ALOHA HAWAII

ALOHA!!!!

Welcome to Hawaii

We were so excited for our vacation and to celebrate 10 years with John and Nicholette!  Nicholette is a roommate from BYU and really enjoy being with them.  They were adventurous and very on-the-go and so we ready for busy vacation!  This was the longest that we have been without our kids and Nana was so kind to take care of the fort while we were enjoying paradise! 

(Derek and I are going to make a movie with the drone footage and GoPro) I will post when we finish it so you can get a real idea what Paradise looks like.

First stop- COSTCO!  We had the tiniest car and we crammed all the food, suitcases, and us!  We flew in about 2:30 and we went to costco and drove to our hotel.  That evening was an awesome way to start our vacation.  Our hotel was called Kaanapali Beach Hotel and it was had a very Hawaiian vibe which I really enjoyed. We went to the beach (just outside our hotel room) and went to the ocean and just talked forever catching up and watching the sunset.  The sunset is amazing! The ocean was very warm and amazing!  Everything was AMAZING!

To start off the next day we got our hearts pumping by going on a 5 mile hike called Waihee.  It had a gorgeous view and we even hiked into the clouds.  It was beautiful! We did so many hikes that I was so grateful for my health and made me realize that it is a good idea to travel while I am healthy and strong.  There is just so much to see and do. 

Then we drove to the Olivine Pools.  They are little water holes that we jumped into and swam in right next to the ocean.  I loved watching the waves crash up and fill to pools.

Our car and view.

That evening we went to a Luau and enjoyed a roasted pig and Hawaiian traditional food.  The entertainment was also fun.

Yummy Pina Colada!

The next day was a snorkling expedition on Molokini Island.  It was fun to have the water so clear and watch the wildlife.  This was not my favorite because of my motion sickness, but Derek was able to see some octopus's, eel, and lots of beautiful fish.  

Ho'okipa Beach

This is one of my favorite highlights of the trip (which is one of many).  In the picture there are about 10 seaturtles just chilling on the beach.  We snorkled out near their comings and goings.  It was incredible.  The water wasn't as clear and so you really had to look for the sea turtles.  Every time I would spot one my heart would pound very fast because it was kind of scary/unreal/ unpredictable.  We got right next to them and swimming with them on their path to and from the beach.  That moment was so unbelievable.  It was just magical and fun.  It was a thrill every time you spotted one. 

Sea Turtles are very protected so this is the closest I could get a picture on land. 

It was really neat to see the locals fish.

Now this is a funny story.  I have read and heard from many people that Mama's Fish House is a must go place to eat.  Well don't judge a place by it's name because it turned out to be a very fancy restaurant. Right after swimming with turtle we were near the place and we thought it would be a casual or fast food place- nope!  We walk in and everyone is just staring at us because we are in our beach attire and definitely didn't look our best.  We ignored the stares and asked for a seat.  As we walked past people, everyone one was very fancy and well groomed to their best.  It was so funny. 

Later on we read reviews and people said that they were turned away because of their attire.... haha.  What a fun memory!

This place had the best food!!!  It was so delicious.  There was so much goodness and pleasure that we had to get 4 desserts and share them.  We ate a fourth of it and then passed it to the right.  They were all so good!!!

Passionfruit Creme Brulee was my fave (even though all were delicious).

This was the prettiest dessert

This was the view as we were walking out.  PARADISE!!!!!

The view from our hotel

We went to church on Sunday and as we were waiting  I saw the fountain out front and it is many of lava rocks.  I love how diverse the beauty is.

Banyan Tree.  Nature is so amazing.  The tree is so big it grows another branch from the branch to support it.  Surprisingly this is just a picture of the section of the tree.  It was close to covering an entire block.

 Nakalele Blowhole

Got to love all the handwritten signs

We went on another hike and it was just beautiful.

Love my Tarzan!

Our Hotel gave us a giftcard to a French Restuarant.  It was a fun atmosphere and we just talked and laughed.  We had so much fun being with John and Nicholette!

 Road to Hana was one of the highlights!  The day was pack full of driving on this very tight and windy road and there are multiple stops to discover beauty and adventure.  We first did a small hike in this thick vegetation. 

Next stop was called the Garden of Eden

This is an eucalyptus rainbow tree.  It looks like it is a painting.

This was a top with a lot of lava rocks.  Nicholette was in heaven (she loves rocks).  John found coconuts for us too (but they were rotten)

Continuing on Road to Hana

Black Sand Beach

This place had the most breathtaking view!!!  

So beautiful- I feel like the pictures don't give it justice!

Another one of my fave was the waterfalls and one in particular we swam in the pool of water that it dumped into and just soaked in the beauty.  I would just float on my back and let the water run on my face and just pinching myself that I am in Hawaii.

We went on another hike and enjoyed the bamboo forest.  It was so thick and pretty.  When you look at it, it reminds Derek and I of the movie Loracs.

Seven Sacred Pools

Bamboo Forest

This place is pure beauty

Another highlight and fave was the Venus Pools.  It was a hidden place that we had to travel to by walking this this forest and getting to a pool of water to cliff jump.

We barely made it before the sun was setting.  The water was so so blue and pretty and warm.

Cliff jumping!!!!

There were about 3 jump off places 15 feet, 25 feet, and 40 feet.

 This is what we ate for dinner

The next day we went to a Pineapple Farm and did a tour.  It was so neat!

Touring the facility where they package the pineapple.

Went to the acres and acres of pineapple farm

 Pineapple grow on this stock and one stock can grow 3 generations.  It takes about 18 months to grow a pineapple.

It first grows into this.  It is so soft to touch.

The red flower continues to grow into a pineapple 

Then it grows into a pineapple.

Haleakala National Park 

We drove up this huge mountain (10,000 elevation) to see the sunset.  This is halfway up our drive.

It was so fun to drive above the clouds.

We did another hike and it took us to a view of the volcano crater.  It was so massive and unique.

SUNSET

I feel like the pictures miss the amazing beauty of this experience.

But isn't it so cool.  I love the clouds too.

The moon is shining behind us as the sun went down.

The view from our balcony of our hotel room.  That was one of my favorite places to be at 5 in the morning to watch the darkness fade into light and witness the beauty of sight and sound of the waves.  Thanks to a 5 hour difference;)

(those hair legs are Derek's, not mine ha ha).

A couple of the mornings, Derek and I would go for a morning stroll before breakfast.

More pictures of beautiful Hawaii

Aloha Hawaii- until we meet again (hopefully sooner than later)

We were heading to the airport and stopped for lunch at this farm to table restuarant.  The view was just incredible as were eating.

This was hands down Derek and I's (and Nicholette and John's) favorite vacation!!!  We enjoyed it so much.  At the end of each day, Derek and I would say to each other, "This was the best day, how is it going to get better."  We were very busy (little relaxing- thanks to our friends) but we wouldn't change a thing.  There is so much to see and do and we had a blast!!!  This is definitely a must do again!

Thanks to Nana for taking care of our clan.  Derek and I are extremely grateful to you for coming out and being with them.  We love you so much!