Guess the Fish

On the boat to Molikini. The crew caught this. Guess what it is.










..

Big Island Pictures

More Big Island Pictures:

Maui

After Big Island we flew 20 minutes to Maui. This time around we opted to stay in a condo. My sisters/brothers and their families also rented units in the same building on the same floor. Lauren and Emma had a blast re-connecting with their cousins. They thought it was a big playdate/sleepover. We had 8 kids running around. It was loud, crazy, sandy, wet and fun. With the amount of time we spent in the sun, no one got a bad sunburn. And as much as I love Haden mangoes, Golden Glow gets top marks. And those Maui Gold Pineapples -- better than candy.

Emma and Jessica on Kihei Beach










Isabella and Lauren on Kihei Beach










Avary












Nikki at Aloha Mix Plate












Sunrise at Mt. Haleakala. Very cold.










Emma and Kyle














Jessica and Emma reading/passing the time at a restaurant













Jessica, Emma and Nikki checking on their Webkinz















View from our unit












Lauren and Kyle














Emma













Emma, Jessica, Lauren and Nikki











Emma and Kyle












Lauren and Emma










Next year, Turks and Caicos....

Big Island - II

These are our favorites in the Big Island:



1. Hiking across the Kilauea Iki crater in the rain and seeing the rainbow yards from us materialize out of the lava rocks.




2. Snorkeling in Kahalu'u Beach. Saw lots of fish and turtles and easy to get to especially when the hotel is right next door!




3. Driving on Saddle Road between the two volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea.




4. Spending time with Grandparents and Great-Grandma.
5. Reading Great-Grandma's letter about her childhood.



6. Boogie boarding in Hapuna Beach with Grandma.




7. Black Sand Beach and the turtles.










8. The Manta Ray Super Water Slide.




9. Swimming at the beach that we thought was Ku'kio Beach.


10. Thurston Lava Tube - especially when we were the only one there. Creepy, dark, slimy but fun.




11. Lauren and Emma being deputized as Junior Rangers.

Hawaii

We left our house at 4:30am to catch the plane to Dallas leaving at 7am. After flying for 4 hours and a layover of 2 hours, we were on our way to Honolulu. After 8 hours we arrived in Honolulu to wait for an additional 2 hours for a 30 minute flight to Kona, Big Island.

I feel jet lagged just writing this!

We've recovered from jet lag since we are on the 12th day of our vacation. Although the first day was very interesting. The girls promised to sleep until 7 but unsurprisingly woke at 2am. We gave up any pretense of going back to sleep by 5:30 and wondered what store would be open early. Answer: WalMart. I love the WalMart in Hawaii. I would normally not go to WalMart at home since I find it busy, confusing and far. But the one on Big Island...is a paradise. Opens early, have lots of chocolate covered macadamias and Kona coffee imaginable.

We snorkeled at the beach besides the hotel (great location) then spent two nights at Volcano National Park. Lava was not flowing but we found other great things to do. Went on a wonderful ranger-led hike on Kilauea Iki Crater. Lauren and Emma also completed their junior ranger badge. Have pictures of that and will post it as soon as I find the camera!

We also went boogie boarding at Hapuna Beach. Lost my right contact but so worth it.