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Our day began with a buffet breakfast, compliments of the hotel. I guess it was part of the package deal since we had free breakfast coupons every morning. Once we found out how much breakfast would normally cost…we were very pleased with the perk! First thing after breakfast we checked out the tennis gardens on the other side of the resort. We were planning to get tickets to the Women's Tennis Tournament that was going on that week.

Unfortunately, it had been canceled so we strolled around taking pictures for about an hour.

Next we went shopping at the King's Shops mainly because I needed anti-inch stuff. Who knew there were thirsty mosquitoes on Hawaii? After visiting a few stores, I bought an orange dress and Eric got some beach shoes for snorkeling.

We wandered into Crazy Shirts and while checking out, the lady at the cash register asked us where we were from. I said "Chicago" and mentioned that my husband was from New York. She asked us if we knew what had happened that morning? Then she told us that a plane crashed into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. To us it sounded a bit strange so we went on our way thinking she was messing with us.
However, on our way back into the resort we were stopped by security. After telling him that we were staying at the hotel, he informed us that they were tightening up security after the terrorist attacks in New York. At this point we quickly parked and ran up to our room to turn on the television. Sure enough, the Twin Towers were gone.

I think we spent the rest of the day in a haze. We emailed people to make sure everyone was safe. I felt strange being all the way over here with all that was going on back home. After watching the news for two hours we decided to grab some complimentary cookies and soda at the executive lounge to replenish ourselves. While eating our snacks we were stalked by a gang of hungry birds.

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We went out to dinner at the Kamuela Provision Company for the sunset around 6:30pm. I had the Peppercorn Crusted Filet Mignon (rare-on their second attempt) and Eric had Breast of Chicken Supreme marinated in Pinot Noir, coffee and chilies with garlic potatoes.
We did a little wine tasting - they had "flights" of three different wines available for $12. We tried the ABC (Anything But Chardonnay) and the dessert wines (Riesling & Muscat). The sunset was lovely, the food was superb, and I think we would eat there every night if we could afford it!
We even wound up with a free dessert once they found out we were honeymooners - the Baked Mauna Kea (banana-raspberry swirl ice cream in meringue with chocolate and vanilla sauce.) Even though it wasn't something we might have picked - it was still pretty yummy.