BY: OLIVIA ALEXANDER
As we sit on the tarmac at Kahului Airport, about to head back to LA from a magical week in Hawaii, I think to myself, what a great time to write my first blog!
There’s something so powerful about traveling. Removing myself from the routine is a powerful tool for my self-care. As a ritualistic person, It’s necessary to get out of my environment to self-reflect, connect with nature, and plan for the future. With the holiday season on the horizon, I had to sneak away before a hectic end to 2018.
Early Sunday morning, we jetted off to Maui. I packed my favorite bikinis, flats, and of course my favorite Kush Queen products: Soaked shower gel, Melt, and a few bath bombs. A girls gotta have options, you know.
As soon as we landed, we knew our first stop was Secret Beach, a beautiful little-hidden spot in Wailea. There’s something about the beach, the sand under my toes and the ocean salt that immediately makes me feel renewed.
After a couple of hours at the beach, we checked into Andaz Maui. We were warmly greeted and handed an ice cold lavender lemonade while we checked in. We arrived only 48 hours after Hurricane Lane had hit, so Maui was unusually quiet.
Since Andaz Maui is a green resort, there was no bathtub, so I decided to lather up with Soaked after a few hours in the sun. I love using Soaked as a shampoo when my scalp is feeling itchy or dry after being in the ocean.
The next morning we ventured to my all-time favorite spa at the Grand Wailea. If you have the privilege of visiting, it’s absolutely worth every penny. What makes the Grand Wailea spa so special is the hydrotherapy circuit that you get to enjoy before the treatments. Imagine a water park for adults, but instead of slides, it’s pools. I frolicked from hot tub to cold plunge pool and back to the hot tub for a few trips. I love dunking in the Ice cold plunge pool, which is great for improving circulation. I then spent 15 minutes in the eucalyptus-infused steam room.
After the steam, ice cold lavender towels are waiting as you float into the next area Inspired by a Japanese bath house. Then you enter the holy grail: an area of 5 essential oil baths inspired by Hawaii’s natural beauty. I love to meditate in each pool, visualizing abundance, peace, balance, and love into my life. Between each pool I like to sit for a few moments under the massaging waterfall jacuzzi, great for releasing tension in the head and neck area. Between the essential oils and sound of water, my mind is completely at ease. I find a deeper enjoyment of my treatments because of the hydrotherapy.
We woke up early the next morning to catch the ferry to Lana’i. I had never been before but heard it was one of the most incredible places in the world. I soon learned the hype was very real.
This tiny island is nothing like Maui. It feels so quaint and serene. I truly never have been to any place like Lana’i. More importantly, as we walked into our room, there she was: a gorgeous bathtub. I couldn’t wait to take a bath.
After another day of swimming until sunset in Manele Bay, I finally got my bath. I poured a little soaked in first so I could have some bubbles. Then I dropped in a Love 1:1 bath bomb. The essential oils filled the bathroom and I could feel my entire body relax.
The next day we woke up early to snorkel. I was so elated and was the first to jump off the boat. I saw a gorgeous Parrot Fish and schools of beautiful fish. We were in the water for about 20 minutes when a family started freaking out and screaming (the kind of screaming you don’t wanna hear when you’re in the middle of the ocean). They had been stung by something. We were told it was okay to keep swimming, but as I was getting myself back up onto the boat I felt it. A sharp sting on my right hand, then my left thigh. Ouch. What is that? As I flail around I see it is blue and string-like. Oh no! The captain tells me it’s a Portuguese Man of War. This venomous and dangerous animal looks more alien than anything you could imagine. Luckily they had an anti-venom serum ready for me and an ice cold beer. Feeling grateful that I had my melt in my beach bag, I lathered up my marks with it. The Portuguese Man of War leaves very distinct welts, so I had a great battle wound to show off.
When we got back, I soaked Into a mid-day bath to heal my wounds. Nothing like dropping in a relieve CBD bath bomb to cool and calm my skin. Relieve features a powerful blend of essential oils like camphor and black pepper. I saw an instant difference in the redness of the stings and it was no longer painful to the touch. I covered them with our Melt CBD pain lotion and tucked in for the best night of sleep.
The next morning we rented a Jeep to go off-roading. One of the best parts of Lanai’ is that it is so remote. We didn’t see people for hours as we drove down dirt trails to unmanned beaches. We visited shipwreck beach and then headed to Garden of the Gods. We drove through huge puddles and bounced around down to the most beautiful white beach I have ever seen. It was truly an incredible day full of laughs and adventure. As we drove back to the hotel, our Jeep was covered in layers of mud. Visual proof of the adventures we shared.
We had to get up early the next morning to return back home. I felt like I was floating from my days in Hawaii. As we descended into LAX I felt such immense gratitude for my experiences. Being in nature and having time to relax truly is the medicine for my soul. Traveling is such an incredible gift that has allowed me to come back recharged ready to end the year on a high note. As the holiday season approaches the days will get long, but I will close my eyes and think of being in paradise. I am Refreshed.
