After the most relaxing, comfortable sleep ever, Ben and I wake up at 6am. Keep in mind we went to bed at 7pm. Both of us were exhausted from the trip and I still wasn't feeling 100% but the long sleep sure helped. We were up and excited to start our day! First things first, COFFEE. We both really enjoy a great cup of coffee in the morning and our room came with a Cuisinart coffee maker and great coffee. I decided I was feeling well enough to workout and I really wanted to check out the gym facility. Nothing gets me more excited in the morning than knowing a great workout lies ahead in a beautiful gym-I'm a little nuts over working out, I know-so I head down to the lobby and find the INCREDIBLE water stand with ice cold water that has pineapple in it. What a great idea! Everyone should try it sometime; it really adds a refreshing aspect to the water. After guzzling down 3 cups of it I head to the gym. Once inside I see all my fitness dreams coming true...it’s a brand new gym with one side facing the ocean. The treadmills and other cardio equipment have front row seats to the gorgeous ocean and enormous pool. Now this is the type of gym where running on the treadmill doesn't get boring. They also have great weight machines and all the little extras you could expect in a top of the line gym.
While I was working out, Ben decided to venture out and find a grocery store so we could stock up on some food to put in our fridge. We love to be able to make our own lunches in the room and have healthy snacks on hand. He found this great little coffee shop and thought that maybe he should buy some coffee for the room and then he saw the price...$32/lb!!! He couldn't believe it and asked the cashier why it was so expensive. She told him that most coffee you buy in supermarkets/coffee shops has been sitting on the shelf for about 6 months to a year BUT their coffee was picked LAST week! It is probably the freshest coffee you can buy. Needless to say, he did not buy the bag but opted to try a cup when he and I came back together...Ben is pretty thoughtful like that :)
Later that day we decided that a couple’s massage was in order! We were both a little achy and LOVE to try different spa treatments when we go to new places. The massage was a gift from Ben's brothers and their wives (thank you Kim, Emilee, Steve and Dave!!!) We went into the spa an hour early to try out the steam rooms; whirlpool tubs and just plain relax. We walk in and are immediately greeted but a calm woman who makes us feel completely welcome. The Ritz just completed a renovation of the spa and it is perfect! Very earthy and smells terrific. We are led down the bamboo hallway to the co-ed lounge area, which has refreshments, yummy treats and plenty of comfy chairs. Ben and I go are separate ways into the locker rooms. Once inside, I am again greeted by a fabulous employee and shown to my locker where I receive my robe and sandals. *Ben loved the robes so much that he brought one home* I change into my lounging attire and head to the steam room area. As I am about to go in the employee comes back and congratulates me on my wedding and asks if I would like some champagne...of course I would! I am not a girl who turns down a drink. I have a few sips-delicious-and step into the wet sauna that has eucalyptus essence flowing through the mist. I feel completely relaxed and emerge 30 min later feeling like a million bucks!
I get my robe back on and head to the co-ed lounge to meet up with Ben. We sit and relax for a little while and then we are taken to an outdoors room to have our first couples massage. It was such a peaceful setting. We could hear the birds, the ocean and the breeze. How could you NOT relax in a place like this?!?! When it was over we realized that the week had only begun and the feeling of euphoria was going to stay with us until we left. If only we could feel like this everyday.
That night we only wanted something light. Our appetites still were not normal and we didn’t want to waste a good meal on our sickly selves. We drove to a little town called Lahaina that was only 15min from the Ritz. It was right on the water and had tons of cool shops and restaurants. It was slightly touristy but had many options. We decided on a beach restaurant called the “Mixed Plate” (www.alohamixedplate.com). It was a casual place with a very relaxed vibe. They served the dishes on paper plates that also gave it a BBQ style. I had the mixed plate that came with BBQ chicken, teriyaki steak and grilled Mahi Mahi. It was great! Ben had a chicken and Mahi Mahi stir-fry with rice. His had a little too much sauce but a good flavor.
We headed home for another early nights rest. We knew by the next day we would be rejuvenated and ready to go!
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