Aloha, Hawaii!

I had the amazing opportunity this year to spend a week in Hawaii with a group of friends and it was probably one of my favorite trips. I'm not really that well-traveled, but I've been a few places and so, yes, that makes me qualified to comment on Hawaii.

Side bar: does anyone remember how in the 70's and 80's, Hawaii was THE ultimate in dream vacations? And then it seems like Hawaii vanished from the vacations list? Or maybe that's just my perception because I stopped watching Brady Bunch reruns.

To give some perspective, first I drove across the country to Las Vegas and then hopped a flight to Kailua-Kona on the Big Island. So I was exhausted by the time I got to Hawaii and really needed a nap. What followed was a week of sunny and humid weather, drinking tropical drinks, going to a luau, watching sunsets, touring volcanoes, trying coffee and beer and just relaxing and lounging and soaking up the good company.

I would SO much go back. The beaches are so peaceful and beautiful, but not a lot of "traditional" sandy beaches I'm used to, except when we went to Hapuna Beach, and then there are black sand beaches! They're so different and cool. But the black sand wasn't very soft. So really, the relaxing part of Hawaii is just soaking up the heat and the sun and the clean air. And eating good food. And being with friends and/or family.

Rating: 5 out of 5 Awesomes