Command the ocean!

My friend Huy texted, "Sort of random.  Want to go there maui 18-21?"  I think "there" was supposed to be "to".  I responded, "Hmmm, I do want to go!"

A couple of days later, I had a plane ticket and a plan to spend 3 and 1/2 days on Maui with Huy, Phuong, and baby Ethan, and 3 days on Oahu with Stacey and Todd!  The trip happened to fall over my birthday, and turned out to be the best way to start my new year.  :)


Maui 
Star Noodle
Lahaina - town
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
Montage Kapalua Bay
Snorkeling
Aloha Mixed Plate
Pool at Montage
Walking along the beach in Lahaina
Japengo - birthday dinner
Meditation on the balcony
Beach at Kapalua Bay
Ohana Tacos
Ululani's Hawaiian Shave Ice
Lahaina - town - Banyan Tree
Walking the rock pier in the rain
Honu
Lahaina - town
Meditation on the balcony again
Nakalele Point - blow hole
Star Noodle again
Art fair
(Huy also made me an amazing breakfast every day)


Mokulele tiny plane flight over to Oahu

Oahu
Simple Joy Vegetarian
Stacey's oatmeal breakfast
Surf n' Sea paddle boarding - Haleiwa
The Beet Box Cafe
Matsumoto Shave Ice
Nico's w/ Mark, Patricia, Caden - birthday dinner, actual day
Birthday cake!
Leonard's - malasadas
Hanauma Bay crazy ridge hike
Musubi Cafe IYASUME  

Surfing with Mike, Waikiki Beach 

Alohilani Resort Waikiki Beach - shower and serenade 

Baikohken - Waikiki Yokocho Gourmet Alley 

Everybody clap - Bboys :) 

Tea Boss

Zippy's w/ Cara

Walking Waikiki Beach 

Heavenly Island Lifestyle - lunch

Phuong and Huy completely spoiled me by letting me stay in their beautiful vacation rental, taking me to great food, showing me great views, and letting me hangout with little baby Ethan!  It was relaxing and beautiful, and what a wonderful family to travel with. :) 

The tiny plane flight was terrifying and the most amazing flight I've ever taken.  

Stacey surprised me with balloons and a cake first thing in the morning on my birthday!  And, then she and Todd continued to spoil me ALL DAY.  :)  It was so nice to see them and hangout, and paddle boarding was so fun!!  

Surfing in Hawaii was much harder than Costa Rica, but I did get up once, and it was great hanging out with Mike again!  The hike Mike sent me on around Hanauma Bay was gorgeous and dangerous, and made me feel like I was in a Murakami novel. :) 

I'm glad I got to see Mark, Patricia, Caden, and Cara, and that I got to have such an amazing trip with so many people that I love.  

💛

Zion

The holidays were rich.  Complex.  Hard.  Delightful.  They were full of wonder, family, great friends, dreamy views, sweet connections, emotional conversations, and sleep.

I was in Colorado with my family for Christmas, and was invited to a last minute trip to Zion/Bryce Canyon with a bunch of girls for New Years.