2006-Jan. 31---Queen's Bath, Limahuli Garden, and Tunnels:

Still adjusting to Hawaii time.  Good thing about that is I'm able to see sunrise for a couple days. 

 Sunrise from KBV beach is outstanding!

 Some of the ocean view condos of KBV.  Unfortunately we don't "own" in them (yet).

 I know!  People die at Queen's Bath.  They also die at Tunnels, and Brennecke's, and on helicopter tours, and hiking all around Kauai, and ... .  With that in mind, we cautiously checked out Queen's Bath today.  I actually enjoyed the short hike down to the rock cliffs better then the actual view from the rocks.  Even got close up view of a waterfall on the hike down (and back up).

 we made sure it was low tide and the surf was down and the weather was dry before we decided to go.

 We really couldn't even tell what was suppose to be Queen's Bath.  Thought it might be here, but can't imagine anyone swimming in that.

 Then we saw this area with the guy in it and figured it must be the Bath.

 I can see how people get themselves hurt here!

 I understand rogue waves have even washed people off the cliffs close to the edge, like where these people are standing. 

 We pretty well stayed as far back as the shelf went.  Even found another waterfall.

 After awhile, we headed back up.  This is part of the trail.  Definitely not a trail to take if it's wet!

For more moderately easy hiking, we took Dad to Limahuli Gardens near Kee. It is one of the 3 National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai (Allerton and McBryde are the other 2) and the 2nd one we've been to. In Hawaiian, Limahuli means “turning hands,” which recognizes the ancient Hawaiians who built agricultural terraces out of lava rock and planted kalo (taro) here some 700-1,000 years ago. Admission was $15.

  patches of taro plants.

 love the views of the mountains from here.

 There's a pretty stream running through the property, too.

 We did the self guided tour at Lumahuli. More like a park setting then a formal garden, it was an interesting and fairly easy walk. Historical markers were placed throughout the garden.

 I loved the garden's setting with the mountain peaks as a backdrop. The loop is only 3/4 miles long, but we managed to spend quite a bit of time here.

 Not many flowers, it's more of a natural setting, but these irises were blooming when we were there.

 zoomed in view of a cruise ship circling the island.  I bet the view from it is amazing.

 Another pretty flower-Bird of Paradise

 It was a nice walk---well worth the $15.

 No snorkeling today, but we did stop at Tunnels.  I love this view!

 There was even a monk seal here.

 Guess he decided he had rested enough and was ready to head back out.

 With a wave of his fin--we was off.  And so were we.

We stopped for dinner on our way back.  By the time we got back to KBV, it was time to chill out---play a little cribbage, then hit the sack.

2006-jan. 30---Around Kauai Beach Resort:

Yesterday was a long travel day for Ken and me.  Today we were waiting for Dad to arrive.  So it was a good day to hang around the resort most of the day.   This was our 5th trip to Kauai (5th time to Kauai Beach Villas), Tim and FAith's 2nd trip to Kauai, and Dad's 3rd trip.  It was nice having so much family joining us---even though the kids weren't arriving for a few more days.
View from our 2 bedroom/2bath condo

 Our rental car this year---love sitting up higher.

 Our condo is in the Villas part of Kauai Beach Resort.  On the other side is the newly renovated condo-hotel units (Had been a Radisson hotel, now renovated into Hilton condo-hotel timeshare,---at this time---to become Aqua hotels in 2009).  Out of curiousity, Ken and I went and toured one of the Hilton units.  Nice, but just a bedroom and a bathroom and I believe they were wanting something like $450,000 for one at that time!)

I do like the finishes in these units better then the villas, but I much prefer the full kitchen, living rooms, separate bedrooms, ..., of the Villas.

Another view of the Hilton room.

I also love the beach by the resort.  It's not swimable, but it is really long and great for walking along.  It's also not crowded.

Even though the ocean isn't swimmable here, there are shallow areas that are great for wading in.

I also enjoy the 2 black swans that called KBR home.  We've seen them all 5 times we've been here.

Dad arrived safe and sound.  After getting a bite for dinner, we ended up back on the East side for sunset.  Not bad for the East side.

So great being back here!  Even on a low key day like today.

Kauai Coast Resort at the Beachboy 

The 1st time  Tim and Faith joined us on Kauai, Dad was also with us so we didn't have room for the kids at Kauai Beach Villas.  So I found a deal for 5 nights at Kauai Coast Resort with car for them for something like $500.  I'm sure they appreciated having the privacy, and we enjoyed going over there and using the heated pool---something you don't find too many places on Kauai.