The Arslains: Hawaii!!!

BEWARE: This is a long entry because this was a huge amazing trip. Isn't that what I am supposed to be doing? Documenting? Here it is!

I am putting this video first because this is reason we were there. Congratulations to Brian & Diane!!!

So on February 27th Chris and I left for the island of Oahu to celebrate our favorite peeps Brian and Diane getting hitched. While we were expecting to have a great time because it is Hawaii, our trip far exceeded our expectations when we left with great memories with the amazing friends we met up with on the island. It all began with a very uncomfortable flight there:

Chris and I could not help but laugh that our hotel decor brought us right back to LA along with a Nobu downstairs

Thursday we woke up early and got on the road for our big driving day around the island, just the two of us. We started with a short tour of the Wahiawa Botanical Gardens which was pretty and Chris chatted up the old volunteer ladies.

Next we ate some yummy pineapple ice cream at the Dole plantation which actually doesn't grow pineapple anymore. Then we were off to the North Shore.

My sis Katie helped us so much with this day by telling us where to stop for lunch and the best beaches to stop at. So we had lunch at Stortos a local sandwich shop that is known for famous surfers stopping by. Yummy!!!

Chris & I enjoying the North Shore

I made sure we stopped by the Byodo-In Temple with a 9 ft Lotus Buddha that was gorgeous

Our amazing day was topped off with our first night of drinks with the friends

The beautiful bride to be

The first thing we saw from our balcony Friday morning. You have to love Hawaii

On Friday Chris and I started first thing in the morning with a hike up to Manoa Falls. It was beautiful and fun to be in the jungle. A native we saw:

Chris and Brian then decided to take me snorkeling for the first time at a place called "The Wall". That should have told me something. Lets just say I could not have been worse at it, smashed my nail in half on the coral and caused Chris to scratch his knee on a brain coral that swelled his knee. Brilliant. After going back to the hotel and laying by the pool where I belonged we had a yummy dinner with friends at Nobu. Another great day in Hawaii.

Saturday we headed out to Hanauma Bay with Nick, Alan and Pam. This was when Chris and I realized how great the people we were there with were. They made our trip. While I was there with Chris, i did fall in love again with Alan and Pam. Or P.B. Snorkeling, kayaking, drinks, singing along to fergie, sunburns, puffy eyes, dingos...ahh memories. We made a great team exploring the island. Here is the beautiful Hanauma Bay: