Hawaii Vacation of Firsts

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Today marks the end of our 7 night, 7.5 day family trip to Kauai, Hawaii (and thus, crossed off number 19). In addition to this being my first time to Hawaii, it marked a vacation filled with several other firsts.

There were two major firsts that sort of paved the way for all the others:

1. I have never felt better in my life, and thus it became the first vacation I’ve gone on where I’ve been able to indulge in, enjoy and appreciate local food. Furthermore, even as I indulged and enjoyed anything and everything (minus gluten of course, always) desired, not once was I bloated, sick, in pain or misery. My body acted just as it should.
2. “Family” vacation. It was the first big vacation I have gone on (we have gone on) where it wasn’t just Ryan and I, but instead the addition of a wee little one.

And so, with the above two things, all of these happened:

• I did a massive brain dump.
• I actually played in the sand, with a bucket a shovel.
• I ate fresh coconut from a whole coconut that had washed up to the shores.
• I woke up early to watch the sunrise. (No, the dogs weren’t there, but oh well – crossed off number 37.)
• I ate dried Guava.
• I ate fresh Dragon Fruit.
• I toured a coffee farm.
• I wore a bikini every. single. day. And I never thought twice about it.
• I went on a train ride at an organic farm, and Samarah fed all the little piggies with her daddy.
• I went to a local Kauai Farmer’s Market. While there, I had the best pineapple “Phrosty” ever (ingredients: organic frozen pineapple only, but totally tasted like ice cream).
• I ate way too many fish tacos.
• I also ate way too many Taro fries, but they were amazing all fried in coconut oil.
• I rarely drank (probably 5 drinks total), and when I did, I made them count (Dirty Lychee Martini + a Chi Chi = Pina Colada with vodka vs. rum).
• I hiked the scariest, but most beautiful hike I’ve ever done.
• During said hike, I took my shoes off to cross the river, and then left them off to play in the dirt. It felt so awesome.
• I went to bed before 9pm every night.
• I woke up between 3:30-6am each morning.
• I met a man who inspired me beyond belief.
• I did a 3-hour chocolate tour, where I toured a fruit, flower and cacao farm and learned about Kauai, organic and a million other little things. (Like, did you know that there is not a single snake in Kauai?! I always knew I’d love this place.)
• On above said tour, I tasted every kind of Hawaiian fruit you can think of (Lychee might be my new favorite), enjoyed 9 different chocolate tastings and even ate a raw cacao pod (not yet even dried or roasted).
• I ate at an organic, farm-to-table restaurant and they had just one gluten-free dessert on the menu: Banana Coconut Cream Pie. Think we got a piece?!
• I enjoyed the peace and quiet, without the chaos, work and constant go.

Side note: several of the above I’ll be writing more about in future posts.

And mostly?

I fell in love all over again with the little girl who has changed our world, and the man who lets me fly.

I sure am going to miss Kauai. But here’s what I know….I have some big things coming up, and we have some big things coming up and when real life returns tomorrow, I’ll be getting ready to share.

Hope to see you back here soon!

Xox,
SKH