Hawaii Trip – Day 1

We got up at 4am for a full travel day. First, we took a two hour flight to Chicago and had a slight layover, then flew directly to Hawaii. All of our flights were on time, without issues, so that was a very good thing. The flight to Hawaii was 9 hours. I have to say that it wasn’t as bad as I originally thought it would be. Once we landed, we went to claim our bags and there was a lady with a cart of fresh flower leis. We bought two because I always wanted one, just like you see in the movies. It was full of fresh orchids and smelled lovely. Next, we got our rent a car which is a Chrysler Sebring Convertible. I think it will be so fun to explore the island in with the top down.

We arrived at the hotel around 3:30pm Hawaii time. Check-in went smoothly. They greeted us with their signature drink called an Elixir and a cold washcloth to cool down. They refer to this hotel as the pink palace and that it is. The staff wears pink, pink is in all of the décor and even the room keys are pink. It was done in a very tasteful way. We came up to our room and I just love it. It ultimately reminds me of what I would want my bedroom to look like at home.


Our room. I heart the wallpaper.


Our fresh flower leis

We got ready to head out and explore a bit to familiarize ourselves with the area. From the beach we have the most magnificent view of Diamond Head. I can’t wait to hike it! The ocean is also so clear and blue. It really is like nothing I have seen before. The best way to describe it is a cross between Miami and Mexico, but so unique and beautiful.


View of the beach and Diamond Head from the beach. This photo doesn't do it justice.


The pool. I can't wait to layout in one of these chairs

Next, we went to The Royal Hawaiian Shops and had a cheap date night dinner at the food court. It was about 5pm here at that point, which meant that it was 11pm at home. Needless to say, I wasn’t that hungry. We ate at a place called Maui Taco and I had a salad and a chicken taco. It was decent. The shops in the mall are high-end and there is a Kate Spade shop that I must visit. We went to the ABC shop and this place has everything that we will ever need for the entire trip. We bought some rafts for the water and had them blown up there with the air machine. It was funny carrying them back to the hotel.

We came up to our room and got into our swimsuits. By this time, it was around sunset. We decided not to get into the ocean and went to the pool instead. It was around this time that vacation mode fully set in. I looked around and knew I was in paradise. All of the tiki torches were lit, the palm trees were swaying and the sky looked like it was a postcard. Geof and I laughed, talked, swam and just enjoyed the night. Before we were about to get out, we took a dip in the hot tub. It was just what I needed after a long travel day. Once we got out, we took a walk on the beach and then came to our room and called it a night.


Geof splashing around!

Early sunset

Late sunset from the pool.

I loved my lei

Fresh banana bread when we came back to our room