The first evening of our married life may have been all crisp October air and gorgeous golden leaves and a giant tent filled with our closest friends and family, but that first week was something altogether different. The morning after the wedding, we flew to what felt like worlds away from Chicago or Nashville or anything we knew and went from a night of grass-fed filet mignon, roasted potatoes, homemade cookies from friends and family and pumpkin wedding cake made by my mom, to eight beautiful nights in a land of avocados, starfruit, apple bananas and coconuts that you crack open and drink with a straw.
We honeymooned in Hawaii: seven nights in a fully equipped condo on the island of Kauai’s north shore and one last night in a beachfront hotel in the Waikiki Beach area of Honolulu on Oahu. And while I loved what Hawaii was—tropical, relaxed, with both jungles and canyons, sandy beaches and rugged coastlines—I loved most what it wasn’t: no more emails or phone calls, no work, nothing left to plan. People ask us what we did there, and there’s not much to say—not much besides drive around in our hard-top jeep convertible, find things to eat, lay by the water, get used to each other in our new life as man and wife.
So first, there was Kauai, an island that at least four other couples have recently told us was their honeymoon destination as well, chosen for its Jurassic Park-level beauty, lesser commercialization, rich topography and jaw-dropping Napali Coast.
For us, Kauai was a destination chosen more by accident. We had talked about Italy, but it’s expensive, and when I go to Italy, I want to go to Italy, which would be hard when you’re already so exhausted you can’t remember your name (let alone that it just changed!). Then we’d toyed with the East Coast: I’ve always wanted to visit Cape Cod, and there was a farmhouse rental with a gorgeous kitchen and real sheep (!!) that almost won our hearts, but it would be cold there in October, and that made us think about a beach in North Carolina, but North Carolina’s not very far, and we could probably go there in the next few years, and then, one day, I thought, what about our friends’ condo? It’s in Hawaii! And we asked, and they offered a great rate, and we booked it. Learning about Kauai came later.
So here’s what we now know: Kauai’s beautiful—like, crazy beautiful. Of Hawaii’s islands, it’s the most private and rugged, with no buildings anywhere that are taller than a palm tree, and it’s also diverse: here a tropical rainforest, there a hot beach beneath clear blue skies.
This time of year, the beaches on the north shore can be a little breezy and overcast, and several spots are pretty rocky, enough so that I started to wonder if all Hawaii beaches would require a sweater with my bathing suit, no kidding, but the south shore (we especially liked Poipu Beach) was amazing: hot weather! soft sand! crystal clear water!
While I’d soak up sun on a towel, Tim would take out the snorkel mask and go exploring, and every time he’d come back to me, his eyes would be a little wider and more excited about the fish he’d seen.
And at the risk of killing you with sappiness, I’ll go ahead and tell you we called this place, this trip, this island, our own little love bubble, away from everything and everyone, where we were free to process everything that had happened in the last few days and imagine what would come in the next, and we honestly felt like we’d pulled off some great escape. I’d look at Tim driving the car, and he’d have this huge, goofy smile on his face, like he was so happy he couldn’t hide it, and I’d just want to freeze time right there.
Then there was the food.
I’m not going to sugar-coat it for you: it’s expensive to eat well in Hawaii, much more than it is here. However, we found some good options: The best deals were on produce at farmer’s markets. We bought ten kumquats for $1, avocados for $0.25 each, passionfruit and starfruit and apple bananas for hardly anything.
Since the condo had a full kitchen, we ate most breakfasts at home, including one giant omelet morning Tim was in charge of on our one-week anniversary.
Here are a few other highlights:
Dinner at Postcards, Dessert at Postcards, 5-5075 Kuhio Hwy Kalihiwai, HI 96754:
In a cute little cottage-style building in Hanalei, Postcards was one of our favorite restaurants in Kauai. Lots of fresh, organic ingredients. No refined sugar in the desserts. We liked it so much, we went twice!
Lunch at Living Foods Market in Poipu Beach, 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka #24, Koloa, Hawai‘i, 96756:
We accidentally happened upon Living Foods Market while looking for another restaurant, but as soon as we stepped inside, we knew we’d found something good. Kind of like Whole Foods but smaller and with a large cafe/bakery section, it was an excellent lunch stop: margherita pizza and a big salad.
(Splurge!) breakfast at the St. Regis, 5520 Ka Haku Road, Princeville, Kauai:
This hotel was (long-)walking distance from our condo, and with its window-filled lobby, made a great spot for catching ocean/mountain views. One morning, we treated ourselves to breakfast on the patio, which, at about $50 total(!!!), was a huge splurge, but a great memory. Organic blueberry pancakes, organic banana walnut pancakes, fresh coffee and homemade grapefruit juice.
An amazing dinner at Mediterranean Grill, 5-7132 Kuhio Highway, Hanalei Colony Resort, Hanalei, Kauai:
Tim gets all the credit for finding this place, which was my all-time favorite from the trip. Our oceanfront meal included rainbow beet salad, spinach fatayers and rosemary rack of lamb.
Crispy avocado tacos at Merriman’s, 2829 Ala Kalanikaumaka Street #G-149, Koloa, Kauai:
After chips and guacamole, I got the crispy avocado tacos, and Tim got the fish of the day: blue striped marlin. I let my meal’s picture speak for itself.
And after Kauai, we spent one quick night on Oahu, where credit card rewards meant FREE hotel (and we got ugpraded to an ocean view!) and FREE car. Loved that.
We visited the Pearl Harbor Memorial Site:
And had one last excellent meal, at Downtown at the Hisam, located in the Hawaii State Art Museum, 250 Hotel Street, 1st Floor, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96813:
We were talking this past weekend about our honeymoon, just as we officially hit four full weeks of marriage, and remembering the food and the condo and how we’d watched a sunset together, sitting on a concrete wall by the ocean. It was such a nice love bubble there, it really was, and now it already feels so long ago, almost like it never happened, and that makes me a little sad.
But then I look at Tim, driving us around Nashville, with that same silly, happy grin on his face, and I wake up next to him every morning, and I share life with him every day, and I remember: honestly, the best part of Hawaii is something that hasn’t changed. The best part of Hawaii was him.
OTHER DETAILS
7 Nights on Kauai
Kauai Condo: Our friend’s amazing 2BR/2BA fully equipped rental in Princeville (it’s available!) // Favorite Meal: Mediterranean Grill // Best Deal: Hanalei Farmers Market
24 Hours on Oahu
Honolulu Hotel: Marriott Waikiki (free with credit card rewards!) // Favorite Meal: Downtown at the Hisam
About Shanna MallonShanna Mallon started Food Loves Writing back in 2008, as a way to remember her grandma and write about her life through food. Since then it's become a place leading her to a lifestyle of eating whole foods, a new home in Nashville and the love of her life, Tim. Follow Shanna on Twitter @foodloves, keep up with Food Loves Writing on Facebook and stay inspired with the monthly newsletter.
congratulations a million times over! you both look so incredibly happy and Kuai looks gorgeous! Your photo of the Mediterranean Grill looks travel brochure worthy.
Best of luck in the future!
Sweet recap of a wonderful trip. I’m glad you are still sporting the goofy grins. Get ready for a lifetime of that, Lord willing
I spent a few days on Kauai & I’m pretty sure that I’ve been to the
St. Regis (isn’t that awful that I can’t remember for sure?!). But what I do remember is the incredible beauty of Kauai. I’m so glad you guys got to experience it!
You guys are adorable. And you make me want to go to Hawaii RIGHT NOW!
Many many congratulations on getting married! Very exciting times (mine is coming up in a few months!). Thank you for sharing these gorgeous photos with us, I sure hope to visit Hawaii one day! x
Love bubble! That’s the best phrase for honeymoons. And you’re right–pieces of that feeling (the biggest piece of that feeling) stay with you. Ahhhhh! I’m still so excited for you two.
Yeah, so those last two sentences totally made me cry.
We can blame the pregnancy. : )
Hi! I recently stumbled upon your blog and love love it! Congrats to you two love birds as newlyweds! This post about your honeymoon is beautiful. I wish you and Tim, your husband, the best of luck!
Congratulations! I am so excited for you and Tim. I love how God answered your prayers. Your wedding and honeymoon was magical!
Tanya! You are so sweet to still come over here. I miss you and our Monday night studies. Thanks for your encouragement and prayer. : ) I feel so blessed!
yum yum yum!!! and what a GREAT time you had!
Thank you all for the sweet comments!
what a lovely story! the last two sentences made me cry too! i am a hopelessly romantic kinda lady and your story is so charming. stoked you had a beautiful time on Kauai, and next time you come to Oahu hit me up! I’ll share some good food places with you (although downtown is one of the best!). aloha, andrea
Would love that, Andrea! Thanks! : )
I am so happy you enjoyed Kauai!! How could you not?? Love that you now have the best part of Hawaii at home!
Thanks again for making it possible for us–we had such a great time, and I totally see why you love it there!
Your photos look gorgeous and I’m so hoping that we can visit Hawaii this winter! Your tips and links will be awesome in case we do end up going. Congratulations!!
That’s awesome, Jeannette! I hope you go!
So sweet, Shanna. Will and I went to Kauai in 2008 and had such a great time on our first Real Grown-Up Vacation By Ourselves (no friends, no families, just us, in an exotic destination we had to fly to). Kauai truly is a magical place.
Kauai looks like such an amazing spot. I’ve been to Oahu but have always wanted to visit it.
I just came across a link to this post and loved seeing the beautiful, beautiful pics! (I went to Northland as well). I’ve been seeing so many people post your recipes lately, I need to keep up on your writings more closely! Several of us went to Hawaii for Matt & Margaret Summer’s wedding, if you remember them. Such a magical place. So excited to hear of the great success of your book – can’t wait to try some delish recipes.
Hi Kelly, I know exactly who you are — hi! I have to tell you, honestly, that when I look back at the photos of this honeymoon I still can’t believe it happened, and it sounds like from your visit to Hawaii you know just what I mean. Unreal in the best possible way. Thanks for saying hi!
Hi Shanna & Tim,
My name is Jane and I’m with Dwellable.
I was looking for blogs about Princeville to share on our site and I came across your post…If you’re open to it, shoot me an email at jane(at)dwellable(dot)com.
Hope to hear from you soon!
Jane