Big Island 2011

My husband was AMAZING and planned our honeymoon without me knowing what we were doing.  All I was aware of was we were flying in and out of Kona on the Big Island.  Beyond that is was all a surprise and what a surprise it was!

We arrived in Kona on Monday night and went to eat at a little place in Kona called Island Lava Java.  It was FANTASTIC!!  The food was great and it overlooked the water.  We got there right before sunset so I was able to see my first Kona sunset on the first day!  After we ate, we drove to the place we would stay for the next couple of nights.  It was a very cute little Bed & Breakfast called Lilikoi Inn.(http://www.lilikoiinn.com/aboutus.php)  We were greeted by the owners and welcomed with a delicious island smoothie!

The next day we went swimming at a beach just north of Kona.  It was so much fun!  I loved it!  The ocean is so amazing!  After swimming we headed into Kona for the next surprise Michael had up his sleeve.  We had lunch at a place called Buns in the Sun (http://www.bunsinthesunhawaii.com/) and then waited.  All of a sudden a van pulls up and Michael tells me our next adventure is here.  It was a van with Mauna Kea Summit Adventures.  Yes, we were going to the top of Mauna Kea (a whole 13,728 feet that is!).

On day 3, we headed to the other side of the island via the north route.  It was a very pretty drive and reminded me very much of diving through the mountain passes (very green).  We stayed in Hilo for 3 days.  Our big adventure in Hilo (again a surprise from my honey) was a helicopter ride over Kilauea (the volcano that has been erupting on and off for the last few years and started to reflow 2 weeks after our honeymoon).  It was AMAZING!!!

Here is a little video of the crater as we're flying over it.  *Sorry it's a little blurry at first, but it does get clear and you can see the smoke coming out of the crater.*

Here is a picture of the crater:

After the helicopter ride we were picked up and taken to Akaka Falls (http://www.gohawaii.com/big-island/regions-neighborhoods/hamakua-coast/akaka-falls-state-park) followed by swimming at a locals only spot (by ourselves!) and then to a remote location for a very romantic dinner overlooking a waterfall.  It was BEAUTIFUL!!

Akaka Falls:

Here's a pic of the waterfall we sat and watched while eating dinner:

We headed back to Kona for our last night and decided to go around the sound side of the island.  We walked on a black sand beach (pic standing on the rocks at the bland sand beach)

and then stopped at the Southern most point in the United States.

So much fun is such a little time!  Can't wait to go back and visit the Big Island again!

Finally...Wedding Pics

So I know there are some of you who have been waiting to see pictures from the wedding.  Sorry it took so long but I just received the pictures!  So here they are!  July 9, 2011...best day of my life (so far!)!

Michael & I

Deanne (my maid of honor) and I

My bouquet---calla lillies & star gazer lillies!

Schwartz Family pic

Schwartz kids & parents (first time we've all been together in 2 years!)

Deanne, Michael & I at our reception

Our centerpieces...star gazer lillies!!

Our cake...simple, elegant, and VERY tasty!

So as you can see, the day was wonderful and everything I imagined my wedding would be like!  Thanks so much to Reagran Lara-Rood for all her hard work with the reception!  It was excellent!  And to Natalie Copeland for the amazing pictures!!!  And thanks to my AMAZING mom for the FANTASTIC dress she created (literally!)  July 9, 2011 has been the best day of our lives so far and it just keeps getting better!!!