Our first stop was to our B&B on the North Shore of Kauai, where we would spend just two nights. Just after our first of many meals consisting of locally & on-site grown fruit we set out for our first hiking trip. Starting at Ke’e beach, began spent the day on an 8-mile round-trip hike along the Kalalau Trail provided fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Na Pali Coast. Our first stop along the coast was Hanakapi’ai Beach, an all stone beach that does not allow for swimming or wading at all. Turbid water at the coast did provide wonderful views of wave-created caves along the cliffs. From the beach we hiked in-land to discover the Hanakapi’ai Falls, sampling the forest’s delicious guava fruits along the way. Many stream and river crossings later down the ambiguous trail and we arrived at the end, a torrential waterfall that could scarcely be approached.

At the end of the hike, nothing was quite as soothing as spending the evening drinking delish Hawaii beers on the front porch.

Hanakapi’ai Beach

Hanakapi'ai Falls

Day Two on the North Shore of Kauai and still very jet-lagged provided an excellent opportunity to catch the sunrise in Hanalei Bay.

Hanalei Bay, Kauai

After greeting our second morning in the North Shore, we headed South. In an hour’s drive we went from tropical rain forest to what could have easily passed as Arizona if it weren’t for the ridiculous green mountains and ocean in the background. To escape the dry heat, we drove down miles of private, unmarked dirt roads to stake out an undercrowded spot for some snorkeling. We didn’t know at the time that we’d see the endangered Monk Seal napping on the shore - quite the lucky experience. After a day in the sun we headed to an airfield in Hanapepe to set up for naturally spectacular sunset. Our view consisted of a Pacific setting sun beyond the island of Niihau with humpback whales celebrating the evening with a breach show. We headed back at the end of day two to an even more glorious B&B. It was quite possibly the most romantic place we’ve ever stayed in!

Monk Seal, Kamala Point Beach

Sally snorkling at Kamala Point, Kauai

Robert on Kamala Point Beach, Kauai

Sunset: beer, beach, and humpbacks

Day three consisted of yet another day in a row that we’ll never forget - a hike to Waimea Canyon in the Kokee State Park of Kauai. 10.5 miles along the Naulolo Trail, Naulolo Cliffs Trail, and return on the Awaawapuhi Trail. I can’t possibly explain nor do justice to how amazing the sites were. Look down, and for thousands of feet you see green cliffs, helicopters giving tours valleys, etc. Look across, and you get dozens of waterfalls, hundreds of cliffs, nothing but green colliding with red mud, etc. Look out, and you find an ocean that couldn’t be more deep blue, with easy to spot whales splashing around. A full day’s hike, cliff trails that I’ll never do again in my life, and another amazing experience we’ll never be able to forget. Let it be known that Kauai is the most amazing place, ever.

Sally at Lolo Vista Point, Na Pali Coast

Na Pali Coast, Kauai

Robert: glimpsing at death on the Nualolo Cliffs Trail

Robert watching the whales over Naulolo Valley

Naulolo Valley, Kauai

Sunset from the Waimea Canyon access road

Day four: Oahu bound, it was time to switch it up. Oahu is a less exciting island, as it is packed to the seams with the tourists and culture we typically avoid. During our few days there though, we still found ways to have even more unforgettable moments. Aside from exploring local Asian/Hawaiian foods as well as off the-beaten-to-death-by-tourist-path bars. Our first day on this island was spent with time soaking up the sun on Waikiki Beach and exploring the contemporary Beach Walk area.

Robert, Waikiki Beach

Sally, Waikiki Beach

Day five we headed east to Mauhalua Bay for our first deep scuba dive adventure. Site locations included New Barge and The Crater (an old volcano teeming with colorful life). New barge dive landed us on top of a boat at 90 feet under where we saw some exciting sealife. Ever swim with a reef shark or have a staring contest with a giant sea turtle? We have. We wrapped up the day with a trip to Chinatown, Honolulu visiting the local club scene enjoying yummy tropical beers and contemplating this state as our future home.

S&R, post Mauhalua Bay diving

Day six, an Oahu highlight was our day long road trip around the island. We started the trip by heading east up the Pali highway where we crested the hills and caught a specacular view of the windward coast. From there we explored the towns of Kailua and Kaneohe before heading to the gorgeous and peaceful Byodo-In Temple. Continuing North along the coast, we drove by miles of amazing and deserted beaches, and eventually wound up at one of many shrimp farms for lunch. Garlic shrimp with corn on the cobb? Best ever. A couple stops on the North Shore included Hale’iwa beach to check out the local surf-scene, and Waimea Bay where we witnessed a lighthearted playful humpback up-close and personal. After stopping for a snack at the Dole Plantation and farmer’s market we took a drive to Ka’ena Point for our final sunset in Hawaii. Upon returning to Waikiki we made our last trip out for some Hawaiian beers at the Yard House.

Pali Highway look-out

Beautiful Kailua Bay

Byodo-In Temple:Sally offering a ring on the three-ton, brass peace bell

Byodo-In Temple, Lotus Buddha

Byodo-In Temple

Koi pond friends

Best Hawaii Meal!

Shrimp farm kitty loves to eat! Robert loves to share.

Sally at Ka'ena Point

Robert at Ka'ena Point

Playing in the lava

Final evening, beers at the Yard House, Waikiki

Day seven: our final opportunity to soak up some sun on the beach before catching a plane home. We chilled on Waikiki in some lounge chairs drinking fruity beverages.

Fall of 2005 at UVM, two seniors were desperate to complete their phys. ed. requirements for graduation. The instant attraction between Rob and I in that ballroom dance class was palpable, and was only just the beginning. Nearly 3 years ago, in January 2006, Rob and I traveled to Boston for a visit. We found ourselves enjoying the city, the sights, shopping, and especially the food. At the end of the day we ventured to the Skywalk at the top of the Prudential Center and spent hours looking over the city. At the time I wanted to move to Boston after graduation to kick off my nursing career, Robert seemed suddenly eager to make the move to Boston also after hearing my story. As summer approached and the job hunt was in full swing, so was the realization to secure housing. It was a big step, and we both took the leap to get an apartment and relocate together to Boston. Two years have gone by since we came to Boston, with plenty of incidence, commitments, and occasions (as evidence from prior posts). This third anniversary, with our third dinner and walk around the Top of the Hub, we had a touching reflection on how far we have come from that college dance class: graduation, a true relationship, relocation, travel and vacations, the tying and growing of families, becoming city-dwellers, more vacations and world travel, relationship growth, career developments, career retirements (Yay Rob!), home ownership, and so much more. We look to the future with anticipation and excitement of so much more we plan to accomplish together.

I will be keeping an online journal to track my progress as a baker/patissier: www.pastryvoyage.com,  feel free to check it out (once I get it set up).  I am always looking for a reason to bake, so please send along any pastry/bread requests to help further my cause and experience.  I am sure Robert will thank you for giving his totally-ripped abs a break.

Sally made me this delicious meal for dinner, too!
http://www.yankeemagazine.com/recipes/search/onerecipe.php?number=342