Derek and I spent this past weekend in Hawaii, as he was asked to give a talk at the University of Hawaii Law School Federalist Society. My amazing mom came out to watch the kids (and missed my dad’s recital for the first time in 30 years), so we were able to get away without the kids for three days! Hawaii itself was actually not as exciting as you’d think (but maybe it’s because we’re used to sunshine and Pacific coastline). We spent the first day visiting Pearl Harbor (very moving) and driving around the island. It was beautiful and sunny, and we enjoyed the scenery. The second day, I had a really bad day health-wise, and we’d planned to spend the day on the beach without checking the weather. It rained all morning as we retraced our drive across the north and west coasts, looking for dry beaches, and we ended up spending the afternoon sleeping and then getting in the water on the crowded beach across from our hotel in Waikiki. The touristy places we ate were underwhelming, too. After Derek’s talk on Monday, we visited Iolani Palace, the official residence of the last monarchs of Hawaii. So it was nice to sightsee and relax a little, but the best part was just being together all day for three days without the distraction of kids. I felt so yucky (especially on Sunday) that I felt like we didn’t really take full advantage of being on an exotic vacation. At least it’s nicer to throw up in a hotel bathroom that someone else has cleaned than in your own dirty bathroom. If we ever go back while I’m not pregnant, we’ll have to get to the hiking/snorkeling/active Hawaiian stuff, and I’ll plan ahead better.
Taking the ferry across to the USS Arizona Memorial
You can still see parts of the ship under the water.
Beautiful views along the coast (on Saturday, the day we should have spent on the beach).
We have a timeshare in Maui and go every other year… in March, when it’s cold and wintery! That sapphire blue ocean water is just gorgeous and the whale watching in the spring is great! You need to go to Maui and see another island and it’s quieter, slower life…. Glad you got away and had some time together.
Brad and I thought Hawaii was amazing!!! We were blessed enough to go on our honeymoon. How amazing that you are Derek were able to go without the kids for a few days! Wow!
Beautiful. I am so glad you had a few days together. Sounds unimaginably lovely right now!!!