Aloha, Kauai

I may be calling it too soon–but this past week in Kauai was the BEST trip of 2018.

I just got back from the island yesterday, and I am still reeling from all of the tropical excitement and fun in the sun I enjoyed. I was joined by a fab group of girlfriends, who made the week all the more unforgettable.

I’ve traveled to Kauai once before with my brother and family to honor our mom just a few months after she passed away unexpectedly (Hawaii was so special to her); and the islands will always hold that memory of my mom for me.

This time, I ventured back to Kauai for a girls trip packed with activities (zip lining! ATV tour! snorkeling! yoga!), which resulted in endless smiles and sunshine with a great group of like-minded ladies, who shared the same sense of adventure as me.

All in all, it was one magical BFF trip with no shortage of epic photos!

A tremendous thank you to Shere’e and the Kauai Visitors Bureau for curating a truly incredible week for us–this island is made for memory-making, and definitely the ideal destination for a best friends getaway!

Here are a few highlights from the trip:

Girl Time

We seized every opportunity to laugh, bond and share stories. We soaked up the sun, ate well and opened our minds and hearts to the magic of Kauai.

We toured Kilohana Plantation, took a sunrise yoga class together at the Grand Hyatt Kauai spa, and lived like queens at the gorgeous resort for three glorious nights, as well. We also stayed at the Kauai Beach Resort where I hosted an impromptu DERMAFLASH Bash in my room and we cracked up sharing stories of our dating lives, while pampering our skin. We learned how to make gorgeous fresh flower haku leis by the expert herself Elvrine Chow of Heavenly Hakus, and did some serious shopping at The Shops at Kukui’ula, too.

Outdoor Adventures

I went way outside of my comfort zone and took part in plenty of outdoor adventures that I would have never picked for myself.

I always remember the quote, “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us”, when I find myself in an exotic place. I took that sentiment to heart this week, and plunged into so many fun excursions that I can now officially cross off my bucket list.

Kai and I got dirty on the ATV waterfall tour and were covered in mud from head to toe for about four hours and then turned around another day and did a six-hour Catamaran Snorkel Tour to see the stunning Napali Coast. From braving choppy ocean waters by boat to flying high in the sky with Just Live Zip Line tours, we seized every moment and faced some fears while making some pretty awesome memories in the great outdoors.

Luckily for us, every square inch of Kauai is positively gorgeous, so there was never a bad moment.

 

Beach and Pool Time

Even with all of the nonstop activities we packed in, we always made time to sneak in some quality pool time or Poipu Beach time (even if for a short half hour!) each and every day. How could we not? Swimsuits were on heavy rotation all week!

 

 

The Food 

I am a huge seafood fan, so I was in heaven in Hawaii. I enjoyed the BEST poke bowl of my life at Fish Express (twice), and loved dining at Tidepools, Gaylord’s, Naupaka Terrace, Merriman’s Fish House, Duke’s, Oasis on the Beach, Kauai Juice Co. and more. Everything was insanely delicious and so, so fresh. This post would not be complete if I didn’t give a special shout-out to those epic Kauai oysters at Merriman’s Fish House! They were so good, we ordered a second round, and talked about them days later. Hands down, delish.

 

Mahalo, Kauai, for the most magical time ever. I’ll be back soon.

xo

Jenn