Before starting this post, make sure you read the recap for week 1, 2, and 3 so you can see what we have done so far and so you can see exactly where I left off.
Before I get started, my Target Pjs are now in stock online and already the #1 product for the week! Some of you have already gotten yours in and are LOVING THEM! Yall… they are the softest! Shop them here:
Hawaii Recap – Week 4
Kona
Monday
After a crazy day Sunday (with Green Sand Beach) we just sat around the condo and watched the surfers most of the day on Monday. Plus, on Monday’s I have to work more than usual and get caught up on emails.
I put this beautiful floral mini on and didn’t end up going anywhere in it (I thought we were going to go out but we ended up deciding to stay in and prep for our manta ray dive!)
Floral Chiffon Dress (comes with a tie belt not shown here if you want to cinch the dress!) I Hermes Oran Sandals I Cult Gaia Mini Ark Bag
MANTA RAY SNORKEL
For the Manta Ray Snorkel, we went with Kona Snorkel Trips. I found them on google after reading a lot of reviews. They were also one of the few companies that take people out after dark. We needed to go that night so we could put Miller down first. We didn’t want my mother-in-law to have to watch her again.
BIG TIP: Book this for the second night of your trip. The ocean is finicky and you never know when you will have bad weather or high tides. We booked it for Saturday night because Troy’s parents got in on Thursday. Sure enough, the swell was too high to go out that night. They rebooked us for Monday night instead.
We were SO EXCITED to hear that the snorkel trip wasn’t cancelled, but when we got there the boat that was just coming back told us that they didn’t see any manta rays at all. We were back to being discouraged.
It was a 40-minute boat ride in the dark out to where we got in. It wasn’t cold at all. I recommend bringing an underwater camera of some sort but leave everything else behind.
We jumped into the water and held on to a long surfboard that had a huge light underneath. I glad we weren’t the only group out there (that would have been spooky) and we were really close to land. Our guide then moved us with the surfboard the entire time. We never had to worry about anything. It seemed like the Manta Rays were right underneath our board the entire night.
It was definitely spooky being in the water at night but when you see the Manta Rays all of your worries just disappear. We were lucky to have three there under us when we were snorkelling. It was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. They would come up so close to us that they grazed a few of us on accident. I was floating at the top and felt like I had to be flat as a board in order for me not to touch them.
Kona Snorkel Trips has a Manta Ray guarantee. If you don’t see them that night you can get your money back or try again another night.
The Manta Rays aren’t dangerous at all! They are gentle giants in the water. This is something you HAVE TO DO IN YOUR LIFETIME!
Tuesday
On Tuesday we had lunch at Da Poke Shack. This may or may not be where I got food poisoning. There’s just no telling. I wore this gorgeous white top with my favorite denim shorts.
White Top I Denim Shorts (order one size down) I Cult Gaia Mini Ark Bag I Cult Gaia Chain I Earrings
During Miller’s nap, Troy and I went down to the beach for a little bit to soak in the sun. I wore this fun two-piece bikini:
Swimsuit Top (fits small, go one size up!) I Swimsuit Bottom
That night we went to Umeke’s. This could also be what gave me food poisoning. The service here was so awful. I would honestly just skip it if you can!
I wore this pretty eyelet ASOS dress and Miller wore this cute Hawaiian dress I found her at a Farmer’s Market here.
Wednesday
WAIPIO VALLEY
My in-laws watched Miller while Troy and I did a tour through Waipio Valley. It was very interesting, and I loved hearing a local’s point of view, but now I want to get back and explore it on my own!
We did the Waipio Shuttle Tour. It takes an hour and a half to two hours. They shuttle you into the valley and talk to you about the way of life down there and point out various things. I think if you did your research before going that you could definitely do the drive/walk yourself.
To drive- you will need a 4wheel drive and you will need to know how to use it. It is a 25% incline/decline.
To walk- just be prepared to walk about a mile down and a mile back. The mile back up will be tough because it is basically straight up, but you can do it! Bring some items with you so you can hang out down there at the beach for a while.
Just PLEASE be respectful of the people living down there. When you see a no-trespass sign, turn around.
*We saw Waipio Valley in a helicopter two years ago. It was incredible. If you had to choose either or due to time restraints, definitely see it from the air! We went with Blue Hawaiin (they are the best!)*
I wore this white madewell tank over a swimsuit top for the tour:
Here is the swimsuit top I wore (one of my FAVORITES!):
Swimsuit Top I Denim Shorts I Straw Hat
That night we went to Ulu Beach Grill at the Four Seasons and that is when everything went downhill for me. The restaurant was so beautiful- I highly recommend it- but I was feeling sick before we even got there.
I threw up all night long!
Thursday
KONA VRBO RENTAL LINK
On Thursday we had to pack up and head out of our amazing Vrbo rental. By far one of the most amazing rental properties I have ever visited! It sat right on the water, had amazing views, and you could watch the sunset and the surfers every morning and night. It was stocked with everything you need (inlcuding chairs, towels, tons of snorkel gear, beach toys for the kids, and so much more. PLUS IT HAD AC!!
I was still pretty sick on Thursday so I didn’t shoot anything. We flew into Maui, picked up my friend Megan, and checked into our next place (where I am now!)
Friday
On Friday we showed Megan around Kihei, went to the beach with Miller, and then went to Monkeypod for dinner.
I wore this hot pink romper, which would be PERFECT for Valentine’s Day!
Pink Romper I Cult Gaia Mini Ark Bag I Cult Gaia Chain
Saturday
On Saturday we went to the Shops at Wailea, where I purchased a new Prada bag! Did you know you can buy designer bags for 25% less here than on the mainland? Isn’t that crazy!? My friend Megan wanted to find some Hawaiian souvenirs for her family there. Soha is one of the cutest shops there to find that kind of stuff. The Lululemon shops on Maui also have personalized items. You can custom print select shirts to say Aloha or you can put the Hawaiian islands on the front or back of them.
I wore this super cute tie-dye button-up that you guys went crazy over! It is so lightweight so you can wear it in any season.
Tie Dye Top I Agolde Shorts I Tory Burch Sandals I Cult Gaia Mini Ark Bag I Cult Gaia Chain
For dinner we went to Mama’s Fish House. It is pretty expensive (around $20 per drink and $60 per entree), but soooo worth it. One of the best restaurants in the world.I highly recommend the stuffed fish or the fish curry.
For dinner I paired this fun Free People Bodysuit with this satin leopard skirt.
Bodysuit I Leopard Maxi I Gucci Sandals I Amazon Sunglasses I Cult Gaia Mini Ark Bag
Sunday
On Sunday morning we mostly hung out by the pool (I can’t remember why we didn’t go to the beach. I think it was overcast.)
I wore this fun off the shoulder one piece- one of my favorites because you don’t see many like it.
That night we ate at Miso Phat, one of our favorite sushi restaurants, and then watched the sunset at Ululani’s (the best place for shaved ice on the island!) It was a perfect day!
For dinner, I wore this super cute striped romper. I love the ties on the shoulders and that it comes with pockets!
Stripe Romper I Straw Tote I Denim Jacket (old from LOFT) I Sunglasses (Old from Gucci) I Hermes Oran Sandals
I will definitely combine everything once we head back home to Dallas so that different posts will contain where to eat, where to stay, what to do and then one with the links to everything I wore!
Head back here next week for the week 5 recap!
RESTOCKS
Free People We the Free Tie Dye Top
Leopard Pom Two Piece Swimsuit – Back in stock for two day shipping in all sizes
Purple Becca One Piece Swimsuit– Back in all sizes
Comments
Love the tie-dyed top and romper!