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I know what you were expecting – you were expecting me to blog about my whole trip in one nice little blog post.  But I can’t do it!  We packed so much in – took so many pictures – have so many stories to tell.  I just can’t do it all in one big post.  So I’m breaking it up.  That way I’ll get to tell more of the details. 

DAY ONE – SUNDAY, JULY 13th
Our first day was Sunday.  After picking Derek up at the airport, we drove around the south side of the island.  We stopped for a yummy brunch at a cafe.  Then headed back up north to let him change.  We went to our church services there in a beautiful open-air building.  The chapel was lined with big windows and doors and all of the classrooms are in a big open pavilion.  We stayed for the three hour block and enjoyed the welcoming nature of these Saints.  They were warm and faithful and very kind to us.  We also enjoyed getting to know another family from California who were vacationing.  At the end of Relief Society, one of the sisters shared some mango sorbet that she had made for all the ladies.  Score for me!  Then we once again made the drive down to the airport to pick up the Hickens.  Yeah, they’re here…let the fun begin.

DAY TWO – MONDAY, JULY 14th
That morning we were greeted once again by our red-feathered friends, the roosters.  They were in the gardens at the resort, in the parking lot, around the pools…cracked me up!

We started the day with a little poolside meeting to discuss our plans.  Then headed into the small town of Hanalei to get some groceries and have some lunch.  We ate at ‘Tropical Tacos’ – the men had fish tacos and we all enjoyed the chips and salsa.

After shopping we headed down to a secluded beach that had been featured in some of the literature…called Hideaways.  It’s quite a hike to get down to it (not long, just very steep), but it was well worth it.  Beautiful, quiet, uncrowded beach just outside the Hanalei Bay.  Derek and Matt snorkeled.  I made a weak attempt at snorkeling, but the waves were too big for me. 

Shortly before leaving, we saw something swimming a few yards out from the shore, and realized it was a seal.  So fun to see that!

That evening we met at the Princeville Hotel for a luau.  Lots of food, pog juice, and a good show.  It was a necessary part of our Hawaiian experience.

It was Dana’s idea to pose like that, and then she left me hanging!  If you know Dana and I at all, you will surely doubt that.  🙂  These guys were great performers.

And then once again we were awed by the beautiful sunset in paradise.  Here’s a shot of the moon: