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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Touring the Westin

Beautiful trees

Pool party lunch

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

Second night reception

Cotton candy sunset

A wonderful dinner seaside

Complete with entertainment

Lunch at the Ritz Carlton

Pretty flowers everywhere
The whole island smelled delicious.

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

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

Film equipment on the set.

Final group dinner.

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

I finally got to go to the beach!

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

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

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.

We found the road to the
black sand beach

My wind blown hair was lovely.
(ugly)

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

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

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

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,

We found the red sand beach.

But we saw no nudes.
Thank goodness.

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

Finally, we made it to the
Seven Sacred Pools

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

Farewell, my Maui.
I miss you.

Love,
Sarah