the honeymoon

Kent and I returned from our honeymoon about a month and a half ago and I still want to go back. Seriously, I wake up every morning wishing I was at the Kauai Banyan Inn. It was glorious! Kent managed to keep the destination a secret during our engagement, but I was pretty sure it would be Hawaii or Mexico (both tourist traps for honeymooners). Originally, my heart was set on Hawaii, but after Kent told me about all the great places in Puerto Rico, Costa Rica, etc. I didn't care where we went because everything sounded good. Hawaii won out though and it was perfect. (Even the 20+ bug bites I acquired while there can't take away from the perfection.)

Here's a day by day account of the honeymoon:

Day 1: Waikiki Beach. We spent some time at the beach, surfed, went to the Honolulu Zoo (strange attraction for a honeymoon, but it was great) and ate at the Pineapple Room.

Just like this surfer, we two caught a wave. Literally, we tried tandem surfing and actually rode a wave. I felt like Gidget.

Exploring new and exciting foods. Who knew McDonald's had a coconut pie?

Day 2: Goodbye Waikiki (the view from our hotel room was spectacular...thank you, Karl!)

Hello Kauai

Birdwatching.

View from the Kilauea Lighthouse and Bird Sanctuary

Day 3: Kayaking the Wailua River

The river was calm, but I got tired of paddling so I just laid my head back and let Kent feed me grapes off the vine while he continued rowing. Can you believe that? What a man.

Kent listening attentively, believing every word our guide was saying about the Hawaiian menehune legend. (The Menehune are "little people" that bring you good luck if you see them. We felt like we were on a snipe hunt looking for Polynesian leprechauns.)

Romancing the Stonesque

We saw AND heard roosters everywhere. This one is in good shape. I think the others were crossbred or something because they just didn't look right.

Organic, hippie-ish cafe that had great bread pudding.

Day 3: Overpriced zip lining

It was still pretty fun dangling in the air, but we were expecting something different. We thought we'd be soaring over a jungle rooftop, but we only did a few, short zip lines within the trees. (This is where I got my bug bites.)

Day 4: Hiking the Napali coast on the Kalalau Trail

Kent in a bamboo grove.

We might have gone in the water at this beach, but we read this sign that told us to use extreme caution and it had marks indicating how many people had died there. Some surfer must not have seen it though because he was surfing there like it was nothing. What's wrong with a riptide or two? Maybe we're just wimpy.

We found guavas on the trail to supplement our blueberry muffin/Pringles lunches.

Kent shook a tree to get these. I was impressed.

Here we are at Hanakapiai Falls. It was worth the 4 miles to get there.

More falls. So beautiful.

Later that same day...Kent in his speedo (thank you Matt and Parker for supplying this gift). He didn't want any drag while snorkeling.

Day 5: Glass Beach. I don't have a lot of pictures documenting this day because we got a couple's massage on our balcony (Kent wasn't too keen on this idea at first, but I think he enjoyed it). We also saw a natural geyser that was interesting, but I don't think Kent would think it was good enough to post. He kept on saying that it didn't compare to Old Faithful. We also jumped off of this really high rock into the ocean. I think I'll have to post that video another time.

Day 6: Hawaiian brunch and a stuffed/HOT (as in really attractive) Kent. How you can you resist the dimples and furrowed brow?

First critter spotted on the car. Spiders are never pleasant, especially large ones.

Second critter found on the car, a lizard. Both of these animals wouldn't let go either. They just stuck around as we drove from place to place.

Helicopter ride. Definitely worth it, but Kent and I both got motion sickness that took awhile to subside.

Captain Kent (okay, not really, I just like how that sounds)

Napali coast from the air.

Navigator Nellie (or Nauseous Nellie works too)

Another aerial view. Loved the waterfalls.

I think Kent might have been getting ill at this point.

Classic Hawaiian rainbow.

Day 7: An extra day in Kauai due to Delta overbooking. We got to stay at the Marriott and received some flying vouchers. I can't think of a better place to be stuck.

Eating/relaxing on Marriott's private beach. It was unreal.

The entry way (jungle paradise) of the Marriott.

If you made it to the end of this picture blog, congratulations. We had a wonderful time and I'm looking forward to our next adventure. If you want to read more about the honeymoon you can visit Kent's blog. He always puts a great twist on things.