"Touched by An Angel" A Tribute to my Beloved Babygirl Shayla Rae Dawn Driver (Alton) that lost her life on Dec.12 2011

On December 12, 2011, on an icy, treacherous road ( McKinley Road) in Kelowna , British Columbia, my 21 yr old babygirl, Shayla Rae Dawn Driver ( Alton) was taken from this earth; back to the Angels that held her precious wings. My daughter lost control of her vehicle, flipped over, rolling down a 30ft embankment and crashed through the frozen ice. I have decided to share these horrific details as this was not an "accident" but a preventable tragedy! There is NO guard rail or barricade where my daughter ( and others) have went off the road. In 2009, another woman drove off at the exact spot! Miraculously she was saved by an officer smashing her back window of her car as she pounded the glass with her fists, desperate to not succumb to the frigid waters of the Mckinley Reservoir. After Shayla's death, as I was standing with my best friend and boyfriend at her roadside Memorial, this same woman whose life was spared, offered her sincere condolences. She expressed her outrage over the road that needs to be fixed , in order to prevent another family going through the hell we are enduring! My daughter's death will not be for nothing! As I grieve such an incredible loss in this world, her beautiful legacy will live on, as Shayla touched so many people's lives with her BIG Golden Heart! When I travelled to Hawaii and started this blog , she was one of the main followers ( Just Another Number) who posted comments on here. Sometimes quirky, often silly, but Always full of Love, I cherish her words!! Shayla is my Best Friend who held my deepest secrets close for safe keeping, she is the sand dollar whose arms embraced her saviour, Jesus Christ, Shayla can be found in the warm winds filtering through the brightest sunshine...and when a rainbow shines across the sky, its brilliance a tapestry of hues, I know my babygirl lives on in our hearts FOREVER!! I Love You Shoobie Woop Woop Do Woop! XOXOXOX Love Always your Mummy

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

This will be my final post regarding our Hawaiian escapades. We have discovered alot and acquired even more knowledge about Oahu. I have compiled a list, which I hope will be able to help others decide where to go or to use their better judgment when making a decision. This list is our personal opinions and based on our own experiences. Travelling to another place for vacation can be both exciting and nerve wracking as one has to hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst. Sites such as TripAdvisor are instrumental in giving a first hand look at what hotels, restaurants, and activities have to offer. I am a reviewer on this site and frequently check out places before I go to them. In a time where technology connects us instantly, businesses must not just meet customer's expectations, but propel themselves in providing the best service possible. If not...there is always the next place, which will be more than happy to accommodate an unsatisfied patron. I will start by listing the good of this list: Seaside Hawaiian Hostel @ 419 Seaside Avenue.
Originally, we had booked a four star Resort, but after rethinking how much time we would actually be in our room, I cancelled and rebooked 17 nights at the hostel. In doing so, we gave up air conditioning, the luxury of a swimming pool and some privacy. In return, we gained intermingling with other guests from all over the world, wonderful conversations with Richard and snorkeling in the ocean near us. We also had the ability to use the money saved to book up over a week of tours; including one to Big Island and see the active volcano. Additionally, the nights we were able to partake in the planned meal activities proved a good decision. The food was both hearty and delicious, and for only $5.00 a plate, a very affordable way to eat! Next…Ailana Shave Ice is a must! Try the explosion of fresh, natural ingredients infused with shaved ice, I was treated to the Azuki Lovers mixture of sweet azuki beans and homemade mochi. I asked Aaron to show me the process of how it works; the varying degrees of shaved ice particles and I asked to taste a few samples. He met all of my requests and more as he gave me many free small samples to assist me in my decision. His friendly approach, great product, and nice smile made it a worthwhile trip (-: Rainbow Drive- In had wonderful plate lunches. Duke's Waikiki was the best place for all you eat Breakfast Buffet @ $14.95 it was a great meal to see you thru a day at the beach right out front. We also returned for Duke's famous Hula Pie; imagine an eruption of flowing chocolate overtop mounds of macadamia ice cream on a layer of chocolate crust. Simply heaven! Our one-day trip to Big Island was made brilliant by Discover Hawaii, our fantastic tour guide, Johnny and our stop to Candies Big Island, which would be on our amazing list if I had one! Two tantalizing places for steak and other savory meals is Blazing Steaks DT in Honolulu, where I ate some of the best Ahi Tuna. HI Steaks gave us terrific customer service and delicious food that we kept on coming back for more. Another must is to travel to Honolulu Farmer's Market at Blaisdell Center on Wednesdays 4-7pm. We ate a combination of crab corn chowder, tempura Ahi Tuna, and Soul Food; a feast of cornbread, chili, deep-fried chicken and coleslaw. A fantastic find was PACIFIKOOL, which served me a cool ginger drink and has a vast customer base who loves their beverages (including me). I wanted to move into Champion Malasadas after tasting their light, flavorful treats. They are filled with custard or just plain, despite a long bus ride, this place was worth the travels! I took my boyfriend to Bubba Gump’s. This was my second time visiting the franchise, as my daughter and I went to a Bubba Gump's in Florida (one of the places I have given a good review on TripAdvisor). Our server, Brandon was terrific and his honest suggestions helped us save money and avoid disappointment. My all time favorite (besides the wonderful collection of Forrest Gump memorabilia) remains the Coconut Shrimp with Cajun Marmalade (make you ask for seconds right away). Me's BBQ was another cheap, fulfilling place to get a big meal for a small price. Chart House overlooking the ocean and a marina is a great place to have a romantic dinner. The food and portions are worth every penny. Ted's Bakery on the North Shore served up the best crab and bacon sandwich I have eaten. They have enormous pies for sale that I wished I had a fridge attached to me, so that I could fill up. Speaking of which, I think my body has slightly morphed into what looks like a box shape as all my time at the gym has been in vain. When I went to the spa, I stepped on the scale and it showed that I had actually lost 10 pounds! I think it must be set wrong to make a person feel good while vacationing (-: There are endless gift shops offering everything from Obama head bobbles (President Barack grew up in Oahu) to plumeria hair accessories. On every corner are ABC Stores, which we shopped daily and carry everything from Pineapple wine to chocolate dipped pineapple~ a real treat and must have! One of the upscale shops we liked to shop in was Hawaiian Accessories at 2335 Kalakaua. The manager, Patty was always helpful, friendly, and offered suggestions; never pushy, she did not made you feel rushed, but always welcome in the store. At Hidden Treasure Christian Bookstore, the friendly staff  chatted with me about our travels and my book. They have inspirational gifts of every kind and I only wish I had more time to shop. Cameron, the driver from Valley of the Rainbows Adventure Tour was a brilliant guide and I would highly recommend this tour. Since we were vacationing for 17 days, there were alot of places to add; I wanted to share a more descriptive list on the good and only mention the bad and the ugly briefly, as our trip was a magnificent time. Therefore, in no particular order are the following, which made it onto the other side of this review. A few places tied for the worst customer service received: Polynesian Adventure Tours (Hawaii Discounts) for their rudeness to me and still have not reimbursed us back our $140.00 for the Oahu Land Tours~ Grand Circle Island Tour. We ended up doing this 'tour' on our own and it never even came close to the exorbitant cost this company is charging. I have had to contact my credit card company to inform them of the service that we never have received and that we asked for a full refund. The other terrible non-service I received was at Jamba Juice at Waikiki Trade Center. I stood in front of several girls (I was the only customer), waiting to be served and their gossip amongst themselves was much more important than me wanting to order. A minute later when a local young man came in, they fawned over him and served him, even though he had cut in front of me. I walked out and took my business next door to Starbucks, where Vince gladly served me. While the food was good at Seaside Bar & Grill, the waiter serving was obnoxious, argumentative, and downright offensive when he messed up my order; he blamed me and degraded me in front of other patrons. Even though the restaurant was right around the corner from the hostel, I never went back. Another business that I would never send another person to is Hanauma Bay Snorkel Tours, which turned out to be an expensive taxi with one of the rudest drivers, we ever encountered. Save yourself the hassle and money by jumping on public transit for only $5 return trip to Hanauma Bay. While the hike to Makkapu’u Point was incredible, some people's lack of respect for the environment was shameful and ugly! As we walked past beautiful cactus along the trodden path, I was saddened to see how some visitors had taken it upon themselves to carve their names or initials into the leaves. I was upset to see this and only wished that the cacti sought their revenge by showing up at night to ring the doorbells of their tormentors and reaching for their arms, inflict their spines for some overdue payback. While staying at the hostel, a few guests (knowing that I was a writer and blogger) came to me with their own complaints. Sam from Australia had a nightmarish encounter with other accommodations at Beachside Hostel, where cleanliness did not exist; the place is rough and set in a bad area. Sam had to take a girl from there and get her to a safe place. I cannot stress enough the need to research thoroughly your accommodations. On TripAdvisor, you can sometimes connect with people who have recently travelled and stayed at these places. A firsthand account can save you money and spare you from a having a vacation from hell. Another guest complained about Hawaiian Airlines when booking for a friend, transportation to a skydiving trip. Camila was upset over the treatment both of them received regarding the international credit card they were using. They were spoken to rudely and at one point, were hung up on by the airline. I mention their personal experiences with these businesses as both Sam and Camila were justified in their complaints. When reflecting on our vacation in Hawaii, the amazing time we had was marred by only a few unpleasant experiences and we would return tomorrow, if we could. This list was compiled only to inform other travelers and share with others, our journey to Oahu. To those people, businesses and places that offered us the aloha spirit of the islands, we are deeply grateful. I end this last post on my pineapple escapades with a quote by Paul Theroux ~ Hawaii is not a state of mind, but a state of grace.

Farewell to Thai Walking Buddha, Moonrises Over Paradise and The Spirit of the Islands

The last eighteen days we have spent with aloha bathing us in blissful Hawaiian flashes of paradise. We have journeyed to places where perfection merges with nirvana; compelling ourselves to let go and allow the pounding surf to carry away our worries. For me, my guard was brought down, enabling others to share their own adventures. Our taste buds exploded with a vibrant array of flavours and our skin was drenched by one of four elements composing the universe. The delicious tropical showers infused with Plumeria evoked serenity. Likewise, the laughter shared with those we came to know at the Seaside Hawaiian Hostel, brought us closer together through a diversity of cultures. I stood before an active glowing volcano, saw two Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, was moved to tears at Pearl Harbor, joked with a retired military man, got caught wearing white in a rainstorm and so much more. We have been entertained, amused and indulged by a variety of activities and experiences. Spending quality time together under the Hawaiian sun was a brilliant way to recharge ourselves. Floating on the turquoise salty ocean, I would gaze up and see the Palm trees reaching out to touch the passing clouds. As my ears filled with water, blocking out the world, I would reconnect with mother nature and simply live in the moment. The eclectic shops I encountered were nothing that I have known before. I now have amassed enough postcards to decorate the seawall back in Vancouver. This trip has made me passionate about turtles, so no more collecting dragonfly items. If I could have a bed shaped out of wood and a round mattress placed in it to replicate a turtle I'd be sleeping in it right now. Their beauty and grace struck me deeply as I related to their struggle to survive in a world that can be harsh. As we walked amongst Mindano Gum, Indian Banyan, and Monkey pod trees, admiration for these towering displays of magnificent grew with each one stirring a sense of wonderment. During our trip, we held Kona Coffee berries in our hands and I gently shook the Shampoo Ginger to release its natural heavenly scent. We travelled by bus to places that seemed to be the tip of the world and were treated to savory food cooked by a a young Russian man named Alex. Being in a Hostel you meet people travelling from all over; each one has an interesting story of their own. Some you only know by first name, while others become instant friends. A beautiful young woman named Wing, was one of those people you had hoped to have more time to spend with. Her smile and fantastic sense of wit made it a pleasure to chat with her. We were happy to find out she too resides in Canada and I have promised to keep in touch. Richard who helps manage the hostel was always kind to us and offered  many terrific suggestions on places to go and see. As I got to know him, I found out he has daughters of his own. He even is referred to as 'Hawaiian Dad' to some people. I enjoyed sharing in a good laugh with him and I appreciated the time he took for us. Two people that seemed to have an amazing chemistry were Sam and Natalie. One evening, upon seeing him trying to teach Natalie how to play the guitar, we both commented on the brilliance of the moment shared between them. That is the big difference between staying at a resort or at a hostel; in a private room locked off from the outside world, people tend to do just that...shut themselves away and never meet anyone. At our hostel, I came to know Christie, Joshua ( who I have to admit was one of my favorite on staff) and of course Alex. To be drawn into their world, if only for a little while brought me joy. This whirlwind vacation has been far beyond my expectations...so much more that when I depart from this paradise, a part of me will be in all of the spectacular discoveries I made along the way. I have one last posting before I bid Ma halo to all of those who came with me on this magical experience and took the time to 'follow' me as I shared in our adventures. To those we met, I am a better person for knowing you and as I scrapbook our trip to Oahu, you will become imprinted memories on the pages suspended in Hawaiian time.

Pineapple Swirls, Blue Surf and Honu Delights

One of our top spots that is unparalleled in beauty is the North Shore. When deciding where to spend one of our last few days we had left in Hawaii, we both agreed the prestigious beaches deserved the four hour return bus ride. Our favorite part was climbing off the transit and making our way to the bluest surf I have ever seen. The minute my toes immersed themselves in the whitest grains of sands, I felt a part of me coming home. The sea has always been a connection to my free spirit; as much as my Canadian roots make up who I am, the open waters are my calling card. It is a landscape where catamarans sail along, while underneath the bustle of marine activity delivers a cycle of life. A berth of give and take...the sea can bring peace and turmoil, all at the same time. One of our beach stops was at Lanikai Beach, also known as Turtle Beach. Besides being voted one of the best beaches in the world, Lanikai boosts green sea turtles (honu); some of them will come up on the shoreline to soak up the sun. On the day we arrived, volunteers were keeping a watchful eye and roping off an area to protect them. We sat on our towel and counted six to seven turtles swimming near shore, who had come to feast on the seaweed. Meanwhile, as we watched a female turtle resting, it was an amazing sight to see an enormous mammal basking in the hot sunshine. I spoke with one of the volunteers named Bobbi, who is passionate about the conservation of these endangered species. She explained that all of the turtles have names and were identified by their 'fingerprints;' markings on the face and head of the turtle. Photographs are taken of them to assist in the process of classification and then used to match up the turtles correctly to their names. Protected under Hawaii state law, these majestic creatures are to be seen and not disturbed in any manner. After watching Claudette for over an hour, we packed up and hopped onto the next bus. A trip to Hawaii is not complete without seeing the Dole Plantation, which prides itself with acres of 14,000 Hawaiian plants making up a large maze and at the center is the shape of a pineapple. Admission is free to the Dole Gift store, but the maze and other attractions such as a mini train ride cost a nominal fee. Once inside the shop, we bought chocolate covered pineapple ( half the box was gone immediately) and tangy pineapple whipped ice cream cones. It was interesting to see all of the unique ways pineapple can be enjoyed. After finishing our treats, we visited Haleiwa, a town that had Bob Marley items in one shop and angelic gifts at another. I spoke to several ladies who were dedicated to their work and made me feel most welcome. Their interest in my novel, Under the Sitka Tree, had me sharing with them the story of inspiration for my book. It was easy in this place of peace to chat away a sunny afternoon, however the long wait times in between for buses, forced me to depart to another beach. Our last site to see was Waimea Bay, well known for the surf swells in winter that can reach up to 30 ft. There are some boulders to climb as my boyfriend soon discovered and a cliff side, off in the distance where brave souls jump into the swirling ocean waters. Not for the faint of heart ( or those with no insurance coverage), these cliffs draw the attention of those seeking adventure. Unfortunately, we were witness to an older man who seriously injured himself and an ambulance came and retrieved his battered body. Sometimes mother nature bites back and if your not prepared, it can prove to be costly. That is one of the main reasons I did not try surfing. Once I discovered the additional Travel Insurance we had bought was useless (I was told by the company, if anything happened they would pay out directly, which was not the case)...I decided not to risk any potential injuries. Besides, in Shark's Cove, I had already cut my leg up on the volcanic rock and it had become infected. Speaking with the travel insurance company, I soon found out I was on my own to pay any fees and prescriptions up front, then they would reimburse me later. One of the quotes I received for a simple consultation was $130.00! Therefore, I came back to our room, went on the Internet and found a remedy that several days later, worked to clear up my leg. One small mishap in the USA can cost you thousands. I also had to contend with the fear of coming in contact with any coral as many locals spoke of it growing in your skin. Thankfully, I do not resemble Seriatopora or have a longing to snack on some plankton. My small scar will always remind me of my journey to Oahu and the brilliant scenery I encountered. That said...I do not need to have a piece of coral attached to me to forever remind me of this special island that will always remain close to my heart.

Hanauma Bay Nature Park, Koko Crater and a Glorified Taxi Tour

Protecting marine life is fundamental at Hanauma Bay. In 1967, the arched bay was designated a protected area of marine life conservation, including having status as an underwater park. The cost for the entrance fee is $7.50 per person and you are required to watch a short six minute educational film before entering the waters. The cove is highly preserved and if you have never scuba dived or snorkeled, your in for a delightful surprise as teeming under the ocean waters is a variety of marine life and a massive coral reef. The picturesque beauty of this place made us be in awe of reality knowing how it was formed. The vast ocean floor of Hanauma Bay Nature Park is the crater of an ancient volcano, which flooded when the sea inundated the exterior wall that gave out and a rush of ocean flowed inward. As I positioned myself  in the sand and  geared up to go snorkeling, I contemplated the view of the surrounding area and marvelled in the stunning beauty. Within minutes of immersing myself in the sea, I was gazing at some of the brilliant fish that inhabit the waters. An array of spectacular colors was within my view as Moorish Idol swam by, a Parrot Cichlid lingered near and Sea Cucumbers blended with the sand. We spent several hours, until it was time to go. My boyfriend had decided to walk across the busy road and hike Koko Crater  which is a peak created from the last active volcano, which happened on the island of O'ahu approximately 10,000 years ago. The crater measures 1,207 feet in height. Being an avid hiker, my boyfriend thought he was prepared. However, he was no match for the Hawaiian scorching sun and although he managed the steep, upward trek, he came back a vibrant reddish pink on both his face and neck. While the day was filled with adventure, the so called Hanauma Bay Snorkeling Tour was an awful experience- start to finish. What everyone needs to do is completely check out your 'tour' before you book it. When our small van arrived and I had loads of gear, a backpack and towels, our not so friendly driver refused to put out any step stool that is needed to hoist yourself into the vehicle. This made it difficult to get into the van. We were more appalled when an older lady who had a stroke and her daughter, who had disabilities, were not granted the means of assistance into the transportation. There was NO tour, neither was there history given of Hanauma Bay. We were told by the driver as we passed a mansion on the hill that the home belonged to the Canadian actor Keanu Reeves. For me personally, I could not have slept that night, without knowing such enlightening information. We stopped to pick up a very disorganized group of people, who were running late. One of them climbed on board, only to find out they had misplaced their vouchers. The driver had to ask him to leave. As we finally embarked, a few minutes later, a call came in asking the driver if the man had left his fancy cell phone on board. My boyfriend looked in the back and found both the phone and a room key to The Hyatt. After speaking to the person on the phone, the driver hung-up and started to comment on how nice the phone was and that he would like to have it. We found this driver very unprofessional and were even more upset to realize that it was not a tour at all, but a glorified taxi driver. This taxi driver charged us $36.00 for nothing more than a ride to Hanauma Bay. In fact, you can take the transit bus for two people, return cost is $10.00. They were suppose to provide all the gear ( we had thankfully brought our own), but the young girl was only offered a mask and a snorkel; no fins for her. My boyfriend gave up his own flippers for her to be able to enjoy herself. We talked amongst ourselves and I mentioned they needed to ask the driver to get the step out for them, when they were picked up to go back. The mother and daughter were upset at the driver's lack of concern for either of them. Later, when my boyfriend decided to hike Koko Crater, he left and I got back into van shuttle, with others. The same driver spoke rudely of my partner's decision to hike; asking why all Canadians come to Hawaii and the only thing we want to do is climb mountains? I never spoke another word to the driver and would never recommend this rip off company! That said, we have been most fortunate to have had most our holiday complimented by decent guides and drivers. For us the highlight of the day was the amazing snorkeling experience at Hanauma Bay; one in which we took away the discovery of what lies beneath the churning ocean waters.

Sailing...Hawaiian Style

We have been fortunate that all of our tours have been fantastic; great guides and learning experiences. With week three approaching that was soon to change. However, last Sunday, we were treated to an exceptional time out to sea on the Mai-Tai Catamaran Tour. Sailing around Waikiki, as Diamond head beckoned to us in the background, our journey saw us coast along on the open waters.We sipped on Mai-Tai's ( no surprize) and hoped to spot sea life. After the previous night of participating in my first Pub Crawl and sadly realizing I'd miss that party boat by a good twenty years, I was hoping a spinner dolphin would present itself. But, much like my lost youth that even the worst vodka couldn't enhance, the no show of marine life dampered my spirits a wee bit. Then, as I gazed off towards the horizon, I was snapped back to the reality that I was with the man I love, on a beautiful boat sailing the deep blue sea. In the past few weeks, I have been snorkeling, Volcano watching, Island hopping and eaten foods that I cannot pronounce. I've seen a turtle under the water, walked hand in hand with my partner along some of the most prestine white sand beaches and sat humbled at the poignant Pearl Harbor Memorial. Indeed, I had to wait forty years to see and do these brilliant things, but lingering another twenty to see dolphins shouldn't be that hard... and I am sure it will be still be something for me to look forward to.

A Day of Bliss

Before leaving Canada, I decided to book a treatment for myself at the spa in Hawaii~ (Thanks to Paul and Shayla). After much research and reading reviews on Trip Advisor, the place I thought my tired old soul could use some pampering was Paul Brown's Spa Olakino Spa. I arrived to be greeted by wonderful service and shown prompting to my waiting area. Within minutes my masseuse, named Zach welcomed me in for the beginning of my Na Lani Mea ( Heavenly Things) Signature Spa Package. I was treated to a Lomi Lomi Massage and have to admit, at first things were not going so well. Over the years, I have indulged in many massages, but never had I been given a massage by a man. Let me clarify; by a total stranger who is a man that I am in the buff, uner the sheerest of blankets. I thought I was at least hiding my uneasiness around him. Then as he stopped for a brief moment, Zach remarked that it is only natural to feel uncomfortable around a strange man who is giving me a massage, but that I needed to relax in order to fully received the benefits of the treatment. Afterwards, I was much more at ease and appreciated his professionalism. Next, I was treated to an hour Aromatherapy facial by a lovely lady named Tiffany. I fell alseep several times, but was awoken by my stomach growls and vibrations from my deep snoring. After my treatments were complete, I was brought to a bay window sitting area where I was to relax and take in the peaceful ocean scenery. As I sipped my Chai tea, I reflected on my soothing day. Suddenly my tranquility was broken by a tall, older gentleman sporting a very unflattering banana thong. He seemed oblivious to the stares and giggles as he strutted along the beach taking snapshots of random things. His chest was puffed out, much like a bloated puffer fish, but instead of spines, they were replaced with a mass of chest hair that seemed to flow endlessly and stick out. While others may have snickered, I had to admire a man with that much confidence. Besides, after my royal treatment and exposing my own beauty flaws to two total strangers...who was I to comment on someone who clearly idolizes the Hoff.