Molokai: Trip 2

Posted on August 25, 2013 by sandersnm

On Saturday, Josh and I went back to Molokai to do some things that got rained out on our first trip (we also got rained out two weeks ago when we tried to go back). We landed around 6:30 a.m. and headed to the Kualapu’u Cookhouse, which is where we had breakfast when we landed last year. We split the best breakfast sandwich we’ve ever had and some french toast (it reminded me of my mom’s). A great way to start our day/trip.

Delicious french toast!

After breakfast, we headed towards Halawa Valley for our hike (the main reason we came back). We FINALLY had amazing weather. It was bright and sunny and we could not have asked for better weather. We took our tour with Molokai Flowers. I feel like they have become my best friends over the past year…I’ve ordered multiple boxes of flowers from them and have emailed back and forth trying to set up this tour. They are absolutely WONDERFUL! Kalani’s son gave us the tour and we had the trail and the waterfall completely to ourselves. It was so serene and peaceful…a very special place! After we hiked back, we had two different types of smoothies that Kalani made us from fruit on his farm. They were incredible! He even gave us some lilikoi to take back to make our own smoothies. They also gave us some beautiful pink torch gingers to take home. Some of the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen!

The start of the hike.

Loved this pretty flower.

Huge snail!

This tree felt like a sponge…and it wasn’t rotting..it was alive!

Old Hawaiian oven.

Shampoo gingers

All of the old walls from the ancient Hawaiian settlements were still intact. Pretty incredible.

Tons of fruit. There were HUGE avocados littering the ground.

The waterfalls!

We got to boulder hop!

A tree growing out of the rocks in the river.

Mountain apples.

We made it! So serene.

There were some caves across the pond.

Josh checking out the writing/pictures on the rocks.

Old writing on the rocks.

SO beautiful!

The valley.

The biggest banana flower ever!

Smoothie time!

Some of Kalani’s flowers.

The beautiful pink torch gingers that Kalani and his wife gave us!

After filling up on smoothies, we started to head back to grab a late lunch. The drive is so incredibly beautiful (even better not in the pouring down rain). It also makes the road to Hana on Maui look super easy. The road is mostly one lane…but there’s not much traffic. We stopped at Mana’e Goods and Grindz for some chicken katsu. We had this on our last trip and it is the best chicken katsu I’ve had. After filling up on smoothies, we decided to split lunch.

They valley.

The waterfall we hiked to.

Panoramic of Halawa bay.

An example of the many hairpin turns!

Maui in the distance.

Delicious chicken katsu!

After filling up, we headed towards the Kalaupapa Lookout and the Phallic Rock. With the weather being so gross the last time we were there, we didn’t get a chance to see either of these. The view from the lookout was incredible and the rock was…well phallic shaped. Women would come here and make offerings and pray for fertility. It was set in a beautiful forest and was a nice, quick walk.

I don’t know why, but I liked this sign.

Kalaupapa National Park below.

The sheer cliffs…we rode a mule down them!

I have no idea what he’s doing…but I found this picture hilarious.

The lighthouse.

The settlement.

Josh.

Phallic Rock.

After we finished, we headed to check in at Hotel Molokai. It was interesting. I think in the winter when it wasn’t so hot it would be fine…however, there wasn’t much of a breeze and it was pretty hot out..no AC and only a fan meant we wouldn’t be sleeping very well. We dropped off our stuff and headed to grab a quick bite to eat before we got HOT BREAD! We couldn’t wait to get bread…it was actually the reason we decided to stay the night and not just make it a day trip. The stuff is so good…last time we got strawberry jam and cream cheese. This time we got the works: cream cheese, strawberry jam, blueberry jam, cinnamon and butter. It sounds iffy but it’s incredible. We took most of it back with us (and have been eating it periodically throughout the day). After that, we headed back to the hotel. We were supposed to leave around 8:45 in the morning, but decided to stand by and leave around 7:00 a.m. since we knew we wouldn’t be sleeping anyways. Excellent decision. There were only nine people on our flight! Our trip was a complete success and it feels great to cross off another island!

The clouds while the sun was setting. So beautiful!

So good!

The bread with all the good stuff on the inside.

Hawaii Loa Ridge Trail

Posted on August 21, 2013 by sandersnm

On Sunday, Josh and I hiked Hawaii Loa Ridge trail. It was about four miles roundtrip and was a pretty good workout. The first portion was mostly flat and you dip back down into a valley area. Then the last section is super steep with stairs and a good workout for your legs. The view of the windward coast was beautiful (as always on these hikes) and we had great weather for the day. Great way to spend our Sunday :).

Diamond Head.

Koko Head in the distance.

Josh hiking along.

Pretty valley…the picture doesn’t do it justice.

A tree…growing in the air…

Hiking up the numerous stairs..

The beautiful windward coast.

Honolulu.

Hawaii Kai.

The sun shining off the trees…beautiful.

A Walk in the Country

Posted on August 19, 2013 by sandersnm

On Saturday, a few of my coworkers and I volunteered at BGCH’s biggest fundraiser of the year in Ko Olina. We took a few of our awesome kids as well. It was a beautiful event!

The beautiful set up.

Windward clubhouse staff and kids.

Gorgeous sunset!

The event in action.

Maureen, Jenn and I enjoying our shave ices!

Sunset Beach

Posted on August 17, 2013 by sandersnm

Last night, Josh and I went to watch the sunset at Sunset Beach. I had heard it was a pretty phenomenal sight to see (as so many things are in Hawaii), and it definitely did not disappoint. First, the beach itself was huge and incredibly beautiful. The houses along the beach were amazing (and now if I had a bazillion dollars, I would choose this as the place to purchase a home). There were a few people surfing, swimming and stand up paddleboarding as well as, other people that were there to enjoy the sunset. I would say this sunset is the best I’ve seen in my life and was jaw-droppingly beautiful. I’m not sure the pictures can do it justice!

Walking with our chairs to watch the sunset.

Beautiful houses!

The beach is huge!

Surfer and swimmer.

The clouds were incredible.

Josh was forcing me to take multiple pictures. I was over it.

Stand up paddleboarding.

Moon!

Cousin Fun

Posted on August 9, 2013 by sandersnm

Along with the adventures that I’ve already blogged about, Bailey, Kyle and I spent time hiking, going to the beach, eating tons of good food, enjoying the pool and touring Oahu in general. We had such a great time and I miss them already!! I’m so thankful they were able to come visit and I got to spend such quality time with them :).

Lani Kai beach the first day….first of many beach trips for them.

Pretty sun shining through the clouds.

First açai bowl!

Bailey and her giant smoothie from Lani Kai Juice.

Makapu-u Lighthouse…at the top of the trail.

Bailey and I at the top of Makapu’u Lighthouse trail.

Hiking to Manoa Falls.

Manoa Falls from a distance.

Bailey and Kyle at Manoa Falls.

Bailey in the bamboo forest.

Sushi! They were venturesome. Kyle tried sushi for the first time.

Bailey’s favorite açai bowl from Diamond Head Health Cove.

Our matching bracelets from the North Shore.

The Hula Pie from Duke’s. Incredible! Seriously ridiculously good.

Bailey and I having smoothies in Chinatown.

Blue Ink Night Sky

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I love this picture…and it didn’t even begin capture how beautiful the sky was. The fact that it contains the end of the day to the beginning of the night to stars and then pitch black is exquisite.

Kauai: Trip 1 – Day 1

Posted on July 1, 2013 by sandersnm

Josh and I landed on Kauai Friday evening for our third trip to the island for a quick weekend away from Oahu. We were only an hour late (which is pretty awesome on an inter-island Island Air flight), but since everything on Kauai shuts down at 9:00 p.m., we had few choices for dinner. We grabbed food at Duke’s in Lihue and then checked into our hotel (Kauai Beach Resort).

The entire purpose of this trip was to take a helicopter tour of the island. In February of 2012, Josh and I hiked the Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali coast of Kauai. It was an ridiculous trip (for many reasons) and during those 22 miles there and back, we kept hearing all of the helicopters above us. We decided that we were coming back to Kauai and viewing our amazing hike from up above. We went back to Kauai in September of 2012 to do just that, but got rained out for our tour (shocking). However, I am happy to report that this trip was a COMPLETE success! We had the most amazing helicopter tour with Jack Harter Helicopters. We flew in a helicopter with doors off for a whole hour around the island. We had great weather and the views were incredible! It was by far the highlight of our trip :).

Taking off!

The Marriott Resort in Lihue.

Waterfall from Jurassic Park (also known as Manawaiopuna Falls).

Five waterfalls that pour into Manawaiopuna Falls.

Rainbow!

Waimea Canyon.

The Nā Pali Coast. Incredible.

The Kalalau Trail.

Kalalau Beach…the beach we hiked to.

The trail from above.

Hanalei Bay.

Weeping wall.

Looking back through the valley we just flew through.

Wailua Falls.

After the tour!

After our helicopter tour, we headed to Wailua River to go kayaking. We kayaked two miles upriver to Secret Falls (120 ft water fall). We hiked (much further than we thought) in extremely muddy conditions to the waterfall. I had flip flops on (horrible idea) and we were covered in mud by the time we left.

Along the hike to Secret Falls.

Rooster in the woods.

Covered in mud!

So peaceful.

Kayaking in action.

Action shot of Josh.

This cracks me up.

Almost done!

After kayaking, we went to view ‘Opaeka’a Falls. It was late in the day, so we didn’t get that great of a shot. But it was huge!

After quickly stopping there, we went back to the hotel and got ready for dinner at Hukilau Lanai. We sat out on the patio and enjoyed some amazing food after a terrific day!