1st time we tried to go to Hawaii: 1 month before graduating from Undergrad & we realized at the end of this trip, we'd have $11 left in our bank account. It was a no go.
2nd time we tried to go to Hawaii: Stock market blows up + hellfire rains from the sky + we still have no money. No go.
3rd time's a charm, friends.
I've wanted to go to Hawaii since I was 9 years old and got assigned Hawaii as my state for my 4th grade state report, and I was like holycrapiwanttogohere.
And it. did. NOT. disappoint.
So, here's what happened on our long-awaited trip to Hawaii.
DAY 1:
We woke up at 4:05 am (for a girl who hasn't seen this side of 8:40am, I was basically an extra from The Walking Dead). We (I) packed an entire suitcase of food and Luke pretended he didn't know me when our bag was chosen to get searched at security. (Every. freaking. time.)
After sitting next to Cruella DeVil on the plane ride (this chick, you guys!! She yelled F-bombs at the 6 year old behind us + harassed the flight attendant + needed some serious duct tape for her dirty mouth + was more whiny than the child she repeatedly screeched at. Hope she didn't get eaten by a shark during her vacation. Kind of.)
Our first stop (after Costco) was (duh duh duh) .... THE BEACH.
We soaked up the rays + climbed the rocks + asked some strangers to take our picture while we made out + grabbed some dinner + watched the most incredible sunset + facetimed the kids + walked back to our hotel + went to bed at 8:45. Haha. For reals. Jet lag is no joke, friends.
DAY 2:
On day 2 we hopped on a yacht and headed to the miniature + secluded + adorable island of Lanai.
We spent the day channeling our inner super models...
eating all the Dole Whips in sight...
having handstand contests... (I win every time, but occasionally I have to humor him so that he'll keep battling me.)
and snorkeling...
P.S. Who knew snorkeling was so fun? I mean. Except when the wave smashed us into the reef. And that one time that the school of fish turned on me and I thought my life was over. But for reals - snorkeling is kind of amazing.
We took a shuttle (AKA a 1986 Astro Mini Van) into town for the most delicious lunch and a little walk through the town square. And then back to beach for more snorkeling + kite flying + tide pool exploring.
DAY 3:
Since it was Sunday, we headed to church in the morning and then went to THE best brunch with friends.
I ate myself sick. Like... I literally skipped the next 3 meals. But it was the best sick feeling ever.
After church + brunch we took a drive around the North side of the island. The roads were 1 lane in most areas and on several occasions we were inches from falling off a cliff into a watery grave. (But honestly, the coast was so pretty, if we did fall off a cliff I probably would have admired the scenery on the way down.)
We hiked down to a blowhole and got soaked + watched the sun set + then headed to the hotel for an early night in. Party animals, I tell ya.
DAY 4:
On Day 4, we took our time leaving the house and headed on a serene drive around the island. We found the perfect, secluded beach, unloaded our baggage, hauled it all down to the shore and just as we sat down, it started pouring. After trying to wait it out for a little while, we decided it wasn't about to let up so we packed it all up and hauled it all back to the car. And just then, the pouring stopped. So we unpacked it all again and hauled it all back down to the beach. And then it started pouring. And round and round we go.
I did promise Luke that before we left the beach I would go buggie boarding with him, and being a woman of my word, I did venture out knee-deep into the water in the pouring rain and ride a mini wave 2 feet into shore. It totally counts.
On Luke's very last wave, he took a nasty spill and head-dived into the shallow sand. I legit though he had broken his neck, but he scrapped by with nothing but a little sandburn.
That evening we headed to our first Hawaiian Luau, and OH. MY. I think this was one of my favorite things we did.
The entertainment + the music + the food + the atmosphere + my date. It was all SOOOO good.
DAY 5:
Day 5 started off with the best nap of my life. We stumbled upon the coolest beach and there just happened to be a hoard of turtles enjoying the warm sand. And they looked so cozy we had to join them.
(P.S. No felonies were committed in the taking of this picture. I'm not touching my little friend. Promise.)
After Luke finally dragged me away from the turtles, we headed up the Road to Hana.
And we made it about 50 yards before we had to pull over and check out this incredible view. And those wind surfers. And that rainbow.
We headed up the road to hike Forest Falls, but because of rain it was closed, but we did get to see the lower fall, so we called it a win and moved on.
We found an amazing little hike and I took 45 pictures of us kissing, and Luke took 72 pictures of my butt.
(PS Luke would not let go of this dang Moses walking stick. He's lucky we were the only people in the entire jungle.)
After our hike, the rains cleared and we found the perfect spot for a photo op.
It literally felt too perfect to be real. I'm still not completely convinced that all of Hawaii isn't some elaborate Truman Show and we are all just being punked into thinking it's actually true.
And just when I thought it couldn't get any better...
SNOW! CONES!
Snow Cones + Whale Watching from the shore + That sunset =
Actual. Perfection.
DAY 6:
We started off early on the Road to Hana and stopped at basically every possible stop. Here's why:
This...
and this...
and this...
and this...
and this.
It was basically just postcard-worthy views for 58 straight miles.
We splurged on a trip to the Garden of Eden, and if the actual Garden of Eden was half this beautiful,
I think Adam and Eve owe us all a big apology. just kidding.
Although, I did have to break the paradise coma to scold a few naughty birds who refused to share. (Hahaha. I'm dying at this picture Luke caught of me honestly scolding that poor duck. I look like a mean old school marm.)
We stopped for lunch at a perfect beach-side hut and found the most amazing black sand beach.
We also stumbled (literally stumbled. Luke almost fell to his death on the sheer, slippery cliff edge on the way to this beach. Fun times.) upon a gorgeous, serene, breathtaking {nude} beach.
I was ready to strip down but Luke was like "ummm let's not." And I was like "okay, Prude."
And we kept the beaches beautiful. The end.
On the road home we passed the sweetest horses and Luke fed them all our food and then we starved to death on the 2 hour drive home. But yay for the horses.
DAY 7:
Our final day in Maui also happened to be Luke's birthday. So we celebrated by making him do a back flip in front of a whale statue. Like you do.
(Side note: He got a loud round of applause from the people who were stopped at the stoplight next to the statue. Which he loved and was not embarrassed by at all. Happy Birthday dear.)
After that was accomplished, we set out on our Booze Cruise Whale Watching Trip. We cruised out to a perfect spot for snorkeling. (It should be noted that my only request for snorkeling was to not get eaten by a shark.)
After a perfect afternoon of snorkeling and whale stalking, we regrettably had to pack our bags and wrap up our trip.
We had a WHALEY good time.
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