For our 17th Anniversary we took a week long trip with our friends Dave and Tia Palmer to the beautiful islands of Hawaii. We had the opportunity of staying with Dave's parents Mel and Adaline Palmer who are serving a mission at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We had a blast and made some wonderful memories. We are so grateful for their kindness and hospitality. As I reread my post I found that I say 'so beautiful' and 'I loved it' alot. Sorry, but those are the only words I could come up with to describe my experience. It was a beautiful experience and I loved it, ALOT!!!
Mel and Adaline picked us up from the airport and presented us with a welcome kiss and our own laie. We stayed on the island of ohau near the north shore in a town called Lahie.
These banyon trees are the coolest trees I've ever seen they grow from the top down. When the vines hit the ground they become hard and solid.
I love the ocean! I couldn't get enough of it! Every morning I would walk, run, or just sit by the ocean. I loved to just watch it and feel it splash up on my legs.
On Sunday before church, Mike and I walked down to the beach and just enjoyed the peaceful beauty. We noticed some footprints in the sand and thought about the poem "Footprints" It really touched our hearts to have a visual reminder that we are never alone.
We had so much fun Paddle boarding. We were able to paddle up a little inlet river of salt water. We saw some huge sea turtles sunning themselves along the shore of the river. Mike tried to get them to move but they didn't want any part of it.
Our friends the Haycock's recommended Ted's Bakery as a must do in Hawaii and they were right! The chocolate macadamenia nut pie was to die for. Sooooo Yummy!!!
My very favorite thing we did was boogie boarding. It was so much fun! I could have done it for hours and hours. The water was so clear and warm and the waves were perfect. We had a blast!
Cliff jumping off the point. It's a little bit scarier jumping into the ocean as opposed to a lake or pool. Mike put on the snorkel gear and swam around under the cliffs to make sure it was deep enough and that there were no rocks. Mike did this cliff a couple of times and loved it.
I wasn't as brave, so I found a smaller cliff and made mike get in the water so I would feel more secure. It was still pretty high and I had to jump out over some rocks that stuck out into the water. Mike is standing on them so I knew to jump over him.
Mike swimming me back to shore.
Mike and Dave after jumping off the cliff.
Both of Dave and Tia's parents were at the Polynesian Cultural Center when we went, so we had to have a group shot.
I love ths guy!!!
The girls!
Wishing we could play the ukulele.
There is so much to do and see at the PCC center. We spent the whole day there and enjoyed the beauty and learning about all of the different cultures. It was a great day!
At the Figi Islands we got our tribal tatoos.
Watching the sunrise over the ocean was another favorite thing. It was so beautiful and peaceful. Where we stayed we were just a quick walk right to the ocean. It was Amazing!
My other very favorite thing we did was snorkeling at Electric Beach. We had to swim out quite a ways but were able to see some of the prettiest and clearest water. It was so clear that we could see under water for miles. There were so many different kinds of clorful fish and other sea animals. We were able to swim with a couple of sea turtles and they were my favorite. I loved watching them swim. Mike dove down and grabbed one and swam with it for a minute. So amazing and wonderful! It's like a whole other world under the sea.(if I could quote Sebastian). I loved it!!!
We loved all the yummy food in Hawaii. Every day we would stop by the fruit stand off the side of the road and get fresh pineapple, mangos, kiwi, strawberries, papya, already cut up and cold ready to eat. We also loved the shaved ice.
The other thing we ate every day was Tita's homemade bread with mango, pinapple, strawberry jam. It was to die for. So good!!!
The last day we took some fun pictures at the beach and then at the temple with Dave's nice camera. I haven't got those pics from him, but these are some I took on my own. Something to remember the incredible time we had.
I love this guy so much. We had so much fun together. He is my best friend and I couldn't imagine life without him.
This is the boyfriend pic. We always tease these guys that they are each others boyfriends. Good friends!
Our dear friends, Dave and Tia! We had so much fun with them and loved every minute of it. Thanks you guys!
The Laie Hawaii Temple is gorgeous.
The temple grounds were breathtaking with so many different kinds of plants, flowers and trees, so Beautiful!
The view from the front doors of the temple. So beautiful with the ocean and palm trees. Love it!
