Hello friends!
Thank you so much for visiting and allowing me to share our trip to Hawaii with you. The beauty of the islands is undeniable, and though we enjoyed every minute of our time exploring & soaking up the scenery, our primary reason for this trip was to experience a night dive with manta rays in Kona. Listed as one of the top 10 dives in the world, hubby & I dreamed of this dive after seeing a documentary about it on the National Geographic channel three years ago.
Needless to say, it was the most amazing experience…ever!
They were close enough to touch…actually bumped me several times! We were about 50 feet down, and the show lasted for about 50 minutes but felt like 5!
I can’t begin to express the emotions I experienced that night….so awe-inspiring to watch these magnificent creatures as they were feeding dancing around us SO gracefully. We were extremely fortunate to have been in the presence of 21 mantas that night. As is sometimes the case, mantas can show up in fewer numbers or not at all.
If you want to see exactly what I saw, check out this video. I’m proud to say that I was the videographer! If you hear what sounds like a scream….that would be me!
Pretty amazing, yes??
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What I wore on our last day in Hawaii….
Recycling of the white pants…also worn with a blue shirt here.
I’m linking up with Patti for Visible Monday and Nicole for Monday Mingle!
Thank you so much for dropping by!
Shirt: Tommy Bahama Pants: Ralph Lauren Bag: Chanel
gracefully50 
You are SO adventurous. I may have to make some new resolutions. That dive is just inspiring.
What a wonderful experience. I must say, I’ve loved your holiday outfits. You really do always look so gorgeous.
Hugs
You’re too sweet! Thank you Wendy!
that absolutely does look amazing
i am so jealous
you and two other personal friends of mine have been to Hawaii this summer
i can’t stop the envy!!!
brett
Brett,
When our kids were home, our lives centered around them…even the vacations. When they went off to college, the funds went for their tuition & living expenses. Now that both are graduated and self sufficient, we’re blessed to take some of the trips we’ve always dreamed of. It’s about dang time! 😀
A breathtaking experience. And well done you for recycling those Ralph Laurens! I love mixing clothes that I have worn before on my blog with new pieces to show versatility. You are rocking these in your own as ever elegant way 😉
Edita xx
Edita, when you run out of clean clothes on vacation and too lazy to do laundry, you don’t really have much choice but to recycle or go shopping! 😀
loving the easy breezy outfit! those white pants are perfect for Hawaii!!! what a fun experience. those mantas look awesome. we’ll be going to HI in a few months for my cousin’s wedding and to visit my sis! i love it there, it’s so much fun!
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Claire, I’m jealous! I’m so ready to go back.
Hope you have a wonderful time in Hawaii!
Amazing is the only word to describe your adventure! What a privilege. And of course you look very island appropriate in your lovely outfit! Now I am off to watch the video…: )
I agree! The video doesn’t do it justice. So incredible!!!
amazing!
Xo Megan
Isn’t it?
Jeannie, now I will think of you as a modern day adventuress! Your dive sounded like a dream come true, and you obviously loved every moment…a cherished memory forever. Love it!! Thanks for sharing it with us.
🙂
Haha! Not even close. I do hope to do more traveling tho….maybe to Europe? Australia? Asia?
I really need to win the lottery! 😀
Amazing! I don’t think I could do that. In the video, it looks there were hundreds of them! But kudos to you…that must have been an awesome experience!
Sure you can!! If I can do it, anybody can!
It WAS something really special! 21 was the count….not sure how they counted them in the dark. Some of the mantas have names and the guides know them by the spots on their bellies. Everything about this trip was so wonderful!!
wow, how scary. What a fabulous trip!
Hi Amy!
I was nervous about the dive b/c of the dark waters, but once I saw these creatures dance around, I couldn’t get enough. Absolutely incredible experience!
Jeannie,
I am so impressed and what an amazing experience for you and your husband. My husband dives.. I don’t because I am a bit claustrophobic. Your video is incredible. The ocean really puts life in perspective doesn’t it?
Hope your week is off to a great start and that you are looking forward to heading home.
leslie
Thank you Leslie!
You should try….being underwater is so freeing. It comes pretty close to flying!
I’ve been home for a week…back to work. Looking forward to our next trip!
Jeannie, what is so amazing about this is that both you and your hubby had the dream to do this, and then you did it!!! That is the part I like the best, realizing the dream. So awesome! xo!
Thank you Rachel!
Hubby had to talk me into this, but I’m so glad he did b/c I would have missed out of something really special. It’s nice to be able to have fun with your partner…it really is! 🙂
Super amazing and definitely need to be added to my life list.
This was very high on our bucket list…SO glad the mantas joined us that night!!
Jeannie–the video is absolutely mesmerizing. And it fascinating to watch the mantas in motion. And your outfit is polished and crisp.
Thank you Terri!
50 minutes felt like 5 as all I could do was just stare….”mesmerizing” is a perfect word to describe what I was feeling!
WOW!!! That is just SO COOL!!
I know! It was a blast!! 🙂
AWESOME!!! Nice outfit, by the way . . . Ralph Lauren?!!!
Thank you Sara!
It was AWESOME!! 😀
wa-HOO! i am not a huge fan of night dives, but this is now on my top five dives i need to do! awesome video! you did a nice job of not freaking out when they came so very close! not sure i could do that… love the screams, too!
Oh, you’ll love it daisyfae!
They assured me that the mantas are harmless and only eat planktons! I was so busy watching them dance around, fear just didn’t even cross my mind….although, it did freak me out when they came so close as to brush against my head a few times. So much fun!
That is awesome! What an amazing (and peaceful) experience! I’m glad you shared it with us. One day I’ll finish my dive classes and then Jack and I can dive together. He likes night diving too.
Oh, Patricia! You should get certified and go diving with Jack. I can’t think of anything that even comes close to the feeling you get when you’re gliding under water. However, I can’t do night dives…too terrified of the darkness. This dive was okay b/c there were so many divers with flashlights, and it wasn’t too deep. I have a fear of running into a man-eating shark!
Wow, thats beautiful! i’ve been following your hawaii trip on my phone, looks amazing! and you do to!
Thank you very much!
I’m afraid that’s all from Hawaii. 😦
That brave you are, I think a very strong experience. I love your blouse is beautiful. Also your hair.
Thank you Josep!
It was the most amazing experience ever!
Wow, wow with the footage of the Mantas. That is ..great ..and kind of scary. An experience of a lifetime ! = )
Thanks Breana!
I actually hesitated about going thru with this dive b/c I’m terrified of the ocean in the dark. But, since it wasn’t too deep and there were so many divers with flash lights, it wasn’t bad at all. I’m so grateful that I didn’t back out….definitely an experience of a lifetime!
Wow! Amazing video and photos! Looks like the trip of a lifetime! How wonderful for you both! And as always, you look lovely!
Thanks Marie!
This dive was the highlight of the trip!! Loved it!
Amazing! I also love your shirt. It’s definitely something I would wear.
Thank you!
Tommy Bahama resort wear has the prettiest patterns! Also very comfortable!
I am speechless with delight at the mantas – what an incredible experience. Thank you for sharing your video with us. And of course, you look cool and chic in your Ralph Lauren trousers!
Thank you Patti!
I was pretty speechless except for a few screams when they brushed against me!