Giving Thanks for Work in Hawaii

Day 9

Our last day of play in Hawaii, Thanksgiving Day.

We spent the morning getting surfing lessons.  That's how I want to spend every Thanksgiving morning.  I don't mean to brag, but I was pretty awesome at this.

We dried off, packed up and hit the road, back to Oahu for Thanksgiving dinner, then home...

live music for Thanksgiving dinner

so much to be thankful for

our last view before going home

Giving Thanks for Work in Hawaii

Day 8

More exploring today.

 

Hanalei, home of Puff the Magic Dragon!

While driving around, we picked up some snorkel equipment.  We ate dinner at this restaurant with great views and asked someone where we should snorkel.  They gave us the inside tip of the best snorkeling on the island, she gave us directions and said that while we're there, we should wait for the sunset, too.  Boy was she right!  The snorkeling was way better than Hanauma Bay and the sunset was spectacular.

I think we have a Christmas card

Giving Thanks for Work in Hawaii

Day 7

Much of the island of Kauai is not reachable by car.  It's almost all protected, private land, so the only way to see it is either by long hikes or helicopter.  The helicopter is pretty expensive, but man was it worth every penny.  Seriously, this has been an experience of a lifetime.  I was moved to tears for this one.  I was literally sobbing at how incredibly beautiful this all was.  Again, the pictures don't do it any justice.  There is a glare, too, from the glass.

Giving Thanks for Work in Hawaii

Day 6

Today, we explore. 

The waterfalls from Fantasy Island

a little coconut stand

Jade was dying to try one, but didn't actually like it

Stumbled upon a beach

Giving Thanks for Work in Hawaii

Day 5

Today we took a little commuter plane to the island of Kauai (the people of Hawaii don't necessarily live on the island they work, so they litterally commute to work this way.  I though Jason was the only person who flew to his job and back!  If we thought Oahu was beautiful, Kauai is just breathtaking.  We spent the first day settling in to get our rental car, check in to our hotel, and explore the island a bit.  We got a sitter for the first and only time on vacation and left the kids behind while we went out for a few drinks at a nearby resort.  It was really lovely!