it's been a week since i've been back but i still miss the place. Hawaii, that is. Julie and i took our first hop to the islands a few weeks ago. it was beautiful. the weather, the lush greenery, the smells, the laid back attitude, the delicious food, the colorful fish, the crazy birds, the good times. it was definitely the best vacation i've ever had.

i landed in Oahu for a quick three days. saw my cousin. wandered the beaches and the hills. then off to Kauai where Julie met up with me for six beautiful days in our little condo on the beach. we snorkled, hiked, took a helicopter ride, and let the stress of the Mainland melt away. after that is was off to the big island, Hawaii, for five more days. a totally different place -- lots of lava, much more arid, more people, more driving, but still just as beautiful and fun. our drink for the island was the Lava Lava. we ate fish on the beach at sunset. rode horseback through a rain-drenched valley. saw lava flowing into the ocean. oh, and if you go, be sure to visit the Hilton in Waipola. it's an experience.

two weeks wasn't nearly long enough and we didn't want to come home. but we did.