Friday Favs: Our 4 Year Wedding Anniversary

Happy 4 year anniversary to this guy.  I can't believe all the amazing times we've had in the past 4 years: 2 weddings (Chicago & Penang), a cat, a dog, and a baby.  Thanks for being the most fun I've ever had, love you more than I can say!  And I'm so, so incredibly excited about our anniversary trip to South East Asia this year!  We went to Paris and Hawaii (Big Island & Maui) for our first and second anniversaries, but last year as my eggo was preggo we opted out of going on a big trip, so this trip is 2 years in the making.   Happy Friday!

4 Year Wedding Anniversary from Praveen Patel on Vimeo.

Big Island, HI Recap

Big Island Recap:
   The Big Island was the first stop on our Hawaii vacation.  We stayed at the Fairmont Orchid, and I can not say enough good things about this place and their staff!! They even have this perfect (man made) lagoon where we laid out every morning and where I learned how to paddle board!  Our second day on Big Island we drove to Volcano National Park, this was about a 3.5 hour drive.  Volcano National Park was beautiful, we hiked over old lava flows, checked out pit craters, went through a lava tube, and saw steam coming off the active volcano.  The only downside was that there was no flowing lava that you could hike to or see via a boat.  We also stopped at Punalu'u Black Sand Beach which was beautiful and we saw a beached turtle!  In retrospect our return trip should have been through Hilo and thus seeing both Akaka Falls and Rainbow Falls in the same day. 

Our favorite eats would include Sansei, where we had sushi and Upcountry Veggie Pasta- delicious!  Our other sushi recommendation would be Norio's at the Fairmont Orchid, with their fabulous array of yummy sushi.  On our way to Volcano National Park we ate at Kaiwe Kitchen, where we had delicious wood fired pizza.  This is right next to a general store, which is perfect, if you need to stalk up on goodies for your drive.


on the drive to Volcano National Park



Volcano National Park- steam from the crater



Punalu'u Black Sand Beach

Thurston Lava Tube

lava rock

Our first sunset in Hawaii!

the Mister chillin in the lagoon

Akaka Falls

road to Hilo, no editing, it just really is that beautiful

Rainbow Falls

Hapuna Beach State Park

Tasty Thursdays (the Hawaiian Edition): Ahi Poke

We ate Ahi Poke a couple times when we were in Hawaii, and it's amazingly delicious.  If you like ceviche, sashimi, or tuna, you'll love this!

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Ingredients:

4 cups ahi, minced

1/2 cup onion, minced

1/4 cup green onion, minced

1 cup soy sauce

2 tablespoons sesame oil

3 tablespoons white truffle oil

1/2 tablespoon sambal olek

Hawaiian salt to taste

1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

Season ahi with Hawaiian salt. Add all ingredients, mix well then chill.

Need more inspiration, check out this video.

Maui, HI Recap

Maui Recap:
Maui was our second stop on our Hawaii vacation.  We spent 4 fabulous days at the Hyatt Regency on Kaanapali Beach.  (There was some construction going on but we were in the Napili Tower and thus heard none of it.)  If you're in Maui and you have the time, you should definitely do the road to Hana.  We started with breakfast and a picnic lunch at Anthony's in Paia, Charley's is also another great spot.  The road to Hana is only 30 miles but it will take you an hour and a half to drive through it, that's without stops.  And you'll want to make stops at the many waterfalls, scenic points, and beaches along the way.

If you make it to Hana, take Highway 31 for another 30 minutes to the Haleakala National Park to see the O'heo Gulch also known as the 7 sacred pools.  These 7 pools flow directly into the ocean.

Our favorite Eats:

Cane & Taro in Whaler's Village.  The calamari salad is delicious as was the mahi mahi of the day.  You can do some shopping at Whaler's Village, and there's also a free shuttle that goes to all the hotels and resorts in the area. 

Front Street: There are plenty of little shops and restaurants on this strip.  We frequented Uhu Lalni's, during our trip, it's the best shaved ice!  My personal favorite is the Haleakala (coconut & lychee - party in my mouth).  We also had lunch at Aloha Mixed Plate - it's a great spot for trying traditional Hawaiian food.  We had the chow fun and ribs.

We tried to go snorkeling, but the weather was not cooperating (too windy).  But of all the snorkel trips I've ever been on, this was the best.  The Pacific Whale Foundation has the best staff - super friendly and knowledgeable (they're all marine biologists). 

We also ate at Star Noodle.  I loved this Asian place so much we ate there twice.  Things to try: The Ahi Avo (if you like Ahi poke, you'll love, love, love this), their malasadas (aka Portuguese donuts- pictured above) are delicious.  Noodles: I loved their Lahaina Fried Soup and Fried Saimin noodles. And their Soho Berry Sparkler is amazing.  We also had the pork buns and Vietnamese crepes. 

My other must have for Maui is Mama's Fish House.  It's such a Hawaiian experience, and the food is phenomenal and a bit pricey.  We had the Ahi Poke and the Upcountry Fish (the best fish I've had in a long time).  If you do go here, you should hit up Ho'okipa Beach it's a mile up the road and you can see some of the best wind surfers there, it's breath taking (pictured above). 
A couple of really good places that were recommended to us by our friends that we didn't get a chance to eat at are: Pacific O's and Merriman's.  Other than that we relaxed, soaked up the sun, and I learned how to surf!   We can't wait to go back.

Island hopping...

the Mister and I are leaving the Big Island and headed to Maui

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Luau Rehersal Dinner

The Mister and I are celebrating our second wedding anniversary by spending a blissful week in Hawaii.  I've got some friends dropping by to say hello, so there will still be lovely parties and wedding to gush over this week.  In honor of my current tropical address,  some  Hawaiian  luau  rehearsal dinner inspiration, Enjoy!



{First Row: Coconut Bowl, Shell Cakes, Orchid Lei; Second Row: Rehearsal Dinner, Menu Surfboard; Third Row: Caipirinhas, Buir Fans, Palm and Orchid Place Setting}



Hawaii bound

Happy Friday! The Mister and I will be spending a blissful week in Hawaii, celebrating our 2nd wedding anniversary!  Needless to say I'll be out for the next week.  Hope you lovelies have a fabulous weekend/week and a festive Halloween!

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{Hawaii activities include: Hammock Lounging, Lava Watching, & Sunning}