2010-2-22  "owners' update" in Princeville and snorkeling Lidgate:

We did our Wyndham owners' update (a.k.a. sales presentation). Incentive was a discount card for activities and restaurants and a $100 debit card. We were out of there in just at an hour. We had heard the new pool at the Wyndham Bali Hai was done, so after our presentation, we went to check out the pool. I thought it was rather impressive!

 Then we headed farther north to check out the surf.  Stopped at this viewpoint over Hanalei Bay along our way.

 Hanalei Bay looked nice, but I understand snorkeling isn't good here.

 But it's always a neat place for photos.

 It's also good for surfing with it's long rolling waves.

 Then we continued North.  This is one of the views from the road near Tunnels.

 Checked out Tunnels

 but the surf was rolling in pretty good---not unusual for this time of year.

 So we started back.  Taking a detour into the taro fields by Hanalei.

 That's a good place to find Nene geese.

 By  now we were pretty hungry and decided to start heading back towards Lihue.  About half way there, in Anahola, we decided to check out the infamous Duane's Ono Char Burger restaurant we've heard so much about. In our 8 previous trips to Kauai, we never made it there. Today we did and were not disappointed. It doesn't look like much and there's no inside dining, but there’s an outside seating area with pic nic tables. Ken got the patty melt and I got fish and chips. Both were excellent! We will go there again, and again, and ... .

 Then we decided to head to Lydgate for some snorkeling.  I was surprised to see this stack of star fruit stacked near a trash can.

 Lydgate was like a pool.  Many people overlook how good this place is for snorkeling.

 There's always a huge school of large yellow fin surgeon fish here.  As well as the occassional jack fish that swims around with them.

 love the color blue of the yellow fin surgeonfish.

 There's always schools of other fish, too---like these tiny ones.

 Then there are the visitors---like this black tail snapper.

 Ken showing his age----

 the frequent flounder.

 There's always a bunch of these sergeant fish

 and there is a small school of these Stripeys that I've only ever seen here or at the Waikiki Aquarium.

 A gem of a place on the East side!

 We just headed back to Kauai Beach Villas for sunset.  Even on the East side you can often see a decent sunset.

 Time to chill out and enjoy the condo for a bit!