Tag Archives: clouds

Mom’s Visit: Part One

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My mom arrived on Thursday and since then we have been taking her all over the island doing as many things as possible! I picked her up on Thursday and in complete tourist fashion, got her a beautiful lei from Chinatown! We then stopped by the apartment before heading to the Kailua Farmers’ Market where we met Josh for dinner. After that, we headed home and called it a night!

Lei from Chinatown.
So happy she’s here!

 

On Friday, we stopped by Spitting Caves, hiked to Makapuʻu Lighthouse and then headed to Serg’s for fish tacos. It started raining so we headed back to Honolulu and wandered through Chinatown for a bit. For dinner, we were touristy and had dinner at Duke’s in Waikiki. They are famous for their Mai Tais and we decided my mom needed to try one! Dinner was delicious and was a perfect way to end a busy first day!

My mom at Spitting Caves. Super happy to be there!
My mom and I at the top of Makapuʻu Lighthouse trail.
Josh and I at Duke’s.
Crab Wontons…our delicious appetizer!
My mom and I split fish. So good!
Josh had ahi..also amazing!

 

Saturday, we headed to the North Shore for some shrimp, açai bowls and shave ice. Our first stop was Giovanni’s. We had corn and shrimp (so good). After enjoying a fantastic lunch, we headed to Haleiwa for dessert. First, we all split an açai bowl (my mom’s first one) then headed across the street for Matsumoto’s famous shave ice. We all picked one flavor and split (mom: tangerine, Josh: coconut creme, me: cherry). Delicious! After our tour of food, we went off-roading on the trail to Kaena Point. It was an extremely bumpy ride with a beautiful rewards at the end. We wandered around Kaena Point and took pictures of the incredible scenery and the endangered birds (albatrosses and shearwaters). We then made our way back to Honolulu for my mom’s first experience of Shabu Shabu!

Our buddy hanging out with us while we enjoy our açai bowl.
Shave Ice!
Me napping on Josh on our way to Kaena Point. I was tired!
My mom and I and Josh’s car on our way to Kaena Point.
My mom and I at Kaena Point.
Vegetable Shabu Shabu. So good!

 

On Sunday, we hiked Mariner’s Ridge. It was cloudy and rainy but we still had a decent view at the top! After that, we went to Kailua to have lunch at Kalapawai Cafe and then Josh gave my mom a tour of base. We ended the day with dinner at home and some time enjoying the hot tub! First few days of her trip have been a blast :).

Josh and I hiking to the top of Mariner’s Ridge.
Josh at the top of Mariner’s Ridge enjoying the view.
My mom and I at the top of Mariner’s Ridge.

 

Maui: Trip 1 – Day 3

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For our third day on Maui, Josh and I woke up at 2:15 a.m. to catch the sunrise at Haleakalā National Park. We viewed the sunrise at 10,023 feet above sea-level at the summit of Haleakalā well above the clouds. It was absolutely FREEZING at the top, but so worth it for the amazing view we received. The pictures below are in the order they were taken. The amazing thing is the clouds kept moving, so it constantly changed how much of the sun we saw. By the time the sun was in the sky, too many clouds had moved in to see it. It was a surreal view.

 

After the sunrise, we took a nap in the car at the visitor center. Our next activity was a horseback ride to the Haleakalā crater floor, but we had a few hours. We met the guide at the visitor center at the summit around 9:15 a.m. He handed out some rain suits for us to wear. He only had sizes L and XL, so needless to say I looked absolutely ridiculous. Our group had eight people in it and Josh and I somehow ended up on the two horses that liked to hang out in the back. At times, it was like we were on our own tour by ourselves…it was pretty comical. After awhile, it was just Josh by himself wayyyyy in the back as I had caught up to the person in front of me. Our view going down to the crater floor was incredible. Pictures cannot do the views justice. We rode down and had lunch on the crater floor and looked around a bit. Then we headed back up to the top. On the way up, the clouds started to come in and it got pretty chilly and misted a bit. By the time we got to the top, I was ready to be in a warm car again! The horseback ride was definitely worth it. Josh and I both decided that hiking it would have been too boring.

The horses arrived in a truck…very interesting.
My giant rain suit.
Josh and Rocky
Me and Trace
The beginning when we were close to the group.
Gorgeous views.
The clouds were amazing!
These plants are called silver swords. They are very unique looking.
Josh’s horse decided to stop moving. He didn’t seem to like going down the steep rock areas.
The view from the crater floor.
Lunch: turkey sandwich, pineapple and chips.
The change in elevation made the chip bag balloon up.

 

After our amazing day at Haleakalā, we went back to the hotel and showered and changed and headed to Mama’s Fish House. We were both really excited about dinner as this restaurant was supposed to be one of the best on Maui. We were absolutely blown away. I think it is the best meal I have ever had in my life. The atmosphere was so unique, the service was great and the food was amazing. We had so much fun and it was a great way to end a tiring day!

The drink menu.
The flowers in the restaurant was beautiful.
Delicious drinks. Almost like a piña colada but with a hint of chocolate.
Pre-appetizer: Asparagus bisque.
Appetizer: Wasabi calamari.
My dinner: Snapper with mushrooms, capers and lemon butter sauce with grilled veggies and rice.
Josh’s Dinner: Mahimahi stuffed with crab and asparagus.
After dinner towels and a mini coconut dessert.

Clouds

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There was a giant cloud outside our building this evening that was bright orange and yellow. It was quite ominous and very unique in appearance, as all of the other clouds around it were normal looking. And I decided to share :).