Saturday July 10, 2010

After a delicious lunch at (Kauai's own) Bubba's Burgers, Jon and I parted ways for the afternoon. He rented a kayak to paddle and fish (I'll get him to blog about that!) and Melody and I were left to our own devices to shop in Hanalei. My favourite part (strictly in terms of shopping) about Hawaii so far has been all of the Roxy gear, especially their teenie wahine line, which I have only ever found bits and pieces of at home. Anyways, it has been fun and Melody will be one well dressed little girl! After we were shopped out, we shared a shaved ice and hit the beach. I've discovered we have a little girl who loves to get dirty. At the beach she covers herself in sand and mud and loves it! Sand free (relatively) and back in the Jeep, we headed back to Hanalei to catch a glimpse of Daddy in the kayak...another fantastic day. Pics to come!

Friday July 9, 2010

Wow! Time is flying...
it was a busy week, I'll see if I can remember the highlights...
We visited Waimea Canyon (Mark Twain called it the Grand Canyon of the Pacific). It was a long drive up a very winding road, but well worth the drive. Unfortunately, pictures don't quite do the canyon justice, but it was pretty amazing. While on the west side of the island we took our time touring neighbourhoods and taking in the sights. We found a few local beach spots and some absolutely incredible houses! On the way home we stopped in at the Kauai coffee plantation for a caffeine fix.

This week Jon and I spent some time on our own (Jon played soccer, ultimate and golf and I hit up the beach with some books!), and then together, we visited the baby beach at Lydgate Park with Melody. Jon went snorkelling and saw some amazing fish.

The other night while brushing my teeth I discovered that there was a fourth occupant in our little suite. After a minor freak out, some photos and videograpy, we shut the bathroom door and hoped he would find a way out by the morning. The next day, Jon went into the bathroom and insists this massive spider shot a web at him, he was still there! After attempts to relocate the spider peacefully, he met his match at the end of a broom handle. I still can't go into the bathroom without scanning all corners first!


Today took us once again to the North Shore where we visited the Queens Bath (a beautiful scenic hike past a few waterfalls and ending ultimately at tidepools), which we dubbed the Laguna Beach of Hawaii based on the people who were hanging out there. We found an excellent lunch spot around Hanalei (a shaded area overlooking the beach)and this evening we strolled along Kapaa's board walk along the ocean. Unfortunately, a monk seal had washed up on the shore. So, although it was neat to have seen one, they are pretty amazing, very sad circumstances.

Honua Lani Gardens

This is our home away from home while we are staying on Kauai, and I don't think we could have found a nicer spot. I haven't quite figured out all of the goings on here, but Melody and I did have a chance to explore today while Jon was on a hike. We are living in the ground floor of the owners house (she is a former Canadian who vacationed here and never went home), there is also a larger cottage (I've never seen the occupants), and several other buildings which I assume are the residences of the gardeners and caretakers. We are about 5km from the ocean and the town of Kapaa. Here are a few pictures to give you an idea...

Fireworks

Our usual after dinner routine has been getting ready for bed (seriously!), but tonight we ventured out to the Concert in the Sky, in honour of July the fourth. Melody was a bit small for the bouncy castles, so we bounced her outside of one. She had a ball pushing around her stroller and walking on the grass. The fireworks display was wonderful, and the band that provided the music was really fun. It was a great evening, even though we had to sprint back to the Jeep because of a surprise down pour. Our latest night so far, not home until 10pm!!

Sunday July 4, 2010

Today brought another visit to Hanalei (one of my favourite areas so far). On the way we stopped at a Kauai craft fair and a farmers market where we purchased a cold coconut, a pineapple already sliced (divine) and some Kauai spices for our steak dinner tonight. It is the fourth of July so we are off to a fireworks show.

Saturday July 3, 2010

A visit to lead us to Joe’s on the Green restaurant (which was a bit of an ordeal to find, but well worth it!). We then shopped around in the little towns in the area and stopped at Wailua Falls to take a few pictures. This waterfall was used in the opening scene of the tv show Fantasy Island.

Friday July 2, 2010

Having put in some time shopping it was time to seek out some adventure. A little hike to find a waterfall included crossing rapids on stepping stones (which I was able to accomplish after only brief trepidation), walking through a field of bamboo and scaling a rock face, all in the first 20 minutes!! Amazing who you meet in the middle of nowhere, a German family of 5 who live in Wisconsin, 2 girls studying to be massage therapists and a band of boys who decided to hike barefoot and left their flipflops behind.

more pics to come...