Westworld Alberta
Issue link: http://westworldmagazine.ama.ab.ca/i/402160
w i n t e r 2 0 1 4 | w e s t w o r l d A l b e r t A 19 StrOllIng tHe AIry, art-lined lobby of Aulani, you'd hardly know you were at a Disney resort. Sure, there's a character breakfast unfolding on the patio of the buffet-style Makahiki restaurant, where Minnie is mixing it up with guests young and young at heart. And character photo ops and pool parties pop up at various times around the grounds. But Hawaiian cul- ture rules here, from the lobby hall's high arched ceil- ing, which resembles a traditional canoe house, to the entranceway's 60-metre-long island-life mural by Hawaii-raised artist Martin Charlot. ough we spot a couple of Disney-esque details in our room – a subtle mouse-ear pattern in the bedspread, a Mickey lamp – South Pacific touches prevail there, too, in the carpet's taro plant print and the canoe-paddle ceiling fans. leaving the air-conditioned lobby behind, we step into a sprawling, sun-drenched courtyard known as Waikolohe Valley, or "mischievous water" – with three pools, two waterslides, one lazy river, four whirlpools and a snorkel lagoon. Framed by the lobby and two towers, and fanning out to a beachfront cove, this is the heart of Aulani. We ease into the splash action with a gentle tube float along the Waikolohe Stream, past lava rocks bubbling with water, steaming hot springs and dark, misty caverns. Hundreds of thousands of years ago, lava flowing from Oahu's now-extinct volca- noes cooled when it hit the ocean, forming the gnarly rock formations that line the island's coast today. Dis- ney designed this valley to emulate that natural land- scape. We clamber up a five-storey lava outcropping, hop into tubes and shoot down the twisting tubestone Curl slide before walking back up to plunge, screaming, into complete darkness on the Volcanic Vertical. now starving, we take a seat at Off the Hook, one of a few quick-serves dotting the valley. Here, I'm introduced to locally grown sea asparagus, sprigs of which garnish my turkey wrap and green salad, imparting a salty flavour and crispy texture. Much of the food served in Aulani is unique to Hawaii and sourced from local farmers and fishermen. At lunch another day, for example, we'll splurge on catch-of- the-day monchong (white, flaky, mild fish) and fish tacos with island slaw at the upscale waterfront 'AMA'AMA restaurant. And tonight at the Makahiki buffet, thomas and I will make repeat trips to the (clockwise from far left) As Hawaiian legend goes, Menehune sleep during the day and emerge at night to build such structures as the Menehune Bridge water play area; Ka Maka infinity pool; the art-lined Aulani lobby; a ukulele duo performing at the Starlit Hui; a subtle Mickey-pattern bedspread in a guestroom.