Dining with Danielle: HAWAII!!!!

That's right, Dillon finally took me to Hawaii! I don't really mean finally because it's not like he's been promising to take me or anything. But ever since I found out he has gone a few times already, and since he went on two cruises without me, I figured that the word finally was a little fitting.

We were aware that prices for plane tickets are super cheap on Allegiant Air during January and February because Dillon had wanted to go the two previous years and had kept an eye on tickets back then but had never gone. So when this year rolled around we just planned on going when the prices dropped. By October prices were pretty low so we booked!

We told Dillon's sister about the awesome deal we got and pretty much ended up inviting his entire family. It worked out great for everyone to come, even Dillon's other sister who had recently found out she was pregnant. We were able to do and see a lot while we were there and stayed in a great house up on the North Shore.

Let the photo essay commence! (also, disclaimer, Dillon is the photographer, not me...)

Our first stop was Punchbowl Cemetery, the resting place of soldiers killed in WWII in the Pacific.

Our first official stop the next morning after breakfast at Papa Ole's was Laie Point.

Then on to Shark's Cove for some snorkeling.

After the morning at Shark's Cove we headed up to Pipeline beach.

Check out that awesome water!

My father-in-law, Steve, conquering waves.

Then up to Matsumoto's for some shaved ice, wooooo!

Sunset at Waimea Bay, except pictured here is just an artistic shot of the water coming in.

Here's the real picture of the sunset...

Dole plantation the next day where we opened a few shells and got some pearls.

Then, oh my gosh, best garlic shrimp of my life out of that truck right there.

And then some more shave ice. Apparently, it's the best.

Lunch at this bakery. There were sprouts involved.

And then more beach time! A little cloudier this day.

But still awesome colors.

Walking out to Goat Island that evening.

It was a beautiful sunset out there.

Yes, that is my skirt around my neck...and yes, I was wearing a swimsuit.

SO gorgeous.

And protected.

Sunrise the next morning on our way down to Honolulu to go to Pearl Harbor and a swap meet.

Presh.

Pearl Harbor

After that we went on a hike. Here are views from the top of the Diamondhead hike.

This is the one picture I took that trip...

I married him because he's a rebel.

This is the Laie Temple where we went the very next morning before going to the Polynesian Cultural Center

One of the workers showing how Samoans make fire.

We saw lots of different cultures at the PCC that day and then finished off with a Luau that night.

Our last full day we went to Hanauma Bay which is famous for its coral reefs for snorkeling. It was fairly overcast which made for a less crowded beach. It was still so gorgeous and nice to sit by the water.

On our way to the bay we had passed a short hike so we went back and did it afterward. At the top, on one side you could see whales breaching (or whatever it's called when they jump out of the water).

Another lighthouse.

After the hike we went on an adventure to get gas at Costco so the we could turn the rental cars in with full tanks of cheap gas. This led to an even bigger adventure of getting some hula bread at THE sketchiest "bakery" and then finding a real bakery and getting some desserts there after stopping to get one last shave ice (also at a semi-sketchy loaction).