I feel the good always gets shared with my trips to Hawaii, I never get to tell the behind the scenes of the good. Granted I did talk about the helicopter ride and how it wasn’t as great as I wished, but like any trip, there’s many things that go wrong or not good at all.
I’ve been beyond blessed to have the opportunity to travel there several times and island hop as well, and believe it or not, I always am wishful that everything will go off without a hitch each and every time. And each and every time that is not the case.
I have grand plans to hike Koko Head. I can’t even tell you how much I’ve wanted to hike it, but we always sit around the apartment instead. Its kind of embarrassing really, admitting that we sit around the apartment watching tv more often than not. Believe me, I’m not one to give you tips and advice on the things to see around Oahu because well, I’ve “done them” but not to the full ‘local’ or ‘tourist’ extent. Why?? because that pesky tv…and pure laziness, since I’m being honest.
There’s also little things that creep into the trip that want to create mountains out of mole hills. Getting lost or one person not being in as much a hurry as the other, misunderstandings.. they happen. I think that’s normal for any couple. Its safe to say, and though its irksome at times, we have an argument on every single trip we take. Its silly but it happens.
I was thankful when I read another blogger who admitted that happens with her and her husband on every trip. The stresses always build. Expectations, ideas, plans. They’re all there in both our minds and when it doesn’t work like one imagined, boom! Things get tense. It generally lasts a few hours and after that, everything is grand and the trip is practically perfect.
{Someone should do a study on that.}
But its ok! Its ok we have these spats. G-man and I are very different in our thinking and we’re bound to clash from time to time. It used to scare me. Thinking one fight would lead to an inevitable breakup, but that was in the beginning, in my new relationship immaturity. Now I get things off my chest like its no one’s business…well, I make it his business!
I’ll never forget the ‘one’ in Rome. A doozy that lasted over a day. Imagine being upset with each other for a whole day in Rome! We spent an entire month in a car driving across country without any problems and we choose to have a big fight in Rome!? Craziness, I tell you!
Any way, I hadn’t intended to share any of this actually, at.all. I had plans to tell you how I found a dead mouse on the floor of the restaurant after we finished our meal.. and how I made G-man take our rental car back after 2 hours because of the ant trail I found in the car, but ‘we’ came out instead. I’m not sure why, but maybe to convey that we’re normal. We fight, we disagree, we aren’t perfect in any way, and I truly hope that I don’t portray this “I travel all the time with my love, life is perfect” persona. Heck, I’m 3500 miles away from the man, things are anything but perfect.
But I love him and he loves me. We work really hard to make it work, with the distance and though it sucks and I’m tired of it, I wouldn’t ask for anyone else in my life. My hope {for the future} comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, and I know there’s going to be a great ending.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Not all rainbows and sunsets
Thursday, December 13, 2012
The forgotten left side
Sooo, you’re saying you want me to talk more about the fog?
I kid. I kid.
I’ll just go ahead and talk about the only other subject I have to talk about these days: Hawaii. yay you!
Most of the trip was rainy. Not just Hawaii drizzle but full on thunder storm rain! We had grand ideas of doing a helicopter tour over Waimea Canyon but the rain was killing our hopes and dreams of it. So we’d put off calling until the last minute each day and the one we really wanted, the ‘no doors’ helicopter (which just typing that has my fingers and toes tingling}, were booked solid!
One morning, on a whim we decided to call another helicopter (with doors) and was scheduled that late afternoon, keeping our fingers crossed it wouldn’t rain.
When we did the helicopter tour in Hilo, we got to sit in the front and it was the best thing ever. I brought my zoom lens and got so many great shots. Had room to move around and saw everything so clearly. So on this trip, I brought my brand new zoom lens; extremely eager to use it, thinking I’d get even better shots with it.
We’re numbered as we piled into the van, declaring where we’d sit. I’m 1, G-man’s 2. He already knew by that we were in the back of the helicopter. I didn’t want to believe him, but he was right.
{My view looking forward} G-man piled in and the couple from Germany immediately followed, cramming me up against the glass. We’re squished, or I should say I’m squished. I kept my happy face on the whole time, knowing we’d be in the air soon, soaring over the canyon.
We take off and..
the sun blinds my view.. but only mine because I’m on the pilot’s side and everyone else can look out the right side windows where all the waterfalls are and the gorgeous cliffs.
I attempted to put my zoom lens on, but I couldn’t even zoom out, I’m too shmooshed up to the glass, so I quickly put my 50mm back on and said a quick ‘thank you’ for deciding to take it along, when I almost didn’t.
He swung around every so often to let me see what everyone else was seeing, but it was obvious the left side of the helicopter is the forgotten side. At that point, 15 minutes in, I was getting really bummed. I hardly took any pictures but just looked out at the view.
Its truly a gorgeous view, there’s no denying that. As everyone was enjoying yet another breathtaking scene, I stared off and imagined seeing something equally beautiful as I fought the feelings of air sickness. I began to dream of those no door helicopter tours since I wouldn’t have to fight looking out bubbled glass that makes me sick every time.
G-man occasionally would tap me on the shoulder and point far off to the right, and I would nod my head and smile. It was obvious he was having a great time, loving every second of the ride, there was no need to drag him into my left side woes.
We neared the famed Na Pali Coast.. something I was so eager to see. The gorgeous blue waters, the fingers going down to the water.. I couldn’t wait!
I had time to take 3 pictures, before he whipped the helicopter back around for everyone else to get yet another look, putting me back into the sun so I couldn’t see anything but ocean. Literally, the man pointed the helicopter so the right side faced the mountains, and the forgotten left had nothing but ocean.
I was getting defeated at this point. Not to mention taking slow deep breaths to calm the heat that was rising inside me from the air sickness, I just wanted us to be done.
We still had about 15 minutes left of the tour, so I sat there and stared off as far as I could to keep the sickness at bay, fixing on the top of trees as we’d spin around a waterfall or crevice, listening to their questions getting answered. Finally, we landed and I was ready to stretch my legs and take some deep breaths.
I was all smiles again, because really, it was a beautiful view that few get to witness, and I was grateful to be able to take the trip to see it so close. Not to mention, G-man was ecstatic. He declared it the best helicopter ride he’d ever been on and the views the best he’s ever seen. In pure awe of the canyon.
How could I kill his thrill of the ride?!
I thanked him for the trip and we finished the night with having the worst sushi we ever had in our lives, and drove back to our hotel laughing hoping we wouldn’t wake up sick.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I wanna stay in Kauai
..and we did just that.
On the last day in the beach cottage, we did what we are quickly becoming known for; we extended our stay. It seems to be our theme wherever we go. We like a place so much, we just can’t seem to leave; and change our flights, hotel and car rental. We had high hopes to stay in the cottages but they were completely booked for Thanksgiving, so we made the move to the Grand Hyatt.
But not before seeing Waimea Canyon. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t know we were so close to it the entire first 4 days we were there. Like I mentioned before, we only left the base for groceries, so there was no exploring going on whatsoever. Little did I know we were only 10 minutes away!
On our way to the Grand Hyatt, we decided to swing up through the canyon.
As I was crouching on the edge of the cliff to take these pictures, I stood up to turn to G-man, only to have a Russian tourist about 5 inches from my back taking pictures. To say she wasn’t aware of personal space..not to mention there was at least 40ft of empty space where she could have stood, was clearly completely beyond her.
She must have believed where I was, was the only spot for the perfect picture..
I was just so thankful she didn’t bump into me, or that I didn’t freak out when I turned around nearly running into her.
We stopped at a little waterfall where G-man finally had the chance to play with Monty (aka..my camera). I promise I did not have to pee…and yes, I’m that white in real life.
We pressed on..onward and upward. Higher and higher in elevation until we made it to the lookout. What a lookout it is!
Don’t mind the ‘random guy’ walking down the steps.. he was an easy subject to shoot.
It was so beautiful. They say it rivals Grand Canyon..or is a close second..or is just as big. Ok, I don’t know really know what they say, but I heard the words “Grand Canyon” and “Waimea Canyon” in the same sentence so I know they run in the same circles.
We made our way back down to check into the hotel, where I got very lost looking for the room, while G-man parked the car. He found the room before I did, which if you knew how long it took, that’s a very sad thing to admit.
Our view from the lanai..
2 things you should take note of.. 1) old(er) man in a speedo 2) waterslide. Does the view get any better than that?!
Their pools are open 24 hours a day. I thought that was the neatest thing! And in case you’re wondering, no I did not take advantage of that, but knowing I could was all that mattered, as usually is the case with me.
When we set out to Kauai, we took 4 days worth of clothes. Clothes that would be great for hiking in, or lounging around the house in…not strolling around the Grand Hyatt in. I brought 1 dress on a whim. That one dress would get me through 2 very nice dinners, 2 nights in a row… its one of those dresses that stands out, unfortunately, but hopeful no one took notice, because a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do to be able to get into a fancy restaurant.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
A rose by any other name
would smell as sweet. And a sunset by any other name would be just as beautiful.
It was on that third night, we experienced a truly magical sunset. One for the record books for us. I think its very important to witness one truly spectacular sunset on each island. It’s a must! An absolute must.
I’m so thankful my Kauai sunset did not disappoint.
I think G-man has finally accepted my need to capture the sunsets. Before, I think it bothered him I always wanted to take photos of yet another sunset, leaving me gushing about something that he saw growing up living near the water… a sun setting into the ocean. No big deal really for the man. But I think he finally sees my desire to truly capture spectacular sunsets. He’s less likely to make comments, but instead encourages me to get out.
To understand when I say, “I have to go riiight now” when it means leaving the food on the stove and him finishing the dinner.
I’m thankful he gets it now. Because as odd as it may sound, its becoming quite the passion for me. The best part…is when he’s eager to see the images on the computer and ooh and aaw when I pull them up. Picking which one his favorite is. Makes my heart happy.
This night was no different. I admit, I didn’t think it would be a magical sunset but I was so wrong. Once the sun was completely behind Niihau, the show began.
Its hard passing up one of these nights. As the moon shone, we went back inside, ate our dinner and watched what we thought was the newest Spiderman, but really was the first one and rested and talked and enjoyed each other’s company as the waves crashed on the shore behind us. I couldn’t have asked for a better end to our nights in the beach cottage.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Take me to Kauai
…and he did just that.
Its been a little known fact (that’s had to be repeated…and then repeated again) that I’ve always always wanted to go to Kauai.
We’ve been to Maui, Lanai, Kona, and Hilo. Why we put Kauai off for so long is beyond me…I blame the man.
-Kidding.
But it was high time we made our way over there. He suggested going back to Maui since we loved the Four Seasons there, but he did his research (the man’s a researching maniac), and found the military base on Kauai has beach cottages..like right on the beach! (hence the name..yes yes, I know).
We weren’t able to nab a cottage right on the sand, but we did manage to get one across the street that’s on stilts that looks over the one level cottages. I personally loved this. I loved being up high. We had an obstructed view, but to come out in the morning on the deck and drink my coffee listening to the waves crashing and only the waves crashing was a glorious and relaxing sound.
We made all our meals: big breakfasts in the morning and grilling at night. He watched his football while I watched the waves. 4 unwinding days in the cottages. We only left the base to drive into town to get food, we had little desire to do anything else.
One night as the sun set, we walked along the water’s edge. If you knew us you’d know we aren’t exactly “water” people. Its borderline cold for us…yes, even in Hawaii, so for us to wade our legs in and let the waves crash against us was a big step. But we ended up loving it. The tide would come in a little more and a little more as the minutes passed. The little crabs would pop their bodies out of their hiding places in the sand, and let the water sweep them in only to have the next gentle wave push them back to shore.
We found so much enjoyment watching those little crabs run in the water.
On day three, I finally made my way out to the beach for some true relaxation. While he watched his football, I set up camp enjoying the virtually empty beach. A private beach is really hard to pass up.
I was inspired by this pin and went to work.
Again, I’m thankful for a virtually empty beach as that took me 4 different times in 4 different locations to write. I’m sure I looked a little crazy writing, running to my camera, snapping away, erasing it and moving on 4 times over. But I love how it came out.
I’ve done a bit of sand writing on other beaches on other islands, and I think this might be my tradition. To write ‘love’ or a love message in each beach’s sand that I’m on.
There’s nothing like this little gem. This secret spot that only few get to visit. I’m honored that I had the opportunity to stay there. To feel the waves and watch the crabs.
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