kauai recap!

We’re back!

Michael & I just took pleasure in a pre-holiday tropical getaway this past week, by joining my father & stepmother in Kauai, HI!

Since this was the first time visiting Hawaii for both of us, we spent time prepping for the trip with lots of Google Image searches, recaps of LOST scenes (it’s filmed on neighboring island, Oauhu!) and a movie night of Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark (filmed in Kauai).  Once we arrived however, our expectations from the Google searches and Hollywood scenery were instantly exceeded.  (Although given the similar setting, we couldn’t help staying on the lookout for a giant polar bear, creepy Others and crazy Ben Linus!)

The Garden Isle, as Kauai is known, is a beautiful island filled with unbeliveably breathtaking scenes.  What amazed us the most was the variety of landscapes in such a small area- sandy beaches, rocky beaches, towering cliffs, jungles and canyons all create such a deep, dramatic beauty across the island.  Our week on this tropical paradise passed way too quickly.

Although seemingly too quick, a break from the real world has always proven to be quite beneficial for me.  Really, who doesn’t benefit from some time away from the computer?  In addition to exploring the beaches, waterfalls and jungles of Kauai, we also got a chance to really enjoy those ordinary pastimes for which our busy schedules sometimes do not allow.  Unhurried workouts & reading fiction.  Walking with nowhere in particular to go.  Talking about things other than work.  Thinking about the easy and fun parts of life.  Just being…

And now, we’re back.  Refreshed.  Rejuvenated.  Relaxed.  Recharged.  I can think of another dozen or so re- (Latin for ‘back’) words that describe Michael & I after returning from a weeklong vacation.  We’re back.  Ready to finish out 2009 strong and plan for another great year in 2010!

We’re back.  And it couldn’t feel any better.