Aloha: Desperation Samba (Halloween in Tijuana)

Happy Halloween from Honolulu, Hawaii!

We had a really lovely day, a day all three of us needed! This was the longest any of us slept in. I think Katura probably slept 12 good hours. Our poor girl was pooped. Once up, we decided to venture away from Hale Koa for breakfast. We ended up at a resort called Ilikai eating at Cinnamon’s outside by the marina. The food was pretty darn tasty and very filling. I can now officially say I ordered Spam in Hawaii! Technically I ordered it as my side and on a separate plate for Shawn, but still, I did order it!

Some didn't even give it to us - because they were
wearing white gloves, we had to grab the candy ourselves!

Our walk back was along the beach, which was much quieter than yesterday. Instead of swimming, however, we went to the Army Museum for a quick walk through. It is really interesting, and extra cool because it is in Battery Randolph, built in 1911, which you actually see during the film at Pearl Harbor before you visit the Arizona Memorial.

Katura fell asleep while we were there and as her parents we were both jealous and relieved. What next? Back to our room to join her in napping!

Once we woke up we had a light lunch and came back to continue relaxing. It was nice to just veg out. But then it was nearing time for trick or treating!

Quite a while ago Katura was presented some options for her costume this year. She chose Alice in Wonderland. I don’t repeat costumes, but for the ease of packing I made an exception. Shawn and I would once again be Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum to complete the family costume. Once I brought her dress out she was so excited to see it that she wanted it on right away!

Eating her first piece of Halloween candy!

Around 5pm we were all dressed up and heading over to the Royal Hawaiian Center and International Marketplace for trick or treating. It was fun seeing all of the other children and I think Katura enjoyed being around people her size. She scored with the amount of candy she took home! And some of the stores even had things for the moms. I came home with a lotion sample, coupon for Vera Bradley and some perfume! Seriously, this trick or treating was practically like trick or treating on Rodeo Drive. Google International Marketplace just to see the list of stores - it was ridiculous. Most of them I would never even step foot into, but on this occasion we happily went in to load up on our candy. Heck, if you trick or treat at the Honolulu Cookie Company -- you get their cookies! Score!! And we did say Trick or Treat and Mahalo to each and every person!

When we got back to Hale Koa we went to the PX for some drinks and snacks to get us through the evening. The girls working were so excited to see us all dressed up that they grabbed a couple of packages and gave them to Katura. In the room we saw it was a pack of macadamia nuts, two strange bars of a Japanese snack and a coin purse made in Hawaii. Shawn thought he saw them for sale by the register for $5... and we left with two for free!

All in all this was a really wonderful day and a fun time together with tons of other families. And how nice is it to trick or treat and feel safe, not have to knock on doors, and not worry about getting cold?!? I’ll leave this post with a video of this really rad band playing in the shopping district. A total highlight for this band geek!

~ ALOHA ~