I have to be the luckiest girl in the world! I just returned from one of the most wonderful Hawaiian vacations ever. We spent 4 nights on the Big Island and 4 nights in Kauai.
This was our first time visiting the Big Island and our third to Kauai. I have to say, I didn't really care for the Big Island that much. Don't get me wrong, we had a fabulous time, but I think Kauai is much prettier and Kauai actually has beaches you can get to. A few great things the Big Island has going for it is Volcano Village Lodge, Hale Hoola Spa, and the Volcano National Park.
Volcano Village Lodge was the BEST place we have ever stayed. There are only 5 houses/huts/villas on the property and it is right in the middle of the rain forest. The "houses" have glass walls on three sides, but are very private. This place was heaven on earth. From the peaceful setting, the tempurpedic bed, wonderful food and their attention to detail. We couldn't have imagined a better place. They thought of everything. There were flip flops, umbrellas, flash lights, robes, slippers, huge bottles of shampoo and conditioner, a towel warmer, the most comfortable tempurpedic bed I have ever laid on, a video and book library to borrow from, snorkel equipment, beach mats, yoga mats....the list goes on and on. They even suprised us with a bottle of wine for our anniversary. Between this place and our spa treatment, I don't think I have ever felt so relaxed.
Now, let's chat about the spa treatment! This was Tim's first experience at the spa and I don't think anything will ever be able to top it. We received a 2 hour Pilialoha Package - (Honeymoon or Anniversary). It started with a Pikake foot soak and lomi, followed by a sugar body scrub and facial. I was then placed in an Imu-loa (sweat bath) while Tim was put in a body wrap. After that, they finished with an hour long Lomilomi Hula, leaving us in bliss, filled with the Spirit of Aloha.
The Lomilomi Hula is a creative, soothing infusion of hula (dance) and lomilomi that is choreographed to Hawaiian music. Descriptively, it is portrayed as doing the hula on the body. Lomi Hula is a more relaxing and soothing massage, offering a melodic and euphoric experience. (The Lomilomi is a traditional Hawaiian massage which begins with a pule (prayer) and employs the elbows to create a rhythmic therapeutic experience. It offers relief to sore muscles, increases circulation and is beneficial for the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of the individual.)
Needless to say, we were on cloud 9 when we left. I couldn't stop smiling and using the word "amazing". This was the best way to kick off our vacation. I think we will do this kind of thing at the start of all vacations from now on.
Volcano National Park was pretty neat; however we did not get to see any flowing lava. The only way to see it was to drive 2 hours and hike 11 miles. We decided against this. Instead we just enjoyed the steam vents, miles and miles of dried black lava, devastation trails and craters. It was amazing to see the devastation the lava flows have left behind. But at the same time, it was neat to see little signs of green peek out of the black lava.
We were actually on top of the volcano when the tsunami was supposed to hit. We sat and watched (along with 100 other people) as thankfully, nothing happened. The sea did rush out but when it came back in it wasn't any higher than when it left. There was no flooding at all. Later that afternoon we drove to Hilo and were able to drive right up to the coast. Other than all the buildings being boarded up, it seemed like just another day. It was very strange to be so close to a tsunami scare but a little exciting at the same time. We even found Tsunami Survivor t-shirts to bring home.
As for our trip to Kauai, please check out my mother-in-law’s blog here. She does such a great job describing every detail and her pictures are much better than mine. :)
Mahalo!
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