Aulani ~ Day 7.2

 

We continued on our route North, missed a turn. The Shaka tour app worked with the electronic screen in the Jeep but cell reception in certain areas of the island were a bit hit and miss at times. Took a bit to find a spot to turn around and soon we were heading towards the area where the food trucks were. 

If you have never heard of Giovanni's Shrimp truck, you aren't watching the Food Network. Everyone raves about it. We watched a LOT of YouTube videos before our trip with reviews and recommendations before our trip. There were two different types of shrimp dishes everyone raves about with lots of garlic (yummy)! But, one serves with the shell on and one without the shell. I don't care for peeling lots of shrimp and didn't want to eat the shell as some had recommended, so we were still not sure which we were doing. We drove past the food trucks and found a place to park then walked down to the food truck area. There were lines at several places and we looked at the menus and debated. Then Dale walked up to the parking 'attendant' who you paid to park in that lot (it was full when we came by) and asked for his recommendation. He said, hands down Zanes Simply Shrimp. It's a mother and son operation, not mass produced. We checked the menu, made our choices and waited a few minutes while our food was prepared.  Oh my gosh, it was so good!!! So glad we listened.

After lunch it was down the road for dessert at Matsumoto Shave Ice. I had heard this was the shaved ice to try. There was a small parking lot where we were fortunate to get a spot and then a long line waiting to get your ice. This is an art to ordering. So they give you all the instructions so you don't hold up the line when you finally get to the front. It was quite warm on the North Shore, you aren't along the water the entire time so there isn't a lot of air moving. This was such a refreshing treat.

Traffic along the North Shore was a little heavier but it is one lane in each direction. Lots of places that people are stopping at so you really have to keep an eye out if you want to stop. Our next stop were a couple beaches along the North Shore. We didn't get to Turtle Bay, cell reception turns were too late, lol. but we did get to Sunset Point Beach. This waters along the North Shore are known for very large waves where many people surf (dangerously surf) but in the 'winter' months it's much stronger or early morning you'll see people surfing. We were stopping early afternoon and people were just enjoying the beach.

Still lots to come along the North Shore Loop. We really never thought we were going to spend our entire day out but it was already 2pm and we still had lots to do and were about as far from Aulani as we could be on the island.

 

Aulani ~ Day 7.1

 

Each time I go to update this blog and look for the next photo to make the main photo for the post, I just love reliving this fun evening. Doing a photoshoot at the Secret Beach by Aulani with Olga from Sand and Sun Photography.  The laughter in this photo was pure fun, nothing forced. We had such a good time doing this. Olga made us feel so relaxed and captured so many wonderful memories.

Day seven, finally heading to the North Shore! So many things we wanted to do on this day. I had debated booking a tour, looked a many and the one I really wanted, unfortunately was on vacation the time we would be on the island. So we did what had been suggested by many. We downloaded the Shaka Guide app (the shaka sign is the hand gesture typically meaning 'hang loose' but often also meaning 'things are great' 'take it easy'. All things that you think of when enjoying Hawaii! So, back to the app. There were two options offered, the Grand Circle Island Tour and the Legendary North Shore Loop. We knew we wanted to do the North Shore, but the main difference in the two 'tours' were in the direction you were going to travel around the island. Unfortunately I had downloaded the Grand Circle Island Tour first, because it seemed to hit all the key things we wanted to do on the North Shore also, but then realized this tour only went 'counterclockwise'. So, I had to download the North Shore Loop, which goes clockwise. 

Once we had that all figured out, we decided where we wanted to stop to map out our plans before morning. As typical, we were up early and had breakfast in the room (for a change, lol). Waking up to this view, is just so breathtaking. Truly loved each day looking out over the resort, seeing the water. 

After a bite to each we set out towards the North Shore. Our first stop was the Green World Coffee Farm. When you have never seen coffee beans before, it was to crazy to see 'coffee' trees. We walked through the little Coffee Garden before going inside to the shop. They had some samples that Dale enjoyed and a busy coffee shop where I got a delicious latte and Dale probably got an espresso, lol. They had a lot of different flavored coffees and Dale got a few to bring home and really enjoyed them, so much that he ordered more (and they ship very quickly to the main land).

Next stop up on the North Loop is the Dole Plantation, which was just up the road from the Green World Coffee Farm. We had initially decided we weren't going to do the train ride here as it was really hot and were just going to walk around the garden and check it out 'quickly' to be on our way. But it was very pretty with so many beautiful flowers. We also stopped in the gift shop but didn't bother getting anything here. The line for a Dole Whip (or anything from the cafe was really long) so we opted to skip it. As we pulled out of the parking lot though, directly across the street was a 'food truck' with Dole Whip!!! and NO line!

Next up, heading towards the food trucks on the North Shore for lunch. Everyone has always talked about Giovanni's and we were headed in that direction...