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My Hawaiian Vacation

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Aloha!  I can never, ever get enough of Hawaii!  Palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze, the scent of plumeria flowers, toes in the water, and the yummy fruity cocktails…yup,  I am all about the island life.  I haven’t been to the islands since photographing Shaun and Kati’s wedding in Maui six years ago so I was well over due.  During my visit to Montana last summer, we (my cousins – Kathy + Kyrstyn and my mom) started planning our tropical trip.  My mom had never been so we knew we wanted to hit up Oahu for a few days and then finish our vacation in Kauai.

Oahu was the perfect place to start our trip.  We visited Pearl Harbor, hiked Diamond Head (that girl kicked my ass), and finished our short stay at Duke’s sipping cocktails and listening to a popular local band.  On our third day, it was wheels up and we hopped on over to Kauai.  This was my first time visiting Kauai.  If you want a more rural/authentic Hawaii vibe, this is the island for you.  It is beautiful, lush, and mellow.  We visited Waimea Canyon, attempted to see the Napali Coast (silly clouds), and zip-lined.  Zip-lining was a blast!  Man, my mom – that little adventurer showed us all up.

There were a thousand pictures I meant to take, but opted to be present.  I am thankful for the memories that will last a lifetime.  Here is a mega-sized glimpse or our Hawaiian vacation…

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

We flew out on St. Patrick’s Day.  So being the Irish girls we are, we naturally started with a couple of cocktails – Jameson on the rocks (mine) and Bailey’s (mom).  😉  Then celebratory cocktails once settled at our hotel!

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Pearl Harbor – always moving.  They have a new (since my last visit to PH 20 years ago) documentary to watch before heading out in the memorial.  Totally worth watching…

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

After Pearl Harbor, we headed to North Shore. Also making a pit stop at Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck.  😉

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Mi madre…

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Finished the day with a pretty good view + a fruity cocktail.  😉

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

View from the top of Diamond Head…

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

After our hike, back to the hotel to clean up and do a little shopping before Duke’s.

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

View from our hotel the night before we left.

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Kauai has chickens and roosters EVERYWHERE!  It was the coolest and strangest thing to see.  I want chickens now.  I am sure my cats would love them.  HA!

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

On our way over to Kauai, we were chatting with a guy who lives on Kauai.  We recommended going to Brennecke’s for dinner.  It was the best meal of the trip!  Everyone else had fresh fish (which we all tasted), but I had Kalua pork tacos.  Because, tacos.  SOOO GOOD.  I recommend having some Holy Water for your beverage.  It is one of their specialty drinks.  We liked it so much, I figured out how to make it at home.

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

While we were waiting for our food, I saw this pineapple and had to take a picture.  No Photoshop/filters involved!  Also – iPhone photo – super impressed with the quality!

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Beach across the beach from Brennecke’s…

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Waimea Canyon/Crusin’ the Island

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Around the hotel

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Zip-lining!  There were several companies who offered zip-lining.  Koloa Zip Line is SOOO good!  Totally recommend.

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Sunrise on the last morning.  Anyone who know me has to laugh when they learn I was up so early.  This girl is a night owl who loves her sleep.

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Only fitting that a rooster welcomes us on the first day and says goodbye on the last.

Hawaii; Vacation; Oahu, Kauai; Photographer; Carrie Ayn

Until next time… Aloha!

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Hotel on Oahu:  Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort & Spa
Hotel on Kauai:  Hilton Garden Inn Kauai Wailua Bay

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