Our anniversary trip to Maui

Happy Wednesday Ya'll!

This March 10 was our one year anniversary and we were so blessed to be gifted a trip to Maui from my hubby's family. We had the most incredible time and I recommend going if you ever get the chance. I loved every minute of our trip. I loved spending uninterrupted time with my husband, enjoying God's creation and seeing these beautiful Pacific islands. 

We flew out last Saturday and spend 24+ hours traveling to finally arrive at our hotel at midnight Hawaiian time (5:00 am my time). not the easiest traveling, but so worth the distance.  

Our hotel was right off Ka'anapali Beach and we could see two other Hawaiian islands ( Lana'i and Moloka'i) from our room.

Our first full  day, we chilled out at the hotel pool. It was a little cloudy but I still got some sun. We planned out our week, drank pina coladas and ran to the grocery store. We decided to go grocery shopping to save some money. Eating out once a day on the island is crazy expensive, so we didn't want to do it three times a day. Our hotel room had a frig, dishwasher, microwave and dishes so it worked out perfectly. 

Our hotel was stunning.

We drove to to a lavender farm and a winery on the island. 

Our hotel also had some awesome waterfalls in the middle of it. 

I had to take a photo of our feet in the Pacific Ocean. I had touched it once before in San Diego, but this was our first Pacific ocean time together. Cheesy I know, but I love this photo. 

I think we each drank at least one pina colada a day (which if you know us that's A LOT)

Our beach in Ka'anapali. 

Day two we set out for the volcano, lavender farm and the Maui Winery. 

The picture below is the mountain top view from the lavender farm. We did a scavenger hunt while there. If we went to all the spots on our map and got a stamp for visiting them we would get a prize. The prize was  lavender sugar cookies and Oh man were they incredible. We also had lavender tea and coffee and a lavender scone which was so delicious we went back for more. 

 We then stopped by the Maui Winery and tasted pineapple wines.We walked across the street to eat an elk burger (yes, elk, who knew they were on Maui) and it was so good. I'm wondering if they tricked us, but its famous for its elk, so who knows.  

We tried to go up to the Haleakala volcano, but it was rainy and very cloudy so half way up the mountain we turned around. Oh well, guess we will have to go back one day then to see it. 

More of Maui's beautiful mountains. 

The third day we decided to drive the road to Hana. The first part of the trip was incredible. We stopped along the roadside where all the local surfers go. 

Then we came upon Twin Falls. It was about a mile hike along a beautiful path with palm trees, sugar cane and other Hawaiian plants. 

We then got a smoothie from a little cart on the side of the road. I wasn't adventurous enough to try a coconut. 

Bright and early the next morning, we flew to Honolulu for a day and visited Pearl Harbor, the USS Missouri and Wikiki beach.  Okay yall, I HIGHLY recommend visiting Pearl Harbor. My heart melted and I felt such a sense of pride for our nation when visiting. 

We used Hawaiian Discover Tours (LOVED) who took us everywhere.

We first went on the USS Bowfin Submarine (the same submarine used on LOST) and walked around to the museums for Pearl Harbor. 

We took a ferry over to the Arizona. I don't know if I can accurately describe my experience, but it was surreal. To know what happened to those men boys, their bodies still lying with their ship. There are 12 men still alive today, who, when they pass away have the option to be buried with their ship. 

The oil from the ship still leaks. The water smelled strongly of oil and you could see it bubbling up. 

Can you see it in the water? 

The names of those who died December 7, 1941 in Pearl Harbor. Most of these men kids were only 16 or 17 years old. They died not even knowing who or what was attacking them. 

After we left the Arizona and the USS Missouri, we toured around Oahu. 

We ended up in Wikiki before heading back to the airport. Sadly, we didn't get to hang out long, but I did manage to run and take a couple of pictures of the famous beach. 

Look at the blue in the water!

Thursday we had paddle surfing lessons scheduled. I did okay for the most part until the waves got a little choppy and I got motion sick. Stephen did well, except his balance wasn't great so he fell off his board a good bit. 

Then we ended the day with a wonderful luau. 

A view from our hotel of Lana'i. 

We drove the awful Road to Hana. I don't recommend it, but we did see some incredible views. 

Friday we relaxed, had a good meal out and got ready to leave our beautiful anniversary trip. 

We took 2 days to travel back to Alabama. I got to see my cousin who lives in Los Angeles and got back this Sunday night. It was a wonderful trip and I am so thankful to have spent this time with my husband.