Hawaii ~ Aulani Day Three (part one)

 

We had an amazing time doing our couples photo shoot at the Secret Beach Sunday evening. We met our photographer, Olga, from Sand and Sun Photography just off of Disney property. She made it so easy to have fun while being photographed for someone who typically does not like to be in front of the camera. I am using a different photo for the lead photo of each blog post to share these photos since there were so many that I fell in love with and wanted to share.

We had planned an early night since Monday morning we had a reservation for admission to Diamond Head State Monument for 6-8am. We were told being from the east coast we'd be up early each day so take advantage of the early mornings and this was true. We had heard also that traffic around the island can be a bear so be prepared especially during rush hour. We had used google maps with the feature of what time we needed to arrive. We had planned to leave between 5 and 515am. 

I neglected to mention when we checked into Aulani the front desk asked if we were going to self park or use valet, they were the same price. Well, um, let me think a second... self park is on the other side of the resort from our room and valet will bring the car right to us (and will get the a/c going). It really was a no brainer. Yes, you tip the valet guys but it was so worth the little extra special treatment and they always had tips for you.

We set off on time, which we were really good at doing this trip. We hit little bits of traffic here and there but we arrived at Diamond Head right at 6am. We actually arrived at the pull off before the tunnel you drive through to the parking lot as the sun was just coming over the horizon, so we pulled off and got some quick photos.

Then we quickly got back in the jeep and joined the line of cars waiting to enter the tunnel. This tunnel is one lane at a time, so you have to wait until your side gets the light to enter. In addition, you have people riding their bicycles through there and walking through there. It was only a few minutes and we were through the tunnel and into the parking lot and getting ready to start the trek up! Starting out, you look and think, this doesn't look so bad. We both had water bottles and hats and sunscreen.

6:12am

This isn't too bad, as we walk up and up and up, already, lol. We would take photos to show where we had to go yet and there were people WAY up there! Some of the path is paved, but much of it is not so you had to be really careful where you stepped to avoid any foot or ankle injury (remember that girl that broke her foot before her vacation a couple years ago, yes, me, well I'm petrified of ruining another vacation with an injury).

6:23am - slowly climbing

watch your step

You can see people up top, but we still had a long way to go.

6:27am next look out

6:38am the stairs we totally missed coming down

Wow, we can see so far

6:41am

Absolutely gorgeous!

6:43am

6:49am

Being able to see so far from up top was amazing! How blue the water was just blew you away.

On top of the observation deck!

6:54am on the very top!

We had looked in here but only saw small people going in and I was a little concerned with the size of it. Later we found out that this was indeed a section we were supposed to take (yet we watched everyone else going back down the stairs)!

On the platform overlooking the crater (as were were making our way down)

After we made our way all the way back down to the parking lot it was time to head out to get some coffee. Our valet the morning had mentioned to go to Diamond Head cafe for breakfast or coffee afterwards. So off we went, just a short distance away, but when we pulled into the parking lot, it was actually Bogart's Cafe. It was actually a cute little place with all kinds of items for breakfast and some good coffee. Dale got his typical double espresso and I enjoyed a late. I loved that they served coffee in cute mugs with different designs or sayings on them. After coffee we headed back to the resort to 'start' our day as it wasn't even 8am while we were enjoying our coffee.