Back from the Dead - Hawaii Day #1

It has been over a month...and I would be embarrassed of our lack of writing if we hadn't had the most incredible past few weeks.  [Give or take a few moments of sadness, and few days of stress and the other ups and downs that come with life's trials and struggles.] Ryan and I were so fortunate to get away from Provo and leave responsibility right along with it!  We have been going, and going, and going, and this needed respite couldn't have come at a better time.

First, we went home to Oregon for a solid week.  We almost felt our cup was full with Thompson/Folsom love, but we could always have some more :)  What a wonderful thing it was to spend time with each family, and Ryan and I soaked up every minute of it (quite literally with all of that pool time!)  

We will blog later with details from our Oregon trip, but we are almost bursting with the Hawaii Hangover Syndrome and want to relive every detail as we record each fun-packed day there on this blog.  

Pre-Hawaii Day - Travel - Friday

On Friday, the 24th, we spent our final hours with our families and packed the car with borrowed snorkel gear and extra goodies, buckled in cute little Cambria (my cousin) and made our way to our first stop - Salem to give Cambria a ride home.  Next, on to the hotel near the Portland Airport.  We double-checked our bulging bags, set out our comfy outfits, and hit the sack.  

Hawaii Day #1 - Saturday

Waking up at 4:15 a.m. is usually difficult for most people, but we were ready to start the "trip of a lifetime" that we had been planning since February.  Thank goodness we have generous parents who gave us a little (ok, a lot) of help as a graduation gift for both Ryan and I.  We boarded the plane and made our way to Oakland, then on to Kona.  What a plane ride.  I was expecting a little more glamorous of a plane and was embarrassed that my heart sank a little when I saw there were no TV's.  A six hour ride with no technology??  So pathetic I had those thoughts.  We read books, chatted, slept, and FINALLY heard those blessed words:  "we are now making our decent to Kona, temperature is 88 degrees all week..."  We leaped off the plane, snagged our bags, and hitched a ride to our rental car - amazed we were finally there.  

After we figured out the rental car mess (it takes sooooooo long), we drove away, convertible top down to our first destination: LuLu's.  We had heard from an Uncle that it was THE place to go for lunch.  And, since it was lunch time and we were sick of gingerale and biscoff cookies, we decided there was no time like the present.  On the main street in Kona, Lulu's is right across from the beach.  It has such a fun atmosphere, with signed dollar bills stapled over the entire surface of the restaurant.  Ryan ordered a local favorite while I tried some mahi-mahi tacos.  It was good...but not great.  Next time we'll order to recommended burger.  

We went to check in to our room and were surprised to find two porches, two bedrooms, a large kitchen, and a family room.  With a perfect view.  We looked at each other and said, "Is this real?"  We grabbed our suits, asked a local where the best beach was, and drove north up the island to Hapuna Beach.  It. Was. Beautiful.  White sand, turquoise water, beautiful fish, the perfect amount of sun, and plenty of people.  You could tell it was one of the best on the island.  After we got our fill of body surfing and sun bathing, we hopped in the car and drove north to the tip of the island.  The sun was starting to set, and we felt like driving all night.  We had another tip and made our way to a japanese restaurant that proved to be delicious.  We were also starving.  (At this time it was 8:00). But, we would definitely go back in a heart beat.  

A little sun-kissed, still wet from the ocean, full of delicious food and exhausted, we ended our day with only smiles.  And fell asleep the second our heads touched the pillows.