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Washington

Where to Stay in Seattle: The Hotel Ändra

Off Duty in Seattle: a 3-Day Guide

Follow the Off Duty Life

The youngest, the biggest, the most untamed of the

The youngest, the biggest, the most untamed of them all. ⠀
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We've made it to the Big Island! Which, if you didn't know, is the island with the actual name Hawai'i. ⠀
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The Big Island is known for well, being huge compared to the other islands. But despite its size, it's actually the youngest island that's still growing to this day (the island grew by 875 acres in 2018 alone!). ⠀
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5 volcanoes call the Big Island home: Kilauea, Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualalai, and Kohala. And while the idea of being on an island with volcanic activity may seem scary, in a way, it adds a layer of power and awe and admiration that's hard to describe. ⠀
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The Hawaiian goddess of fire, Pele, is said to have settled down on this island after traveling through and creating the rest of the Hawaiian island chain. Behind me, her smoke still rises from the earth. ⠀
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Have you ever been to the Big Island? #OffDutyinHawaii

Barefoot, salty skin, unbrushed hair, glistening f

Barefoot, salty skin, unbrushed hair, glistening from humidity, and happy as can be! [RECAP + WHAT'S NEXT!] ⠀
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So, my Maui posts are coming to a close (for now) and tomorrow we hop over to another island. Any guesses which? Keep reading 👇🏽⠀
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Growing up if you asked me my favorite island, I'd tell you in an instant: Maui. I don't know why, I don't know what compelled my younger self to love it here so much. But I did, and still do! ⠀
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Now that I'm older, I realize loving an island doesn't need to be a win-lose. I sometimes see lots of 'advice' online about skipping Oahu or skipping Maui because of X, Y, Z. But take my word for it – there is SO much beauty to each island, and no two are the same! ⠀
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• Kaua'i has some of the most beautiful mountain formations and waterfalls in the world.⠀
• Maui has Haleakala, and fascinating geology that varies so much (fun fact: Maui has been 1 island, 2 islands, and 3 throughout history!) ⠀
• And the Big Island? Well, the big island is next. So you'll just have to wait and see what we get into over the next few days 😌⠀
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Stay tuned for a Maui IG Guide! #OffDutyinHawaii

Do you like visiting historic towns when you trave

Do you like visiting historic towns when you travel? ⠀
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On Maui's North Shore, you'll find Pa'ia, a historic town that was once a plantation hub during the sugar cane industry boom (remember my post on sugar cane from last week?). ⠀
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Today, Pa'ia is a community so many people drive through on the famous road to Hana, but it's welllllll worth your time as a destination and not just a drive-by.⠀
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Why?⠀
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• Great local businesses and shopping (boutiques, souvenirs, swim shops, art galleries, you name it) ⠀
• Some of the most delicious food I ate during my whole trip (Try: Pa'ia Fish Market, Tobi's Shave Ice & Poke)⠀
• Historic buildings, some reborn as boutiques and restaurants, some preserved facades like this one ⠀
• Beautiful beaches & windsurfing! ⠀
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Sometimes I just like wandering around places and observing, to really catch the vibe of a place. Maui is definitely one of the more developed Hawaiian islands, but on this and every island, there is so much history and charm just waiting to be discovered if you stop and look around. #OffDutyinHawaii

This massive banyan tree takes up an entire city b

This massive banyan tree takes up an entire city block in Lahaina, Maui! ⠀
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Legitimately, you need to walk a FULL street over to get from one side to the other. This tree is more than 150 years old, was planted during the Hawaiian monarchy in 1873 (back then it was only 8 feet tall!), and is a protected landmark. It's also one of the only things I remember from my childhood visits to Maui. This big tree with arms that extend out as far as I could see, a stage for a chorus of birds chirping above my head. ⠀
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Maybe you've heard of Maui's banyan. Maybe you haven't (if you have, tell me below!). What I love about it is that even though things change around it, this mega tree / city block has endured, virtually unchanged, for decades. Today, there's an entire committee dedicated to keeping it alive, too. ⠀
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This is one of Maui's FREE must-sees, right in the heart of Lahaina. #OffDutyinHawaii

"I can't" is a limiting belief, not your defining

"I can't" is a limiting belief, not your defining characteristic. 👇🏼⠀
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Sometimes I am overwhelmed by all of the things I think I can't do, all of the things I've grown numb to seeing possibilities in because I decided "ehhh... that's not for me." We define ourselves through our decisions of what we believe we're good at, what we get positive reinforcement on, and over the years we shape ourselves accordingly. ⠀
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And yet, there's SO MUCH we can. There's so much we could. But this life is so short, we use our shortcuts to find meaning. To get good at something. ⠀
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I thought of this as I looked at these photos. People who find out I grew up on an island always ask if I can surf, and I've always said no. I can't. I'm not cut out for it. 🙈⠀
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But 2 hours and a short refresher class later, I caught nearly every baby wave. My arms ached because I surfed all the way to shore and had so far to paddle back out. My cheeks hurt from smiling. And when I fell, there was no expectation. No pressure. I laughed, I got back up, and I tried again to prove myself wrong. WHO is she?? ⠀
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Maybe this is a reminder that you don't always have to be good at something in order to do it. Maybe the way you see yourself isn't the full spectrum of your existence. Maybe there's so much left for you to try, and fail at, and love, and grow from, and laugh about. ⠀
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Thanks again to @mauivisit and @mauisurfergirls (a woman-owned surf shop in Maui that teaches private, semi-private, and group classes). I loved this whole morning so much. Definitely save this post if you ever want to try surfing in Maui in the future! Who knows, you might surprise yourself! #OffDutyinHawaii #VisitMaui

What to do in Maui that the guidebooks won't tell

What to do in Maui that the guidebooks won't tell you! [SAVE THIS!]⠀
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'Iao Valley on Maui's west side has some of the most beautiful hiking trails I've ever seen in Hawaii. While most people head east to hit the road to Hana, Maui's west side holds some of the greenest mountains and its own selection of waterfalls (without the crowds).⠀
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'Iao Valley is also, more importantly, sacred. Tons of gatherings, political events, and battles took place here throughout history, and these mountains in front of me served as a burial ground for Hawaii's highest ali'i (chiefs). One of the battles, the Battle of Kepaniwai, was one of two massive wars that Kamehameha fought to unify the islands. That's right – the Hawaiian islands weren't always a squad! 👯‍♀️⠀
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When visiting any of the islands, take some time to learn the history of places like this beyond just how pretty they are. I promise, it makes the experience of witnessing places like this THAT much more memorable! ⠀
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Learn something new? Drop a 🙌🏼 below! #OffDutyinHawaii #malamahawaii

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Copyright © Rachel Off Duty 2021

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