Hawaii: Day 6 - Kauai

Today is our final full day on the island. We filled our bellies with yet MORE Hawaiian fare and drove an hour to get to Waimea Canyon. Often referred to as “The Grand Canyon of Hawaii”, neither Max nor I can say how it compares (yet!). We were absolutely captivated by its beauty and landscape. It goes without saying that pictures do not do her justice, but offer a slice of this beautiful Canyon that we were able to marvel in for several hours and over 2000 ft of elevation changes. We were completely beat after Kuiku Trail but with smiles on our faces!

A spot recommended from some honeymooners that came before us (thanks Jessie and Frankie!) we came down the mountains to Jojo’s Shaved Ice and were delighted by the ICE CREAM that lay underneath a mound of frost and tropical juice. 

One last final beach we trekked over to Polihale beach, along 5 miles of bumpy road (thank goodness for 4-wheel drive!). Worth the careful driving by Max, we sat on miles of sand shared only by a few others to enjoy the water and the sun setting on our last evening in Kauai. 

We rushed to the latest open restaurant in town and indulged in more cocktails and fresh fish. My sweet husband bought us leis, because did you really go to Hawaii if you didn’t don leis?! Walking back from dinner to our car, we were taken away by the amount of stars we saw. The milky way was in clear view on this cloudless night and we rushed back to our Airbnb to lay on lounge chairs on the balcony. It was truly a magical and romantic evening.

Hawaii truly impressed us with it's stunning landscape, multicultural cuisine, and beautiful people and culture. Only happy memories were made here and we can't wait to make more. 

Hawaii: Day 5 - Kauai

Bright and early, lattes and donuts definitely made getting up at the crack of dawn a bit easier. 

We rode to sea with captain Jackie & captain Mike in a huge catamaran! We saw dolphins and turtles and snorkeled! We had a chef on board who made grilled chicken sandwiches, baked beans and coleslaw. Then later warm macadamia nut cookies 💓

We sailed around the north side of Kauai, the Na Pali coast, with captain Mike explaining all the rich culture of Kauai and Waimea Canyon and of the native Hawaiians. It was so breathtaking to see the island from afar, over the rising and falling waves.

We did get to snorkel for a bit and were some of the first ones in and the last ones out. Funny to be snorkeling when we got engaged in Puerto Rico and then to snorkel as honeymooners in Hawaii! 

After 5 hours at sea we NEEDED some ice cream 🍦 

Quickly back to the hotel to change and relax. Smith’s Family Luau tonight! It was so fun, from the imu ceremony, to the Hawaiian food buffet, unlimited cocktails and open bar, then an open-air theater show! We had planned to walk there and back but were graciously saved the dark walk home on the busy bridge by none other than Mr. Smith himself! We practically fell into bed after all the eating and drinking from the evening. 

Kauai has so much natural beauty, it was wonderful to see the island from the eyes of some of the people that had grown up there. The origin of Hawaiian people and it’s multi-cultural background, we loved hearing about how Hawaiians adapted and also took on so many different cultures from all over the world to make something uniquely “Hawaii.”

Mahalo

Allie

Hawaii: Day 4 - Kauai

 We finally got some açaí bowls! Beautiful, fresh and drizzled with local honey. Then off to the airport to catch our flight to Kauai! Max planned a beach-day with nothing on itinerary except to find beautiful spots to lay in the sand.

Our first stop was Secret Beach was is not so secret but does have a steep 10 minute hike down to the ocean. The water was rough and the coast was lined with lava rocks. It was an awesome spot to take in Kauai and stretch our legs. Max was determined to find a swimming beach next, as the undertow and large waves had made it impossible to swim at the last few beaches we visited. 

Next beach stop we were able to spread our towels under a tree and jump into the calm waters that had been beckoning and teasing Max all day. 

A quick car-wardrobe change later, we arrived at Tiki Iniki for spam musubi, ahi burgers and ono-fish & chips. Oh, and a few Mai Tais and “Tiki” coladas :)

Tried to head to bed early because our catamaran leaves at 7:15am and the dock is 45 minutes away! Until tomorrow…

Hawaii: Day 3 - Oahu

 Oahu

A beautiful view along the H1. 

This morning we got up and went to Koa Pancake House! Basically HI version of Waffle House. It was the perfect big breakfast before the excursion Max has planned — a UTV tour in Kualoa Ranch! This is where a ton of major motion pictures and TV shows have been filmed. It’s comprised of three mountains and two valleys. We had a blast driving through ranch and learning about the spirit of 🌺aloha🌺

Next we drove to this spot for lunch! It’s totally a place that I had imaged we would stop at — a family-owned restaurant off the side of the road with chickens on the roof 😂 but in all seriousness the food was excellent and it was exactly what we needed after a long day of exploring. 

We then found a little beach down the way to spend time swimming and playing in the huge waves. 

We headed back to our hotel for the evening and walked to a little hole-in-the-wall ramen shop and had some amazing garlic tonkutsu. 

Bedtime now because we gotta get up to catch a flight tomorrow! 

Hawaii: Day 2 - Oahu

Aloha! 

Day two in Hawaii! Both slept 10 hours! Yay! Decided to eat ramen for breakfast at a spot we passed last night on Kalakaua Ave. called Momosan.

We then dropped our bags and car at our next hotel The Alohilani before heading to our Thai couples massage! It was the first Thai massage Max or I had ever had but 90 minutes flew by and we did not want it to end! I had to fulfill a “need” of mine at the Louis Vuitton store in Waikiki. My excuse was 4% sales tax, but hey I stayed within budget 😅

Next we got some boba tea and then headed back to get our swimsuits on for a quick dip before dinner! The water was warm and so blue. This is the view from our hotel.

We HAD to partake in our own fancy appetizer— sashimi from the ABC Store. Delicately plated on a plastic tray with faux wasabi and paired with a dry rosé. But honestly it was actually so yummy and I’m glad we had a snack because we had skipped lunch today.

Dinner at Roy’s Waikiki was AMAZING! Max had the shellfish combo - lobster tail, pesto shrimp and blue crab. I had the classic trio- fresh catch of ono fish, salmon and butterfish. And of course we got a molten cake dessert.

Back to bed we go. I sit here writing whilst Max is sleeping, I suppose it’s his vacation too! Tomorrow we go on a secret excursion that Max has planned but the only detail I know is that it’s on the northeast side of the island! I will update tomorrow 🤭

Mahalo,

Allie 

Hawaii: Day 1 - Oahu

 Aloha! This is a super special set of blog posts and also a special trip because it’s our honeymoon! Due to Covid-19, we put our dream of a Bali getaway on hold and traded it for another remote island chain — Hawaii! We are so excited to be here and getting some R&R after our beautiful wedding celebration in Nashville!

I’m so tickled to share the Max planned our entire trip! From which islands, hotels, excursions, dinner spots— he’s the master planner and I couldn’t have found a better travel partner! 

Our first day we arrived in Oahu and got ourselves a bright red Jeep! We drove to the Queen Kapiolani hotel to drop our bags and then got ourselves some Dole Whip! We walked to the beach and found the cutest spot to get a drink and a little snack. 

We then walked along Kalakaua Ave (the first of many times!) to Duke’s for our dinner reservation. We booked this a month in advance, so if you plan to go, definitely reserve a table! It was DELICIOUS and our frozen drinks were spot on. Max had the mango ribs & I had the ahi tuna. It was the perfect way to fill our tummies and end our first day in Hawaii. 

Mahalo,

The new Allie Hopkins