Hawaii (9 year anniversary trip)

Adam and I decided to take a trip to Hawaii for our ten year anniversary next year. But when we found an amazing deal at one of the nicest hotels in Hawaii, we decided to take the trip for our 9 year anniversary instead. It was an easy decision for us to go to the Big Island. We've heard amazing things about it and I had been dying to see the volcano there. We left the kids home in the care of both sets of grandparents. I have to say, the kids did sooo good while we were gone. I worried so much about them being sad (especially Ethan, he doesn't handle being apart from me too well), but they barely noticed we were gone! The grandmas did such a great job keeping them happy!
Our hotel was the Fairmont Orchid; it was amazing! We did a lot of relaxing, and a lot of fun sight seeing as well. Adam went golfing, we did a helicopter tour over the volcano and waterfalls, we went to Volcanoes National Park, hiked to see lava, went snorkeling at Captain Cook's monument, did night time snorkeling to see the manta rays (but didn't see a single one!), saw turtles laying on the rocks at the hotel, saw dolphins playing in the ocean by our boat, and so much more! It was a perfect trip, and I hope to go back again some day. Maybe we'll bring the kids next time... or maybe not. :)

At the dock ready to leave on our boat ride to snorkel at Captain Cook's Monument

Hole 15 at Mauna Lani South course, so beautiful! I came along for this golf outing so I could take pictures.



Adam and I at Mauna Lani South golf course


Hapuna Beach


Our hotel at sunset


Sunset from our hotel






At the top of Kilauea volcano, looking at the volcanic gases and steam come out of the caldera. Kilauea is the most active volcano in the world!


Ready to take our helicopter tour


We drove to the closest spot you can get to the lava flow. The neighborhood that used to be here has been covered and destroyed many times by lava. The people still own the land there, so a few of them rebuild their homes. Just a few weeks ago one of the homes was destroyed by lava again. Apparently this person is trying to sell their recently lava covered property, complete with "ocean views"! Good luck with that!


Depending on where the lava is flowing that day, you can sometimes get a look at lava flow from the viewing area. But most days it is too dangerous or on private property, so you can't get close enough to see it. After we drove as close as we could to the lava (2.5 miles away), we met a local guy whose family owned some of the property that has recently been covered with lava. They have a company that does private hikes out to the lava flow at the edge of the ocean. We decided it was a once in a lifetime opportunity, so we did it. It was a 2.5 mile way each way, in the pitch black, over jagged razor sharp lava rock, with sheer cliffs for a lot of the way. But it was all worth it when we got to where the lava was flowing into the ocean. We were able to get so close, it was sooo amazing!