Aloha Hawaii. It’s been a while since we visited and were happy to return. My sister owns a timeshare in Maui and invited us to join her for a week. Who could possibly say no?  We stayed at the Marriot Beach Club which is right on the coastline and offers beautiful views and gorgeous pools for pure relaxation. Being it was April; the weather was a perfect (75 degrees) and the summer crowds had not yet arrived. The week flew by as we hiked, swam, shopped, and sailed.

One of my favorite days was a visit to the Maui Ocean Center. I’m a big aquarium fan and always try to include them in our travel adventures. This one did not disappoint. The center offered colorful tanks of local marine life, educational and cultural displays, a living reef, live music, and a theater Humpback Whale experience (where you feel like you are swimming with these magnificent mammals). It’s the perfect activity for people young and old.

When the Maui week was over, my husband and I decided to fly to Kauai and spend five days exploring the island. This was our first visit and we absolutely loved it. We stayed in a quaint hotel in Lihue and were instantly greeted by a flock of chickens. Yep, chickens. They were everywhere and seemed completely unbothered by locals and tourists. Each morning, we woke to the sound of roosters crowing and baby chicks scouring for crumbs on the lanai. There were also several large peacocks that came and went throughout the day.

One of the highlights of the trip included spending time at Waimea Canyon. After driving around and enjoying the various vistas, we decided to tackle one of the trails. We selected one that was rated “moderate” and included some peaks and waterfalls. It was definitely more challenging than anticipated, but well worth it.  Parts of the trail were muddy and quite slippery and it wasn’t long before I took my first fall. For some crazy reason, I had worn my favorite pair of white Keds, which offered no traction and provided a few laughs for fellow explorers. It was the perfect reminder to always pack trail shoes regardless of destination. Even though the hike was physically taxing, we would do it again in a minute. There’s nothing better than being surrounded by the canopy of trees, the various rock formations, winding pathways, flowing waterfalls, and beautiful horizons.

We also enjoyed our visit to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is a nesting area for large populations of native seabirds. It’s an ideal location to catch a glimpse of species that are rarely seen from land. The views are also spectacular and include the Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse. It was joyful to see the preservation of open spaces and the respect for wildlife. This was evident throughout the island which makes Kauai even more special.

And of course, we made time for the beach. Snorkeling provided an up-close view of sea life including some rather large turtles. Whether basking on the sand or swimming in the surf, the turtles were everywhere and also protected by local laws. And like the chickens, they seemed oblivious to visitors. The most common species is the green turtle which can reach four feet long and weigh as much as 300 pounds. It was pretty exciting (and a bit scary) to be in the water and see these creatures swim alongside you in the waves.

Overall, we really enjoyed our visit and will definitely return. Hawaii has so much to offer in terms of natural beauty and friendly people. And whether you are someone who prefers resort life, or would rather get lost in a tropical rainforest, it’s all possible in the islands. Mahalo Hawaii.