Heaven - Makena Beach

Makena Beach - Amber Loves Coronas

Fun Times

Water Cold - Cold Water

Dan's Great Dive

The "H" Falls

Aloha!

Aloha!! The flight to HI wasn't as bad as I thought although the entire trip was around 15 hours. Dan & I got in around 8pm Hawaiian Time (1:00am CST) & Amber & Jason were there to greet us with leis (Wes: not 'lays'). We stayed up as late as possible to make up for the time difference, but no fail, I woke up wide awake at 5am HI time. Everyone got up eventually a few hours later and we made it to the Holnopou Falls - which was maybe 5 min from Amber & Jason's. (Oh and their place is soooo cute! I couldn't imagine it any cuter! When we arrived their neighbors lit all their tiki lights lining the drive way. Amber had plumeria on my bed and it was just lovely!) Pictures to follow from the Falls. It was a fun hike to get to and so pretty! We all jumped in - Dan dived in - then Amber & I jumped into a smaller falls on the same hike. Everything here is so green, almost jungle like with vines everywhere. We ate lunch at Jaws and had some pretty good mahi burritos. We then ventured to Big Beach or Makena. It was unbelievably beautiful! The color the water was several different colors and you could see a couple of small islands off the coast. After 4ish hours there we went to get some official Hawaiian shaved ice. I might should say ... my favorite part of the day! I'd be ok to go back each day. We then ate dinner & watched the sun set. Oh and Amber pulled a Major Debbie Downer - stubbed her toe x 10! I mean, it looks horrible. At first I thought she may need stitches. Not good. Bad. This means no salt water for Amber - which will be nearly impossible. Ever since we woke up Jason has referred to the day as "An Epic Hawaiian Day." He assures each day will be that - we will have to see! I love Maui! It's funny how you see pictures and think "hey, that's pretty," but seeing it with your own eyes is totally different. So, here are some pictures from the day.

Time Flies!

Ten weeks ago I bought my ticket. I was so eager then to get this trip going! I thought it would never come, now look at it - 12 hours from now I'll be in the air somewhere between BHAM & Houston on the first portion (1 of 3) to my trip. I hope I can get wireless somewhere in the air (kidding - I really just laughed out loud to that)... Johnny has told me 2x how to do it - I imagine how mad he'll be if I don't figure it out. So, "IF" I don't figure it out, this may be the last time I have a post until Friday or Saturday. Until then my friends, wish me safe travels & as always, stay classy...
O&O,
AC

Oh my...

It hasn't even hit me yet that I'll be about 5,000 miles from sweet Bammy in several days. Panic hasn't set in yet either - as far as "have I packed it all? did i forget this? did i pay my rent already?" Watch me. I'll wait until the last minute because that's what I do. Then sheer panic sets in when I could have done it all days before. I guess all I need is a bathing suit (or two, or three), sunscreen, camera, several sundresses & my Rainbows. Oh, and good music. :) Any fun summer time songs that you'd recommend would be lovely. My sweet friend, Jeff, already emailed me a list of books. Here's my playlist so far - a good random mix:
Vacation - GoGos
Dancing with Myself - Billy Idol
PYT - Michael Jackson
Hungry Like the Wolf - Duran Duran
She Drives Me Crazy - Fine Young Cannibals
Just What I Needed - The Cars
Tell Me Something Good - Chaka Kahn & Rufus
If I Could Walk on Water - Eddie (effen) Money
I Want to Go Back - The Money Man (again)
Love the One You're With - Stephen Stills
Tennessee - Arrested Development
'03 Bonnie & Clye - Jay Z & B
In the Summertime - Mungo Jerry
I Want You Back - Jackson 5
Plus my Bob Marley favorites, Jack Johnson & G. Love

Grass Skirts & Coconuts!

Oh, the countdown is coming to an end! Just to think: I bought my ticket 8 weeks ago! The time has flown by. I have bought two books to take on my trip, one of which I already started. So, if any of you have any recommendations on another book to take - that will keep me entertained & not make me fall asleep - let me know. I will leave you all with a little teaser of what's to come ... enjoy! Oh and SIX MORE DAYS!

Per Ber's Request

It's the FINAL COUNTDOWN!

So, Europe's great hit "Final Countdown" has been circulating in my head for the past two weeks or so. People at work are starting to get mad because I sing it at least once a day complete with fist pumping. I'm now in the final countdown of my trip to Maui! I am leaving May 29th & returning June 9th. Dan is going along for the trip, too. We will be staying with our lovely best pals, Amber & Jason (Sam, Sophie & Bentley). I can't stinking wait! We'll get to hike through bamboo jungles, jump into the Venus Pools, ride down the Road to Hana, paddle board, snorkel in Molokini & just act foolish. We may even venture to Ohau for the North Shore & Pearl Harbor! So, now you can follow my journey out to the South Pacific & keep checking back as I post pictures. I will make sure to keep this entertaining & fun. No seriousness here, folks. Ok - enjoy.
~AC