I wanted to get this post up earlier this week, but it’s been an interesting week to say the least. Anyway, a lot of people dream about traveling to Europe or somewhere overseas, but Hawaii has always been my dream destination. And I feel so blessed that I actually got to visit there recently! We had the best time, and I want to move there.
This post will mostly just be lots of pictures so you’ve been warned. :) Let me first just say we did stay in Honolulu a few days. It is very touristy and busy. It was pretty yes, but Maui is what has my heart. It’s more countryside, very laid back, and absolutely stunning scenery wherever you looked. I’m serious about that. I would go back tomorrow if I could.
These pics were all taken in Maui, and I didn’t enhance any of the photos. The water is just that blue and the greenery is really that green.
(and that’s another island in the background)
And I’m growing!!
Mr. Handsome
A cool storm that was coming in…
P.S.- I had a bathing suit on under that dress–that was a cover up I bought there and I LOVE it. It’s the “skirt you can wear 100 ways” and it’s silk and so comfy. It can be a skirt, a dress, or a top and I just wore it as a cover up while there. There are different types online if you wanted to search for it.
We took many walks through rainforest…
And even saw random chickens and cats in there!
So funny right?
And now begins the Road to Hana pics…Umm I have to tell you all something about this. If you don’t have any idea what I’m talking about, it’s worth a little google search. Other names I have called this road would be the Road to Hell, the Road to Misery, and the Road to Divorce. Let me first clarify that the actual drive TO Hana was fine and beautiful and not too scary, and once you got to the town of Hana, it is VERY lovely. And the journey to Hana with all of the stops and adventures was way fun. What I did NOT like about this all day adventure was after Hana, and going down the “back-side.” The way everyone tells you not to go because of the bad unpaved roads. And yes there is a long stretch of unpaved roads but the worst part was how TINY the roads and how many blind curves there were. It was awful and I was freaking out! Some parts you are just on this tiny one way road, and the cliff of death right next to you. I would absolutely recommend doing the Road to Hana for anyone going to Maui, BUT I would say to turn around once you get to Hana and go back the way you came. Because by the time you get to the scary backside, it will be dark outside, and it was awful driving at night. Yes, this road definitely caused an argument between me and my husband, and I may or may not have thrown something out the window. :-/ It’s funny now looking back, and this was also my husband’s favorite part of the trip. Go figure!
We did stop at a few of the fresh fruit stands along the way and they were oh so yummy. And the banana bread they sell is amazing.
We hiked through a bamboo forest to get to our first waterfall. And we did a LOT of hiking…probably stuff a pregnant person shouldn’t do. :)
We were pretty amazed at that first waterfall, but that was nothing compared to what was ahead. (I had a guide book telling us where to pull off and get off to go exploring to find the good waterfalls).
That was a black sand beach and it was very pretty.
That was one of the last big waterfalls on the Hana Road. See I’m already starting to look a little pale in that picture, I guess getting prepared for the hellish part ahead. :)
We ended our trip with a Luau and it was so cool! It was exactly what you see on TV and such too. Yes there are really hula dancers! :)
See that mountain in the background? It doesn’t even look real. But this was just in town near where we stayed. Glorious.
The Luau had very friendly staff too.
And while at the Luau, look who I ran into?
I don’t know that girl but we obviously both liked that dress. :) So funny! If any of you know her, tell her sorry for putting her picture up on my site. ;) But to me she looked just like Chris from Just a Girl.
And that’s about it. It wasn’t easy trying to edit down a million pictures so I hope you enjoyed the ones I did post. Maui was everything I thought it would be and more. And yes everyone does say “aloha” and “mahalo” (thank you) everywhere you go. And they serve Spam pretty much everywhere too, including McDonalds. And it’s common to eat fried rice for breakfast. My husband was in heaven. We cannot wait to go back!!!
I have lots of other pics of whales and snorkeling too on a different camera, so I may do another post in the future once I get those back.
Oh, and for the reader who told us to eat at The Gazebo, thank you so much. That was our favorite place out of everything we ate and we ate there twice. I would kill for some of those pancakes and fried rice right now.
xxoo,
Decorchick!
Oh, I am so jealous! I’ve always dreamed of going to Hawaii! The pictures are amazing. And the blue dress is gorgeous! I understand why it’s so popular. You and your hubs are so cute together…by the way, congratulations!
Looks like you had a fab time-we ♥ Hawaii as well!
Hubby and I got married at Waimanolo Bay on the big island…it was magical. We were on the beach, with all of nature bursting around us-so beautiful.
We kayaked and hiked and did the city life of Waikiki as well in our time there. We bought a red and white quilt as our souvenir; every time I pass it by on our bed I can smell that warm ocean breeze :)
Thanks for the reminder of that precious time…
Oh my gosh I wanna go now!! We are actually going to be going for the 1st time in 2013 with my hubs family for a big family vacation. We’re actually renting a house in Maui- I am beyond excited and this post makes me want to get there NOW!
And you are too cute with your little bump!! Hiking & all! you go girl!!
You are going to have a blast Amanda!!
It looks like you guys had an amazing trip! I’m so jealous!
Such lovely photos! It looks as though you had a wonderful time.
Oh what lovely, lovely pics…
Thanks for sharing/ taking us there with you for just a little bit.
Your dresses are all adorable, now tell us…. Did you plan the same necklace as well?? Something you both put on while at the party??
Well, I have never been there, never had a great desire to go..
Now maybe I will re-think that…
Thanks for sharing….
Hey Kathy thank you!! And no, those were the lei’s that the Luau staff greeted us with when we got there so everyone had the same one. :)
And I so hope you change your mind about going!
What an amazing trip! Love all the photos and the cat is hilarious!
WOW! I never really wanted to go til now! LOL!! Looks like you guys had an awesome time. Did u take a pic of Hana road? I loved the black sand beach and how you took a pic. w/the other woman wearing the same dress! Too funny! Can’t wait to see the other pics. Thanks for sharing. And your baby bump is precious!
Thank you Amy! I have pics of the Hana road on my husband’s camera, so I may do another post soon with some of them. And some video of driving it if I can figure all that out!
Looks like you had an amzing time! My fiance and I are getting married at Maui this Sept. and it’ll be our first time there. We absolutely cannot wait! Please share any tips or recommendations! Thanks!
How weird is this!!! I blogged a post this morning entitled A Trip of a Lifetime!!!! This is soooo weird! My approach was a bit different, though. Here’s my link….
http://www.feellovdeveryday.blogspot.com/2012/02/trip-of-lifetime.html
Those are amazing photos!! So happy you got to go on your dream trip!! So inspiring, just to know dreams do come true!!
Ooooh I loooove hawaii! We’ve been fortunate enough to have been a few times…it is one of our absolute fave destinations. We would love to go back again and this is the third blog post I’ve come across today that’s mentioned Hawaii! Seriously salt in the wound people! just kidding – loved your post.
oh I LOVED these pictures!! You’re looking gorgeous with that belly…love it!!
And that TOTALLY looks like Chris!! So crazy…I really thought it was her when I saw the picture before you said that…I was trying to figure out why she went on vacation with you and your hubby haha :)
Oh, I love seeing your baby bump. What a special time for you and your hubby. It’s a riot that girl had the same dress as you and even funnier you got a picture with her. Bloggers! :)
Your pictures are beautiful and you and your hubs are so cute together! My husband and I were married in Maui-on Makena Beach-at sunset in 2009 and were fortunate enough to go back for our first anniversary. It truly is heaven on earth and am looking forward to go back and maybe see some other islands too!
Gorgeous post, Emily! So glad you guys had a great trip…and your baby bump is so cute!!!
Your photos are beautiful. Looks like you were in paradise! That is my dream vacation too (someday)!!!
I’m glad you had a good trip even with the crazy weather we had last week. There is so much more to see on Oahu than Waikiki. Too bad you didn’t have more time to explore. Did you make it to Nico’s?
I cannot BELIEVE you didn’t turn around at Hana and go back! I would never have made it. You’re much braver than I am.
Thank you for sharing all the gorgeous pictures! My husband & I went there for our honeymoon 13yrs ago and its exactly as beautiful as I remember :) and yes the road to Hana! Well I had never heard those kind of words out of my brand new hubbie before ;) Lol
Tears in my eyes looking at ur pics…..married in Maui 2000..went back 2005 before our first child was born….same luau…same terrifying ride back from the road Hana….for all who has ever been fortunate enough to visit Maui, Im sure we all agree it is heaven on earth. You are blessed to have gone…..
That looks like so much fun! Beautiful scenery, indeed. That is hilarious that you found a “twin”! I’ve not yet ventured to Hawaii, but I’ll get there someday….(p.s. see you at SNAP!)
Kristen
We went to Hawaii (Honolulu and Kauai) a few years ago for a friend’s wedding. It was AMAZING. I’d love to visit Maui next time.
I can’t believe you did the road to Hana while pregnant! I would have thrown up the whole way. We were “mauied” in Maui 25 years ago this April and have been back over a dozen times….The Ritz Carlton now occupies our “special” site where we repeated our vows on a bluff overlooking that amazing ocean. your beautiful photos brought back wonderful memories.
Hi,
I’ve been looking for blog posts about Maui to feature on our site. If you’re interested, you can drop me a line at Kate (at) Dwellable (.com)
Thanks!
Oh how beautiful. How funny you found a twin! Oh how I love that dress. Can you share where you got it? So we can be triplets!! Lol.