Our great friends Dave & Sjauna were forced to live in Hawaii for a few months for work...tough job! :) Back when we got married, Sjauna offered to let us come stay with her for a week in the summer. We decided to try and do it for our honeymoon, so we stayed in California the week after our wedding in hopes of saving money for Hawaii. We weren't sure if it would work out, but thanks to friends and their connections, we were able to go the first week of June!
We had an AMAZING week! We missed the whole first day due to about 12 hours in delays, which sucked, but now we have credit for future flights and can hopefully go back soon! The weather there was so nice, but so humid! It took me a bit to get used to, but it was much better than the cold spell we were having here in So. Cal. The water was warm and just so beautiful. It was like living a week in paradise! I know that seasoned travelers can tell you that there are better places to travel, but I really can't imagine a better place. It was perfect for us!
Finally on a plane! We were so sick of LAX after the delays and plane switching!
We were so hungry that we ordered tons of food on the plane! The food on Delta is delish!Our first full day we hung out with Sjauna and her two darling kids at the pool in their Resort community...nicest pool I've ever been in. Then Cody and I went off to explore the Lagoon across the street. It was so beautiful, and right next to the resort my brother stayed at on his Honeymoon. We tried out snorkeling for the first time there, and Cody saw a few fish, but I freaked out at the first sight of them. I'm not used to seeing what's actually under the water! :)
The Resort Community where the Schorr fam is living for the summer
I just LOVED seeing these everywhere...and putting them in my hair!
One of the four lagoons near where we stayed.That night we went to visit my cousin and his wife who live in Waikiki. I was surprised to see that Waikiki is like LA, Hollywood, and Beverly Hills all rolled into one! It was quite crowded and very busy, but there was so much to see. We had a lovely dinner together (Thanks again Dan for treating us!) and then walked along the beach...if I would have had a swimsuit on I would have jumped in...it was so warm, even at night! It was nice to see Dan for the first time in over 10 years and to meet his awesome wife Jenny.
Amidst the shops in Waikiki - such cool trees in Hawaii
Dan and Jenny, the locals :)
Near the restaurant...shops as far as the eye can see!
On the beach, after I got suckered into buying a lei...yep, I'm a tourist! But I LOVED it!!!
View from Dan & Jenny's apartment - I felt like I was in New York! Not that I've been to New York or anything. :) Who knew Honolulu & Waikiki were so urban?
The next day Dave & Sjauna took us to the North Shore. The drive was beautiful! We passed many pineapple plants and cool trees. People were right when they told us that the North Shore of Oahu is the best...It was so beautiful! We saw a lot, but stopped at Three Tables beach for a few hours of swimming and snorkeling. I finally got the courage to snorkel with Cody, and it was amazing! I just held his hand and let him lead me through the reefs. We saw so many beautiful fish, and we even swam with a school of over 100 fish! It was such a cool experience. Now I know how people get hooked on snorkeling. After the beach we had a yummy lunch of Thai food in the little town of Haliewa, then headed over to Matsumotos for their famous shaved ice. It was delicious, well worth the reputation. Best shaved ice in Hawaii hands down (trust us...we kept trying other places, but although they were good, they weren't Matsuomoto good :). The shopping was great in Haliewa too. If we go back to Oahu, I just want to stay on the North Shore near Haliewa...I just loved it! On the drive back we stopped at the Dole Pineapple Factory to shop, get some pineapple ice cream and cheesecake, and to look around. Very cool place. When we got back home, Dave grilled up some steak and asparagus. Dave & Sjauna fed us very well while we were there...they are the BEST hosts!
North Shore = Paradise!
Evelynn & Owen Schorr - coolest kids in Hawaii!
Outside Matsumotos
Mmmmm...Pineapple!!!!
This is what happens if you eat too much Pineapple! :)
Saturday was our busiest day, but one of the best. We hiked Diamond Head crater in the morning. It was a steep hike, with lots of stairs, but so worth it. Amazing views! And there's a truck at the bottom to treat yourself to a nice smoothie and shaved ice when your done. :) Next we went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, the best place to snorkel in Oahu because it is a nature preserve. There were so many beautiful fish! And they must know they're protected because they are not shy. We saw 4 sea turtles! It was an awesome experience, and I would love to go again! Next we met up with the Schorrs and had Teddy's for lunch (YUM!) and then Cody and I rented a kayak for 4 hours. We kayaked to a couple of places, including Lanikai beach where we met up with the Schorrs again. Lani Kai is beautiful...pristine white sand, clear warm water, protected by reefs...it was the best beach we went to. Kayaking was cool, but there is a reason people call them divorce boats. We argued a lot! Communication was breaking down, we weren't paddling as a team...it was pretty funny. While kayaking Cody lost his wedding ring! Oops! He was upset at first, but for some reason it didn't bother me. I've had so many guy friends lose theirs and have to buy new ones that I guess I wasn't too surprised. We joke now that we were arguing so much on the kayak that Cody threw it into the ocean...divorce boat indeed! I guess we'll never know what really happened. ;)
Amidst the shops in Waikiki - such cool trees in Hawaii
Dan and Jenny, the locals :)
Near the restaurant...shops as far as the eye can see!
On the beach, after I got suckered into buying a lei...yep, I'm a tourist! But I LOVED it!!!
View from Dan & Jenny's apartment - I felt like I was in New York! Not that I've been to New York or anything. :) Who knew Honolulu & Waikiki were so urban?The next day Dave & Sjauna took us to the North Shore. The drive was beautiful! We passed many pineapple plants and cool trees. People were right when they told us that the North Shore of Oahu is the best...It was so beautiful! We saw a lot, but stopped at Three Tables beach for a few hours of swimming and snorkeling. I finally got the courage to snorkel with Cody, and it was amazing! I just held his hand and let him lead me through the reefs. We saw so many beautiful fish, and we even swam with a school of over 100 fish! It was such a cool experience. Now I know how people get hooked on snorkeling. After the beach we had a yummy lunch of Thai food in the little town of Haliewa, then headed over to Matsumotos for their famous shaved ice. It was delicious, well worth the reputation. Best shaved ice in Hawaii hands down (trust us...we kept trying other places, but although they were good, they weren't Matsuomoto good :). The shopping was great in Haliewa too. If we go back to Oahu, I just want to stay on the North Shore near Haliewa...I just loved it! On the drive back we stopped at the Dole Pineapple Factory to shop, get some pineapple ice cream and cheesecake, and to look around. Very cool place. When we got back home, Dave grilled up some steak and asparagus. Dave & Sjauna fed us very well while we were there...they are the BEST hosts!
North Shore = Paradise!
Evelynn & Owen Schorr - coolest kids in Hawaii!
Outside Matsumotos
Mmmmm...Pineapple!!!!
This is what happens if you eat too much Pineapple! :)Saturday was our busiest day, but one of the best. We hiked Diamond Head crater in the morning. It was a steep hike, with lots of stairs, but so worth it. Amazing views! And there's a truck at the bottom to treat yourself to a nice smoothie and shaved ice when your done. :) Next we went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, the best place to snorkel in Oahu because it is a nature preserve. There were so many beautiful fish! And they must know they're protected because they are not shy. We saw 4 sea turtles! It was an awesome experience, and I would love to go again! Next we met up with the Schorrs and had Teddy's for lunch (YUM!) and then Cody and I rented a kayak for 4 hours. We kayaked to a couple of places, including Lanikai beach where we met up with the Schorrs again. Lani Kai is beautiful...pristine white sand, clear warm water, protected by reefs...it was the best beach we went to. Kayaking was cool, but there is a reason people call them divorce boats. We argued a lot! Communication was breaking down, we weren't paddling as a team...it was pretty funny. While kayaking Cody lost his wedding ring! Oops! He was upset at first, but for some reason it didn't bother me. I've had so many guy friends lose theirs and have to buy new ones that I guess I wasn't too surprised. We joke now that we were arguing so much on the kayak that Cody threw it into the ocean...divorce boat indeed! I guess we'll never know what really happened. ;)
What a hike...
..but what a view!
Mmmmm! Shaved ice!
Hanauma Bay!
Lanikai was gorgeous! Too bright though...I could hardly open my eyes for the camera!
Our first time kayaking...and probably our last! :)So, there are our first 3 days in Hawaii...stay tuned for more!
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