Back from Hawaii (w/ pics)

Hey ladies! Hope everyone is doing well. Vinny and I just got in this morning from Hawaii (Maui). We took the red eye but it really wasn't that bad- went by in a flash. Anywho, I don't have time to write a whole lot because I'm so over tired from the time changes that I'm all over the place

But a quick mini-review... Well, quick for me

First was San Diego- very nice! We saw the Zoo and Sea World as well as (at night) The Gaslamp Quarter which was a lot of fun. The Zoo and Sea World were really things that Vinny was very excited to do but don't get me wrong- they are wonderful places to see! The Zoo is definitely the best Zoo I've ever been to by far. The weather in San Diego is pristine and we stayed at a very affordable (since it was just three nights) Courtyard Marriott-- very easy to get to, free shuttle service to/from the airport and all major attractions AND a breakfast buffet that was great for 10 bucks a person each day! We definitely recommend that Hotel- it was great for our needs and the City was awesome. Overall- great City- wish we had more time to really explore but it was just a quick stop to 'break up' the flight.

Next up was Oahu. Oahu is like Manhattan on a beautiful beach... It's very cool, very fun and fast paced but for us- being that we grew up right near NYC our whole lives it wasn't much to write home about because I guess we are kind of 'used to' the city atmosphere. It was still beautiful and what made it so great was our Hotel-- the Hilton Hawaiian Village which is like a City in itself. The shopping there is great so girls- watch those credit cards

The Hilton upgraded us big time from a gardenview room to an oceanfront suite in a very exclusive tower- their customer service was great, the food was 'OK' at the one restaurant (I do NOT recommend buffets for anything BUT breakfast) but the other places (that were not buffet) in that hotel were very good to eat. The hotel is very interesting and fun to walk around- they have tons of shops, wildlife, things to see, entertainment, pools, etc-- and then, of course, the beach (Waiikiki Beach) which is stunning. Overall, we liked it here- I can't say I would rush back b/c, to us, once you see it you are good to go-- I think three our four days is PLENTY on this Island.

Then it was off to Kauai which I thought was going to be just 'OK' and it ended up being tied as our fave island w/ Maui-- although, I think, on some days I might like it even better than Maui!! Kauai is so unique- completely undisturbed and natural. It is beautiful and exotic and VERY relaxing. This is a true HM spot. There were LOTS of other couples there on their HM. We stayed at the Grand Hyatt- we got a small room upgrade, nothing crazy but the room was beautiful, clean and everything was superb here--- the service, the food was FANTASTIC and the pools/slides/lagoons are awesome.

We wished we had booked some excursions in advance there-- We heard that that Zip Line Tour is the best but they were all booked up. We ended up doing a great one in Maui but just a heads up to Kauai girls-- DO THE ZIP TOUR!! Also, eat at Dondero's whether you stay at the Grand Hyatt or not-- it is their Italian restaurant that is on site. Believe me, I have a picky Italian husband- this food was goooood! Also, check out Poipu Beach Broiler which is just down the road from the Grand Hyatt-- DELICIOUS!

We did horseback riding there too- that was really nice and pretty- I recommend doing that. I do not recommend the breakfast buffet-- it was delicious, it is not that, it's just that for 30 bucks a person they don't offer you, IMHO, a whole lot. You are better off getting something off the menu like french toast for 16 bucks or just getting a cold buffet b/c the hot buffet needed a little TLC.

Overall, we wished we had more time in Kauai to just take in all that it naturally offers-- everything there was just so beautiful. There are no words!

Then- the big Kahuna- Maui for a week! WOW! This place is beautiful... it has things to do when you want to do them (shops, cities) and then it has tons of activities too but, at the same time, is very relaxing and has amazing beaches, hotels, pools, etc. We stayed at The Grand Wailea which was the best decision of our trip- we were treated like ROYALTY. I will have to wait until my formal review but WOW- this place is INCREDIBLE.

It was an 18 day HM and by the end we were definitely ready to come home and see our baby girl. Char!! As well as, fam and friends.

Just to let you girls know- we did a catamaran cruise in Oahu-- you can snorkel-- We liked it but if I could have I would have waited on that and simply did the catamaran in Maui b/c it goes to Molokai which is reallllly beautiful.

Also, I do NOT recommend the Haleakala ATV tour in Maui-- they are dangerous machines, we had a bad experience with a very YOUNG guide and did not feel safe-- at all. Upon asking for a refund b/c we were unable to ride due to their incompitence we contacted the Grand Wailea Concierge and they got us a FULL refund. This company is SHADY at best-- bad news girls-- you want to have fun on your HM-- not take your life in your hands.

That brings me to the downhill bike debacle... The day before we left a woman was killed on a bike tour. Our Zip Line tour guide (which was AMAZING, btw) told us that quite a few tourists die each year on these tours and that they should be outlawed-- So, just to let you girls know-- the downhill from Haleakala Crater and/or the downhill bike tour on the Road to Hana--- STEER CLEAR! People get hurt bad and killed A LOT (according to other guides) and it is not something you want to risk. I can't tell you how bad we felt for that poor woman who was killed-- the road was WAY too narrow and they take these tours of bikes down and sometimes it is dark-- and it was too narrow and she was hit by a van and killed

Anyway-- hope that helps. The Skyline Eco Adventure (Zip Line Tour) was EXCELLENT. Great guides, experienced, safe, etc.-- it was so much fun. Also, we did a really cool hike up to see waterfalls. FYI-- when it says in the brochure that it is a mild hike it usually means moderate-- moderate means intermediate and so on. They make it like it is easier to get more people but in reality- you are really hoofing it up there and you are climbing and scaling walls, etc. If you are not a. young and/or b. in shape-- watch out for that.

But the waterfalls were breathtaking and Vinny swam in a fresh water swimming hole.

OK, enough rambling- these are just some pics- please look for a full wedding and HM review-- coming to a theatre near you