Hawaii with my love..
i don't even know WHERE to begin. This may be the longest blog. Or I won't be able to find the words to describe what I experienced and it could end at this sentence. No, just kidding. But I thank you for reading and I'll try to just summarize the days in quaint, one sentence memories so that people keep reading.. ;)
So onto the beauty of Kona and Hilo Hawaii.
Day one: First off Hawaiian Airlines = BEST airline to date so far and believe me i think ive flown them all. GREAT service, great food, friendly staff, roomy seats and leg room, great entertainment on board and luckily for us not one bump the entire time. Though that was more the weather and my prayers than the airline. ;)
We arrived in Kona at 1pm Kona time and got Lei's! SO pretty and smelled AMAZING. I got pink and yellow, Doug got yellow. Oh and before I go any further, we have 2,000 photos. Yes, not exagerating, we are photo people. And about an hour and a half on video. So pics will be up soon.
We met up with our friends who were on their honeymoon, Manny and Perla and checked into our resort. We had a 2 bedroom condo right on the beach. AMAZING. The resort was designed to look like old hawaii with grass huts, and lush grounds. We walked down to town along the water and ate at this awesome place where Doug and I had our first drink of the week; a mango margarita. Of course, right?! When in Rome.... or Kona..
Jet lag led us to sleep the rest of the evening. Lame I know. But we were all exhausted.
Day Two: The next morning the resort hosted a breakfast to feed us amazing hawaiian food and get us aquainted to the island with maps and presents!! Perla won free Kona Coffee since its made there and I gave it to my mommy since she LOVES coffee. The resort gave us cute beachbags and awesome teal towels for our snorkel trip and a great guide book to the island.
After breakfast we walked back to town and did some shopping and took photos by the water (two themes you will see A LOT throughout this posting I'm sure haha) and at night the resort hosted a dinner with open bar, so I tried Mai Tai's for the first time since they originated in Kona.. so again.. when in Kona.. I'm going make that the new "When In Rome.." Long night summarized: Good food, mai tais, wine, a beautiful sunset over the ocean, slow dancing with my darling, PERFORMING SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW with one of the biggest Hawaiian bands on the Big Island, Dancing the Hokey Pokey with Perla drunk while the boys VIDEOTAPED, pointed and laughed at us, and getting EATEN by bugs on the "short cut trail" we thought we'd try.
Day three consisted of: Snorkeling in the ocean after a cruise where we enjoyed PuPu’s (Hawaiian for: Appetizers hehe) I got a little scared at first because there were WAVES and we were far out and I havnt snorkeled in over a year. But Kona water is warm like the Caribbean!! J YAY! Doug and I took underwater pics of fishies and Im waiting to get them developed. After snorkeling we relaxed, shopped and ate some more J
Day four we had another breakfast hosted for us followed by even more shopping and finally rented a car!! Doug and I drove all around Kona and saw the estates, WOW, and found another farmers market where I got the CUTEST multi color bracelet that goes with EVERYTHING!! Later in the trip Doug got me a pink pearl and white pearl necklace and matching anklet J After shopping we went to a real Hawaiian luau right on the water!! Fire dancers, hula dancers, photos by the water, we even had front row to see the pig removed from the imu. The imu is an underground oven where they cook the pig right there in the sand with leaves and coals. So of course we had some of that and an amazing dish, Chicken Luau. I recommend it if you go. It’s chicken with coconut milk and leaves. Its YUMMY.
I also tried poi for the first time. Not a fan. But I can say I tried it. J So we watched the AMAZING show then took more pics and went back to our room for bedtime.
Day five we shopped A LOT haha and did a sunset dinner cruise. Perla got seasick L We felt really bad. We got more PuPu’s and I danced a TON to awesome oldies music on the bottom deck of the boat with Doug and some other people on our cruise. It was such a blast. Afterwards I was up for karaoke but by the time the cruise was over and I was back on land walking back to the car my sleepiness hit and it was off to sleep. We had a LONG day ahead of us for day six..
Day six should have a blog all on it’s own. I literally had 3 once in a lifetime experiences in a twelve hour period plus visiting a rainforest zoo in there and seeing a Nigerian Dwarf Goat which I totally wanted to take home.
So we left the condo at like 6 am and got to Hilo, HI at about 8 or so. We visited Mt. Kiluea and visited the Volcano House restaurant for breakfast. AMAZING. One of the coolest views ive ever had. MANY a times in MANY a country I have looked over an ocean while enjoying a nice meal, however I can say I’ve never enjoyed a gourmet breakfast looking at an ACTIVE volcano. It was just so incredible.
My entire trip I was thanking God for the beauty he has created, and for letting me be blessed enough to see such beauty of his in my lifetime.
We walked over to the overlook where the steam vents and crater were to do photos, CRAZY, then drove to the museum. We got to learn all about how its taking thousands of years for plant life and insects etc to make their way to this part of the world. There was no lava in the park that day it was draining into the ocean. I was kind of bummed about that but I can still say I was there. Wow.
After, we visited Rainbow Falls. BEAUTIFUL. Just a huge waterfall in the middle of a jungle. That we hiked through, to find a clearing with a HUGE bonsai tree and then on to find the creek that turns into the waterfall. Manny went in the water and proceeded to get bit by fish. But we still all had a really good time.
So as if a volcano and waterfall weren’t enough of an AMAZING day we visited the last black sand beach on the island on the way back to the condo! It was SOO pretty. If you looked at the sand, and the surf it looked like a black and white photo. Doug and I did our traditional feet photos, and nemo got his photos done there too ;) If you are reading this and don’t know about that, I have a nemo trinket from Disneyland that travels with me everywhere. Hes even drunk rum in Barbados. Hes a party fish. :D
So overall. Yes. It was an AMAZING day. Tiring, but wow.
That night Doug and I went on a romantic date to say farewell to Hawaii. We went to the Kona Inn’s restaurant 10 min from our condo. It has to be the most romantic dinner ive ever had. Although ive had a lot with this man, you can’t beat being in Kona, HI overlooking the water outside with tiki torches surrounding you, a light rain sprinkling on your hot skin while sipping wine and eating DELICIOUS food. If you go, I suggest the vegetable pasta. MMMMM!
After dinner we walked to the ocean and sat on the rocks, just reflecting on our time together there and letting the cool breeze completely envelop us in relaxation.
Day seven was spent packing, having a quick breakfast and off to the airport! We had a 2 hour layover in Oahu, where Doug got me a pretty pink seashell! and we ate some Chinese food. My suitcase alone was 11+ pounds heavier than when I came from souvenier and self shopping. Not a bad trip I’d say ;)
So, that sums it up in the shortest way possible. Mahalo for reading! I’m at just over 1,400 words and if you are still reading this you either ..
A. Really care what I’m up to.
B. Really like Hawaii..
C. Are curious about Hawaii..
D. Wanted to get to the end and see if I mentioned if I got you a souvenier.
Or E. All of the above.. ;)
Love you guys! And ALOHA!
HenoHeno aka Miss Mandi
So onto the beauty of Kona and Hilo Hawaii.
Day one: First off Hawaiian Airlines = BEST airline to date so far and believe me i think ive flown them all. GREAT service, great food, friendly staff, roomy seats and leg room, great entertainment on board and luckily for us not one bump the entire time. Though that was more the weather and my prayers than the airline. ;)
We arrived in Kona at 1pm Kona time and got Lei's! SO pretty and smelled AMAZING. I got pink and yellow, Doug got yellow. Oh and before I go any further, we have 2,000 photos. Yes, not exagerating, we are photo people. And about an hour and a half on video. So pics will be up soon.
We met up with our friends who were on their honeymoon, Manny and Perla and checked into our resort. We had a 2 bedroom condo right on the beach. AMAZING. The resort was designed to look like old hawaii with grass huts, and lush grounds. We walked down to town along the water and ate at this awesome place where Doug and I had our first drink of the week; a mango margarita. Of course, right?! When in Rome.... or Kona..
Jet lag led us to sleep the rest of the evening. Lame I know. But we were all exhausted.
Day Two: The next morning the resort hosted a breakfast to feed us amazing hawaiian food and get us aquainted to the island with maps and presents!! Perla won free Kona Coffee since its made there and I gave it to my mommy since she LOVES coffee. The resort gave us cute beachbags and awesome teal towels for our snorkel trip and a great guide book to the island.
After breakfast we walked back to town and did some shopping and took photos by the water (two themes you will see A LOT throughout this posting I'm sure haha) and at night the resort hosted a dinner with open bar, so I tried Mai Tai's for the first time since they originated in Kona.. so again.. when in Kona.. I'm going make that the new "When In Rome.." Long night summarized: Good food, mai tais, wine, a beautiful sunset over the ocean, slow dancing with my darling, PERFORMING SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW with one of the biggest Hawaiian bands on the Big Island, Dancing the Hokey Pokey with Perla drunk while the boys VIDEOTAPED, pointed and laughed at us, and getting EATEN by bugs on the "short cut trail" we thought we'd try.
Day three consisted of: Snorkeling in the ocean after a cruise where we enjoyed PuPu’s (Hawaiian for: Appetizers hehe) I got a little scared at first because there were WAVES and we were far out and I havnt snorkeled in over a year. But Kona water is warm like the Caribbean!! J YAY! Doug and I took underwater pics of fishies and Im waiting to get them developed. After snorkeling we relaxed, shopped and ate some more J
Day four we had another breakfast hosted for us followed by even more shopping and finally rented a car!! Doug and I drove all around Kona and saw the estates, WOW, and found another farmers market where I got the CUTEST multi color bracelet that goes with EVERYTHING!! Later in the trip Doug got me a pink pearl and white pearl necklace and matching anklet J After shopping we went to a real Hawaiian luau right on the water!! Fire dancers, hula dancers, photos by the water, we even had front row to see the pig removed from the imu. The imu is an underground oven where they cook the pig right there in the sand with leaves and coals. So of course we had some of that and an amazing dish, Chicken Luau. I recommend it if you go. It’s chicken with coconut milk and leaves. Its YUMMY.
I also tried poi for the first time. Not a fan. But I can say I tried it. J So we watched the AMAZING show then took more pics and went back to our room for bedtime.
Day five we shopped A LOT haha and did a sunset dinner cruise. Perla got seasick L We felt really bad. We got more PuPu’s and I danced a TON to awesome oldies music on the bottom deck of the boat with Doug and some other people on our cruise. It was such a blast. Afterwards I was up for karaoke but by the time the cruise was over and I was back on land walking back to the car my sleepiness hit and it was off to sleep. We had a LONG day ahead of us for day six..
Day six should have a blog all on it’s own. I literally had 3 once in a lifetime experiences in a twelve hour period plus visiting a rainforest zoo in there and seeing a Nigerian Dwarf Goat which I totally wanted to take home.
So we left the condo at like 6 am and got to Hilo, HI at about 8 or so. We visited Mt. Kiluea and visited the Volcano House restaurant for breakfast. AMAZING. One of the coolest views ive ever had. MANY a times in MANY a country I have looked over an ocean while enjoying a nice meal, however I can say I’ve never enjoyed a gourmet breakfast looking at an ACTIVE volcano. It was just so incredible.
My entire trip I was thanking God for the beauty he has created, and for letting me be blessed enough to see such beauty of his in my lifetime.
We walked over to the overlook where the steam vents and crater were to do photos, CRAZY, then drove to the museum. We got to learn all about how its taking thousands of years for plant life and insects etc to make their way to this part of the world. There was no lava in the park that day it was draining into the ocean. I was kind of bummed about that but I can still say I was there. Wow.
After, we visited Rainbow Falls. BEAUTIFUL. Just a huge waterfall in the middle of a jungle. That we hiked through, to find a clearing with a HUGE bonsai tree and then on to find the creek that turns into the waterfall. Manny went in the water and proceeded to get bit by fish. But we still all had a really good time.
So as if a volcano and waterfall weren’t enough of an AMAZING day we visited the last black sand beach on the island on the way back to the condo! It was SOO pretty. If you looked at the sand, and the surf it looked like a black and white photo. Doug and I did our traditional feet photos, and nemo got his photos done there too ;) If you are reading this and don’t know about that, I have a nemo trinket from Disneyland that travels with me everywhere. Hes even drunk rum in Barbados. Hes a party fish. :D
So overall. Yes. It was an AMAZING day. Tiring, but wow.
That night Doug and I went on a romantic date to say farewell to Hawaii. We went to the Kona Inn’s restaurant 10 min from our condo. It has to be the most romantic dinner ive ever had. Although ive had a lot with this man, you can’t beat being in Kona, HI overlooking the water outside with tiki torches surrounding you, a light rain sprinkling on your hot skin while sipping wine and eating DELICIOUS food. If you go, I suggest the vegetable pasta. MMMMM!
After dinner we walked to the ocean and sat on the rocks, just reflecting on our time together there and letting the cool breeze completely envelop us in relaxation.
Day seven was spent packing, having a quick breakfast and off to the airport! We had a 2 hour layover in Oahu, where Doug got me a pretty pink seashell! and we ate some Chinese food. My suitcase alone was 11+ pounds heavier than when I came from souvenier and self shopping. Not a bad trip I’d say ;)
So, that sums it up in the shortest way possible. Mahalo for reading! I’m at just over 1,400 words and if you are still reading this you either ..
A. Really care what I’m up to.
B. Really like Hawaii..
C. Are curious about Hawaii..
D. Wanted to get to the end and see if I mentioned if I got you a souvenier.
Or E. All of the above.. ;)
Love you guys! And ALOHA!
HenoHeno aka Miss Mandi