Happy Friday! To get you in weekend mode, I wanted to share a few personal photos from our trip to Hawaii for Michael & Malia’s wedding. My brother Karl, who happens to live there, took us driving around Oahu. We stopped at Pipeline to watch the Vans Triple Crown surf competition, stayed until it got rainy, and then drove to the Grass Skirt Grill in Haleiwa for some mahi sandwiches.
The view from the top of the Lanikai Pillbox Hike was incredible, and a definite must-do if you’re in Oahu. Next time, I’ll bring a small picnic to eat on top of one of the pillboxes. It’s too pretty not to stay a while.
I think we counted twelve different fruit trees in Karl’s garden, including this beautiful starfruit. Zac plucked it from the tree branches, and we ate it just like that. Pure sunshine in that starfruit; best I’ve ever had. Karl told us that the prickly green fruit was a soursop. I had never heard of it before. He said it tasted like custard; I immediately wanted a bite. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ripe. That’s ok. I’ll just have to make another trip over when you’re ready, soursop! One of the best parts of our trip was spending time with Karl. That evening we bought groceries for dinner and saw the last blazing peach clouds after sunset wisp over Diamond Head from the top of the Safeway parking garage. Back at Karl’s place we sat outside on the patio and barbecued shrimp, monchong marinated in tamari and ginger, and foil-wrapped bok choy. While we were waiting for everything to cook, Zac made guacamole and we freestyled some nairagi poke (sesame oil, rice vinegar, salt, grated fresh ginger, & green onion). It was a feast, and gosh, I love my brother.
Ashley was spot on: Island Snow in Kailua Beach has the best shave ice. Shave ice became an integral part of our daily routine. You can do this when you’re on vacation. My favorite: small cup, ice cream on the bottom, half lilikoi, half li hing mui. Enjoy slowly with: sandy toes, a whiff of sunblock
gorgeous – have been wanting to go to hawaii for the longest time…
Thanks Ania! Hawaii can wait… you’ll be exploring Europe’s best beachy spots in the summers, I’m sure! I feel lucky that being in the (sometimes rainy) NW, we’re only a short plane ride away from somewhere warm & breezy!
OMG lovely pictures!! My coworker just finalized her Hawaii travel plans last night and we were just talking about it today, and I was recalling our honeymoon and all the gorgeous scenery and imagery there. Aaaah, so relaxing and so beautiful! Your images totally capture it. Wish I had some better landscapes of things we saw.
Sounds like you had a really great trip!! We hope to go back sometime and have a more relaxed time–we were in busy Waikiki most of our trip. (aaaah, I miss the sun!)
Suzannah, that’s so awesome that you went there on your honeymoon. When you go back, I’d really recommend spending time (or staying!) in Kailua Beach. We found a super cute bungalow right across the street from the beach on airbnb. It was peaceful and non-touristy; the opposite of Waikiki. Yes, sunshine!!!
So beautiful! I have never been to Hawaii before, would love to go!
Put it on your list! It’s one direct flight away from Portland… always surprises me at how close we are to a tropical island.
These make me so happy to see!
Thanks for all of your insider travel tips, Ashley! And for the suitcase. I packed it so darn full, and it weighed a ton, but it brought all of my gear safely to & from. It was perfect!
That picture of you is GORGEOUS!! I’ve never been to Hawaii but everyone I know is going lately–might have to buy some tickets or something! Glad you had a great trip:)
Thanks Bee, Zac took it! Now that you live on the west coast, it won’t be long until you take your first trip to Hawaii. It’s wonderful because you can find cheap direct flights. It’s amazing how close we live to a few tropical islands. Airbnb has some great rentals and I’d really recommend staying on Kailua Beach if you go to Oahu! I had so much fun chatting with you on Saturday at the party. We need to get together soon!
Looks (and sounds!) like the perfect vacation, especially because you got to spend it with family. I love family vacays! I hope one day we can make it out to Hawaii. i want to pick fresh starfruit from a tree, too.
Thanks Jacqui! Yes, you would love it! You should definitely visit Hawaii soon! The trip was the perfect mix of work and vacation, and any time I can see my family – I’m happy.