I Found My Spirit Animal in Maui: A Golden Girl

And then back to reality…the real photos. That is, my photos and our adventure. Here’s what it really looked like unfiltered, un-edited, and mostly sandy! I took 557 over the span of 9 days so I will spare you every single one – as you know, I love photography – but here are the top highlights:

World traveler…and a VERY early flight into Maui! We were exhausted but super excited. I was dying to wear all of of my palm print and tropical vibe attire. Oh yeah. You betcha I did.

We stayed at the Westin. There was nothing bad about it. We didn’t want to leave…ever. It is paradise – Go there!

My very own little pirate…

We spent a lot of time at one of the kids pools – a pirate ship – this thing was amazing. Parents can lounge/drink, kids can rage, all within 5 feet of you and a foot of water. Win and more win.

The resort cat found us, or we found her, and a wedding going on in the background. Lucky them to have the memory of my child running wild in the background of their beautiful vows.

The hotel was amazing. It was actually a one bedroom apartment hotel in this resort. Cole loved the whirlpool bathtub. He called it the “hot pool” and floated in it every night after floating in the ocean all day and the hot tubs even. I think he wanted to bring it home with us.

We spent a vast amount of time at the hotel beach because it was perfect. No need to drive anywhere. Calm warm waters, beautiful scenery, and kid friendly. The best snorkeling right at our doorstep. It was incredible and totally relaxing.

Lots of selfies on this trip cause I wanted to document the last few moments of my 30’s. Thus far, an amazing time period for me and one that has been full of life. So, here I am, in all my beach glory. this may never happen again so take it in, folks.

Snorkel Selfie Fail

One of our most favorite days on Maui…there is nothing to NOT love about Hawaii

It really was the best day ever for us

Then the birthday eve was upon me and a Golden Girl I became. I put on the tropical jumper and all we needed was the cheesecake. Everything in life just continually gets better as I get older so lets do this.

This Golden Girl rocked her birthday!

We went on a little Hawaiian adventure..

Cole took these photos of the Mr. and I after being unable to find anyone to take our picture – not bad for a 4 year old!

I wanted to go to Frida’s for my birthday dinner so that is what we did. Again, just go. It’s amazing. It’s a big pink old house right on the beach in Lahaina and the food is incredible. No stuffy white linens, no waiters in suits, no salads with orchids on top…this is just authentic, fresh Mexican on a beach in a pink bungalow. Jam packed, totally authentic, and amazing! Plus it’s pink (did I mention that) and has homespun art everywhere. So for this Designer, total bliss.

On my actual birthday we went on a boat tour out to the Molokini Crater in the middle of the ocean. It was amazing. No complaints.

By the way, I’m not a swimsuit model and nor do I want to be. Have fun and live life. Just get in that swimsuit and go for it. You only live once!

I love big sunnies. These things are my favorite. I wear them in a lot of pics I post. Wait until you see my new reading glasses.

Heaven on the back of a boat…

Then we got into the ocean out at the crater and snorkeled and swam around for a long time. Things like this don’t freak me out even though I realize I’m in the middle of the ocean and anything is below me. I feel one with the sea life for some reason. Unless I’m in Australia…that’s a different story. The wee-one got a special flotation device for kids that was really fun for him and safe.

And a BIG fish was caught on our way back to the island!

We ate a lot on this trip. A LOT. It’s vacation and a birthday. And, being a foodie, I had to hit up a few spots. One being Star Noodle in Lahaina. It’s tucked away in a strip mall, there are no ocean views, and it was the most incredible meal I’ve had in years. You must go. I don’t even like chicken wings and I still am dreaming about them. I have no other way to describe this place except there is a line daily for a reason and it an Asian fusion oasis.

Someone else, who’s not a foodie, LOVED it too…

Then off to Leoda’s for her famous mini pies…nothing really mini about it but, hey, when it’s your birthday (and a big one), you go for it. I am still a sucker for banana cream because its always what my dad and I had as a kid. It didn’t fail us.

We were pretty tired and dirty but it didn’t stop us from this pie stop…

A rainbow snow cone is a must out in the blistering heat and desert like terrain we were in at one point.

We finished up our time in Maui with a trip to the most northern spot and the Maui Blowhole. A little bit of a trek and not safe for kids at all. So, of course we went. Down the side of a steep, cliff raven we went with a 4 year old in tote. Didn’t mind the “You will die” signs all over the place. It was worth it…and we live to tell!

You can’t say no to a Hawaiian, off-road trail walk…it’s another world in there.

The northern point of the island at the top of the blowhole…incredible

I mean, a rainbow literally appeared for us:

Proof of why children are not advised to go here…but with the Mr. being a wildnerness/outdoor guru type I felt a little better. Not much, but a little, although I was terrified most of the time hiking up and down that cliff with him but we live to tell. He loved it, of course!

There She blows…

There were a things I wanted on this trip for my birthday: a professional photo shoot (check, water slides, lava tubing, and chocolate cake. That was all that was on my list. We accomplished two of the four on Maui and ended with water-sliding all night the last day of our trip. It was insanely fun and amazing!

Stay tuned. Chocolate cake and throwing my ass down a lava tube in Kauai is coming up. Aloha Maui, until next time. I love you and can’t get back again soon enough. You really are heaven on earth.