The next morning our trip took a drastic turn for the worse when Alyssa began not feeling well. By the end of the day she was quite sick with a food poisoning/emotions/stomach bug combination. Our hosts were extremely gracious in providing her with ginger ale and saltine crackers. We rested inside while watching movies. It wasn't all bad to extend our time of relaxation, but it was a bummer that she was feeling miserable and to miss an opportunity to sing Christmas carols with a church group.
We were able to leave the house the next day to help our hostess pick out a Christmas tree and some decorations. While at Walmart we saw the cutest stuffed moose ever!! And almost bought him but didn't. Remember him. ;)
Prior to arriving on Oahu we had made plans with a friend who had done a 50 states trip before us and had settled in Hawaii. The bank where she worked was sponsoring the holiday parade in Honolulu, so the employees were walking in it and passing out candy. We were invited to join! Sure! I'll check that off my bucket list. :) Sadly Alyssa still wasn't feeling great that morning, but we didn't want to pass it up. It was fun to pass out candy to kids along the road! :D So many smiles.
We were able to leave the house the next day to help our hostess pick out a Christmas tree and some decorations. While at Walmart we saw the cutest stuffed moose ever!! And almost bought him but didn't. Remember him. ;)
Prior to arriving on Oahu we had made plans with a friend who had done a 50 states trip before us and had settled in Hawaii. The bank where she worked was sponsoring the holiday parade in Honolulu, so the employees were walking in it and passing out candy. We were invited to join! Sure! I'll check that off my bucket list. :) Sadly Alyssa still wasn't feeling great that morning, but we didn't want to pass it up. It was fun to pass out candy to kids along the road! :D So many smiles.
To continue on with our day we picked up Hawaiian BBQ (delicious!) followed by a rest time then a hike. The hike was hot! Thankfully it was worth it when we saw the waterfall at the top. :) We were so grateful that we had this day to spend with someone who understood our adventure in a way that few people do!
The night ended with Alyssa getting sick again. Which meant that all the plans had to be rearranged again. Both of us were disappointed. :( This wasn't how we wanted to spend our 10 days in Hawaii!!!
As time went on, Alyssa gained strength so we were able to do some of the things we wanted to do. ;) The definite highlight of the whole trip was being able to hike to a waterfall that we could swim in!! I had always wanted to do that, but had no clue where. So when our hostess mentioned that this was a possibility we jumped on the opportunity. The water was cold, but it was entirely worth it. We also challenged ourselves to swim up to the rock near the waterfall so that we were basically under it...that was no easy task with the current! We did it though. :) The walk to the falls was through a gorgeous botanical garden. We loved this opportunity.
On our drive to the waterfall place (names are escaping me all these months later), we stopped at the Dole plantation. We saw pineapple fields, beautiful tropical flowers, and ate Dole Whip. I love that Dole Whip doesn't have any of my allergens. ;)
We, of course, also explored different beaches including Lanikai and the lagoon near Aulani resort. They were both relaxing and gorgeous in their own ways. We waited to see the sunset over the lagoon because who doesn't love a beach sunset experience!
One of our last days there we hiked to a point of gorgeous views. I'm completely spacing on what the hike was called, but it was really pretty. It felt good to return to being somewhat active again. Pictures often speak better than words when it comes to Hawaii. :)
Oh! And I cannot forget to mention the delicious grilled veggies that I (sadly Alyssa was too sick) devoured while there! Grilled zucchini is SO GOOD!
Thank you, John and Laura, for hosting us for 10 nights so graciously. <3
Now, remember that moose? Well, when we returned from Hawaii, Alyssa and I both had a lot of questions and discouragements, especially since she had been sick for so much of our trip. Honestly, we wondered where God was in this. Then we get into her dad's car and see the very moose we had wanted to buy sitting on the seat...for Alyssa. Her dad had gotten it at a gift exchange and thought she would like it, but had no idea how badly we had wanted it! God shows Himself in the smallest details <3
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