November Hawai’i trip

We have had to cancel three Hawaii trips so far this year and we finally got to go on one! The state has opened up enough that we could go if you have a negative Covid test within three days of traveling. You have to register with the state website and jump through some hoops but we did it and we’re on our way.

The airport in Honolulu was very segregated between who is arriving in who was leaving. You couldn’t even access bathrooms or food because of the segregation. This was no joke!

 

They had social distancing signs everywhere and masks were required at all times in public places.

We didn’t mind because we were here. It was so nice to come back to Hawaii. We were staying at Place right next to the beach, and the zoo. Even though I had to work this week I was able to do my zoom classes from our hotel room.

What was nice was as soon as my class was done I could walk across the beach and go into the water. The weather was nice as always. In the mornings I had great walks.

 

Right outside of the room we were staying in was a balcony where you could watch the sunset and hear the sounds of the animals from the zoo.

 

Jeff and I looked forward to our week together and being back in Hawaii.

  

During my morning walks I had a great view of Waikiki.

One of the places I passed through was a garden, a park and I was in the company of lots of other people walking.

  

 

We were hoping to hike Diamond Head during this trip but it was closed. 

 

We got to do some other hikes though which made up for it. We decided to hike to a waterfall but Oh navigation took us to the wrong spot. There was another hike to a different waterfall there so we thought we would try it.

The trail was rough and hard to see where it lead. We had to ask lots of directions and got lost a few times. They kept saying the waterfall was worth it so we continued on.

 

They finally got to the waterfall after climbing over boulders, tracking back-and-forth over the stream multiple times and getting quite dirty.

 

Evidence that we did some hard hiking was the dirt on us after we were done!

Another one of our excursions that I loved was the botanical gardens and waterfall. This was a paved trail. I loved looking at all of the unique plants

Another beautiful waterfall. This one is one you can swim in. They have a lifeguard in life jackets for guests to use while you swim.

They had archaeological sites to explore and they showed what native Hawaiian houses would look like.

 

 

In the gift shop they had a resident peacock that just was hanging around above our heads. He seemed unconcerned with all the tourists.

One of my favorite breakfasts was lilikoi pancakes. I don’t know what they do to make them so delicious but it was amazing!

 

We were driving by the Dole plantation so of course we had to go for a dole whip. Always a favorite as well.

 

And you can’t go to Hawaii without having shaved ice with a snowcap. This is Jeff’s favorite

 

And not so tasty treat was the fruit split open at the botanical garden it smells like rotting flesh. The birds seem to like it but it wouldn’t be something I’d ever want to eat

One of the days we met up with sister Keiserman who is serving a mission from our ward. We brought her and her companion to lunch and then we went to the Laie temple. A lot of things are closed but we could take a picture from the outside.

The sunsets are always beautiful in Hawaii.

 

One thing I love about Hawaii is all the rainbows. There is lots of rain but then that allows for lots of rainbows.

 

While we were driving we explore the island and would stop for lookouts and beautiful views.

Since we were so close to the zoo we decided to go there one day after work. We could see the roof of the zoo from our balcony as well as hear the Lions.

Other days after work I would just go sit on the sand and enjoy the beach.

We got to go to shark’s Cove and do some snorkeling. I stayed in shallow waters after I got bit by a fish that Jeff was feeding. He wanted me to come to deeper waters with him and he thought he would impress me with all the fish around but was secretly feeding them and when one bit my finger I was out ha ha.

We were there with Jeff’s clients so one of the nights we went out to dinner with them. We visited with them a few times during our trip

On our last day before we flew out we had some time to kill so we went to Pearl Harbor. The last time we visited Hawaii the Missouri was closed but this time they had it opened and they had limited visitors so we had a nice long visit exploring it.

 

The site is peaceful, eerie and haunting but also helps you ponder the sacrifice of those who have fought to make us free

 

As we were leaving to come back from our trip we had news that Sara was declining. Fearing we wouldn’t make it back in time to see her the Taylor‘s went up to say their goodbyes and Jacob and Ashley called her. Jeff made a phone call as well but she passed away a few hours before we flew in town. We are sad to lose our sister Sarah.