I just returned from the most amazing trip of my life with my husband, best friend Tina (my sister) and her husband. In fact, it was so amazing that none of us wanted to return home. We all missed our children, but we did not miss the real life. I don't remember the last time I was so relaxed and carefree. It is hard to put into words the feelings I had while we were there and still now. I get very emotional to think about it. I will never be able to repay Rick and Tina for making the dream of my lifetime come true. I only look forward to the next dream we can create.
Our trip started on the island of Oahu after a very long flight across the waters. I will admit I was very nervous about the flight. I am okay if i don't think about the fact that I am thousands of feet in the air, but that is hard not to do for five and a half hours. Thank goodness Rob was there to hold my hand. We headed over the the Polynesian Cultural Center and Hawaii temple as soon as we got there. Of course, that was after we watched Rick pull the handle completely out of the suitcase in the airport. I will never forget the look on his face - I wish I had my camera out. He walked forward with this pole in his hand while the suitcase lay on the floor. It was so hilarious. We were lucky enough to find duck tape to put the pole back in so they could use it the rest of the trip. With milk almost $6 a gallon, I can imagine what a suitcase would have cost.
The temple was so beautiful as they all are. It was just like in all the pictures...up on this hill with so many colors surrounding it. From there we went to the PCC for an afternoon of shows, a luau and an evening adventure. The culture of the people from the islands is amazing to learn. I think the men from Tonga were my favorite - and the Japan dude they had beating the drum. They really do pound those drums like they are made of steele. The muscles on their arms are enormous. I was looking forward to a great Hawaiian luau and this one was okay. I was disappointed a little in the food - not many choices and I was so geared up for tons of fresh fruit - especially pinaeapple. It was still the luau with the deep pit pig and poi (which I did not try). The show afterwards was really good - at least the parts I saw. Remember, it is now almost one in the morning and we have been up since six. We were all worn out.
The next day was spent at the Pearl Harbor Memorial Sites. One stands in awe as they look down at the Arizona and realize so many lifes were lost that day and buried there with the ship. To look at the names of the men and women on the wall is incredible. They had no chance to react or get off the ship. They had no chance to call home and tell their children good-bye or that they loved them. They gave their lives for us that day. We also visited the air museum where the story was told again of how Japan stole our freedom for the one day. I grateful I am to be an American and for those who fight every day for me.
That night we headed to the island of Kaua'i which I am told is the most beautiful of all. After driving down roads that took us right to the ocean and to a grocery store to buy a few days of food, we finally came to our condo. From the road, you drive along and see flames on bamboo poles lighting a driveway - our entrance. Tina went to check us in and came out to tell us "you know the hotel lobbies you see in grand movies, that is what we have here.". It was so unreal. you took an escalator down to the lobby which was surrounded by an open garden. Fish ponds, flowers, trees, frogs, ...the whole works. Mirrors on all sides (which a certain duck visited every night to talk to his friends - which was really himself). A place that I would never be able to afford to stay. Got to love those time shares. Our rooms were just as nice. We had king size beds, balconies (even though our view was of the roof from the floor below), a small kitchen, and all the comforts of home. The hotel sported its own private beach as well as a huge swimming pool complete with elephant shooting foutains and four jacquzzis. Again, it was like living in a dream world.
So, we were on this beautiful island at a gorgeous hotel, and we had a list a mile long of things we wanted to do. We were only able to spend about one day on our hotel beach enjoying the water and the sea turtle that tried to take Rob out when the waves came in. Poor guy could not help it though, he was missing a fin. We did spend many a night in the jacquizzi's though relaxing and laughing. I laughed so much this vacation...it was awesome. We had adventures from zip lining, to kayaking, to hiking, to scuba diving, a cruise and a helicopter tour. My favorites had to be the helicopter and the zip line. In fact, the helicopter tour caught me so off guard. I started to cry as our pilot played some song with the words miracle in it as he flew ever so close to the waterfalls and mountain tops. I was in awe that our Heavenly Father could and would create something so beautiful for me. He loves little old me enough to give me this beautiful world. I will have to say the Napeli coast was much more interesting from the air than from the cruise. The catamaran cruise was way too long and way too bumpy. However, the pool of porpoises we came across was delighting...I felt like a little kid wanting to touch the dolphins. Rob and Rick enjoyed the snorkeling off the boat, but Tina and I decided we were fine right where we were.
The zip line is awesome! Everyone said that I would have to be pushed off the ledge in order for me to go. However, I think Rick was more nervous that I was. We had a course that included nine zip lines. Each one was unique. It is a strange feeling to suddenly have your feet not underneath you anymroe and you are flying. You pray the line will hold then suddenly you are on solid ground again. To look down from those zip lines gives you a few you don't see from the hikes. You see rivers and streams and colors- so many colors. I will have to say, I am proud to be a zipliner. In fact, the last zip line was a race and I beat my sister across. It was four football fields long and 15 stories from the zip line to the valley below. It was awesome.
I am so glad that over the past year, I have put my body in shape. All those early morning or late night runs paid off. We hiked the canyons and I was not even tired. We went to waterfalls, and cliffs covered by clouds. I did not especially hiking right along the rim or Rob trying to climb down to the waterfall below, but the view was breathtaking. Again, something you can not put into words.
My favorite times were just being together sitting and talking or shopping. I loved all the activities, but I loved the bonding I was able to do with my sister, her husband and my bestest friend....Rob. We laughed and cried; we joked and played; we shopped and laughed some more. I think Tina and I made a great news story when we tried to snorkel while Rob and Rick were scuba diving. People on the beach were telling us to walk backwards with our fins on as it is easier....but it was more fun trying to lift your foot from the sand to take a step forward. We finally just took them off since we were not going out far anyway. We proceded to snorkel...by sticking our faces in the water while our feet were on the ground. We had to prove to our husbands that we did get in the water and use our snorkel gear. It was an expensive ten minute excursion. We finally decided it would be more fun to go shopping and get ice cream...so that is what we did.
I will never forget this trip or the feelings it brough to my heart. I believe my marriage has been revived and we are close again. I feel so bonded with my sister. How my heart wishes we could always be close (along with the rest of our families). However, I think being apart makes times like this more special. The islands of Hawaii have definitely won a place in my heart. I pray that someday I will be able to go again and be revived. In fact, I would leave tonight if I could.
Aloha.....
(PS...the site did not want to upload my photos, but you can find those on facebook)
