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I love seeing your pictures, reliving being there. We did not cuddle the cows though….maybe we should have.
Thank you!! I am always looking back through our pictures- I love the "live photo" options on iPhones so that you can really feel the ambience! Love that you took a picture of the cow sign
Haha we aren't THAT lucky that could go to Hawaii often, but I wish! It kinda magically happened this year but I'm very happy that we were able to do it. Prior to our Big Island trip, I think it has been 7-8 years since we last went to Hawaii?
Back in July, Alaska Airlines had a BOGO promo for Kona. At the same time, our family had timeshare points that needed to be used and couple of the Kona resorts were available for the dates that we could travel, so it was kinda a no brainer that we needed to go!
Then we went to Oahu last month all because we became DVC members earlier this year and we had full 2023 points on both contracts so I said let's use them!
Kauai is the only island we haven't been to, but outta the other three, I would say Maui is probably my favorite because you can be very active and explore the outdoors, but also enjoy true relaxation at some of the nice bougie resorts in Wailea. I'm not sure if it's because I'm older now (20s are way behind me! haha), but after these two recent Hawaii trips, I realized I really enjoy the country Hawaii a lot more. I love strolling through local shops, stop at random country shops to get snacks then go on a nice drive alone the ocean! The charms of country Hawaii...it's a unique vibe...that's Hawaii to me
I have a few favorite spots in Kona/Big Island that I wonder if you guys checked them out! Guess I'll have to wait for the last 2 days of your trip report!
Ahhh gotcha- Well I'm so glad you got to go so much this year and enjoy your timeshare points
Love that you are new DVC members!!! Maybe someday down the line we will invest in that... what's your favorite WDW resort?? For me it's like picking a favorite child... I can't decide!!
Next time we go to Hawaii, we are DEFINITELY checking out Maui! Although I'm so happy we got to visit Kauai, I had gotten myself really hyped up for Lahaina, Kaanapali, and Wailea and watched so many vlogs/Youtube videos on those areas! I'm hoping that we still get a change to stay at the Sheraton Maui (where we had originally booked before the fires). That place looked awesome!
Gorgeous pictures in all of these updates!!! I'm so glad you stopped to cuddle cows; it just sounds so sweet and magical. I was horrified about your walking through the sea of roaches LOL so glad you didn't see them while crossing and end up standing frozen among them!!!! Yikes.
Sometimes a little hotel picnic is the best dinner ever. We do that at least once on every WDW trip it seems--pizza pajama party usually
Hahaha we had so many animal adventures on the Big Island
I was shocked at the diversity of animal and plant life there!
Also, Disney pizza is the GOAT!!! Here's a little shot of me on the Epic Girl's Trip back in 2019 enjoying my plain cheese pizza like a small child
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I'm hoping you went to the Seahorse farm on the Big Island!
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Ahhhh we did not!!
One of my mom's friends suggested it too but we just didn't make it over there! Look at those cute little babies!
Molly! I stumbled upon your trip report and devoured it!!! So so fun, love all the descriptions and funny gifs and overall lightheartedness
I loved how you described Hanalai as finding “our place”, I feel the same! I’ve traveled to Hawaii 14 or 15 times (I lost count but I think 14 lol), my dad lived there for 20 years (the Big Island), I had other family there (Oahu) , I honeymooned there (Oahu and Maui) send didn’t discover Kauai since 2013 and FELL IN LOVE, and have since returned to the same condo in Princeville 3 times, the 4th will be in August. I get the “our place feeling”, there is NOTHING like the north shore of Kauai.
My husband and I actually renewed our vows for our 10 year wedding anniversary on Puapoa Beach, the beach at 1Hotel, the condo we stay at is the Hanalei Bay Resort right above it, next door to the 1Hotel.
We LOVE Tahiti Nui and Tiki Iniki! Next time you go to Kauai, since you guys are such foodies, definitely check out Bar Acuda, right in the heart of Hanalei. Reservations open at 30 days and go fast.
Fun to read about you experiences and take on the Big Island too, I’ve been to Quinn’s by the sea MANY times, also Lava Lava last time and saw that cat sanctuary. That was wild!
Happy marriage!!! Hawaiian honeymoons are the best!!!
P.S. you and Jake looked the absolute happiest in that pic at Quinns
P.P.S while we are not staying at 1Hotel, we will be next door for 10 nights and my hubby and I usually get to leave our daughter with my in laws for a date night or two during our trips, I can not wait to try Melina Terrace!
Hello!! Thank you SO much for reading along and your sweet words
Creating these trip reports makes me so happy, and I'm glad that shows in my writing!! It really was a perfect trip.
Yay, another Hanalei lover! I'm so jealous- it sounds like a DREAM to stay there for a full 10 days! So relaxing and tranquil. Hanalei/Princeville/1Hotel is unlike anywhere I've ever been. Those condos right in Princeville also look super nice; I know that we would completely DESTROY the bank if we try to stay at 1Hotel everytime we go there
So good to know there are lots of options in Princeville!
Will definitely put Bar Acuda on the list for next time!! Welina Terrace had unmatched ambience; I think drinks and sushi would be a perfect date night! The view is so romantic and unbeatable. Any other Kauai recs?? Sounds like you're an expert and I need all the tips I can get
We did the drive down once and NEVER AGAIN! Our kids were about 8 and 10 and I remember thinking "what the hell have we done, I am the world's worst mom ever, we are all going to die!" The angle of the road down is so wicked and from the passengers side you can look over into where cars have tipped off and crashed down! I am glad you guys had the common sense that we didn't have. A few people actually live in that valley too!
The shops there are really fun, I love that area!
...and EWWWWW on the roaches! LOL, I am glad to know you could laugh it off.
I know tropical destinations are probne to them but it is still gross.
The worst I ever saw was athe Hyatt Regency in Maui.
I had an open hobo type bag on the floor near the front door of our hotel room. I pick it up and benind it was a cockroach the size of a small chihuaua. I promise you, it looked fake but it was slowly moving toward the door so I opened the door and eased it out with my shoe. It felt surreal, I couldn't believe how calm I was about it. Then I opened the door to make sure it wasn't trying to head back in and it was totally 100% gone. I didn't sleep well that night because I kept thinking it had made its way back in and was going to come for my jugular. LOL, enough about my Maui bug trauma.
I am such a scaredy-cat when it comes to things like that!! Sometime I think it holds me back (hence why we didn't do a Napali Coast tour in Kauai), but I'm glad to see that my gut was right on that one
AHHHH! I'm glad that bugs are not high on my list of phobias (snakes and alligators, that's a different story). But, I definitely would not be able to sleep that night either LOL