Five Years Ago Today ❤
I hope y’all didn’t think we were done! We just got married there is a honeymoon to be had! 😉
It broke my heart to leave Maui.
It was hard to believe we were leaving.
Out of the places I have traveled, only Maui had made me want to leave Texas.
Aloha Maui ❤
Hey, I’ve been here before, only for an hour or so on the way to Maui.
Aloha O’ahu!
Since it was out Honeymoon I spent more than I would normally spend on a hotel. I wanted to stay somewhere that had history, it was a toss-up between The Royal Hawaiian Princess of the Westin Moana Surfrider and The First Lady of Waikiki won.
When I reserved the room the online questionnaire asked if there was anything special about our visit. I indicated we had never been to O’ahu and that we were going to stay there for our honey moon. The front desk asked us to wait for a few minutes while they finished with our suite, I replied that I didn’t think I’d booked a suite and they said they had upgraded us! WOOHOO! The Bell Captain came forward and said he wanted to take us to our room, when we got into the elevator he pushed the button with the PH on it! They upgraded us to The Nalu Suite 2109, he explained that the only other one like it, is the one the owner stays in right next to it! I don’t normally post pictures of the interior of a hotel room but THIS was off the hook!
Our living area.
The from our living room windows.
They aren’t kidding when they call it a Westin Heavenly Bed! I’ve never slept so good.
The Lanai.
I could see the Royal Hawaiian Princess looking down from the Lanai.
THIS magnificent view was straight off the front of our Lanai.
Have I mentioned I love Hawaii?
We spent a good portion of the day on in The Banyan Court…
and lovin’ Waikiki!
Five Years Ago Today ❤
My maternal grandparents eloped, my parents eloped too; I have always been adamant that I would not get married in a courthouse, my fear was if I did, my daughter (should I have one), would elope as well. I did not break the cycle but I would not have wanted to be married any other way. ❤
This is The Old Lahaina Courthouse, isn’t it cute? It was built-in 1859, during the reign of Kamehameha the VI.
I did not get married there!!! I worked with a wedding coordinator online, we decided we were going to get married in South Maui; however, the previous weekend at the Hyatt there were weddings everywhere: the Great Lawn, the waterfall, the gazebo and the beach. Jack and I began to ask the locals if we should move our ceremony to West Maui, everyone responded the same way, they asked where we currently were going to be married and then they all recommended we stay with our original location. It was probably an hour drive to get there but when you live in Texas an hour drive is next door, so that wasn’t a problem; when it got scary, was when the road dropped down to one lane and the edge of the road was on my side. Passing oncoming traffic was very precarious. We pulled up to a wall, that is overgrown with vegetation and my initial thought was, “Uh-oh, what did I do?”; then I walked through the opening and knew THIS was where we were meant to be married! We were Maui’d in Makena Cove (Secret Beach), in a traditional Hawaiian Ceremony by Rev. Alalani Hill.
We dined at Sonz at the Hyatt Regency Ka’anapali after the ceremony, yes, that’s where we were staying but I did look into several places and it was highly recommended. It was an excellent choice, the wait staff was amazing, because it was not busy they really went out of their way to make everything very special.
You did catch that I said we eloped, right? Five years ago today smart phones were not as popular as they are now and I personally did not buy my first iPhone until the month after we got back. So these are the pictures that our family and friends back home woke up to in their email in boxes.
I must say we do have really great senses of humor but I was surprised at how many people thought we were kidding, so what if we had already been together for thirteen years and engaged for eight! I always said I wanted a long engagement. 😀
This is the picture that went out with the formal announcement when we got home.
❤At this point I would like to thank Sheree Giegling, she made it all happen and is by far an excellent wedding coordinator. I contacted her two weeks before the date and she managed everything so that we had a perfect day, she even managed to pull off getting the “mainland” flowers I wanted for my bouquet. 😉 The day before the wedding she called and asked what I was doing, when I replied, “I am about to snorkel off the coast of Lana’i”, she cracked up laughing and said I was the calmest bride she ever worked with. I had complete faith in her and for good reason too, it was the perfect day.
❤I would also like to thank Rev. Alalani Hill for falling in love with us, the way we did with her; we will always treasure your words and you have truly touched our soul.
❤Last but not least, to the woman who stopped us in the hallway of the Hyatt, asked if we were getting married, if my Mom was there and when I replied that she was not said, “Well come here and give me a hug! You need a hug from a Mom on your wedding day!” When I told my mother she wept tears of happiness, said your actions meant the world to her and because of how much they meant should she ever get the opportunity to she will do the same. Thank you!
Five Years Ago Today ❤
After a fun-filled day in the sun we a wonderful sunset dinner on Front Street in Lahaina at The Feast at Lele. Lele is the ancient name for Lahaina; the Maui Royal Family would entertain and feast at this same beach, which has a spectacular sunset view.
The Feast at Lele features dancers, music and traditional dishes of four of the cultures of the Polynesian Triangle. Many people advised us to go hungry because it is a great deal of food and they were right it is a great deal of DELICIOUS food. As appetizers we were served: Banana, Taro and Sweet Potato Chips with a Tropical Ginger and Ogo Seaweed Salsa.
Our first course was from Hawaii; with Imu Roasted Kalua Pig, Pohole Ferns and Heart of Palm salad, Fresh Island Fish with Mango Sauce and Poi.
From Aotearoa (New Zealand) our second course was Sea Bean Duck Salad with Poha Berry Dressing, Kuku Patties, Maori Fishcake with Mussels, Salmon and Scallops, Harore Kumara, Roasted Mushrooms, Sweet Potato and Garlic.
Our third course was from Tahiti; it was Fafa Steamed Chicken and Taro Leaf in Coconut Milk, E-iaota, Poissen Cru Scallops on the Shell and Baked Scallops.
From Samoa our fourth course was Supasui, Grilled Steak Palusami, Breadfruit with Taro Leaf and Coconut Cream, Shrimp and Avocado with Lilikoi.
Our FIFTH and final course, DESSERTS 😀 Caramel Macadamia Nut Tart topped with Fruited Coconut Pudding (Haupia) and Hawaiian Chocolate Truffles.
One of the beautiful dancers posed for a photo with Jack on our way out.
When I got back to the resort that night I was amused by the collection of our leis, today was an AMAZING day but I happen to know that tomorrow will be one of the best days of my life.
Five Years Ago Today ❤
Today will actually contain two posts, this is because it was a very busy day with a whole lot of fun packed in. 🙂
As we headed out, I saw this and thought does this give new meaning to the term house boat?
It was an early windy morning in Ma’alaea and we are going snorkeling at Molokini Crater and off the coast of Lana’i with the Pacific Whale Foundation.
As we leave Mala’aea I can see both West Maui and South Maui growing smaller.
Kaho’olawe was established in the 1830’s as a penal colony by Kamehamahea I, after the “Great Mahele” ranchers allowed sheep and goats to consume all the vegetation; an effort was made to bring back the vegetation until the attack on Pearl Harbor, after which it was designated for target practice by the government. It was not until 1990 that it was returned to Hawai’i, after such long-term contamination it was declared unsafe and uninhabitable; at this time preservationists are working diligently to remove anything that has not exploded, re-vegetate and rejuvenate the land.
We have arrived at Molokini Crater, this popular dive and snorkel spot is a crescent-shaped partially submerged volcanic crater.
♪♫Up on the shore they work all day,
Out in the sun they slave away,
While we devotin’,
Full time to floatin’,
Under the Sea♪♫
La Perouse Bay is visible as we leave Molokini.
Sweetheart Rock, legend has is that a Princess from Maui was captured by a Warrior from Lana’i, she was so beautiful he did not want other men to see her so he hid her in a sea cave close to the rock. One day a storm came, although he rushed back to the cave, she drowned. Brokenhearted he climbed the rock, buried her and leapt to his death. (This is a legend, so please don’t try to climb the rock!)
This rock formation marks a well-known dive spot off Lana’i, our tour guide said if you are in the “know” you would recognize the rock; I wonder if she means First Cathedral? 😉
This is a large resort off the coast of Lana’i and the area we snorkel in.
It’s funny how the pali don’t really look that high from far away but when you get up close you realize they are monstrous.
Look some friends (Spinner Dolphins) came out to escort us back to Maui.
West Maui Mountains
Our Captain must have been Ishmael, his crew thought he was crazy when he turned off the engines because he saw whale-sign in the water. I’m glad he did because if not I would not have gotten this very cool shot of a baby whale breaching.
Five Years Ago Today ❤
Today we go to Lahaina Town, I read that their Banyan Tree is one of the oldest in the United States but nothing prepared me for how big this tree is. It is an Indian Banyan that was planted in 1873 by Sheriff William Owen Smith, it takes up most of the block.
What a wonderful way to browse the local artist’s wares than under the shade of a huge tree. Jack is getting restless and wants to go surfing. 😉
Downtown Lahaina
This sign made me smile and giggle.
The next two photos were taken by Ric Larsen, who while talking to us, told us to keep and eye out for his son’s Westley and Granger who at the time were up and coming surfers. 😉
This is Gene our Royal Hawaiian Surf Guide knocking off… I think.
THIS was going on in the background while we were surfing, that tail slap usually means, going to be under for a long time.
I always visit the Hard Rock Cafe’s when I travel, I love to check out the memorabilia, I must agree the Lahaina Hard Rock is Mai Tai Kool!
This Houli!!! HAha! 😀 Jack and King Kamehameha I
Kamehameha I, a warrior chief became “Lord Over the Hawaiian Islands”, after his victory at the battle of Nu’uanu in O’ahu. After his death his remains were secreted to a place unknown and his mana (life force) continues to watch over Hawai’i.
Not a whole lot to say except, “Le Sigh”.
There really is no better way to spend an afternoon than under palm fronds…
in a hammock.
Heaven, I’m in heaven ♪ ♫
Five Years Ago Today ❤
This was the amazing view we had while we ate breakfast!
Since we had already set up some activities for the next couple of days, we decided to do what you do on vacation, relax and roam around the resort. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Ka’anapali, which is definitely a fun place to stay. I got much more of a kick out of this cool swinging bridge that goes over the pool, than Jack did… heeheehee!
There were so many beautiful pieces of art everywhere, since the resort is quite large and there are so many pieces; it’s a wonderful museum to wander at your leisure. Oh look! It is me! 😉
We decided a beach stroll, sounded perfect.
I fell in love with this little HonuDragon.
Black Rock Ka’anapali
Outside of Whaler’s Village, wondering which way the wind blows.
This really is paradise!
We found all sorts of treasures while exploring the Hyatt.
This beautiful woman was how I knew which hall led to our room.
Does anyone ever get tired of these sunsets?!?
Five Years Ago Today ❤
Aloha!
Well, I’ve never really been a morning person, always much more of a night owl but when there is a FIVE hour time difference; it is surprisingly easy to wake at daybreak.
I love the beach so the first thing I did was run out to the water.
Look it is a relative of my little buddies back home but this lil’ dude is a bit bigger than the Texas Ghost Crabs. No, I did not try to touch him.
I am sitting on a palm stump right in front of our room, ours is the third lanai back on the ground level.
When I see this picture looking out over Lana’i, I can still feel the crispness of that morning’s breeze.
As much as I didn’t want to tear myself away, there were errands to be run. While we were in a small business park, I noticed there was a board shaper in one of the bays, I stuck my head in explained I was from Texas and had only seen this done in videos. Sooo… Bob “Ole” Olson, showed us around and even showed off some of his most coveted pieces.
After that we were headed to Kehei, so as we drove along Honoapiilani Highway Molokini Crater was visible.
Whoa! Hey! I thought this was a dormant volcano… nah, it’s just the smoke from the burning of sugarcane fields.
Ok, so I really am bummed that this picture came out blurry but it was taken out of the window of a moving vehicle. Why, a mall sign you’re asking? In hispanic culture there is the “Cucuy”, a boogie man of sorts that children are teased about. For example, if you misbehave the Cucuy will get you. Kukui (a nut) and Cucuy are pronounced the same, so when we passed this I was amused to think the Cucuy has his own mall and theaters.
You can barely see the wind turbines on the ridge as we head back to West Maui.
The bird on the right was dreadfully ashamed of the raucous behavior of its mate on the left.
So did I mention our resort had birds?
He’s looking at you thinking, “Yes, we are birds!”
As I admired the setting sun, I found myself enchanted by the constant sound of the wind in the palms.
Five Years Ago Today ❤
Five years ago today I woke up before the sun in San Antonio, Texas and was on the tarmac by the time it was rising. Our plane accelerated, the front wheel left the ground, then it came back down and they turned around! I thought, “I’d BETTER NOT die before I get there!” Thirty minutes later we were airborne…
When the sun had been up for a while I look out my window and what should I see but The Grand Canyon.
Hello Las Vegas
Goodbye Las Vegas
HelllloooO Honolulu
Goodbye Honolulu
I have wanted to visit this place since the sixth grade!
Aloha Maui! ❤❤❤
Lei’d as soon as we got to the resort.
The view of the setting sun from our Lanai
Lahaina Laura 