The Tales of the Traveling Tote is a series of adventures that share where our Mackenzie Childs tote bags have taken us. Four times a year a group of bloggers each write a connected post about the places we have been. To read about how it all began, go HERE
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December was a busy month with lunches with friends, a few workshops and family events. We had snow off an on and anyplace that had a fireplace was where I wanted to be!
Christmas week was wonderful having both of my daughters home with their families. We treated them all to a Syracuse University basketball game before they all returned home:
John has wanted to see Pearl Harbor for years, so this trip was all his idea. Our first full day started off cloudy and then a WINTER STORM came through, flooding parts of the Base. It was torrential and lasted til midnight.
The sun appeared the next day and we could see Diamond Head from the beach and the restaurant, however we weren't able to hike it due to mud and slippery areas from the storm:
I got my Vitamin D and Vitamin C daily!!!
Waikiki Beach at sunrise and mid day:
The Luaus, Polynesian Shows and daily entertainment was exciting and festive:
On Day 4 we boarded the Norwegian Pride of America to cruise the islands for 7 days.
In Maui we rode the 10,000' elevation to Haleakala National Park and saw a 7 mile wide crater. We were also able to see our cruise ship from there, it was barely visible but amazing to see it from that height! The winding road gave me a bit of anxiety, especially once we entered the park and there were no guard rails along the side of the road!!
We were unable to dock at Hilo, on the big island due to rough waters but we were able to see the active volcano, spewing steam, from the ship:
We cruised to the other side of the island to Kona, explored and shopped:
Random TOTE pics:
I learned how to make Ribbon Leis on the ship one afternoon:
We enjoyed lovely sunrises and sunsets:
The last two cruise days we docked in Kauai, which was our favorite island!
It was a fabulous two weeks and it was so nice to get away from our cold, snowy winter and feel the sunshine!
We met 4 fabulous woman from So Dakota and plan on keeping in touch:
ALOHA!
In a few weeks I am heading back to the sunshine and will spend two weeks in Florida!
LEAVE me a comment below for a chance to win!!
UPDATE:
Congrats to Shug, the winner of our giveaway!
Let's see where these friends spent the last few months:
Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths
Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch
Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda
Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box YOU ARE HERE
Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply
Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul
Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home
Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Bookish Dilettante
Here's a memory from 5 years ago when MacKenzie-Childs made each one of us a special tote bag:
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Patti, your trip through the Hawaiian Islands truly seemed magical. I can't imagine living there as a mainland transplant like my friend does now, but to visit would definitely be a bucket list trip. Thankfully your timing only had you seeing that one winter storm. Having your girls and their families together has to be the best kind of hectic holidays! Happy March, Patti!
ReplyDeleteHi I’m Lisa lee, I adore Mackenzie decor! The new colors are lovely too! I’d love a chance at the eyeglass case xoxo
ReplyDeletePatti, It looks like you and John saw so much of the islands even though it started off with rain, glad the sun came out for most of your trip. I've heard about the winding road in Maui, that would give me a lot of anxiety! When we were there we took a ship around the island and came into the port of Pearl Harbor, like my dad did when he was in the service. He always thought that was great I was able to see it like he did. We visited Kauai, my favorite as well. Glad you had both your girls and their families for the holidays, that's always the best! Happy March.......
ReplyDeleteWow, this post really has me wanting to take a big vacation! I would be traveling solo, but what fun to meet other ladies out traveling, too!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I’ll see you there…in Florida that is!!
ReplyDeleteI even live in the south but have the need for sunshine and saltwater! Leaving end of march and staying till mid may…it’s how I restore my soul!! And my spirit! Only plan is to walk the beach, read, sit in my chair for days at edge of water and have girlfriends for some of that time with me!
Maybe I need a tote bag!!!
jmac…that was me! 👆🏻👆🏻
ReplyDeletePatti, so fun to celebrate the holidays with family, the littles are growing up so fast. Hawaii is always a fun trip. How special John wanted to visit to catch up on history and see Pearl Harbor. Looks like you two packed in a lot of fun activities. Cruising. Swimming and traveling the back roads is so fun and adventurous. I love attending luau and those delicious cocktails too. Kudos to you both on your awesome travels. Happy March.
ReplyDeleteIt is so fun to read your blog Patti! I loved getting to know you & John on the Hawaii trip! Great to see your wonderful pictures! Have fun in Florida!
ReplyDeleteSorry I didn’t see how to list my name the first comment. 🤣
DeleteHow wonderful to have your daughters and their families home, Patti. What a special and magical Hawaiian cruise trip you had. My late beloved and I went to Maui and Kauai when we celebrated our 25th anniversary. We attempted to go drive the Road to Hana, but I couldn’t do it when I saw a bus having to backdown a road. Yikes! Good for you in making it on your road without guardrails. Thank you for sharing your fun with us.
ReplyDeleteYour grandchildren are growing up so fast, and I know you love having them visit. Hawaii looks like a fun trip, especially that John wanted to catch up on the history and see Pearl Harbor. Some day we may do a Hawaiian cruise. Happy March!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great trip to Hawaii. We went a few years ago and loved it. It is paradise for sure. Have a good weekend. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeletePatti, it makes me smile to think of you and John celebrating with your girls and their families. Special times together making special memories for those grandchildren. Your trip to Hawaii looked to be fantastic. I know John was thrilled to get to experience this. You captured some wonderful images. Are you going to put together a special photo book?
ReplyDeleteVisited from Chocolate Purple Home. What a fantastic trip for you all...I love visiting Hawaii...a place that simply makes you feel so relaxed. Thanks for sharing your trip and as always, thanks to all for the gifts you all share...
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing all of the places you visited with your bags. How fun to visit Hawaii and get out of the cold weather. It's wonderful that you met some nice people on your trip. I hope you enjoy the month of March!
ReplyDeleteLoved reading your block. Think this maybe my next vacation! Love all of the pictures.
ReplyDeleteOh what a cute idea! Loved reading about your vacations and seeing what you enjoyed. I hope that you have a wonderful week! I am hosting a link up for travel content creators on Thursday, you should stop in and share your posts.
ReplyDeleteOh your time in Hawaii sounds heavenly! We went to Maui and the Big Island for 5 days each at the very end of December but I really hope to get out to Kuai and Oahu one day too. I always thought Kuai would be my favorite but we were traveling with our teen/young adult sons and they were not as excited about the possibility of a quieter island as I was.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading about your trip to Hawaii and your cruise. Your photos are fantastic, and your photos are a lot of fun, too. GREAT SHOT of the steaming volcano from the ship. WOW!
ReplyDeleteIt's also fun to see your family. I think giving experiences is better than giving gifts. I'm sure y'all loved the game! Happy Mardi Gras!
What a wonderful trip and cruise. Our first time in Hawaii was a cruise. Were you there when Maui was flooding? It seemed like the craziest winter storm. Your photos are fabulous and I love all of your leis. Sounds so fun to be off to Florida soon too. I think it is the only way to beat winter in our cold climates.
ReplyDeleteLove your Syracuse fans. They are all so decked out. What a great holiday for you guys.