With a little help from my friends – Margot and Ali – I have found the best place on earth for parents to have a true holiday – Hualalai – the Four Season’s resort on the big island of Hawaii.
I have been traveling so much recently for the book I am writing – all I long for is to sleep in my own bed for more than a night, to wake up and have my first cup of coffee brought to me in bed and listen to the kids playing as they start their day.
Last week was their half term – a week’s holiday to break up the Spring term – so we decided to go on our first family vacation. We travel as a family to France every summer but have never been on what I consider a beach holiday together, staying in a hotel. Hubby picked Hawaii – in his words “So I wouldn’t spend the whole time out interviewing chefs.” He should know me better than that – within 24 hours of the trip being booked I had lined up 3 chefs to meet with – hey, Hawaii is America and it’s good to include another State! Then after some emails and a little research we were on our way to Hualalai – flying directly from LAX to Kona.
What was so special about this holiday was there is something for everyone – fishing for the boys was a huge hit and I will post that next, today I’m focusing on all of great things to do for me and Minty – we took a class on how to make leis – the symbol of the olaha spirit – a circle of love. The kids would beg us to go to the Kids for All Seasons every day so the times when they weren’t playing with new friends were few and far between.
Minty studied a book on all the different types of leis – made with flowers big and small – she is planning this for her birthday – August!
Every morning after breakfast Minty and I would go and make shell bracelets – another Hawain craft that we learned a lot about at the Cultural Center – looking back at my photos we seemed to spend our entire time there – it was either that, kids club or the pool for Minty and Rémy!
Mummy and Minty time is what I remember most fondly and I have a lot of shell bracelets to remind me of this special time together.
Gaby says
March 2, 2011 at 9:08 amsounds like an amazing family vaca spot!! Wish I was going there soon 🙂
Brooke says
March 2, 2011 at 4:34 pmLooks like an incredible trip that was good for you and the entire family (but especially you and Minty)! Welcome home. We missed you.
marla says
March 2, 2011 at 5:59 pmLucy, this is such a special trip. Thanks for sharing with us *smiles* My kids would love this!
Allison [Haute Box] says
March 2, 2011 at 6:26 pmI’m heading to Hawai’i in October. I must take a class on making leis!
susan says
March 2, 2011 at 7:54 pmI have stayed at that Four Seasons, and there is simply nothing better than a 4-seasons experience. Being in Hawaii is just an extra added bonus. I love all the quality time you are enjoying with your kids. Just like one needs to reconnect with their partners, it is equally important to have that one on one with the kiddies, sans all the chaos of everyday life in the big city! Good for the four of you! Missing you!
Nancy@acommunaltable says
March 4, 2011 at 2:27 pmWhat a wonderful family vacation!!!!! With my oldest heading to college in fall I treasure the few remaining trips we will take as a family !! it’s amazing how quickly the time passes so when you have the opportunity to go with just your family it is such precious time!!
It looks like you and your daughter had a wonderful time at your classes – so glad that you shared this with all of us – a great reminder on how important it is to slow down and “smell the flowers”!!!