A much needed break...

We had been talking about going on a vacation in October since the beginning of the year, but weren't sure where we were going to go.  Last year Mike and I had decided we were going to celebrate our 25th anniversary this past summer in Hawaii, but so much has happened since then and all the medical issues, doctors appointments and new medications etc put a bit of a damper on that.  (We ended up just doing a weekend away at Park City.)

The thought of turning Hawaii in to a family vacation didn't really appeal to me at first because it was honestly something I wanted to do just the two of us, so about six weeks ago we started to plan a trip to San Francisco for the four of us.  There is lots Mike and I have always wanted to do and see there, so we were pretty excited with the idea, however, I couldn't bring myself to commit to anything for some reason.  I continued to double think it and the more I thought about it and talked about it with Mike, the more we both realized we just needed to get away to somewhere beautiful, NOT in the city, where we could just relax.

Four weeks ago we decided to look at plane tickets to Hawaii just to see what we would be looking at for our family of four and we found an incredible deal on airfare. ($460 round trip). We then immediately found an amazing 1150 sqft condominium for rent in a beautiful beach side resort that would give us and the kids their own space so we wouldn't be on top of each other the whole week.  After looking at all the beaches and waterfalls and seeing the weather was currently mid-high 70's, I was sold. We booked everything that night.

Last week was the most amazing family vacation week we have ever spent together. We got off to a bit of a rocky start when after sitting at SLC airport for over six hours, they finally cancelled our flight because of the fires in California.  Due to a wind shift, nothing was being allowed in or out of San Francisco, which is where our connection to Kauai was.  After spending half an hour on the phone with the airline fighting to try and get us on a flight before Sunday, (it was currently Thursday), they finally got us on a flight for the next morning but we would have to go to Dallas, then Los Angeles, then finally get to Kauai.  It definitely was not the ideal situation, but it was better than waiting three days to get out of Salt Lake.

Dee and Mike Sr didn't mind the detour in to Dallas at all.  Mike enjoyed true Texas BBQ in the airport,  and DeAnna spend an hour and $100 in the Dallas Cowboys Pro Shop.

Personally, the trip was extremely difficult for me.  The first two flights were not too bad, but by that last flight of almost 6 hours, my body was done... I was in quite a lot of pain and I was zinging and having trouble breathing... honestly, I thought I was just going to pass out on the plane... I don't know how I made it through the last couple of hours.  I literally wanted to kiss the ground when we got off of the plane.  It was about 8:30pm Hawaii time when we finally arrived, we had been traveling for what seemed like two days since we had been at the airport the whole day before too, and I was not feeling awesome, but the guy at the rental car company, Steve, was wonderful and reset our mood with his friendliness and happy spirit.  Isn't it amazing how one persons kindness can change your whole entire outlook?

We left the airport upgraded to a Black Jeep Wrangler... what a fun car to explore the island in.  We absolutely loved it!  We arrived at the Beach Resort shortly after and walked straight in to heaven.    After having made it through the initial hiccup, we were ready to enjoy paradise.

I can't say enough about the suite we rented through VRBO.  This was our first time going this route, and we were seriously impressed.  If you have never tried this, I highly recommend it after this trip.  Not only was the place spacious, air conditioned, (which is definitely not the norm in Hawaii), beautifully updated with two full master suites, a full kitchen, living room and dining areas in the suite and on the lanai, but the owners of the suite had also made sure we had everything we needed for the week... there was a washer and dryer with detergent, dishwasher tablets, pantry items like spices, foil, and baking supplies, a beach umbrella and chairs, beach towels, boogie boards, pool toys, a wii, board games, books... it was absolutely incredible.  The best place we have ever stayed by far.

The resort had a 2 acre pool with a lazy river, hot tubs and water slides.  It was right on the beach so we could walk out at any time to put our feet in the sand.  Three times we were lucky enough to see Monk Seals sleeping right on the beach which was pretty amazing.

The whole week was fun, relaxing and BEAUTIFUL!  Some of the most stunning landscape I have ever seen in my life.  Throughout the week we explored Hanalei Bay and walked the pier, we dropped in on the wet and dry caves, (Waikapalae cave and Maniniholo cave), where they filmed parts of Pirates of the Caribbean On Stranger Tides, we visited the Kilauea lighthouse (one of the best views on the island), at the wildlife refuge, we drove through the Kauai tree tunnel on Maliuhi Road, watched the surf spray several stories high at Spouting Horn, drove deep in to Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific", stopped at every waterfall and valley lookout we could possibly find, and I think we visited every beach possible on the Island.  I have to say they were all amazingly picturesque, but our favorites were definitely Lumahai Beach, where they filmed the movie "South Pacific", and Poipu Beach down south.

The whole island was so vibrantly green with the most bright splashes of orange, purple, deep red, white and yellow flowers... just so magnificent to look at.  Then the complement of the blue skies and green & blue water with white clouds... I was in awe everywhere we drove.  It was breathtaking.

The highlight of the whole week for all of us was definitely the Smith Family Garden Luau.  We were greeted with shell lei's and jumped on a tram for a tour of their beautiful 30-acre garden.  We were served fun drinks in the open bar while they performed the Imu Ceremony, (pulling the Kalua pig wrapped in leaves out of the earthen imu oven.)  We enjoyed a feast of traditional Hawaiian flavors including kalua pork, beef teriyaki, chicken adobo, mahimahi, lomi salmon, fresh poi, hawaiian sweet potatoes, mac salad, namasu salad and the most amazing tropical fruit.  I didn't even know I liked papaya, but that was scrumptious!  I also tried guava and dragon fruit and of course enjoyed the sweetest pineapple I've ever tasted.  We ended the evening watching the Rhythm of Aloha Show, where they performed dances from Tahiti, the Phillipines, New Zealand, Samoa, Japan and Hawaii... and ended with the coolest Fire Dance performance.  It was the most incredible evening.  Our favorite experience the entire week.

We enjoyed some great food all through the week.  Yummy Mexican at Mariachas, the most incredible pancakes/waffles at Kountry Kitchen, delightful burritos at Da Crack, juicy burgers at Bubbas, and luscious coconut shrimp at the Shrimp Station to name a few.  We also quickly became addicted to shaved ice.  There is nothing like sitting under an umbrella on the beach enjoying a tropical shaved ice.  Dee told me there is a place in Utah that does these... I'll definitely be visiting! :)

I was blessed to have very few issues physically.  The weather was perfect to keep my symptoms at bay.  Because the week was so relaxing, I wasn't overly fatigued, and it got dark early, so we got to bed at reasonable times every day.  It was just so wonderful.  I'm so glad we were able to take the kids and enjoy such a memorable week together.  After the long year we have had with all my new health issues to figure out, it was definitely a much needed break for everyone... a week that we could just take a deep breath and enjoy life together.