I’m having one of those days where nothing sounds better than my couch and a warm cup of lemon tea. I have also been drowning myself in Hallmark movies. The good thing about this current mood is that I can focus on catching up on my travel blogs from Hawaii.
During my second week in Hawaii, Caitlin and I spent time playing tennis with the tenniscize group, eating way too many meals at Daylight Mind, attended a luau, took surf lessons, enjoyed smoothie bowls, visited the Sunshower Coffee farm, and ate at the Poke Shack! If you missed our last adventure “night snorkeling with the manta rays“, click here to read!
After our night swim with the mantas, we were exhausted! The motion sickness was still present, but I refused to miss out on morning tennis with the tenniscize group. I don’t think I’ll ever plan a vacation without joining a tennis group. I had so much fun with these people, and the lessons made all the difference in my game. If you are ever in Kona, make sure to contact Donnia at the Holua Tennis Center! You won’t regret it. I’m so excited to go back and play with the group again. I wish there was a group like that in Charlotte to go to every morning!
After spending the early morning playing tennis, we headed down to Daylight Mind to have breakfast. This place has the freshest and most delicious breakfast in Kona and that’s why I go there all the time. This will be the first place I stop at when I visit again.
I had the avocado mash over tomatoes and spinach with two poached eggs and a side of fresh fruit. Caitlin’s meal came with two eggs but she’s not a fan so I helped her out with that issue. The more protein the better!
We decided to spend the rest of the day relaxing. When you’re “go go go” the exhaustion will eventually set in and we hit our wall early. We canceled the plans to go snorkeling and decided to go on a walk with Kona (my friend’s pup) and then watch movies until later in the evening. We signed ourselves up to attend a luau because when in Hawaii…
We asked around to find the best luau to attend in Kona and everyone said that the Royal Kona Resort put on one of the best! Donnia, the wonderful instructor who runs tenniscize said her daughter is one of the performers, so we definitely had to go show some support!
The luau overlooked the Kailua Bay, so the views were breathtaking.
I treated myself to a glass of merlot while we watched the sun go down. Going to a luau is a must! It gives you the real Hawaiian feel, and the vibes are so fun. It doesn’t get much better than that.
A grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter were sitting next to us, and they were so much fun! Talking to travelers and the locals are one of my favorite things to do on vacation.
There was SO MUCH food provided for the luau guests.
On their menu, they had…
Green Salad, Tomato & Onion in Herb Vinaigrette, Three Bean Salad, Potato/Macaroni Salad, Lomi Lomi Salmon, Poi, Kalua Pork, Island Fish with Tartar, Sauce & Lemon, Island Chicken, Chicken Luau, Honey & Soy Braised Beef, Hawaii Sweet Potato, White Rice, Fresh Pineapple, Coconut Dinner Rolls, Jello, Coconut Haupia, Coconut Cake, & Pineapple Upside Down Cake.
This dress was only $24.99! 🙂 I thought I’d share since I had some of you asking about it on Instagram.
The luau was absolutely gorgeous. The live music was phenomenal and the Polynesian Revue with dance was so neat to watch. The night ended with one of the most dangerous dances, the Samoan Fire Knife Dance! If you go to my Instagram highlights, you’ll be able to watch it.
The ceremony ended around 9 pm. We headed over to Don’s Mai Tai bar for a drink, and then called it a night! We were excited for a day of surfing!
We finally changed things up.
We decided to stop at Lava Java for breakfast. They also have a large and impressive menu!
But first…coffee! I ordered an almond milk latte with an extra shot of espresso.
I ordered two eggs over medium and a large bowl of fruit for my breakfast.
Everything was fresh and delicious! The service was wonderful, and the views were perfect.
We had an hour before heading down to surf lessons, so we walked around the market area in downtown Kona. We came across painted coconuts and I had instant nostalgia. When I was a little girl, my mom and I used to paint coconuts for our friends back on the mainland! I spent one back home to my parents and then one to Kyle.
If you’re ever in Kona, please please please do yourself a favor and take a surf lesson from Suzi at Kahalua Sea & Surf! You won’t regret it.
When Caitlin mentioned taking a surf lesson, I said “yes!” And then I thought about all the sharks and scary things out in the water again…But shark attacks are rare, and the likelihood of me getting attacked is one in 3,700,000. I mean I had just swam with 3000-pound animals in the dark ocean at night, so there was no stopping there! I really pushed past my fears and comfort zones on this trip.
We signed up for a semi-private lesson, which gives you more one on one time with the instructor. All you need is a swimsuit and sunscreen. They provide you with everything else needed.
We left the sunscreen in the car, and since I already had it on my face, I didn’t think I’d need it because I was wearing a swim shirt. DO NOT MAKE this mistake. The sun was hardly out when we were surfing, and my butt was so burnt the next day that I had to squat to pee for a week. My skin was peeling for three weeks after my trip! You’re pretty much laying on your stomach most of the lesson while waiting on the waves, so your backside is completely exposed to the sun. I can’t wait to go back and surf, but definitely going to lather the sunscreen!
As I mentioned earlier, our instructor was amazing. I loved talking with her and hearing about her life story. She’s truly living life and pursuing her dreams as a surf teacher on one of the greatest places on earth. I love how passionate she was about surfing and how she genuine she was! She was extremely encouraging, and I have to give her all the credit for our successful rides!
We left her lesson eagerly craving the bigger waves. That’s the contagious confidence she gave us!
We didn’t bring the camera out there because we didn’t want it to take away from the lesson, and I also didn’t want to lose it. Next time I go, I’ll wear a GoPro! I think surfing looks extremely intimidating, and it is challenging, but we were actually killing it! I was actually surprised at how fast I picked it up. Caitlin and I talked about renting boards down in Charleston because we couldn’t get enough of it!
I think the next time I’m in Hawaii, I’ll definitely rent a board and try to go out several times. Swimming back to the wave only using your arms is such a great workout. No wonder surfers are ripped! The entire staff working at Kahalu’u Bay Surf were so friendly, down to earth, and welcoming. I would say this is one of my favorite activities I did during the trip. I can’t wait to go back!
After all of that surfing, we were so hungry! We stopped at Baski Cafe, one of my favorite spots in Kailua Kona!
Last time I was in Hawaii, I ordered their Kilauea bowl and it was so good. I had to try something different this time so I went with the Puna!
The Puna bowl had acai, spirulina, hemp milk, and topped with granola, bananas, strawberries, blueberries, hemp hearts, and honey! It was deeeeelicious.
Surfing followed by acai bowls, and then a coffee farm? SERIOUSLY. THIS. IS. THE. LIFE.
After we grabbed our acai treats, we headed back to the house to hurry up and throw on dry clothes so we could head up to Sunshower Coffee Farm. I was so excited to be back here and experience the whole thing all over again. If you missed my post from last year, please read here!
“Imagine being a successful lawyer in Chicago, married to a proprietary futures trader (yeah, I had to google that), but then decided just to quit, move to Hawaii, and buy a coffee farm…
Not only is that incredibly scary and daring, but extremely inspiring. Sometimes crazy ideas or dreams can come true if you just do it.
Kate and Doug bought their coffee farm in February 2013 and planted an 8-acre coffee orchard. They’ve been farming for four years. You’d think that they were secretly coffee geniuses and knew everything about growing coffee before buying the farm, but nope! READ MORE”
The coffee tour is a must. We took a little walk around the farm learning about the coffee plants and the process it takes to grow the beans.
The coffee tasting was just as fun as I remembered! You definitely learn a lot about the testing process and how to identify the scents and flavors you’re experiencing. My favorite was still the Kalikimaka! It’s a nice blend of the medium roast and dark roast. I highly recommend their coffee! You can order a bag online to get the Kona coffee experience in your own home 🙂
Had to say hello to my goat friends again 🙂
Make sure to sign up for a tasting during your trip! The groups are small, so you’ll have all the opportunities to ask questions, interact with the owners, and Kate and Doug really make you feel right at home.
And seeing their sweet pups again made my day!
Suzi, the surf instructor, recommended Da Poke Shack! We stopped there to pick up dinner, and then headed back to the house to relax and reflect on our eventful day!
I headed out for a long walk with Kona and then had my poke bowl with a side of my leftover salad from Island Naturals.
I was so sad Caitlin was leaving Thursday! Of course, we had breakfast at Daylight Mind one last time before she took off. If you had breakfast here, you’d understand why it’s irresistible.
I started with a delicious soy cappuccino! I usually get almond milk or coconut before soy, but they were out 🙁
I ordered my usual, the avocado mash over tomatoes and spinach with a side of fresh fruit! I need to make this for breakfast this week, but the poached egg is not my specialty. I guess it’s something to work on!
We spent the rest of the morning walking around the shops and farmers market in Kona.
I picked up some pineapple, mangos, and lychees to take back to the house with me. I dropped Caitlin off at the airport, and then headed to evening tennis!
I have one more Hawaii travel blog to share with you which features my snorkeling cruise! 🙂 I’m excited to share!
Questions for you!
- Have you ever surfed?
- Have you ever been to a luau?
- Would you like me to start doing Vlogs while I’m traveling?
Kari says
Your trip looks like a blast. I absolutely love your travel blogs!
I’ve never been surfing because of my fear of sharks but I think you’ve convinced me.
PLEASE DO VLOGGS!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you, Kari!!
Don’t even worry about sharks! You have a better chance of dying with the flu (it said that in the statistics lol)
Vlogs are fun! I think I will definitely!
Linda @ the Fitty says
Yes to the vlogs! You are wonderful writer and photographer, but I would like to see some action in motion 🙂 also, would you say that the lifestyle in Hawaii is a lot slower? More relaxed?
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Linda!
I think Hawaii is very relaxed, and people don’t rush rush rush, but it’s not slow in a bad way 🙂 Everyone just has the aloha spirit !
Jen says
Gorgeous Photos!! You sure had a fun time in Hawaii! *Definately do more Vlogs – they’re my favorite. 🙂
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Jen!!
Madison says
I love love love x1000 your Hawaii posts! They’re so fun! I went to Kona when I was 16 and ever since I always said that if I wasn’t married by 25 I’d just pack up and move there…I almost made it! But I’m already planning our five year anniversary back!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Madison!
Thanks for reading!
Yes you should totally go back 🙂 It’s the best!
Bella says
I have been to a luau, not a laua.
Taralynn McNitt says
Yes, I made a typo.
thanks.
Nicole says
You should get a drone!
Taralynn McNitt says
They look fun but so intimidating!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Please take me to Luau right now, Taralynn! I’m in dire need of a beachside vacation! (though I’ve taken two city vacations overseas within a week – I was in Taiwan four days ago and now I’m in Korea, haha!) 😀
I’ve only attempted to surf when I was really young, but I was rubbish at it. I still think I’d be rubbish at it now, haha! 😛
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Charmaine!
Sounds like you’ve been a traveling girl lately! How fun 🙂
I bet you’d LOVE to surf! Definitely try it again!
Meghan says
I’ve never been surfing but it looks like it would be fun to try! I’m not very coordinated so I don’t think I’d be any good but it still looks fun! I went to a luau when I was in Hawaii about 10 years ago, we went to the Old Lahaina Luau when we were staying on Maui and it was so cool! Definitely an awesome experience. I think Vlogs would be cool when you are traveling!
Taralynn McNitt says
Hi, Meghan!
You should definitely try it out 🙂
I would love to do a Luau in Maui! Sounds so fun. That is on my island list.
I’m definitely going to get on the vlogging train!
Anonymous says
Are you in Hawaii again/
Taralynn McNitt says
Nope! This was from my last trip 🙂 Catching up!
Katie Meshko says
Wow this trip looks amazing girl!!!! The luau looks like so much fun, and that food spread.. holy yum! I think travel vlogs could be really fun .. but dont stop with these posts either! 🙂
XO, Katie | http://www.meshkomoments.com
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Katie!
I’d definitely keep up with these posts and the vlogs!!:)
Gotta do them both!
Riley says
Are those carrots or potatoes from Daylight Mind? They look really good.
Taralynn McNitt says
Both!! 😀
Omi says
That food looks fantastic!
I’m glad you tried the Poke Shack. I went there a couple years ago!
Taralynn McNitt says
Thanks, Omi!!
Yes, the poke shake was so good 🙂
Kendall says
Your photos are so bright! What do you use for editing?
Taralynn McNitt says
Lightroom 😀
Tara @ Run and Live Happy says
I volunteer to go with you next time to you go Hawaii! It looks like so much fun! And, I share your fear of sharks! I always have in my head that I’m going to be that one in 3 million! LOL
Taralynn McNitt says
Lol of course! You’re always welcome!!!
BUT DON’T FEAR THE SHARKS!! We just have to stop watching those dramatic shark thrillers.
Niame says
Vlogs! More vlogs!
Taralynn McNitt says
I’ll definitely focus on vlogs!!
Robi says
I just emailed Donnia! Thank you for the suggestion. My husband and I love to play tennis and will be visiting the Big Island in September.
Taralynn McNitt says
I can’t wait to hear about your trip! You’re going to love tenniscize. It’s so addicting!
Catie says
What shoes are those from the luau?
Taralynn McNitt says
They are Target! (like errrrthing I own lol)
Whit says
Where is your dress from?
Taralynn McNitt says
Target!
Jenna says
I have surfed! I grew up near Cocoa Beach in Florida! We actually get a lot of shark bites here.
I have never been to a luau but would like to go!
Yes to vlogs!!!
Taralynn McNitt says
YIKES! that’s scary!!!
Val says
I love your luau dress
Taralynn McNitt says
Thank you!