Recently just got back from visiting my boyfriend in Hawaii, and it was one of my favorite trips yet.

Day 1 – Garlic shrimp dinner from the food truck down the street:

Day 2 – Brunch Hawaiian Style, his favorite beach, & Lanikai Pillboxes Hike

Red velvet pancakes, guava chiffon pancakes, & crab cakes eggs benedict from Cinnamon’s restaurant in Kailua.

Waimanlo beach – great sand and waves with lots of folks taking wedding photos (very understandable).

View from the Pillboxes hike

Matt on top of one of the Pillboxes

View from the inside.

Panorama view is the best 🙂

Day 3 – Poke, my first time snorkeling, Salt, & the Movie Museum

Had a huge amount of poke from Fresh Catch.

Visited Haunama Bay to go snorkeling.

Seriously, very beautiful.

And the name of the state fish!

And we had a wonderful dinner at Salt (Burger with Bacon Jam & Kim Chee Reuben)

We also went to the Movie Museum down the street and watched “Dans La Maison” – really cool place with big comfy chairs showing movies everyday for $5!

Day 4 – Museums, Palaces, & Food Trucks

We had an amazing picnic at the contemporary museum – great experience, just tell the cafe you’d like to have a picnic and they provide 2 entrees, drinks, mats, and bug spray and you can sit anywhere on the grounds!

Also visited Iolani Palace for the first time – the audio tour was very well worth it and I learned tons about the Hawaiian history behind the palace.

We also tried one of the new cocktail bars in town (Bevy) – their couches are made with jeans! Drinks were fantastic and the happy hour deals are great!

We went to Eat the Street (food truck rally happens on the last Friday of each month and is located at 555 South St. in Kaka’ako) which is amazing. So many food trucks and so many great food items. I had the the fried chicken loco moco mac & cheese from Soul Patrol and it was PHENOMENAL.

We also went to Art after Dark at the Honolulu Museum of Art – great time to go look at the art since they basically turn the outside into a night club–really cool experience.

Day 5 – Hikes, favorite foods, Improvaganza, & late night sushi

The Kuiloulou trail is probably one of the most beautiful (and longest) hikes I’ve ever been on. Set some time aside for this one as it did take a while –but it was all well worth it.

Matt rewarded me with shaved ice from Waiola and malasadas from Leonard’s for making it up the moment haha!

We also went to Improvaganza later that night which was super entertaining!

Day 6 – Poke, Waikiki, & dinner with the family

Ate more of my body weight in poke from Ono Seafood (super delicious and at a great price!)

Went to my favorite hot dog place with my best friend (Hula Dog – right next to International Marketplace [which is closing down =(]) – this is the polish dog on taro bacon bread with lilikoi mustard. Their lilikoi lemonade is delicious as well!

Also got a chance to check out the infinity pool at the Sheraton (very cool!)

Shared an acai bowl before dinner.

Where I had my favorite dish at Yogurstory and got a chance to hear childhood stories about Matt and coo at baby pictures!

Day 7 – Local food & beautiful sunsets

Local food from Bubbies & North Shore Grinds

Wonderful drinks, music, and sunset from House without a Key

And had a great, local dinner at Town!

Day 8 –  Garlic Shrimp, Swimming with Turtles & Sunset Cruise

Garlic Shrimp from Romy’s!

Swam with some turtles.

Got some chocolate haupia pie from Ted’s.

And went on an awesome open bar booze cruise.

Day 9 – Last day =( Kaneohe Sandbar

The tour that took us out to the Kaneohe Sandbar was really great. The crew was super friendly and fun, the sandbar was gorgeous, they provide a delicious lunch, you get to go turtle watching, snorkeling, and end it with a great view and some hot chocolate.

Probably one of the best vacations I’ve ever had. I think as long as you have the right partner to do everything with — you’ll have a fun time no matter if you’re standing in the middle of the ocean or sitting on the couch playing Super Smash Bros. =)