2007 Feb. 28---Kee and Tunnels snorkeling:

Today the weather report said the  North shore was the place to be, so we headed that way.

But first, a ride through the coconut coast.  

went by Lydgate to see if any progress was being made on the clean up.

Still not much going on, so we continued on up the East side.

Then on to Tunnels.

Ken even finally tried snorkeling with a mask and snorkel instead of just holding his breath and using a swim mask!  He spent awhile in the really shallow water until he was use to it.  From then on, he's been a real snorkeler.

Some of our fish friends at Tunnels

some more

love snorkeling Tunnels!  There are so many schools of fish here.

There are often even monk seals here---like this little guy.

After snorkeling for awhile, i walked down the beach to the big parking lot. 

It was a gorgeous day to be here!

There was more surf by the life guard station, but it was pretty to watch

Looking out from Haena

from the parking area

Tunnels is to the right.

heading back to Tunnels and marveling at the curls in the waves

Loved the clouds today

more gentle curls

More gorgeous clouds

When we were done at Tunnels, we headed to Kee. 

It looked great for snorkeling, too.

and it was

the real snorkeler

heading back in

We stuck around for sunset

It was one of the most gorgeous sunsets I've ever seen!

And it lasted about an hour!

the sky kept changing colors

and a crowd grew!

the warrior

Namaste!!!

 

2007 Feb. 27---Spouting Horn and Salt Pond:

 Leaving our condo and what do we see---still a lot of clouds.  But at least there's lots of greenery!

 Our rental this year.

 We headed South hoping to find sunshine---and we did, the farther south and west that we went.

 Stopped at the canyon overlook. 

 They say with the rain comes the rainbows and we were lucky enough to have a great one today.

 I like that the rainbows here in Hawaii last so long!

 We were even lucky enough to see a double rainbow! 

 It was a pretty day at Salt Pond.  We were excited to be able to jump in the water and snorkel again. 

 This is the area we like to snorkel at.  It looks really small from shore, but it's pretty roomy from the water.

 there are usually fishermen/women on the other side of the bay.

 I like taking pictures of the moon when I have a good view of it.

 usually when sun is about to set, we go over to the parking area by the life guard station.

  a big sun setting.

Not much of a sunset today, but it was a great day otherwise.  Now for the long ride (hour or so) back to the East side.

 

2007 Feb. 26-sunrise, Koloa market, and East side

Today was a day to recooperate from the long travel day the day before.  So we didn't do a whole lot.  One advantage of the distance we traveled is that I usually wake up before sunrise for a couple of days.  So i took advantage of that and went down to our beach and caught the sunrise.

 It was pretty cloudy, but still pretty.

 Back in our room at Kauai Beach Villas, we had a North-easterly view (couldn't see the sun rise from it).  This is one of the ocean view rooms in building F.  It's set back and slanted, but still has a pretty great view---at least from the 2nd or 3rd floor.

 We decided to head to Koloa for the farmers market that starts at 1pm. 

 This guy came to greet the shoppers while we were all waiting for the market to open.

 It is a popular market!  They sound a horn at exactly 1pm, then you're allowed in.  This was a few minutes before 1.

 My main goal was to get some tropical flowers.  Compared to the midwest, they are so cheap here!

 I bought a bunch for about $4, and Ken had also bought a bunch for about the same.  We usually take off in different directions at these markets and come back with different stuff.  This time he surprised me with flowers.

 After taking them back to the condo, we decided to check out Lydgate.  I had read that the recent heavy rains had sent debris into the ponds and it was closed, so we went to check it out.

 Yes!  It was full of debris!!!  Apparently this happens quite a bit after really heavy rains.

 Ken doing his part to clean up the mess.

 We had a late lunch/early dinner at Smith's Bar b q.  It was good, but service really lacked.

 At least there are great views while you wait for service!

 Later we ran into Lihue.  It was still really cloudy, so we didn't do much sight seeing.  Mainly hitting up the store for some groceries.  But we did drive by Nawiliwili harbor for a look around.  This is from there.  Didn't look like there would be any sunset tonight.

 So we went to Hamira Saimin for their famous lilikoi chiffon pie.  Ono!!!!!!  As good as I remembered!

 Back at the condo for the night and enjoying my tropical flowers.  It was really nice that a couple years ago Pahio put large vases in the rooms. 

 Not all that exciting of a first day, but it was warm and colorful.  My senses really enjoyed the change from the gloomy brown midwest.