HELLO
Mom to Iris. Wife to Todd. Our little family lives at the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in Fayetteville, Arkansas. We love it here and I love sharing little bits of our life.

© 2014 sarahfortune.

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Maui Forever

So here I am.
Sitting in my back yard.
Blogging.
Not in Maui.

backyard blogging

Sitting in a sea of grass.
Not by the sea on sand.

That’s okay though.
I’m home after a wonderful 5 day trip.
And can now relive my amazing adventure to Hawaii
through the photos that I snapped.

I didn’t take my nice camera,
so my point-n-shoot and iPhone had to work overtime.

So here’s how my trip went.
In a few words and many, many pictures.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

As a meeting planner, I’m often courted by hotels to check out their properties. Usually I decline, as it just isn’t relevant to an event that I’m planning. Sometimes though, I get invited to attend events specifically catered to me – the meeting planner. We gain continuing education credits through educational sessions (my goal is to be certified once I’m eligible), experience hotels first hand, and get to network with vendors and other planners.

This particular meeting was in Maui.
How awful.

It was my first trip to Hawaii and I have to say,
I am absolutely, positively in love.
Everything about it was incredible.
Everything.

I was slightly dreading the
8 hour flight from Dallas
but soon discovered that the long trip
and 5 hour time difference
was more than worth it.

Maui

When I arrived at the airport
I was greeted with a fresh flower lei.
(just like in the movies)

Maui

And when I arrived at the hotel
I was handed a Mai Tai.
(just like I needed)

Maui

And after check-in
I received a free pair of Maui Jim’s sunglasses
(just because)

Maui

My hotel suite at the Sheraton Maui Resort was
just perfect.
And the view from my balcony was even better.

Maui

My first night there, I went to the opening reception
on the ocean lawn.

Maui

Maui

Maui

The next two days were spent
in meetings, touring properties, networking,
and lots of eating and drinking.

Touring the Westin

Maui

Beautiful trees

Maui

Pool party lunch

Maui

with massages by the ocean.
(told ya it was awful)

Maui

Second night reception

Maui

Maui

Maui

Cotton candy sunset

Maui

A wonderful dinner seaside

Maui

Complete with entertainment

Maui

Lunch at the Ritz Carlton

Maui

Maui

Maui

Pretty flowers everywhere
The whole island smelled delicious.

Maui

Maui

Touring the Grand Wailea
Jennifer Anniston & Adam Sandler were there filming a movie!

Maui

Filming was in progress, so we couldn’t go up the stairs.

Maui

Film equipment on the set.

Maui

Maui

Final group dinner.

Maui

Maui

Once my meetings were over,
I stayed an extra day and a half to do whatever I wanted.

Maui

I finally got to go to the beach!

Maui

Maui

Maui

Where I hung out with two new friends
Cheryl and Janet, who I met at my meetings.

Maui

Maui

The tiny figure on the left is Cheryl,
who bravely jumped off the cliff.

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

My new found pals rented a convertible
and invited me to go on a mini road trip to Hana.
Yes, please!

We spent an entire day exploring rain forests and beaches.
I wrestled with the wind and a paper map in the backseat
while we drove down a curvy, one lane road
to paradise.

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

We found the road to the
black sand beach

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

Maui

My wind blown hair was lovely.
(ugly)

Maui

Quick stop for the best banana bread on earth and ginger ale.

Maui

Maui

Next stop on our map was the
red sand beach
but we got a bit off track in the small town of Hana.

Hotel Hana

Maui

Maui

Maui

The place was empty.
We had our eyes on these perfect little lawn chairs,
so we rested for a spell.

Maui

Maui

Maui

We asked for directions to the red sand beach,
but the hotel staff said they were instructed not tell tell anyone.
(apparently it was a nudist beach!)

After quite a treacherous hike,

Maui

Maui

We found the red sand beach.

Maui

But we saw no nudes.
Thank goodness.

Maui

Maui

Maui

Before heading to our last point of interest,
we stopped at Sweet Licks Goody Shack
for some Hawaiian shaved ice.

Maui

Maui

Finally, we made it to the
Seven Sacred Pools

Maui

Maui

We took the long way back to our hotel.
Back to civilization.

Parts of the journey were on a single lane dirt road.
For miles we didn’t see anything
except for wild goats
that ran out in front of our car.

Maui

Somehow me made it back in one piece..
and before 5 o’clock (when the rental car was due).

Back at the hotel we cheers’d to
new friends and a lovely day.

Maui

Maui

We sipped champagne,
as I watched my last Maui sunset.

Maui

Saturday morning was (sadly) my last day on the island.
My flight wasn’t until that night,
so I spent my morning in the sand.

Maui

It was all nice and relaxing.
Until a crazy fire broke out down the beach.

Maui

After it was safely put out,
I walked down to inspect the scene.

Maui

And with that,
my trip was over.
And I was sad.

Farewell, my Maui.
I miss you.

Maui

Love,
Sarah

6 Comments

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  • Susan Woods May 24, 2010 @ 5:16 pm

    Aloha Sarah! What a fun story, you have really captured all that beautiful Maui showcases. I’m glad you had a blast at the Sheraton Maui, and hopefully we can work together again to bring a group out here! Your Hana trip sounds so fun, I’m glad I got to see you that morning before the adventure began. I love Hana and all the spots you found are the best!

    Talk soon, Mahalo!
    Susan

  • Janis Parry May 26, 2010 @ 8:26 am

    Love this story. Your photos tell the story of the beauty and the aloha spirit of Maui. No wonder Maui No Ka Oi! (Maui is the best)!

  • Szippancs October 10, 2015 @ 10:54 pm

    – What a gift Kelly! You have taken my breath away with these bfeutiaul images of my family. You gave us such freedom to explore and spend time as a family and all along the way you found those moments that reflect us. I love the silliness, the stillness and the beauty that comes from my children. And you nailed all of these. I can’t wait for our part 2. Just have to figure out our outfits again. May have to recycle these!08/24/2011 1:25 pm

  • Ntswaki October 10, 2015 @ 11:00 pm

    – Great shoot!! You can tell she has it goin’ on with the out-fit choices and boy can you tell those kids know how to pose!!! Great pepecertivss. GREAT captures and lights. You are the bomb, Kelly!08/21/2011 8:37 pm