I was born in Hawaii, and I've been aching to return ever since we moved away when I was six years old.

As a teenager, I decided I would work hard for all of my 20s so I could travel in my 30s.

Now I'm 30 years old, and I'm about to go on vacation for the first time in years.

There's been no doubt in my mind as to where I wanted to go: Hawaii.

I chose the island of Kauai for our vacation because it is home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. It’s known as the garden island. Parts of Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park were filmed on Kauai.

I love beaches, and I love mountains, and Kauai is everything in one package.

But we're not going to just any beach.

We're venturing on a multi-day, epic hike along what is considered to be one of the most beautiful and difficult trails in the world.

The 11-mile Kalalau Trail also makes the top 10 list of most dangerous trails, but your courage is rewarded with unparalleled views of the dramatic Na Pali Coast which can only be described as "out of this world".

If the scenery doesn't take your mind off the grueling 8-hour hike (which includes a gain of over 5,000 feet in elevation each way), reaching one of the most exclusive beaches in the world at the end of the trail with your own private waterfall surely will.

To view more photos, visit sabbatical.blog to read my Kalalau Trail post.