I would also like to thank my amazing parents for allowing us to have a much-needed couple getaway while keeping our child alive and well (and maybe slightly spoiled...?!) Although it was hard for us to leave her for an extended amount of time, we decided that it would be a healthy retreat for our marriage. I must admit we didn't come to this consensus without much "discussion..." though: It would be her first time to the beach! And she's such a good traveler! And what fun family memories! But then... One of us will be in a work conference for 3 days, so that may sound convenient for that person, but not so much for the other person who would be left on baby duty. And would she even remember any of the trip? And are there closer, less expensive beach destinations we could take her to? Well, you can see which logic ultimately won out...and in the end, it definitely was the right decision for us.
[Sidenote: I have shared some of our vacation photos on social media while we were gone, and I can almost imagine there were a few sets of eyes rolling as I posted these stereotypical beach photos, which tend to remind people who aren't also in paradise, well...that they aren't in paradise. But can I just be real with you for a moment and share some of our "real life" mishaps, even as I share our adventures together in paradise...? Things behind the camera aren't always as they seem.]
Despite our best made plans, we arrived at the airport just in time to miss our direct flight to Honolulu. Thanks, Dallas construction! (But seriously, thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law for her saint-like patience as she helped us navigate the gridlock and dropped us off at our gate.) Luckily we were able to fly standby, but when we arrived in Honolulu after a bumpy 9 hour flight with little sleep to be had, we found ourselves in an hour long line at the taxi stand. Meanwhile, my colleagues were texting about their prearranged shuttles that had already delivered them to the beach. Suffice it to say, it was a humbling day for this seasoned traveler, and I was not my best version of myself as impatience and exhaustion took over. I was cranky. I was questioning the decision to leave our daughter at home. I yelled at my husband outside the airport (real classy), and I sulked the entire taxi ride to our hotel. I was pretty much a hot mess. How can anyone be in a bad mood when they've arrived in Paradise?! Apparently, I found a way...
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| Finally on the plane, after missing our first flight and anxiously awaiting on standby status...Let the 9 hour flight begin! |
Somehow, sleep, sunshine, sand, and salty sea air can cure even the dullest of moods, and slowly but surely, I was able to rise above my mess, and we were soon on our way to exploring our tropical resort. We checked into the Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Resort, which served as our home for the next week. It is an extremely family friendly resort, but also a nice escape for couples as it offers a variety of amenities. We dove into the clear blue waters and staked our claim on the sandy beach for a day of relaxation. We had finally arrived...and I was finally able to take a deep breath :)
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| At last, relaxing on Waikiki Beach! |
One of our favorite parts of traveling is getting to know the locals. And when you happen to have friends who are locals, it's even better! On one of our first nights there, we met up with a family who we've known over the past 10 years, though it had been many years since we'd last seen them in Oklahoma. Their service to our country has moved them all over the world, and luckily for us, finally landed them in Hawaii where we were able to catch up in person! They advised us on the best things to do while visiting, and they even allowed JJ to join them on some hiking adventures while I was working.
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| Our local friends, the Fletchers! So inspired by their lives and dedication to serving our country. |
During one of our first FaceTiming conversations with our toddler, she began crying and reaching for the iPad. My heart started to break, as I was afraid it may have been a bad idea to call via video. But then, she started saying "Elmoooo!!!!" through her tears, as she pointed towards the screen. Clearly, she wanted us to go away so she could finish her episode of Sesame Street. This is always encouraging to know where I rank...
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| This cutie definitely missed her Momma and Daddy, but she stayed plenty busy building her own sandcastles ; ) |
Three days of attending the ASBMT Conference brought new revelation on belonging to such an incredible community of BMT practitioners - professionals who have dedicated their lives and careers to providing care for the sickest of patients and searching for new cures to devastating diseases. It also brought a reunion with a former colleague from North Carolina and time for bonding with my current BMT colleagues. [JJ also didn't mind having three days to explore the island, and he claimed he was just playing the "supporting role," as he sent me beautiful pictures of his hiking adventures while I sat in conference sessions. It must have been rough...]
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| Not a bad place for a conference... |
As the saying goes, "Work hard. Play hard." After spending the first half of the week working, the remainder of our trip was truly vacation! Here is how we spent our time, and an example itinerary of how to see Oahu in 3 days...
Day 1: On my first day after conference, JJ planned the ultimate adventure date day. This included waking up at 5am to see the sunrise and running a 6 mile roundtrip course to and from Diamond Head Crater, one of the world's most recognized extinct volcanoes. It was an empowering hike to the top, where we could see beautiful panoramic views of Oahu. (It would also have been simple to take a cab, so this could be a feasible option, should you choose not to exhaust yourself before your hike... ; )
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| View from the top of Diamond Head |
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| My favorite adventurer! |
After our exhilarating hiking/running adventure, we proceeded to Waikiki Beach, where we took our first ever surf lessons. The weather was perfect, and the gently rolling waves made for a great learning experience. We both were able to ride several waves, but let's just say it's a lot harder than it looks...! [I think we will both abandon our dreams of becoming professional surfers, and stick to our day jobs instead.] Back at our resort, we rested from our morning adventures, and I indulged in a great read.
That evening, we cleaned up and headed to the Diamond Head Luau with my BMT colleagues and their families. It was a gorgeous evening, and the setting was like an intimate backyard BBQ on the grounds of the aquarium. If you're going to Hawaii, you really should experience a luau. There are many on the island to choose from, but this one really met our expectations! The food selection introduced us to traditional foods that we might not see elsewhere, and the Polynesian dancing and music made for wonderful entertainment. (Yours truly was even pulled up on stage to learn a Tahitian dance with one of the native dancers) Under a starlit sky, with waves crashing on the shore behind us, a young fire-thrower lit up the night for a grand finale.
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| At the Diamond Head Luau |
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| My handsome luau date |
Day 2: After our adventure-packed day, we were ready for a slower pace and a chance to escape the crowded beaches of Waikiki. We rented a car and drove to the North Shore, taking the scenic coastal route and stopping at beaches along the way. Two of our favorites were Kailua and Lanikai Beaches; these are magazine-worthy beaches, and we were among only a few people strolling along the shore, thanks to it being a weekday.
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| Slipping behind the wheel of this brand new rental car immediately increased my "cool mom" status :) |
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| Stairs to paradise.... Lanikai Beach |
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| Lanikai Beach - one of the most gorgeous and secluded beaches in the world! |
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| Morning sun over Lanikai Beach |
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| Scenic drive past Kailua Beach; equally as gorgeous as Lanikai, and with a nice park nearby |
We continued further north and stopped for lunch at the famous Giovanni's Shrimp food truck. It was easily some of the best garlic shrimp my tastebuds have ever beheld! Upon reaching the North Shore, we learned that the 30 foot waves were some of the largest waves the island had seen in nearly a decade. Many public beaches were closed due to the dangerous surf, but we were able to meet up wth my physician colleague and his wife, who had rented a house on a private beach. We parked our beach chairs, sipped cocktails, and sat on that beach for hours, in awe of the powerful waves.
Day 3: Our last day on the island, we slept in and enjoyed our last beachside breakfast. After packing our bags, we checked out of our hotel and headed west towards Pearl Harbor. Honolulu traffic shares the spotlight with Los Angeles for being voted "worst traffic in the U.S.," and so we planned our last day's itinerary to coincide with our route towards the airport. It was a cloudy, windy day, and the weather matched the somber, reflective mood at the USS Arizona Memorial. We looked out over the harbor towards the beautiful white memorial, lying over the submerged shipwreck, under which the men who sacrificed their lives still lay entombed under the wreckage. Unfortunately, due to high winds, the Navy called off our boat ride out to the memorial, but nonetheless we spent 3 hours on the grounds of the visitor center, where the history of WWII came alive through a dynamic audio tour.
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| A "must-do" when visiting Oahu: the Pearl Harbor Memorial, conveniently located near the airport. |
We couldn't depart Oahu without stopping for a famous shave ice - the Hawaiian version combines the traditional snow cone with a scoop of ice cream, for a delicious tropical treat. Then, as the sun set over the ocean, we boarded our plane and bid Aloha to this magical island and this beautiful culture.
This trip surely didn't start out as planned, and it made for a bit of a rough beginning. But, it was a good reminder that even when circumstances are less then perfect, you can still find paradise in the end. Just keep looking to the horizon.
Paradise found,
L
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