Tropical Paradise!

 We arrived in Honolulu February 23, 2013 around 1pm, I will never forget what it felt like getting off the plane the sweet smell of plumerias in the air and the soft warm humidity that so softly surrounded us.  Ryan and Courtney picked us up at the air port from there the adventures only began! 

Temple beach, our first morning in Hawaii we woke up early and walked on the beach! 

Temple Beach

If you look very closely you can see the little crab that Austin caught, I couldn't believe how fast their little legs move!

Although our vacation was full of fun new things to see and do, I think that visiting the Pearl Harbor memorial was by far the most emotionally charged.  Even though we learned about the bombing of Pearl Harbor in High School seeing the memorial, visiting the active burial site was overwhelming. 

This is inside the memorial, it is a list of all the men that lost their lives.

This is the memorial to the survivors of the bombing that since have passed away and their ashes have been laid to rest.

Yet, another one of my favorite memories!  Ryan, Courtney, Austin, and I decided to go to Turtle Beach hoping to see some turtles!  Much to our surprise we not only saw one turtle we were able to see about 10-12 turtles all so close that we could touch them!!!! It was incredible, to see these peaceful creatures in their own environment with seeming to not have a worry in the world!

Just before Austin and I left for Hawaii we went on Groupon and purchased a two hour sailing adventure!  It was amazing there were only about 20 people on the boat and we were able to see two maybe three breaching whales, a sea turtle and HUGE waves! It was such an awesome experience! 

Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach

The Dole Plantation was so much fun, we toured the facility and had some delicious Pineapple Whip!

Austin and Ryan trying to make cups from the coconut shell

Friday we went to the Polynesian Cultural Center, WOW what an amazing day that was we visited nearly all of the villages and ended the day with the jaw dropping night show and a Luau with Ryan and Courtney!  Our vacation would not have been nearly as amazing without the time we were able to spend with them and we are both so thankful for all the time the dedicated to us while we were there! 

This truly was the most memorable vacation I have ever had, I look forward to planning the next tropical getaway!