Friday, June 28, 2024
Wednesday, June 19, 2024
Trip to Denver
Trip to Denver (6/12-17 2024)
Even though our trip to Denver got cut short due to my mother in law’s passing, we still had a great time!
Day 1: Arrive in Boulder- (6/12)
Residence Inn Boulder downtown
Bartaco -happy hour menu- margaritas and taco
Avanti food court- try Arepas
Pearl Street Mall
Visit old location where Pharmaca used to be
Chautauqua park- great view of flatirons trail
Day 2: Boulder- (6/13)
- Breakfast at hotel
- Boulder Falls
- Chautauqua park and trail hike flatiron(rock formation)
- Sushi Zanmai (lunch)
- Ku cha house of tea
- University of Colorado (visit museums)
- O’Connor potluck
- Dinner in Louisville (740 Front) with Monica, Matt, and Don)
Day 3: Denver (6/14)
- Swim
- Breakfast - check out hotel
- Rino Art District/ murals, breweries, and shopping
- Denver Central Market- lunch
- Tamayo for welcome drinks for Molly and Aaron’s wedding
Day 4: Denver Wedding (6/15)
- Breakfast at residence inn Denver
- Check out Red Rocks Amphitheater
- Many people workout here by climbing the stairs
- Perfect music venue on the planet
- Trading Post Trail- nice hike around red rocks
- Avanti food court- Arepas for lunch
- Wedding!!! It was an unforgettable wedding with many surprises.
Day 5 : Estes Park and A lodge Boulder (6/16)
Found out Paul's mom passed away peacefully in her sleep
Saw female elk for the first time!
Beautiful Stanley hotel with a view
- Stanley Hotel tour (learned about FO Stanley build the house here for her TB
- Lunch at The Post afterwards
- A lodge
Day 6 : Hike Chautauqua Park with Grisha( 6/17)
This was a good experience! Grisha was nice and flexible with time and hiking distance.
Great views and climb!
Visit NCAR
Pasta for lunch
Celebrate Paul's birthday with a cake and matcha latte
Going home.
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Trip to Big Island, Hawaii
It's been 22 years....
Things we did in Big Island, Hawaii (5/10-17, 2024)
Day 1. (Friday) 5/10
Arrive KOA 12pm.
Get rental car
Coffee and açaà bowl for lunch
Drive to Airbnb:
Address: 11-3056 Alii Koa Street Honu Suite, Volcano, HI 96785, United States
South most point in United States
has the most beautiful coral beach
Black sand beach (Punalu beach)
22 years later.....
Thai food for dinner
Day 2. (Saturday) 5/11
After breakfast; Pack a picnic at local cafe for lunch (the volcano store)
Hike Kilauea crater trail (highlight!)
Takes you from rainforest to lava field!
Walk Lava tubes trail
Cruise around the Chain of Craters Road to see sea arch and cool palm trees in lava land.
Hike to Pu‘u Loa Petroglyphs
Volcano house for beer, soup, and salad
Appreciating native art
Yummy Thai food truck for dinner!
Day 3 (Sunday) 5/12
Visit Panawa Zoo and Gardens
Getting close to peacocks and saw NeNe for the first time on the island!
Visit Hilo Farmers market in the morning
Brought fruits and ate brunch at farmers markets kitchen
Discovered a local hidden gem! Volcano rock beach, fishes, and sea turtle!
Rainbow falls in the rain
Drive to Marriott Waikoloa Ocean Club (check in)
Hang out in hotel (pool, ancient fish ponds, beach…)
Walk to queen’s market place. Buy sushi for dinner
Day 4 (Monday) 5/13 Hang out at hotel
Enjoy malasada and Kona coffee for breakfast
Yoga by the beach
Pick up free stuff from concierge
10am pickleball
11am coffee talk
Drive to Hilton-
Getting close to dolphins…dolphins experience
5:30pm dinner at Roy’s; saw mural in King’s shop
Day 5(Tuesday) 5/14
Kona coffee and cookies
Relax in hotel pools
Parker Ranch- Paniolo heritage center self guided tour
King Kamehameha statue
11:30am Fresh off the grid for lunch
Pololu Valley lookout - tough hike down to the ocean
1pm Fresh off the grid for shaved ice
5:30pm Lava lava beach club for sunset dinner
Day 6 (Wednesday) 5/15
Yoga
Aiopio Fish Trap - see turtles
Kona farmers market
Poke for lunch
Maka’eo walking path- see mongoose
Kona brewing Co - Paul
Snorkel with the mantas 6:30-8:30pm -Betty got sea sick
Sea Paradise Kaleiopapa Street Kailua-Kona, HI 96740
Day 7 (Thursday) 5/16
Hike Waikoloa petroglyph
Welcome Lei ceremony
Greenwell farms tour
Teshima’s lunch
Place of refuge
Fruit smoothie
Painted church
Kailua pier
Island gourmet takeaway for dinner
Day 8 (Friday) 5/17 Our Last Day....
Kona coffee with orange cinnamon bread
Morning yoga view at A Bay
Ancient fish pond
Buy spam mushabi for lunch
Fly back home.