It's Time to "Hang Loose"

Hang Loose is the main slogan of Hawaii. There is not fast speed, just slow and relax. No rushing and make sure you have fun is their mentality. I'm just gonna say...that is A-OK with me! After leaving the high energy-high paced cities of Korea, we are certainly gonna soak up the down time and life of leisure! ;)


Jon's parents are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary (that's right...40th!!!!! whoo hoo!) and they have so generously treated us to a trip to Hawaii. Tomorrow is their Anniversary and they are going out on an elegant and beautiful dinner cruise to celebrate!  The hotel they booked for us is called the Marriott Edition. (Here's their website with pictures if you're interested http://www.marriott.com/hotels/photo-tours.mi?marshaCode=hnleb&pageID=HWHOM&imageID=0)
Quite definitly the nicest hotel I have ever stayed at next to the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. I can't say that one is better than the other, they are just in different leagues. The Edition is the most modern place I've ever been. (Jon and I both love modern) ;).

Our flights went well and we were delighted to finally be off them when we got to Hawaii. We first had a 3 hour flight to Japan and then a few hour layover there. After coming from Korea's main airport, Jon and I were already trying not to judge Japan with too hard of a standard lol. Korea has impressed us on MANY different levels and areas so when we got to Japans airport we were kinda disappointed. Not only was it just SO much more humid, but it was a lot older. But I won't judge;) Japan helped me out by letting me get a tiny phone charm since I'd been wanting one;)

Our second flight allowed me the time to sleep....NOT. Try 3 movies and you've got it right. Ya that's right 3. I sometimes sleep great on planes and then other times not so much. This was one of those times, plus I wanted to see all those movies so I decided to go with that;) What was funny was we left Japan at 7:45PM on the 1st of July, and landed in Hawaii at 7:45AM on 1st of July. So we got to spend the 1st of July all over again! :)

Hawaii is beautiful and inspiring with its' grandeur, lush green mountains on one side, and the blue-green ocean on the other. Such a perfect place. I didn't expect but I have definitely been experiencing some culture shock after leaving Korea. The Korean culture is one of respect, honor, and hard work. I grew to love the way everyone treated each other. Even the young women working in the parking garages were there to direct you to your spot while wearing the most gorgeous suits and heels, and bowing to you while you entered. Who does that in America??? Not to bash my country at all, but wow...I come back where Americans are and am just astounded at the difference. I think we can work on our manners and maybe cleanliness as well. ;)

Anyway, back to Hawaii. We are literally a few hundred feet from the Ocean on Waikiki Beach, and have a beatiful balcony with a view of the ocean and marina fully of gorgeous sail boats. I have always thought that sailboats are just so elegant and graceful looking. The epitome of beauty. I have to ride on one someday.

The hotel not only has a single serve Keurig coffee maker in our room, but they also refill our Artesian water bottles ever day. I have noticed that they even come into our room during the day while we are out to refill our ice or towels or even the coffee we used besides the time they do room service. And if you want, they provide you with a complimentary preloaded ipod if you don't have one and were going to go for a jog. Pretty sweet;)

Jon and I have greatly enjoyed lounging around in the plush and HUGE white robes they have for us here. For some reason they just make you want to relax more and never take them off:) We decided to live here for the rest of our life...I think we can do it right?;)

Because we have been so busy traveling around for the past 2 months, we are completely ready to just relax and lay on the beach so we haven't planned that much for Hawaii. I'm sure there are a ZILLION and one things to do here but we are mainly interested in the relaxing part;) There are however 2 things we have already made plans and reservations for and those are, see a Hawaiian Luau (of course), and see Pear Harbor (absolutely).

I will post pictures soon. Right now I'm off to dream land so that I can get up and sleep by the pool;) heh heh busy busy.

Goodnight All!!