Hawaii Vacation Day 3 (Thursday) - Zoo, Aquarium and A Little Shade

Like I mentioned, our very first beach day ended up with all of us burned. Not like BAD or blistery or anything, but red and painful.

We loaded up with after sun care, aloe-lotion, aloe spray, etc. 

We also went to Target to get rash guards for the girls. I felt so bad about not reapplying and not being way more diligent about sunscreen so early on. Trust me, I was ON TOP OF IT the entire rest of the trip. Like in an annoying way. 

ANYWAY.

Thursday we got up and knew we wanted to check out the Aquarium and Zoo, both of which are within walking distance to our hotel. About a 30 minute walk. 

But on our way, we ran into some street vendors. 

One guy had several tropical birds and for a tip, was happy to allow them to sit on people and he'd tell us about the birds and who they were and how old they were, etc.

It was a really cool experience! 

Continuing along our walk...

There really is nothing like sipping a coffee while walking along the ocean. 

Just a girl and her Starbucks

We walked everywhere. It was so, so convenient to be so centrally located and close to so many shops, restaurants, markets, etc.

Amazingly beautiful (and old) trees like this everywhere! 

me and my Bubba

After the zoon we went to Ala Moana Mall, which is a huge shopping center. Of course we had to hit up the huge candy store (which we went to several more times throughout this trip).

All made with jelly beans!

After such a long day, we concluded with more pool time, with both girls wearing their new rash guards. 

I'm not sure how to describe it, but Hawaii IS different. It does NOT feel like any other beach or vacation spot in the US. I've been to Florida beaches, NJ beaches, California beaches and Hawaii is very clearly Hawaii. Everything feels breezy and Hawaiian. 

Everyone IS on Island Time.

Waking up at 6am to gorgeous weather and to go to bed at 9pm with gorgeous weather. Like, it does NOT get chilly at night! 

You can be legit comfortable wearing a bathing suit and cover up or shorts and a hoodie and be comfortable either way. 

The sun is HOT. Like, 78 degrees outside temperature, but it's HOTTTTT in the direct sun. Crazy. It's definitely NOT like that at home. 

Grateful to have a pool to "wash off" at before heading up to our room for showers. 

And this view. Just because. As soon as I wake up in the morning I open the blinds and the door. Wide open. That breeze and ocean is just what I need. 

We had enough leftovers that we didn't need to go out again for dinner. We had snacked throughout the day and then had a late lunch at Ala Moana Mall. 

Tomorrow we have our first excursion - swimming with sea turtles. We cannot wait.