Early this year, my family and I visited Kauai (one of the Hawaiian Islands) for my cousin’s wedding. I am SO lucky to have gone on this trip, for many reasons (IT’S KAUAI!). But now with social distancing and travel restrictions, I feel even more thankful to have gotten the chance to get away while we still could.

These memories and their residual vitamin D carried me through Victoria’s remaining winter and spring 2020’s self isolation. Summer is now in full swing here and the sunshine and warmth in the air is bringing back all the best island vibes.

So it’s time for a #throwback! Join me in reminiscing on the memories and highlights of the absolute DREAM that Kauai was…

HIGHLIGHT: FLOWERS!
The island of Kauai is as postcard-y as you can get! It has lush jungles and thriving gardens. You can walk outside and pick yourself a tropical bouquet- or better yet- just look down and grab a few that have already fallen. I’m literally in a parking lot in the photo on the right, NOT THAT YOU CAN TELL.

HIGHLIGHT: FOLIAGE!
The photo on the left was taken in the backyard of the Airbnb we stayed in on the North end of Kauai. The North side is particularly known for its greenery. And there’s me in the middle; in awe of how big a leaf can get.

HIGHLIGHT/MEMORY: VIEWS!
We were able to explore every side of Kauai except for the West. First photo is in the North, overlooking Hanalei Bay. Second was taken walking from Shipwreck beach, South side, in Koloa. We hiked on the cliff face trail from Shipwreck beach on our second day in Kauai, and when we made it up to Princeville (North), we spent most days swimming and bodyboarding at Hanalei.

MEMORY: COFFEE
Some things never change, do they? Every morning on our trip started with a hot cup. I don’t take milk or cream with my coffee, so it was fun exploring what dairy free creamers they had available in Kauai. I actually found a couple that I wish we had in Canada! One was an oat milk creamer, the other soy. Kind of neat though, because drinking the different tasting coffee created a particular taste associated with the trip. Like a smell or sound can. *Also there were easy to find and adorable cafes. *ALSO also, the second picture has me enjoying a cup on the backyard patio of our first place. See that bag on the table? Yeah those are macadamia nut cookies. We dipped them in our coffee. WE LIVED THE DREAM.

HIGHLIGHT: BEACHES BB
Okay this one is a given, but WOULD YOU JUST LOOK AT IT? First photo: Poipu Beach, Second: Shipwreck Beach at sunset, Third: Hanalei Bay

HIGHLIGHT: BEST BIKE RIDE OF MY LIFE
About halfway through our trip we made our way up the island and rented bikes in Kapa’a on the East side where there’s a paved trail. Well, what I thought ‘might be fun,’ turned out to be pretty much my favourite part of the whole trip! It was AMAZING! We biked on a long pathway stretching across the coastline. The views were absolutely stunning. It was a fantastic way to see all the beach spots and get a feel for the area. The lookout points were incredible and there were terrain changes (passing farmland) and even some history to bone up on. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. It was a ride I’ll never forget!

MEMORY: THE WEDDING
(IN THE HAPPIEST DRESS)
My cousin’s wedding was BEAUTIFUL. It was small and low key, but in the most magical setting. It was a cooler day with a bit of rain, but the trees on this particular part of the beach near Princeville Resort acted as a canopy, covering us during the ceremony. Was that planned? I don’t know! But it worked perfectly. There were tears, a lot of HEART and a big party after! What more could you ask for?!
And only adding to the happiness of the day was the most YELLOW and ME of a dress! I found it in Kauai and wore it to the wedding, so yeah, it’s special now.
OH HAPPY DAY!

MEMORY: SO CHILL
(SOMETIMES THEY’RE NOT EVEN THERE)
The sign on the left is a very good example of much of the attitude in Kauai. The bottom two lines read, “Closed for big surf— no like work.” A lot of the food trucks would only be open for part of the day, and would even be closed when we got there- even before their closing hours. It’s clear where their priorities were, and I can’t not respect that. The “Hawaiian time hours,” do their own thing, and it’s a lesson in itself of goin’ with the flow. To slow down and enjoy the day. Some things can wait; in Kauai they really can!

HIGHLIGHT: HANALEI BAY
(WHERE MOUNTAINS MEET BEACH)
I couldn’t keep myself from taking too many selfies in front of the most MAJESTIC mountains on the most IDEALISTIC beach I’ve ever seen. The two paired together were almost too much for my brain. This my friends, is Hanalei Bay. It’s a very long beach, home to world class surf; both for beginners at one end and pros at the other. Me, as not a surfer, enjoyed some body boarding, wave floatin’ and continually trying to keep my jaw from hitting the ground CAUSE WOW. 10/10. The scene of my dreams.

MEMORY: FAM JAM
Was able to plan some group outings along with family dinners during our time on the North side. A bunch of us went kayaking, perused a local farmer’s market and we got to have a family beach day at Hanalei! One of my favourite memories is wading in the ocean with my aunt and cousins. Out in the waves, we all felt like kids. Just letting the water splash us and laughing at each other when it did.

MEMORY: ADVENTURING SPIRIT
Every morning I woke up on this trip, I hopped out of bed, excited and curious of what the day would bring. When I’m in a brand new place I always get this feeling. I am not one to sleep in on vacation. I’m the one whose already been up for an hour by the time you roll out of bed and I have three ideas of what we could do that day! The good thing about a place like Kauai- or in life really- is you can’t go wrong if all you want is adventure. If your idea for the day turns into something else, instead of thinking of it as an inconvenience, think of it as an adventure. It’s all too easy to put expectations on things- and on our lives- but that’s never been the point. The point is in the process. In navigating the forks in the road, not being upset that they’re there in the first place. Kauai taught me that, or at least reminded me, amongst many other things.
(First photo: first time using an outdoor shower! Second photo: Koloa Beach Third: my parents and brother being the ultimate tourists!)

All in all, Kauai 2020 was… it’s hard to think of the right word to encapsulate it. It was… serendipitous. I didn’t know just how wonderful and how soul healing it would be for me. It’s beauty and effect was surprising! Before the trip, in January of this year, I was in a very different place. I almost thought of not going (as life always gives its reasons), but I went, and I didn’t return the same. It felt like I had hit a reset button. Things were more clear.

So, thank you Kauai, for teaching me to slow down, find the flow, appreciate the day and be an adventurer.