Our Hawaii Vacation – Part One
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Seth and I took a quick trip in December — our first real adult romantic vacation (ahem — no kids) since before toddler Kate was conceived. We went to Maui, Hawaii for 4 nights.
It was lovely. And I mean fabulously, decadently lovely. You know how when you really neeeeed a vacation, it’s so much better?
But Hawaii is wonderful and fabulous no matter what. This was only my second time to visit, but both times were absolutely amazing.
I know you want to hear about the food and I promise, it’s coming. I have a luscious post coming any day now that is ALL about the food! With lots of pictures!
But first I gotta give you the background (I couldn’t fit it all in one post so I broke it into part one and part two).
Maui in Winter
Going to Hawaii in December is the perfect time (if you manage to miss the rain, which we did). The weather is idyllic. And this is coming from someone from Los Angeles, where the weather is already pretty darn idyllic.
The first day of whale watching is December 15, so if you go to Hawaii in wintertime, you’re more likely to see whales. We didn’t see any but we did not actually go whale watching. I talked to some people who did out whale watching go and they said they saw lots of whales.
The Four Seasons Maui
We stayed at the Four Seasons in Maui. I loved this hotel. It was so nice to be pampered after practically three years of child rearing.
Here’s the pool (can you say SALT WATER POOL?):
Here are the cabanas where we lounged, read (I was finishing Nina Planck’s new book, Real Food for Mother & Baby), drank Mai Tais, and played word games on our iPhones:
And here’s the beach, just steps away from the pool:
Here I am eating breakfast. Look how happy I am! A resort in Hawaii will do that to you. Not to mention the FOOD (you’ll see it in my next post).
Shark!
The first day we were there, we just sat around by the pool. So relaxing! The second day, we decided to get out and do something fun (since we only had 4 nights in Hawaii). So we went snorkeling.
The water was warm and the sun was shining. It was gorgeous out!
We rented a camera to take pictures of the fish. I had barely gotten my flippers and mask on and gotten in the water. I was just testing out the camera when I took this photo:
Um, that’s a shark, right? Look at the dorsal fin! It’s gotta be!
Perhaps a baby shark — but a shark nonetheless… I’m pretty sure anyway. I kind of denied it at the time. I was scared out of my mind but I didn’t want to admit it. If I admitted that there were sharks in the water — I would have had to get out immediately.
I ended up snorkeling for 3 hours or so. I couldn’t believe how fast the time flew. It was so beautiful, just looking at all the fish. Thankfully, I didn’t see any more sharks.
Here I am driving the boat:
No Sunscreen — Just Cod Liver Oil
The next day, we drove in our rented convertible from Wailea all the way around the island. It took all day. We listened to local Hawaiian music on the radio the whole time. Hawaiian radio is not all corporate — so you hear all these independent musicians playing local Hawaiian music — it’s really neat.
We stopped along the way to feed some birds and look at the scenery:
I had on a tank top and I didn’t wear a hat or a jacket — or any sunscreen — on our drive. I did make sure to take my cod liver oil. In fact, my in-laws were reminding us as we were packing our suitcases — “Don’t forget the cod liver oil!”
My in-laws became true believers in cod liver oil last year. They went to Costa Rica and said they didn’t burn at all — said the only change they had made in their diet was taking cod liver oil.
I don’t know why this works, taking cod liver oil, but it really does. I got sun, a nice pink rosy glow — but I did not burn at all. It’s so wonderful not to have to slather on sunscreen!
Hawaii & Seafood
Hawaiians eat more fish than any other state in the nation. At least that’s what they claim in their promotional travel brochures. I can believe it though. Seafood dominated every menu at every restaurant.
Those of you who read my blog regularly know that I am a big fan of eating fish. It was Dr. Weston Price and Sally Fallon who first clued me in to how important seafood is for good health. Nina Planck drove it home with her book Real Food.
I’ve always loved seafood — but only after I found out how good it is for me did I start working to incorporate it in my daily diet. And in Hawaii, it’s so easy. We ate fish twice, sometimes three times a day.
I have so much more to say about the food in Hawaii. A whole post’s worth.
Stay tuned — the next post about the fabulous food we ate is coming any day now!
This post is part of Real Food Wednesday on Kelly the Kitchen Kop.
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13/01/2010 at 8:30 am Permalink
Oh I loooooooved reading about your trip Ann Marie, especially since we haven’t had time for a long chat since then so you could tell me about it!
The picture of the beach *especially* got me…it is FRIGID here in Michigan lately and it’s my turn to pick up milk for our cow-pool…5 coolers, freezing cold, in and out…yep, that beach looks reeeeally good!
Kelly
Kelly the Kitchen Kop´s last blog ..Joel Salatin of Polyface Farms Provides Pork for Chipotle Restaurants (Real Food Wednesday)
13/01/2010 at 8:53 am Permalink
OH, I envy you being there in the sun and soaking up the rays. The weather report here in New Hampshire is cold with a chance of colder. I’m interested in wht you said about cod liver oil making the skin less likely to char. My daughter who lives in Wisconsin is heading to Costa Rica in February–I’ll tell her to take the cod liver oil with her.
13/01/2010 at 9:11 am Permalink
My husband and I got married on a beach in Maui on December 30, 2007. Maui is paradise, in the winter especially! We rented a condo on the beach, and it had a full kitchen. We did enjoy the local food, but it was fun to purchase and cook our own food too. Our building had 4 grills oceanside, and on New Years Eve we were by the ocean grilling lobster tail and beef tenderloin, while sipping wine.
Our life goal is to live there someday, even if it doesn’t happen until retirement. It is so fabulous, you can’t adequately describe it. It’s a whole different, stress free, laid back world. I’m so happy you were able to have a wonderful, winter vacation there! Our son just turned 2, and we are definitely due for one soon!!!
I can’t wait to read your post about the food.
13/01/2010 at 10:12 am Permalink
Can´t wait to read the next post
Here in Denmark we have the coldest winter in years so it makes me really envies to see your pictures
xx
Henriette´s last blog ..Dag 8 og 9
13/01/2010 at 11:29 am Permalink
Hi Anne, it’s nice to hear that you had such a great trip! My wife and I were married in Maui in 2005 and we stayed at the 4 Seasons for part of our trip.
I can’t believe you saw a shark that close!! I know reef sharks are common there and that they generally don’t bother humans, but I don’t see a black tip on that shark’s dorsal fin! I wonder what species it is.
I didn’t know about cod liver oil protecting against sun burn. How much of it do you take to have this effect? Any more than your normal amount?
Vin – NaturalBias´s last blog ..Will These 6 Foods Make or Break Your Performance?
13/01/2010 at 11:57 am Permalink
What fun! Looking forward to part two. I didn’t realize that about the CLO keeping you from burning. I’ll have to make sure we take it along on our next cruise. I’ve left it home because I thought it had to stay in the fridge.
13/01/2010 at 12:18 pm Permalink
How fun! So glad you had that getaway. I have never been to Hawaii and probably never will, so it was fun to read and see all that you did. I’m looking forward to the food post.
Wardeh @ GNOWFGLINS´s last blog ..Raw Cheese Benefits
13/01/2010 at 12:46 pm Permalink
I loved hearing about your trip to Maui! I’ve been to the Four Seasons myself…really, a lovely place. I ate lunch with Edie Murphy’s sister at the bar by the pool! And the food, well, it was deeeclicous! Can’t wait to hear about it!
Anna – Penny Sophisticate´s last blog ..Penny Sense: More Money in 2010
13/01/2010 at 2:17 pm Permalink
Aw, Ann Marie, you look so relaxed and refreshed! A well-needed vacation I’m sure. If I lived on the west coast Hawaii would be my destination for sure, but since I’m within driving distance of Florida I really can’t justify going all the way to the Pacific! But it’s on my “someday” travel list.
Elizabeth Walling´s last blog ..Weight Loss Wednesday: How Sleep Affects Your Weight and How to Get More Quality Sleep
13/01/2010 at 3:19 pm Permalink
AnneMarie
Wonderful posts as always.Am hooked onto your gardening Posts for today and as mentioned in one of your posts..Which brand og Organic Coffee,Org Ketchup you buy?Also where to start looking for Org Wines?We live in suburban Phily and thanks will be small words to describe your blog and your passionate writing.Love wehn you quote your mom.Have made many changes in my diet as per NT traditions customizing it as per my South Indian flavours in many recipes.
Enjoy your vacation.
Regards
S
13/01/2010 at 3:42 pm Permalink
Interesting about the seafood. We were lucky enough last winter to have my parents take us to Mexico. My then 13-month old dd ate fish 2-3 times a day and by the end of the trip, her skin was absolutely glowing. I think all she ate on that trip was fish and guacamole.
13/01/2010 at 3:44 pm Permalink
How do you travel with clo? Do you put the glass bottle in a zip lock or 10…and then pack it with bubble wrap?
13/01/2010 at 3:57 pm Permalink
Sounds like a fun time!
I had no idea about the Cod Liver Oil….I do take it regularly and live in Florida…so I guess that is a good thing! And yeah, definitely a shark – but what a great shot! Can’t wait to hear about the food!
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen´s last blog ..Corn Pasta w/ Leftovers and 10 things…
13/01/2010 at 4:31 pm Permalink
Hi cheeseslave-
I was just grinning the whole time I read your post-my husband and I just went to Maui in late October for his birthday (I was so sad that we missed the whales! just a little too early for them…). Anyway, YES, definitely a shark,but don’t worry-it looks like it’s just a nurse shark-perfectly harmless! In fact, I was scuba diving in Florida this summer and actually touched one-they are very docile, kinda feel like sandpaper. However, even though we did lots of snorkeling and diving on our Hawaii trip, I never actually saw a shark there, just lots of turtles and cool fish!
One of my favorite days there was the day we drove around the whole island, going around the north side to Hana and then kept on going around the south side, also in our blue Ford mustang convertible!! LOL, see why I was laughing at your post! I even have a similar pic of the black rocks from the black sand beach-so stunningly gorgeous-I’ve never seen anything like it!
Anyway, can’t wait to hear about the food-I feel like we ate our way thru Hawaii, and our food bill showed it, but it was so amazing. I especially remember getting a fresh pineapple smoothie at a stand on the way to Hana-the girl actually split the sugarcane and ran it thru an extractor to press out the sugar to which she added fresh pineapple…mmm…
13/01/2010 at 5:50 pm Permalink
Looks like you had an amazing trip! My husband and I honeymooned in Maui 5 years ago and stayed at the Grand Wailea next door to the 4 seasons. Lovely resorts! Can’t wait to see your next post!
13/01/2010 at 6:33 pm Permalink
Looks so nice and warm! I’m also impressed with the CLO instead of sunscreen. I haven’t put sunscreen on my kids, but they have gotten a little too pink a couple times. We’re doing CLO regularly now, it’ll be interesting to see how the summer goes.
Cara @ Health Home and Happiness´s last blog ..Review: Tropical Traditions Coconut Cream
13/01/2010 at 8:23 pm Permalink
Sounds like you guys had a great time!! Like everybody else… can’t wait to read about the food!! LOL!!
13/01/2010 at 10:10 pm Permalink
Oh, that looks like a wonderful vacation! So relaxing and fun. Hawaii is beautiful. My husband and I spent almost a week on the Big Island when I did a marathon with Train to End Stroke. We had a blast.
I’m another with good experience with CLO and sun exposure. We went to FL last March and I’m not sure I even packed sunscreen, but I know I didn’t use it and I was fine. Mind you, as a fair-skinned redhead I don’t bake on the beach, but still.
14/01/2010 at 2:25 am Permalink
Awsome pics! Can’t wait for the food post.
By the way, the transformation Seth has undergone in the last year! Wow!
Paula
Paula Runyan´s last blog ..Erroll Southers wary of Christians
14/01/2010 at 12:25 pm Permalink
What a beautiful place! Hawaii is definitely on my bucket list! I had no idea about the cod liver oil, I’m excited to see how the sun effects my kids and I this coming summer!! Great tip! How blessed to have such great seafood, my fav for sure, can’t wait to see it!!
Diana@Spain in Iowa´s last blog ..Grassfed Beef Brisket and Angove Nine Vines Wine
14/01/2010 at 3:18 pm Permalink
I was in Hawaiii MAAAAANy many years ago as a youngster. Something very powerful happened there . I know, and have been advised that i must return someday for spiritual reasons.
I have often hoped to find an inexpensive place to stay there so I could make this journey. It is such a breathtaking area of the world.
I am very interested to know more about skin care minus the sunscreeens.
PLEASE see the video called THE COVE http://www.thecovemovie.com/
There are many warnings about eating seafood. It is quite shocking. Im very interest in your feedback!
15/01/2010 at 5:11 am Permalink
Wow, what a gorgeous place. Enjoy your vacation.
Divina´s last blog ..Meatless Challenge: Lentil Stew
18/01/2010 at 11:41 am Permalink
Sorry – you guys asked about how we travel with CLO. We bring the capsules!
28/03/2010 at 12:07 pm Permalink
AM – just recently i told my younger sister (who lives in San Diego by the way) about fermented CLO and she actually bought some from green pastures – so excited for her b/c now I’m not the only one in the family changing ways of eating.
Anyway I told her about how you went to Hawaii and didnt wear sunscreen b/c you had taken your CLO. She recently asked me though if there is any research/articles about not having to wear sunscreen. Or where did you find this information out about the CLO and not having to wear sunscreen?
Thanks!
29/03/2010 at 2:32 am Permalink
Hi, Alexis
At first, we didn’t find any research — we just started having the experience that we didn’t need sunscreen and we were not getting sunburn — and then we started wondering if it was the cod liver oil.
So I looked around online and found some articles about seafood, fish oil and omega 3s and how they protect against sunburn.
Here are some articles I found:
http://www.fishoilblog.com/benefits/spf-omega-3-forget-the-sunscreen-fish-oil-prevents-sunburn.php
http://ezinearticles.com/?Afraid-of-Sunburn?-Eat-Mackerel,-Herring,-Trout-and-Salmon&id=785749
Ann Marie
10/04/2010 at 11:25 pm Permalink
Thank you for the information AM!