Cruise: Fakarava

Posted on December 29, 2018 by sandersnm

Our second stop in French Polynesia was Fakarava in the Tuamotu Archipelago. This was up there as my most favorite place we stopped. Fakarava is one of the largest atolls in French Polynesia at 37 miles long. It is known for some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world. We anchored offshore and took a tender boat to the town of Rotoava. We rented bikes and biked all the way north 9 kilometers to a beach and had it completely to ourselves. That spot on the beach is potentially the most beautiful place I’ve ever been. It looked like it was out of a magazine! We were hoping to snorkel but the wind was incredibly strong and the ocean was way too rough to snorkel that day.

Going through the pass to anchor.

Passed a bunch of different atolls. Pretty cool.

Realizing we biked the wrong way an turned around.

Loved the palm trees against the sky.

Looks like a magazine.

My most favorite picture from the trip!

Josh was braver.

Stopped to swing.

Josh testing if the snorkeling is clear enough for me to get in.

I think this looks like a postcard!

Stopped for lunch after our bike ride.

Made friends with this puppy. Dogs were everywhere in French Polynesia.

When we discovered Rotui…our new favorite drink.

Split a ham and cheese.

Sunset leaving Fakarava.

Cruise: Nuku Hiva

Posted on December 28, 2018 by sandersnm

After four days at sea and crossing the equator for the first time, we made it to Nuku Hiva in the Marquesas Islands! Nuku Hiva is the second largest island in French Polynesia after Tahiti and is the most populated island in the Marquesas Islands. We anchored in the bay near Taiohae on the southern coast, which is where most of the population (less than 3,000) lives on the island.

We took a tour to Taipivai Valley for a large chunk of the day. The excursion started in Taiohae and we road with a local across the mountains to the valley. We stopped in the valley and watched some of the locals at work carving different wood sculptures (Nuku Hiva is known for their wood carvings). We enjoyed some local fruit and a stop at the beach as well.

Birds fishing!

Enjoying my coffee as we arrive to Nuku Hiva!

Reminds me of Hawaii!

Checking out our tender boat for the next several stops.

Our transportation for our excursion.

Community center.

Notre Dame Cathedral

Elementary School. Once the kids get older, they have to go to Tahiti for school.

Love this picture of the horses hanging out on the side of the road.

One of my favorite pictures from the day!

Every day a boat comes in to deliver fresh fish. The residents head out and pick what they want for the day.

Looking down on Taipivai Valley.

Beach selfie.

After a full day on Nuku Hiva, we had another day at sea as we headed towards Fakarava in the Tuamotu Archipelago. On our day at sea, we had another delicious dinner with the fanciest dessert yet!

Morel crusted chicken.

Fancy meringue!

Maui: Trip 3 – Days 1 & 2

Posted on October 10, 2018 by sandersnm

For Labor Day, Josh and I went to Maui to meet up with my friend Danielle and her fiancé Brick. We started our trip by making it to the hotel just in time for an incredible sunset. After we changed and got ready for dinner, we went into Lahaina to eat at Lahaina Grill. A beautiful sunset and delicious dinner were a great way to start our long weekend!

Blue Corn Panko Crusted Chile Relleno: filled with tiger prawns, diver scallops, monterey jack cheese on roasted sweet corn relish, avocado, crème fraîche, roasted tomato-ancho chile salsa

Opakapaka Fish Special: parmesan panko crusted over risotto, grilled shrimp, and beurre blanc

On Saturday, we got up and had coffee on our lanai and met Danielle and Brick to hike Waihe’e Ridge Trail.

We had about an hour drive to the Northwest side of Maui before making it to the start of the trail. It was an absolutely gorgeous day to hike and our views were stunning. At one point, we had waterfalls on both sides of us.

We made it to the top!

After our hike, we drove around West Maui. We stopped for some banana bread and to take in the incredible views.

After quite a lovely morning and early afternoon, we went back to our hotels to rest and get ready for dinner at Mama’s Fish House.

If you ask Josh and I what the best meal of our lives is we both say “Mama’s Fish House”. Needless to say, we were pretty excited to go back and it lived up to our memories!

Cheers!

Tomato Soup

Maui Venison seared with roasted spices and honey lime sauce

Papa’s Sashimi: Ono: with lime, green chili oil, papaya and Maui pink sea salt. Ahi with ponzu, watermelon radish, red shiso and Kukui nut. Kanpachi with Maui onion-fig jam and Molokai black sea salt.

Poi

Opakapaka sauteed with Hamakua mushrooms, white wine and capers

Ono, Ahi and Kanpachi in Panang Curry with Macadamia nuts, banana, sambal and mango chutney

After dinner, we drove back to our hotels and called it a night!

Fourth of July!

Posted on July 16, 2018 by sandersnm

We celebrated the fourth this year in pretty much the best way possible — grilling out with friends, pool time, and fireworks on the beach. It was a beautiful day and SO nice to get to relax and have some quality friend time!

Blueberry, strawberry, raspberry mojitos!

Quite a spread!

Josh and Andy blowing up the unicorn and the black swan!

My favorite…fruit pizza!

Enjoying the beach with hundreds of our closest friends.

Gorgeous view of the Mokes!

Great sunset!

Such a good show!

Lanai: Trip 2 – Day 3

Posted on May 30, 2018 by sandersnm

Our last day started with a short hike to view Puu Pehe rock. Such a beautiful morning and we had it all to ourselves!

Decided to stop and explore the tide pools.

So beautiful!

I wasn’t ready for the picture :). But what a good picture of Josh!

Selfie!

After our hike, we went back to the hotel, packed up our stuff, and checked out of the hotel. Our last stop on our trip was Shipwreck Beach. It was QUITE windy but we had a great view of the largest shipwreck!

After Shipwreck Beach, it was time to return the car and head to the airport. We had such an amazing time and packed a TON in to a weekend!

Lanai: Trip 2 – Day 2

Posted on May 29, 2018 by sandersnm

On our second day, we got up and had breakfast and coffee at the hotel and took full advantage of the big rocking chairs looking out over the front lawn. After breakfast, we packed up the Jeep for our adventures that day.

First stop was the Munro Trail. We didn’t do the whole thing, only the first couple of miles. We found a really cool swing and stopped at a lookout that had some lovely views of Maui and Molokai!

The view on the way to the Munro Trail. Just love those pine trees!

Stables at Koele. So beautiful.

We found a swing!

Just breathtaking!

The next stop was Garden of the Gods. The trail there was insanely muddy with tons of potholes due to the amount of rain Hawaii saw in the early Spring. It made for quite the adventure!

So muddy!

After taking in the view for a bit, we kept going down to Polihua Beach. The last time Josh and I were here, it was SO windy we couldn’t even enjoy it. Luckily, this time it was perfect. We sat for a long time and just enjoyed the empty beach and sunshine!

Heading towards the beach!

Beach pose!

I thought this was a really cool picture.

Jeep shot for Josh.

After plenty of sun, it was time to head back! It took us a little over an hour without any stops due to the rough terrain.

I made a friend.

The Lanai cat sanctuary needs to come find this guy!

Holding on for dear life!

Loved these flowers!

Once we got back, we wandered around Lanai City for a bit and relaxed before dinner at Lanai City Bar & Grille. Dinner was at our hotel, so quite convenient! We sat outside and listened to live music for a couple hours to end our night!

Hotel Lanai!

Delicious drinks!

Calamari

Roasted brussell sprouts

Crispy green beans

Amazing fish special

Caprese salad

Steak

The best thing ever…bananas foster deliciousness!

Sunflowers

Posted on November 23, 2017 by sandersnm

We visited the sunflowers on the North Shore this past weekend. It turned into quite an adventure as it happened to be raining and was incredibly muddy. The flowers were beautiful, even in the rain and it was a pretty fun day! We spent some time in Haleiwa and ended the day hanging out in the rain in the hot tub soaking off all of the mud!

The Big Island: Trip 4 – Day 7

Posted on November 18, 2017 by sandersnm

Wednesday was our last full day on the island and we spent it relaxing and eating! We started by having breakfast at Daylight Mind Coffee Company.

After breakfast we relaxed and packed in preparation to leave the next day. For dinner that night, we celebrated Linda’s birthday again at ‘Ulu Sushi Lounge at The Four Seasons. The hotel was incredible and we got to enjoy one final sunset!

What a way to end such a special week! ❤

The Big Island: Trip 4 – Day 5

Posted on November 16, 2017 by sandersnm

On Monday we kayaked and snorkeled in Kealakekua Bay. Unfortunately, our Go Pro decided to not stay charged so we didn’t get any pictures. Huge bummer as we saw dolphins, tons of fish and an octopus! After a busy morning, we went back to the hotel and crashed before enjoying the sunset at Lava Lava Beach Club again.

The Big Island: Trip 4 – Day 4

Posted on November 15, 2017 by sandersnm

We had a relaxing day planned for Sunday after our big Saturday (thank goodness). It was also Linda’s birthday! We woke up and had coffee on our lanai with our cats and left late morning to drive to Waipio Valley. It was a beautiful day and a great drive there!

Just trying to annoy Josh

Tom..he looks so small!

After enjoying the view, we drove to Honokaa for lunch. We wandered around a bit and then settled on Grandma’s Kitchen.

After lunch we drove down the coast and back toward Mauna Kea as our plan was to enjoy the sunset and check out the stars. It ended up being too cloudy so we decided to eat at Merriman’s in Waimea. On our way there we saw an owl…which was rather amazing!