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 açaí 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 

Carlsmith beach park

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

https://www.seaparadise.com/

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.

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