Hula "Where's The Buffet?" R.'s Profile

UNLEASHING THIS BEAST!!

I am getting married in about 3 months and like most people, I was in need of losing some weight before the BIG DAY!  I had posted the fact that it was time for me to get HARDCORE about my diet and exercise on facebook and a couple of my friends suggested I should check this place out, so I made an appointment to check it out!

As I walked in, i was greeted by Siaosi and Justin who were the owners and trainers at Rawmana!  Both were really welcoming and immediately asked me, "ARE YOU READY?!"  As soon as I replied, "YES", it was on...

Siaosi took me into the "playground" and had me swinging sledgehammers, jumping up and down on large tires, carrying rocks around the building, pulling mats across the parking lot, and even flipping giant tires!  I know what you are thinking- WTF?!  (Well, that's what I was thinking on my first day and other type of bad words, which I can't say here! Ha-ha!)

I was put through a two hour rigorous, hardcore workout!  Think Biggest Loser meets an MMA training, with a side of the outside elements!  Don't get me wrong, they also have your standard weights, and gym equipment and they incorporate all these elements to make you work!  I dare anyone to work out here and NOT Sweat!  IT'S IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO SWEAT!!  

I decided that I need to stick this out and after one month at Rawmana, I have lost 12 pounds and 9 of those pounds were PURE FAT and I feel AMAZING and I have gone down a whole shirt size and a whole pant size!!  I can only imagine what I will look like for my big wedding day!!

ARRRRGGHHH!!!  LOVE ME SOME SOUTHERN FOOD!

Every time I jump on the Pirates of Caribbean attraction at Disneyland, I would see this restaurant and think, "who would be able to eat at this place?  It seems so dark!"  

However, one day I decided that I would give this place a shot and made reservations for my fiancee and I to eat here for our Anniversary.  When we got to the restaurant, we didn't have to wait long and were brought to a great table in the center of the restaurant.  (Make sure to make reservations!)

The atmosphere was very intimate and romantic and honestly, you can see each other and your food, even though the restaurant seemed super dark!

The menu was HUGE and EVERYTHING looked DELICIOUS and you know what?  IT WAS DELICIOUS!  I had the fish and along with the fish were some delicious veggies BUT the winner was my fiancee!  She had order the short ribs and HOLY S#!T!  She gave me a bite and I wanted to curl up and cuddle with her plate of short ribs!!  After the meal, we both ordered dessert.  My fiancee had the flan and I ended up with the MOST DELICIOUS pecan pie ever!  (I'm thinking about how great it tasted right now, and I want to go get me a slice!)

I'm glad I changed mind about this place and I will be sure to be back!

M-I-C...SEE YOU REAL SOON!  K-E-Y...WHY?!  CAUSE I LOVE THIS HOTEL!

Of the three hotels at the Disneyland Parks, GWARSH!  I like this one the best!  

Why you ask?  GAAAALLLLYYY!!!

Although this hotel is the furthest one away, they have the most friendly employees!  When we first pulled up, the parking attendant greeted us with a WELCOME.  We then went to the front counter guy who was fast and friendly (plus they really made my fiancee's day by giving her Happy Anniversary pins and balloons).  Finally, we passed by housekeeping, and they asked us if everything in the room was up perfect for us!  Talk about the DISNEY MAGIC!!

We had an amazing view of Disney's California Adventure and the room was clean.  Most importantly, the beds were so SOFT, it was fit for a Disney Princess!  (Not saying that I'm a Disney Princess, but the beds were definitely very soft and comfy!)

This hotel was definitely a highlight to our Anniversary weekend!

IT WAS MY OWN PERSONAL HOME AWAY FROM HOME!

I spent a week at this place and had a really great time.  For the amount of money we paid, it was a perfect spot for my family and I.  

Granted we were told ahead of time, that as soon as we landed in Kauai, we needed to make sure to stop by Costco to stock up and then we headed to the Aston at Poipu Kai!  I called the main office and the woman on the other end was so helpful with directions and got us right there!  

When we pulled up, we checked in (which was a quick process!)  We headed to our house and started the unloading process!!

The house was BEAUTIFUL!!  It was a 3 bedroom home with a HUGE kitchen, living room, and dining room which was great for us.  Unfortunately, there isn't air conditioning BUT you are in Hawaii!  No need for air conditioning, cause there are HUGE windows in the house and once you open them all up the breeze keeps the house cool and at a perfect temperature.

Now when it comes to housekeeping, don't expect for maids to come in and totally clean up your home or even make the beds, but you do get fresh towels every day and they take out your trash, which was most important to me!

Overall, I feel like its a great place to stay when you are on Kauai!  You don't have to worry about annoying our loud neighbors like you do in a hotel, and you can definitely relax in Paradise!

GO FOR THE FOOD...BUT STAY FOR THE FIRE DANCER!

I was torn between 4 or 5, so consider this a 4.5 review.  I agree with the previous post, if you are really wanting a up close seat, you need to get there earlier but we got there right when the doors opened and were seated towards the back and still were able to see the show.  

If you have never been to a luau, this luau is a pretty good one to go to.  When you walk in, you are greeted with a lei and you take a photo with some of the Hawaiian dancers (which you can purchase as a great souvenir- make sure you purchase ahead of time cause if you wait till the end, you will be waiting in a line with everyone else).  

The wait time from the beginning to dinner time is a bit of a wait but the musicians play request through the time so you are treated to some island music but they definitely need more waiters/waitresses to help serve drinks cause we saw the waitress maybe once though out the entire luau.

When the dinner starts it is a bit chaotic but the lines tend to go fast, and too be honest, I have been to a few luaus and this luau's food is the best I have ever had (THANK GOODNESS IT'S A BUFFET!)  The best part is the delicious fresh fruit and desserts but they need more dessert tables for sure!

Then the entertainment starts and the Hawaiian dancers do an amazing job taking you through the different Polynesian islands!  You will never be bored and the night ends in a dramatic fashion with, what I personally feel is the best fire dancer ever!  He is amazing and worth the price of the ticket alone!!

If you have out-of-town visitors or just want to take in a luau in San Diego, this one is one of the best!!

SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW...

Every time I walk into this store I am greeted with an "ALOHA!" which makes me feel like I'm on the islands of Hawaii!   (Maybe that's why I tend to spend more here cause I feel like I'm on vacation!  HA-HA!)

I found this store online at first around the time when I was on the search for a unique, and memorable engagement ring for my now fiancee.  I had originally looked at other jewelry store websites and they were pricey (no matter where you go to get an engagement ring, they are all pricey), but when I got to Na Hoku's site, I felt like the price justified the uniqueness of the ring.  

As I mentioned above, the first time I walked into this store, I was greeted with an "ALOHA!"  I mentioned to the ladies that I was in search of an engagement ring and BOOM...I was instantly treated with the VIP treatment with my own consultant, my own little area to view rings, and all the time in the world (I never felt rushed or pressured).  

The employee answered every question and was very knowledgeable and helped me every step of the way to find that perfect ring, (which it was EXACTLY what I was looking for at a reasonable price and that my fiancee LOVES!)

We have been back multiple times to purchase our wedding bands, and anniversary gifts and EVERY time I have been treated greatly by the employees!  Maholo Na Hoku! Show owner comment »

FAST, FRIENDLY, AND FULL OF ENERGY!  
(THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!)

As you can tell by all the reviews for these guys, they do not disappoint!  Acea and Sergio showed up right on time at 2pm, walked right in, took a look around my place, and BAM!  They devised a plan of attack and did not stop!!  

I have moved 4 times in the past 4 years (I know what you are thinking- DUDE!  Are you on the run from the law or something?  Yeah, I am kinda bad-ass!)  I have used movers before and I have to honestly say that these guys were the fastest movers I have ever had!  (THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!)  Plus they made sure to keep my stuff free from damage and really seemed to care about all my stuff!  (THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID!)  I highly recommend these guys!!

**The following information is not a diss and is my personal experience so take it for what it's worth....
One of the things you might need to know if you are planning to use them is to be sure to pay with cash.  My brother used them a week before and he was planning to pay with his credit card but the guys told him they only took cash cause apparently someone bounced on a check once.  Thankfully, I knew this information ahead of time so I was able to go to the bank and get cash cause otherwise they would have gotten a high five and a smile from me and granted that is HUGE but you can't always pay for things that way!

ZEROREZ GAVE ME ZERO PROBLEMS!  
(Get it?  See how I used their name in my review!  Zing!  Thank you and be sure to tip your wait staff on the way out!)

I'm impressed!!  I was scheduled for a couch cleaning at a 2-4pm window which waiting around always sucks BUT at 1pm, I got a call from Derek who said he was done early and if I minded if he came early!  Talk about AWESOME!

He got to my place and went right to work!  It was like he was a superhero!  He swooped in, cleaned my couch, and then swooped right out!  He was very fast, efficient and did an AMAZING job!  My couch looks BRAND NEW and if you have dogs (which I have 2), you know that your couch can end up with hair and stains all over but Derek made my couch look like I just bought it from the store!  Thanks so much Derek for "saving the day!"

DRIVE-THRU BANKS ROCK!!

Gotta love a bank that has a drive-thru!!  However, not gonna lie, I am a short guy and I always find myself having to take my seat belt off and have to physically open the door to use the ATM machine in the drive-thru cause it seems to be set up a bit higher.  Next time I will be sure to have my booster seat ready!

I LIKE THE OLD TARGET LAYOUT!  

Why did you have to change it up?  

Is it because there is now groceries at this Target?  Way back when they had electronics downstairs and picture frames in the back right corner upstairs, I felt like it was very easy to maneuver though Tar-zhay but now I feel lost and my sense of direction is off.  It's like someone came into your house and moved your couch to the other side of the room!  

Oh well, I guess I'm feeling like my "feng-shui" is off.  Eventually, I will have to get use to it, which I will but PLEASE don't change it up on me again!