Oahu Beaches: Ko OlinaJW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa

 We just returned home from our Summer vacation to the Hawaiian Islands.  As first-timers to the beautiful island of Oahu, we weren't entirely sure what to expect, though we hoped we'd find beautiful beaches and lush tropical scenery.  Our hopes were far exceeded.  When we booked our room at the JW Marriott Ihilani Resort & Spa in Ko Olina, we weren't sure if we'd regret not staying in Waikiki.  We couldn't have made a better decision!  Of all of the Oahu beaches we visited while we were there, the Ko Olina lagoons were, by far, the most calm, serene and family friendly.

 We arrived at the resort in the evening after a long day of traveling, so after a quick meal, we headed immediately to bed so we could start the following day with plenty of energy.  When we woke up in the morning (quite early due to our 3 hour time gain) we immediately took delight in the sky's soft pastels as the sun rose on the opposite side of the island.  In no time at all, the sun was shining, showing off the gorgeous blue waters of the Pacific ocean and the vibrant greens of the palm trees.  It was time to get out and explore the resort.

 The JW Marriott Ihilani resort has three main towers connected by a triangle courtyard.  The resort is very open, allowing the soft tropical breeze to flow freely into the building.  Within the resort are several restaurants, including the signature casual dining experience at Naupaka Terrace.  There is also a fantastic open-air Starbucks in the lobby, which we frequented.

 The resort property has a beautiful habitat for sting rays, fish, and other low tide creatures, as well as a shark pool.  They offer a fun kids program to learn more about these creatures.  As you walk out of the resort toward the beach area, you immediately take notice of the large circular swimming pool and palm trees.

 The JW Marriott Ihilani sits on the right side of Ko Olina Kohola Lagoon, a beautiful man-made lagoon that has pristine blue green waters, and plenty of beach space to spare.  The water here is always calm, and the beach is never crowded, making this Oahu beach the perfect spot for taking your small children.  There are rentable cabanas on the beach, complimentary lounges, and tons of water activities to participate in.  Our favorites included snorkeling, kayaking and relaxing in a water hammock.

There is a beach walkway that you can explore which passes the other three Ko Olina lagoons, as well as the other resorts in the area.  The path is about 1.5 miles each way, making it perfect for a 5k run (roundtrip).  This is where our vacation starts and I can't wait to share with you all of the fantastic adventures from our trip, including all of the other gorgeous Oahu beaches we visited!

      

In Less than 48 Hours I Will Die...& Go to HEAVEN!

Ko Olina Lagoons with permission via DJSlane

In just over 48 hours we'll be touching down in Honolulu, Hawaii for a vacation we've been dreaming of for 5 years.  To say we are excited is a vast understatement - for we are jubilant! We feel so blessed to be able to make this dream a reality - these islands have been calling out to us since our engagement.  And the best part is that without our "sacrifice" of business travel to Alaska for the past several months, we wouldn't be able to take this trip either!

We'll be enjoying ourselves on the island of Oahu, with lodging at the JW Marriott Ihilani Ko Olina Spa & Resort, and access to the gorgeous and calm lagoons of Ko Olina.  We have our bags packed with our beach essentials, and plan to spend at least 50% of our time soaking up the sun, building sand castles, playing frisbee and perhaps flying a kite.  The forecast is showing upper 80's and sunshine every day with a low of 72/73 in the evenings, doesn't that sound PERFECT?

Waikiki with permission via DJSlane

Of course a trip to Oahu wouldn't be complete without a few excursions!  We chose a hotel outside the crazy hustle and bustle of Waikiki, on the leeward side, but we'd be missing out to not take some time exploring the other parts of the island.  We plan on renting a car occasionally from the onsite Hertz while we are there to take part in island excursions.  We'll visit Waikiki one day and get a taste of the beautiful beaches, restaurants and shops there.  We love the idea of this Waikiki food tour.

We've also been looking at other adventures - including the Polynesian Cultural Center, a catamaran cruise, ziplining and putt-putt golf.  Of course there is also Pearl Harbor and the several memorial museums, snorkeling at Waimea bay, and the beautiful Ihilani Day Spa.  A huge perk of staying at the Marriott resort is that they offer onsite babysitting, so we will aim to get out for some couple time while we are there as well.  When we asked Zion what she'd like to do, she said she wanted to see dolphins and eat yummy food.

Dolphin with permission via Merala

She is going to be so thrilled when we take her to the Sea Life Park for their Dolphin Cove Show!  And then after a day of checking out the sea animals, we'll thrill her once more at the Chief's Luau, voted best Luau in Oahu!  That is going to be one fantastic day!  I'm also hoping I can get us out on one outdoor hiking/walking excursion to see the lush tropical flora and fauna of Hawaii, maybe even see a waterfall!!

After spending six nights and six full days on the island, our fun doesn't end, as we head to Seattle for three days to spend time with family.  We are so excited to be celebrating my sister Jessica's graduation from the University of Washington's school of Nursing!!  She has worked so hard, and this is a huge accomplishment - so let the party commence!  I'm hoping to get together with all four of my sisters for a coffee date while we are there, and if we can make it work, I'll have gorgeous pictures of us together for the first time in a long time!

Before I go, I just wanted to get you excited for what will be coming up in the next several weeks on BaxtronLife!  With all of the excitement of our Hawaiian vacation, I decided I wanted to officially launch my "style" section on this blog, so I'm going to be doing outfit posts!!  I have a heartful of words to share about why this is meaningful for me to do, so look for some fun and fashionable beach fashion.  As September approaches I also have two things on my mind: my 32nd birthday and my 2nd blog anniversary.  I'll be doing my long-awaited Anchorage Coffee Tour highlighting the best coffee I found while in Alaska, and will definitely have some fun giveaways lined up.

I may be a little quiet over the next week - but you can follow along on our Hawaii & Seattle adventures with Instagram!

      

Going on Vacay?Don't Pack Worries in Your Suitcase

Vacations are a time to relax and escape from your worries. Three-quarters of Americans are planning to travel or have already traveled over 100 miles away from home this summer, according to USA Today. In Denmark, the numbers of vacationers make Americans look like wimps. With everyone in a Danish office taking advantage of the 5 paid weeks of holiday, it's not uncommon to see an empty office this month.

Before You Leave

Photocopy the important contents of your wallet, and store them in a place that's accessible to someone who has a spare key to your house. If your wallet is lost or stolen, that person can give you all the information and telephone numbers to call to place holds on your credit cards and bank accounts.

Better yet, create an authentic-looking dummy wallet to hand over to unsuspecting muggers. Stuff it with bills of small denominations and plastic cards to make it seem real. If you have a decent throwing arm, toss the fake wallet on the ground to distract your thug while you make a clean getaway. Keep your real wallet tucked next to your body. Women, don’t forget to utilize your extra secret compartment—your bra.  And, take your time as you leave the house, and have a second family member double-check the locks on the doors, windows and anything else you think you might second-guess later.

While You’re There

According to Lifelock identity theft experts, dumpster diving is still a popular method to steal someone's personal information. Your hotel maid is most likely a hard-working, conscientious worker, but you still shouldn’t throw away your common sense by leaving sensitive financial information lying around on your nightstand or sitting in a hotel wastebasket.

Watch Your Back

GPS navigation is one of the most helpful technologies for travelers. But when you’re driving or walking in a new town, keep your eyes on your surroundings. Unfamiliar traffic patterns or unexpected obstacles on the sidewalk can quickly cause unnecessary accidents. Though humorous to imagine in theory, it’s easy to get seriously injured by falling into an uncovered access hole on the sidewalk in a city such as Dublin, where bakeries receive flour deliveries in the wee hours of the morning.

Make the Most of New Trends

Have you heard of couchsurfing? Singles or couples travel the world and sleep on participating members’ couches for free. If the thought of sleeping in a stranger’s abode while all your belongings lay unwatched in your backpack next to you makes you feel vulnerable, your common sense is intact. The world is indeed a nicer and friendlier place than the media would have us believe, but this practice is naïve. You’re better off paying 10 bucks for a cheap hostel or booking an overnight train journey to catch some inexpensive and safe slumber.

Seek free sightseeing advice from established professionals, such as your concierge or bed-and-breakfast owner. These people work in the travel industry, and their goal is to ensure you have a safe and pleasant experience (so you can share it with others). They can suggest interesting excursions based on your personal expectations and family requirements. They might even have a coupon or two to pass your way.

After You Return

Gather all your photos and souvenirs, and organize them while your memories are fresh.Then bring your loved ones together and relive your happy vacation adventures. Repeat next year.

      

West Rib Pub & Denali View SouthTalkeetna - Alaska

 Meet "Seward's Folly" an epic Man vs. Food-worthy burger served up to willing tummies at the West Rib Pub in Talkeetna, Alaska.  This was our second trip to Talkeetna, the first being earlier in the year when my mom and step-dad were up for a visit.  It was on the first trip that we learned about this epic 5 pound burger and made the commitment to come back at some point to attempt it.

 My father-in-law and husband willingly subjected their poor tummies to this monstrous cow-and-pork tanker, sadly eating only about one-third to one-half of the beast.  It made for great entertainment for the three of us who wouldn't dare, as well as most everyone else sitting outside that afternoon.

 Meanwhile, back on the more realistic portion side of things, I enjoyed my crispy halibut nuggets with delicious parmesan garlic fries and a slaw that I actually enjoyed eating (not a cole slaw fan here folks but I always try it).  Zion attempted the vegetable spring rolls with thai peanut dipping sauce but lets be real, at three she may have tried a multitude of foods, but if its not the typical kid-finger-food its probably going to be a struggle.

 After lunch we were desperate to to find Mt. McKinley which was hidden in a cloud cover from the usually great vantage point in Talkeetna.  We drove about 30 minutes north to Denali View South, which ended up being a brilliant idea.  The mountains were simply too epic to capture with a camera.  They just tower over the horizon like giants.  Its amazing to be standing their looking at the highest point in North America.  Beautiful.

I think I've finally caught you up on the adventures of the last month in Alaska!  We've been enjoying endless sunshine here, midnight sunsets which are just starting to fade and just being together as a family.  Its crazy to think that August will mark six months on this crazy adventure, and that it will also be our last month here.