Sunday, April 8, 2012

38. Travel: Hawaii

My husband and I arrived just as the sun was setting.  We were equal parts giddy and exhausted.  “Oh, and I see from the notes here that you’re here on your honeymoon?” queried the front desk clerk, mustering reserves of faux enthusiasm after his millionth time of delivering that identical line to other newlyweds.  “Congratulations.  We have upgraded you to an ocean front suite.  Enjoy your stay.”

I wasn’t sure if he was congratulating us on our marriage or on our room upgrade.    
When I saw the room, I knew it was the latter.  The bathroom was bigger than my first apartment, and held a deep soaking tub and separate marble shower.  The towels were thick and fluffy.  The suite itself had dark hardwood floors, a yellow hibiscus print bedspread, and bamboo furniture.  The entire front wall was made of glass and offered a 180 degree, uninterrupted view of the glorious sea.  “I’m moving in,” I said to Tim, “like, permanently.” 

I’d been smart enough to book a package for the week, a package that included kayaking, horseback riding, snorkeling, and last but not least, hiking in a rock garden high above the ocean.  Every day brought a new adventure, along with perfectly prepared seafood and endless fruity cocktails with names like “Hawaiian Volcano” and “Thirsty Parrot” or “Maui Swirl.”  We lounged at the pool, slept too late, and basically had a wonderful vacation. 
Two children and 12 years later, we recently celebrated another anniversary.  I look back at our vacation photos in Hawaii, and realize it was a wonderful start to a wonderful marriage. 

MOV   

13 comments:

  1. So sweet! I'm glad the marriage is holding up. That , in itself is tough these days (especially when you factor in two children).
    I have a brother who lives in Hilo and so I have been to the big island several times. I have also spent a bit of time on Oahu and Kauai . I do enjoy the climate there - both the weather and the attitude. But it's tough to pay in dollars for the chance to sit in that lovely climate, you know?

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  2. wow, hawaii sounds like a dream :) and i love reading about happy relationships - it seems people are always online to talk about their problems and complain about things, and it's really refreshing to read your posts :) x

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  3. We, too, honeymooned in Hawaii--the Sheraton at Kaanapali Beach.

    We have owned a timeshare in Kona, Hawaii for 22 years.

    From 2006-2011 we lived and worked on Oahu.

    Love Hawaii.

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  4. How cool! 4 Seasons?
    We are celebrating 30! in May...we were so poor on our honeymoon we went camping for 3 weeks on $500. We finished college, got jobs, had kids and finally took a "real" honeymoon to Hawaii for our 15th anniversary...and it was a glorious week of sun and fun. Happy 12th!
    Happy A-Z April!

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  5. Wow- sounds like quite a place. Good description. I'm trying to visit all the A-Z Challenge blogs this month.

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  6. Ha , ha! Nice post. Now I want to go to Hawaii and fake a honeymoon.

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  7. Yeah, not too shabby! I have NEVER been upgraded. What am I -- chopped liver?

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  8. Wow! What a fabulous way to spend your first holiday in married life together. I am very jealous, we have never been anywhere hot! enjoyed your description.

    in case you're interested in mine, I'm leaving you my A-Z link as blogger
    always identifies me as my shared blog with other poets - my A-Z is this one: http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com

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  9. Sounds like a great vacation! Now i want to go to hawaii.

    Great A-Z post!
    Nutschell
    www.thewritingnut.com

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  10. This post is a proper ray of sunshine :-) Congratulations on your lovely marriage, and thank you for sharing this memory.

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  11. How awesome, MOV!

    And what a way to start a marriage. :) Cool.

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  12. This sounds heavenly! I am ready for a second honeymoon. I better start saving!

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  13. Me, me I want to go! Sounds wonderful!

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