More Firsts! (And a Travel Beauty Tip)

Yesterday was a day of more firsts on this trip. Like, Connor and I saw our first rainbow (of the trip), and we seriously lost our damn minds.

Rainbows, man. No matter what age you are, they never get old.

Yesterday was also the first time I’ve ever been to the Honolulu Zoo. El Hub grew up here, though, and he went all the time when he was a little keiki, but it was also his first time going in decades.

I highly recommend doing the zoo if you visit Oahu with young children or toddlers! It’s right at the Eastern edge of Waikiki, and it’s a relatively small zoo compared to some of the big ones on the mainland. The grounds are incredible, and the exhibits aren’t so far apart from each other that you spend half your time walking between them, so it’s easy for the little ones (and the lazy adults).

There’s also a large playground area in the center of the zoo surrounded by benches underneath a shaded canopy of gigantic banyon trees, and it’s a wonderful spot to listen to the sounds of the zoo, watch the peacocks milling about, and take a short break.

Connor and I also went to a gentle kid-friendly beach right here by our Airbnb in Waikiki yesterday, and our little mermaid had a blast splashing in the water.

When we saw a school of fish, her mind was visibly blown when she realized that FISH ACTUALLY LIVE IN THE SEA.

I know! LOL.

Another first for me on this trip: well, I waited until we landed here to buy a few bulky basic toiletries so I wouldn’t have to bring them in my carry-on (after I lost my luggage on a trip to Milan some years ago, I vowed to never check in my bags again) and wow! — talk about whole new world!

Not having to worry about fitting everything (there’s never enough room) or dealing with as many small bottles, or as many small bottles leaking, was a relief. Worth it IMO.

I do feel kind of bad that I won’t be using everything down to the last drop…but I’ll leave the extraS with relatives. Or anyone I bump into when we’re on our way out of town.

Totally worth it IMO.

Today’s our last full day here, and we’re off to the beach now! See you soon. Hope you’re having a good week.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen