt.

The salt is amazing on scrambled eggs....

 

[TomVexille]

TV had a steak, also very delicious.
View attachment 108906

One of the juiciest and most delicious pieces of Prime Rib I've ever had

 

[blackcat20]

One of the juiciest and most delicious pieces of Prime Rib I've ever had

But was it better than the one in CHC?

 

[TomVexille]

But was it better than the one in CHC?

Very close

 

[amaroo]

All looks very nice - great memories! Congratulations...