A O'ahu, Hawaii Adventure
By Autumn Rhea Carpenter
A babymoon – that one last romantic trip taken by expectant
couples prior to the arrival of their baby – is one of those terms coined
recently by trendy travel agents and hip magazine editors. It's not a word that
I would normally include in my everyday vernacular, but since becoming a mother
a little more than two years ago, our news that baby number two would be making
his (yes, another boy) debut in December, I get it. A babymooning opportunity
appeared this summer offering us a chance for my husband and I to visit Waikiki,
Hawaii. Not only that, my parents agreed to care for our 2-year-old. My parents
arrived, looking a little like deer-in-the-headlights when faced with the
laundry list of daily routines, but I figured they could handle it. They'd done
it twice before, even though that was over 30 years ago.
 Amazingly, our airport jaunt went smoothly, and we boarded
our plane, which would be home for the next eight hours. Spirits remained high,
as our plane was roomy and our fellow passengers were in good moods. How could
you not be? We were destined for paradise. The flight was filled with several
feature-length movies, two of which helped to formulate the theme of the trip:
Keep dreaming, and don't let the mundane rule your world. The first movie, "Wild
Hogs" featuring John Travolta, Tim Allen, and William H. Macy, highlights a
'gang' of suburban biker wannabees who seek adventure in their humdrum lives. It
was much more entertaining than expected, and made me vow I would keep
excitement alive, despite the domestic changes that are happening. Next up was
"The Astronaut Farmer," starring Billy Bob Thornton and Virginia Madsen. The
theme of 'if we don't have dreams, we have nothing,' continued as Thornton
spends all of his waking hours building a rocket to launch from his farm,
despite government threats. In true Hollywood style, both movies show the
extreme notions of this theme, but it remained with me throughout the rest of
our Hawaiian experience.
 Once we arrived at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort
& Spa in a sky blue Mustang convertible rental car, settled into our poolside
room, and adjusted to the time change, we were ready for our first adventure:
snorkeling with dolphins and sea turtles. The day began with a very early
morning drive to Wild Side Speciality Tours, located in O'ahu, along the Waianae
coast. We ventured through rough neighborhoods along the ocean, where Hawaiian
locals camped in shanties, surviving off the land. There were signs describing
their disdain for the States, and their desire to take back the land. We later
learned that only three percent of Hawaiians are Honolulu residents. Most have
relocated to Las Vegas, where similar hospitality jobs abound.
 We arrived at the boat docks, suited up in life vests, and
were fitted for snorkeling gear and flippers. As our tour group, including
teenagers, honeymooners, and veteran divers, slowly congregated, our veteran
captain and marine biologist, Kara Benson, explained the necessary rules when
snorkeling in the ocean. She aptly defined important guidelines to follow while
aboard the 42-foot flagship catamaran, Island Spirit, which can host a maximum
of 16 passengers. The crew maintains scuba, CPR, first aid survival, and water
rescue certifications, which helped put me at ease as we coasted away from the
boat harbor. Despite my pregnant belly, I was able to enjoy the dolphin swim,
keeping up with my fellow tour members. The dolphins happily swam along our
boat, keeping together as a pod. A baby dolphin was well protected within the
group, flipping joyfully as its family guided it to their next destination.
 Snorkeling can be a challenging task. As we swam faster to
catch up with a dolphin, we realized just how challenging. We finally realized
the dolphins would keep a distance, close enough for us to see, but not enough
to pose for a photo. Our four-hour tour started out in full force, where we
quickly realized that Mother Nature was boss. After bonding with the dolphins,
we ventured to a coral reef called Hale O Honu, or turtle town, where sea
turtles found relaxation. Viewing the turtles took less energy, so we floated
along, enjoying the Hawaiian breezes, and appreciated the slow moving world of
the sea. Other tropical fish curiously interacted with the corral. I was glad to
have ventured into the turtle's world, never letting a little baby weight
detract from the true adventure.
The day continued with a special night spent with friends.
The knowledgeable couple drove us around their blessed island, sharing
historical facts, as well as beautiful beaches, unknown to tourists. We enjoyed
a warm sunset dip in the ocean, shared dinner at their home, and basked in the
Hawaiian night. Feeling lucky to skip a $50 tourist hamburger, we enjoyed
spending time with friends.
The babymoon continued, although we found ourselves missing
our son's voice, and mannerisms. I enjoyed a Hapai pregnancy massage at the
Hilton Hawaiian Village's, Mandara Spa. The name Mandara, derived from an
ancient Sanskrit legend about the god's quest to find the elixir of immortality
and eternal youth, adheres to making each guest feel revitalized, with the power
to remain young forever. The expert staff offers a variety of treatments
including massages, facials, body treatments, Ayuvedic treatments, and salon
services, incorporating Hawaiian, Asian, Western, European, and Polynesian
concepts. The entire spa experience was relaxing, from check-in until I opened
the doors back to paradise. My massage therapist provided a professional
massage, always asking my comfort level; I highly recommend a Hapia to any
expecting woman.
Chris' company hosted a sunset cruise in a luxury motor
cruiser named Vida Mia. (My Life) The handcrafted teak yacht was built in 1929;
her sister ship was President John F. Kennedy's "Danny Boy" ship, which burned.
The ship accommodates up to 49 passengers, and includes a captain, two
crewmembers, and full catering services. We sampled delectable food, toured the
roomy space, and witnessed memorable sunsets.
 
Days blurred together as we tanned our skin on the popular
beaches, swallowed the saltwater of the Pacific Ocean, and enjoyed an overall
lounge fest. After of days of this behavior, it was time to get some culture
with a tour of a rain forest and botanical gardens, with a few historical
factoids sprinkled in for educational purposes. I learned that at the beginning
of the 20th century, foreign disease destroyed the Hawaiian population, leaving
them with numbers of 50,000. Around this time, 70,000 Japanese immigrants, as
well as other populations, were brought the state to work the sugar plantations,
and later the pineapple plantations. (This explains the current high Japanese
population.) Prior to these happenings, Kamehameha the Great, James Cook, and
Queen Liliuokalani weaved Hawaiian's intricate history still told today. During
the tour, we saw the Iolani Palace, and the current capitol. After our history
lesson, we visited the Foster Botanical Garden, left free to roam the gardens
traced back to 1853. As a botanical garden novice, I enjoyed witnessing a
variety of trees, all named appropriately to their unique designs, including the
sausage tree, cannonball tree, cigar box, and lipstick plant.
The babymoon ended with a luau at the Royal Hawaiian (known
as the Pink Palace of the Pacific), including over 1,000 attendees. We sampled
kalau pig, lomi lomi salmon, mango bread, and a variety of mango, pineapple, and
kiwi fruits. As the luau drew to a close, after many Polynesian fire dances,
hula dancers, and traditional songs, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. I
turned to find a shirtless male luau dancer, sporting a flower headdress,
beckoning me to join the five other hapless souls attempting to hula dance on
stage. I meekly agreed, knowing my hula skill level, and worrying how to keep my
belly from taking away from the whole experience. The drums pounded, my dancing
partner patiently guided the steps, and I somehow managed to not fall off of the
stage. My hula skills have a ways to go, but now I have a story to share with
our new baby, when he arrives in December. In the meantime, back on the main
island, I’m still struggling to strike that mysterious balance between
domesticity and adventure. Any suggestions?
Photos by Autumn and Chris Carpenter
Contact Information:
Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa
http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com
808.949.4321
Wild Side Specialty Tours
http://www.sailhawaii.com
808.306.7273
Mandara Spa
http://www.hiltonhawaiianvillage.com/services/mandara-spa.asp
808.945.7721
Vida Mia
http://www.vida-mia.com
808.371-0920
Foster Botanical Garden
http://www.honolulu.gov/parks/hbg/fbg.htm
808.522.7060
Royal Hawiian Hotel
http://www.royal-hawaiian.com
808.923.7311
Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau
http://www.gohawaii.com/oahu
1.800.464.2924
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