Back To The Mainland:

Moonrise in Maui/ the view from my hotel lanai if you happened to look left.

      After being in Maui for only twenty nine glorious hours, four drool worthy meals, and a few too many tasty cocktails to count, it was time for me to return to the mainland. While enjoying champagne on the plane ride home, I made sure to write in my travel journal that I have been inking in since I was fifteen years old. I wrote of the scent of fresh brewed hawaiian coffee in the warm early morning, seeing fish whose colors mimic those of a rainbow, the taste of crispy maui onion rings battered in beer and jalapenos, even old hawaiian legends that I don't want to slip my mind. I fill my travel journal with sparkling memories that I wish to enjoy over and over even as time pushes me forward and forces me to add more information to my mental hard drive. Like my journal, my camera captures hundreds of cherished images on a single chip of technology, here are the last photos from my short lived tropical vacation:

The view from my hotel balcony if you turned to the right, loved seeing the sunset over these waters the evening this photograph was taken. 

Resort pool that I never indulged in because I was too 
preoccupied snorkeling on the local beach.

The clouds in Maui are utterly luscious and fluffy like whipped cream, they appear so low to the ground that if you climbed the nearest hill you could almost taste them. 

Yet another cherished memory from my trip was beach combing with my friend Bridgett along the shore. We picked up bits of treasure we loved as we walked to the local village. 

While stalking the sand, I picked up cone shells, sea glass, coral, and lava rock! 

Next visit, this is what I will be doing!

My favorite place for snorkeling that I visited while on the island (okay, the only place I snorkeled), Black Rock. 

      Vacations always leave me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated for everyday life. I came home from Maui with a renewed sense of creativity and a resplendent lust for life and all things beautiful. Also perhaps the dire need to save for another vacation, perhaps a road trip next time! What are some of your favorite travel memories and how do you feel when returning home from an amazing vacation?

Yours,
Nico

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A Lucky Ladybug:

Sunglasses- Chloe via Neiman Marcus Last Call, Pineapple
Necklace- Maui Diver Jewelry, Dress- DVF, Lips- Chanel Cambon

      I mentioned in this post that I flew stand by to and from the Maui island. For those not familiar, "flying stand by" means that you don't officially have a seat on the plane you just cross your fingers and hope that there are empty seats available. For someone who is over organized for even small road trips, this was a bit scary for me. As I sat at the airport jealously waiting for every other person to board the plane I anxiously hoped that there would be just one seat left for me so that I could enjoy the Hawaiian sunshine for a few days. A screen displayed the flight's seats on the plane and each seat would turn from white to gray to indicate a passenger settling in. As I woefully watched the entire plane turn to a deep gray, I felt my mood darken to the same shade. Still I was determined and refused to leave the airport until I actually saw the plane in the air. Low and behold, my name was called at the last minute and I felt like the luckiest ladybug ever as I boarded and took off for the Islands! 

      Who knows if I will I ever be this lucky again?

Yours,
Nico

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Hawaiian Foliage:

      
      As a person who loves plants and gardening, I couldn't help but notice the exotic foliage and blooms in Maui.  My eyes were continually being attracted to the neon vibrant flowers and leaves that seemed so friendly with the tropical island atmosphere. A favorite memory from my excursion would be taking a walk under 30' tall plumeria trees and breathing in their delicate and foreign scent. While I know the proper names of some of these plant varieties, I'd like to pick up a book on Maui plant life next time I'm at my local bookshop to identify the rest! 

Hibiscus were everywhere in Hawaii. 

These are the striking yellow and white plumeria flowers that I was mentioning earlier. Their fragrance really is so unique!

Sugar cane, yum!

More Hibiscus! 

Yours,
Nico

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A Beachcomber's Island Dream:

Sunglasses- Chloe via Neiman Marcus Last Call, Tank- Target, Bathing Suit- Victoria's Secret, Pineapple Necklace-
 Maui Diver's Jewelry, Wrap Skirt- Vintage Escada, Sandals- DVF

      I have long since returned from my trip to Maui, however I am still enjoying sifting thru images from the island on my camera. I can still imagine the comforting sun on my skin and the faint scent of plumeria trees clinging to the salty ocean air. This particular beach in Lahaina was dotted with bits of ocean treasure, including coral, along the shore. More of this exotic mermaid loot lay waiting to be discovered in the clear blue waters and I relished the chance to snorkel for hidden gems on the ocean floor. I feel so lucky to carry this memory with me even now, while back at home in Santa Cruz.   

A favorite travel brush shaped like dinosaur bones along with some coral I collected (Notice the piece shaped like a heart?).

I was fortunate enough to spot not just one, but two gigantic sea turtles while snorkeling near Black Rock. Considering the fact that my get away was only 29 hours, I felt so elated to see such gentle creatures in their natural habitat by sheer chance and luck.

Chanel nail colour #521 Rose Cache.

     One of the most cherished elements of this trip was that I got to accompany my close friend Bridgett who I have know since I was 14 years old. Not only did we grow up together in Stockton, but we have also spent years living in the same city of Santa Cruz together. Until this trip, we had never savored a vacation together and I am now happy to cross that item off of my bucket list. Bridgett graduated with a degree in photography and was kind enough to snap all of these photos, special thanks for that! 

Yours,
Nico

PS: You can keep up with SatinAndSalt.com on Bloglovin, Google Friend Connect, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter!