HAWAII

This summer I had the amazing opportunity to go to Kauai with some friends. And so I jumped at the chance.

My friend Lisa has some connections with the airlines (her brother works for Alaska) - and so we bought stand by tickets for super cheap. This was a great idea at the time. But it turned out it was a bit harder than expected to get onto flights. We had some trouble on the way there and A LOT more trouble on the way home. BUT we were in Hawaii and we just made an adventure out of it (after the tears of frustration, lack of sleep and home sickness) :)

I have been to Oahu twice but I never had never been to Kauai -- well I was missing out. It was beautiful. So tropical, so green and just all around amazing.

We were so lucky to stay at an amazing time share in the Marriott Resort in Lihue. It was super nice. And the pool was awesome!

Here's our pool and our beach..........

This is one of many waterfalls..............
Kaylyn (our wonderful hostess), me and Lisa -- and yes that is rain drops on the lense - it rains a lot - but it passes quickly and it's so warm - it really doesn't matter. It's actually kinda fun
We went to lots of different farmers markets -- the fruit there is really good and they have got some cool varieties. Here's Lisa drinking some cold coconut milk.........
This place is called Puka Dog -- I don't even know how to describe these -- but they were awesome -- my favorite thing I tried while I was there. And one of the signs I'm pointing at says it was featured on the Travel Channel -- so I'm not the only one who loves them
I know I look prego here -- but it's just the stupid dress. I swear! Anyways here is me and Lisa freezing at the top of Waimea Canyon -- they call it the little Grand Canyon. It was a bit foggy when we were up there - but it was so cool! Very beautiful and peacefully quiet.
Here is a cute little sea turtle -- we saw quite a few. We even SWAM with them -- super close up. Like so close up I didn't realize it was about to touch my leg until Lisa pointed it out and then I did a little scream thing. THAT close!! They are so cool -- I think the movie Finding Nemo depicted them well -- they seem so laid back and mellow.
Before we left I did a lot of reading about Kauai so I would know things I didn't want to miss while we were there. I read about this hike that takes you out to a cool beach - everyone seemed to recommend it - so I wanted to do it. It was a 4 mile hike round trip and it was SO worth it. It was beautiful - the whole hike. We could see the ocean around us almost the whole way and every view was pretty.

Our hikes beach destination.......
We went and checked out the coffee plantation...

Lisa is tickling me in this picture. We shared a bed the whole week and I think Lisa grew a little attached to me if you know what I mean. ;) ;) (can't blame the girl)

On our last full day there we went on a zipline adventure. It was so much fun!!
Also on our last day we found a cool beach and hung out there the rest of the day..
So like I was saying before -- since we had stand by tickets things got a little tricky trying to get home. We had to take a few inner island flights (on scary little planes with pilots that look like they are 12!!) We ended up being on 3 different islands in 24 hours.

So here we are in Oahu -- I showed Lisa around a bit -- but it had been 10 years since I had last been so things had changed - a lot. But I found the way to the International Market Place - so we checked that out and then went and hung out on the SUPER crowed Waikiki Beach. Much different atmosphere from Kauai.
When we got to Maui - we had about 5 hours to kill so I whipped out my iPhone to map the closest beach - it was less then a mile from the airport - so we just walked there. (thank you iPhone)

That beach was so nice - and the island looked very cool -- I'd really like to be able to go explore there some day.
Long story short: Stand by didn't work out for us for the way home -- Lisa's brother helped us out a ton and we ended up getting to fly First Class on the way home. I have a new love and it name is: First Class!! :)
I am so grateful that I got to go do this. I am not only grateful for the Phair's and Kaylyn for letting me go -- but to my family for letting me go. For Sam and the kids for letting me go have some time for myself. And my family for helping so much with the kids. I came home happy and rested (kinda) and so much more appreciative of my cute little family. I swear they all got cuter and more funny while I was gone. (I wonder what that says about me...)

OH and of course I can't forget a big thank you to Lisa's brother Ben for getting me home to my family - he seriously was a life saver!