Maui, Hawaii Day 4, Birthday in Paradise!

August 6th

My birthday!! I don’t think it's registered to me yet that I am 24. Another year where I've felt beyond blessed, and so lucky. Luck in the sense that I get to celebrate my birthday somewhere so beautiful doing what I love most, being near the ocean.

Regan and I woke up bright and early at 6:30am and got ready to go down to morning yoga on the beach. I love yoga and was so happy to start my day out doing an activity that fills me up. We met Kate and Lucy at the beach and the Walshes were planning on joining us, but they slept through their alarm and met up with us after.

We had the coolest yoga instructor; a fit, tan, and zen likely retired yoga mom. We were all trying to learn her life story and how she got this gig to lead yoga at the Four Seasons Maui. The class was a gentle flow, but being in the sand was an added challenge as the ground was less supportive. I was so tight from working out extensively before coming on this trip and the long flight here that it felt so good to stretch and loosen up my tight muscles. We did a warm up and three sequences, but the last one was on our knees and we only did three chaturangas so it was very low key.

Gretchen found us post yoga, mid zen and she was the first to wish me happy birthday! I really appreciated Gretchen throughout the week because she was always so open to conversation and I loved the positive energy and humor she brought.

Yoga struck up enough hunger that we migrated to breakfast. We got a table, ordered our food, and did some more chatting. We talked all about our high school experiences and stories, friendships, and their journey swimming. I was curious about learning more about them, asking them questions about their training and how they got to where they were now in swimming. Having known Regan for so long and seeing what she went through and now hearing from them, I have the utmost respect for them. Their life could seem so glamorous that they earn money doing their sport, get sponsorships with cool companies, are recognizable, and travel the world for their competitions. But that did not come easy whatsoever, in fact, the sacrifices they make still to this day put into perspective that they deserve what has come their way because they work so hard and have worked so hard their entire life. It was the moment that I asked myself whether I would trade the life experiences I've accumulated thus far if it meant becoming an Olympic athlete, and although what they've done and accomplished sounds so cool, I am so grateful for the diverse opportunities and experiences I've lived out, even in just the 24 years of my life.

We took our time at breakfast, embracing the slow morning and opportunity to hang out with each other. Knowing this was a meal that was comp'd by the hotel, I went all out. I got a green juice, soy milk latte, a smoothie bowl, and the soyrizo hash for protein. I was so happy to have my cup of coffee, cleanse with a juice, get protein from the soy, and enjoy a dessert with the smoothie bowl. The perfect breakfast for sure. 

We went back up to the room and changed into our suits, the sun was vibrant, making the water look a crazy blue and the view from our room was giving. We took some photos, I put the lei on and it matched my purple suit, my birthday lei! I was really excited about this day, however, the weather began to turn from here.

We went down to the Sanctuary and got our spots. The Sanctuary is a private cabana guarded with shrubbery that overlooks the ocean. We were so excited to use our Sanctuary because it was included in Regan's package and was the most perfect way to rest while still enjoying the view. The Sanctuaries are normally reserved by purchase, which if you are visiting the resort yourself, you can buy for $400/hour. To say the least, that's how ideal and luxurious these cabanas were.

Sadly, we only had 15 minutes in the Sanctuary before the sun went away and the rain came. The picturesque background was overrun with gloomy clouds and speckled with raindrops. Hoping that it was just a passing raincloud, we sat in the rain, mostly protected by the umbrella, but our towels were soaked and glasses of water left behind. Still waiting out the rain, I was on my phone for much of the day while Regan read her book and napped, hoping that when she woke up the sun would be back out.

Trying to make the most of the day still, we swam in the ocean for a bit. The rain didn't stop us from doing this, and I'm convinced the water is always warmer when it's raining out anyways so I was happy to get off my phone and out enjoying what this place offers best. The ocean was as angry about the poor weather, showing its teeth with powerful waves. Antsy to get in the water, Regan and I both tried to beat the next wave rolling in by running into the ocean, however we didn't time it out well and weren’t deep enough and as a result, got absolutely pummeled by the wave and were physically dragged back to shore. There was a moment that I was doing summersaults in the water and feared how long until I could safely pop up for a breath. I was totally ok, but just a bit rattled that I got dummied the first wave out. Both Regan and I shot up out of the water, checking our suits to make sure they were still intact, then we locked eyes and burst out laughing that the waves hit us so hard. 

This slight set back did not stop us, however we did we learn our lesson and timed the wave better our second time, beating the break. Lucy and Kate didn’t go in the water, having watched our first attempt and were not won over that swimming in the ocean was worth the potential tumble. But the Walshes joined us, brave enough to take on swelling ocean.

We had so much fun out there. We giggled through our conversations, but nothing made me laugh harder when one of the most massive waves came, and I shot underneath the water to avoid getting pulled by the current, staying under long enough to make sure I wasn’t caught in the undertow. When I popped up, both Regan and Gretchen were grappling the air to get back up on two feet after being pulled all the way to shore, looking in complete disarray, hair in the wildest style, struggling for composure because they were knocked out so badly by the wave. Because they were ok, Alex and I laughed our butts off. Their faces after getting hit by the wave were so hilarious, and them laughing with us made me laugh even harder. There’s nothing better in life than a genuine belly chuckle. The ocean already brought so much serotonin to me, laughing hysterically was the gift of day.

Once we got in the groove with the waves, all four of us tried body surfing, but I was still a bit hesitant because I didn’t want to get caught in the wave or scraped up from the sand. But then Regan, Gretchen, and Alex did catch some good waves. It was a fun midday activity and fun to do with a smaller crew. I was really happy that we could make the most out of the rainstorm, playing in the crazy waves like kids, laughing through the struggle, and letting our spirits flow with the beautiful water surrounding us. I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than spending time in nature, doing something active, and being present in the very moment. Even if said activity was fighting mother nature's waves, that beats sitting behind a desk under fluorescent lights, bringing a more profound feeling of gratitude I already had for today and this entire week.

Gili Air for my 23rd birthday

Gassed from the waves, we went back up to the Sanctuary and spent the rest of our afternoon there. Regan ordered a burger for lunch and I cleaned up her fries. I spent most of my lounging time sorting, editing, and getting photos ready for a post. I had a deadline because I wanted to post on the actual day of my birthday, to timestamp in instagram that I was in fact in Hawaii on my birthday. Similar to how I posted in Gili Air on August 6th last year, just in case I want to make it a tradition. It’s not a bad idea… Spending my birthday on an island, or traveling, or doing something awfully cool.

It took me hours because I took so many photos when I was solo traveling the first half of the Maui trip, to the point my eyes were starting to bug out from staring at a screen for so long. I didn't want to have to do all that work on my birthday, but I also really wanted it done and it was a good timing to do it because we were just chilling. The rain hadn’t stopped yet, which I told myself I had to finish before the sun came out, setting a strict deadline. Once I posted my infamous birthday post, I called it for the day, and swapped my for a book to read more.

Regan and I stared at the sky hoping for the sun to peak out through the clouds. We saw an opening and prayed to the lord almighty that the sun would come out. Everyone went up much earlier than we did because we wanted to wait for the sun to come back out. While we were out for round two in the ocean, the sun came out, and the water turned from gray to blue, bringing life back into Maui! Smiles not only creeped onto our faces, but our whole bodies practically rejoiced.

Soaking up every ray of sun, Regan and I had a very serious discussion... How far was the mountain in the distance, if we could swim it, and how long would it take. Hahaha. Regan asked if she thinks I could do it, and I responded for sure, at least mentally nothing would stop me, however it was more so physically if I could even make it. She was hesitant to have as quick and eager of response as I, due to a fear of sharks, but if it was life or death whether I swam to that mountain, I would surely give it my best go. At first, we were thinking it was only 2-3 miles away, but google wrote up about 8-10 miles which to my point the mountain was so big, the distance was conceiving, but I still think Regan could totally do that. Me, gosh, I can barely run 6 miles let alone swim (throwback to Patras, Greece blog when I ran across the bridge, barely making it). We stayed out until the very last minute that we would need to get ready for dinner. The only way I would have it, with Regan fully on board.

Tonight we were going to a Japanese sushi place off the resort. I am not a massive fan Japanese food, but I knew I would find something on the menu. We showered up, put on another 10/10 outfit, tonight for me being my new Madrid skirt and dark brown top paired with all the gold accessories. Regan and I had a mini photoshoot on the balcony of our room when the golden hour was peak.

Another wonderful act from the Four Seasons, when we returned to the room to get ready for dinner, the hotel surprised me with a slice of chocolate birthday cake and a card! How sweet! It was so yummy, and I trusted it was vegan because Regan told them I was vegan so I trusted their attention to detail and dug into it without hesitation. 

Not knowing that I would get a birthday treat from the hotel, I came prepared with a vegan ube haupia pie I got in Paia to share with everyone for my birthday. With no shame, naturally the chocolate cake disappeared and I also had a couple bits of my personally sought out haupia pie, enjoying both before going down to meet the other girls before dinner. We got our first group photo, artfully taken by a worker who took pano, distorting everyone's face in some way which cracked us all up beyond belief.

Take a good, long look at everyone in the photo haha!

It was a pretty and short drive to Marimoto, the Japanese restaurant where we were getting dinner. The hotel we went to with this restaurant was gorgeous so that was a plus. They had super cool infinity pools, tons of orchids, art, and the best walk in. 

When we got to Marimoto, I scanned the menu and was starting to get nervous with the prices and what I could order because there fewer vegan options than I was expecting. I asked many questions, learning the miso soup was vegan so I got that for a starter and it was delicious. Now, for my main meal, I had no clue. I almost stopped there out of indecision, but I thought I should probably eat more than just breakfast and miso soup on my birthday. The restaurant said they could make one of their rice dishes vegan for me but it was a bit pricy, otherwise there was an affordable vegan sushi option. I was still pretty scarred from this terrible sushi roll I had for dinner one night in Paia, but the rice dish was more than I would've liked to pay. I was so conflicted that the waiter came back three times until I finally told myself that it was my birthday and I should get the meal I know I'd like and not worry about money. It kills me I still let money stress me out so much, even though I have a good paying job and little expenses (outside of my traveling lol). But tonight was not the night to let my anxiety about money overtake my thoughts and ruin dinner.

The rice dish ended up being absolutely delicious and my dear friend Regan treated me by paying for the meal, which she had no idea how grateful I was for her generosity. The entire trip, she was so gracious to me and made sure that my birthday was special. I am beyond grateful to have her in my life, although I don't get to see her as often anymore because she's living and training in Texas, she will always be my longest friend. Having tackled the toils of middle and high school together, not much more could rock a friendship that has survived that. Once again, I say thank you, Regs, for being such a good friend, inviting me on this incredible trip, and making sure my birthday was special.