As Beau and I approached our 10 year wedding anniversary I was wondering how we could celebrate. We hadn’t taken a big trip, that’s non- work related, in several years so I thought why don’t we check off one of our bucket list places. Hawaii! Beau’s always wanted to try surfing, and the remote location has always appealed to me when I looked at maps and saw tiny dots in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. So off we went for a 10 day Polynesian adventure. 🙂
Our first leg of the journey: Maui
First day we drove around the whole western shore loop where switchbacks and one lane roads take you through the West Maui mountains. We didn’t want to take a full day or more to drive the road to Hana, from research this is the next best thing.Towards the bottom right is the blowhole. 🙂 The end of the West Maui mountains loop brought us through cute little towns and we found the Iao Valley State Park Monument. You step out and are surrounded by lush mountains 360 degrees.My favorite tree in Hawaii was this bright red/orange one. I later found out it’s called a flame tree.Day two we were on the search for a black sand beach.Naupaka BeachUp close it was really a beautiful array.We found an interesting…rock? How about Beau’s birds of paradise trunks?! 😀 Now a few randoms from our drives and around our resort. We discovered Slaughterhouse Beach a short drive north of Lahaina, where our resort was, and it became our favorite. No big crowds, and swam with sea turtles. Made my trip! The largest banyon tree is right in the middle of Lahaina town.Beau rented a surf board for a day from Lahaina Surf Shack and we headed to break wall in town. Beau out working the waves of the Pacific. He got up once but the general concensus is surfing is hard! ( I was on the beach relaxing and sipping mai tais) 🙂 Top favorite photo I’ve taken of Beau. After a long afternoon of surfing, taking a moment to reflect with his board.Some other randoms from Maui.Our last morning in Maui we had the loveliest sunrise view from our balcony.Our last day on Maui we drove up to the volcano craters.The drive holds the world record for climbing to the highest elevation in the shortest distance, 10,023 feet up in 38 miles. We had fun at the summit with the iPhone self timer, balancing on the back tire of the Jeep. 😀 It really is a breathtaking place and spiritually powerful to experience. A great last day on Maui.We’ve arrived to Kauai!Driving around the coasts, checking out beaches, walking little towns, and stopping at overlooks of crop fields.Stopped to check out Poipu Beach and a Hawaiian monk seal was napping for the day.Behind our resort, a sweet little walkway and views of the beach.Our favorite beach on Kauai, Anini Beach, where the waters were calm and perfect for snorkeling.Shave Ice, because Hawaii.We drove up to Waimea Canyon, the Grand Canyon of Hawaii on our last full day. I’m starting to see a trend that Beau and I like to go on scenic drives. 🙂One last stroll around the resort.One last sunset. Goodnight Hawaii, until we see you again. <3
