Feb. 29, 2012---Leap day! Tunnels and Kee

We decided to attend our resort's owner's meeting bright and early this morning.  Forgot about it last Wed. and had company then, so it worked out well to get to it today.  So at 8:30 we were listening to the manager talk about all the "upcoming" improvements.  Now we're being told all the "soft" materials in the condos will be replaced within 3 years and then on a 6 year turn over basis.  That will be nice if that happens.   The carpeting in our current unit is certainly overdue replacement!!!

Back in the condo, I hit the internet to figure out where to go today.  According to weather.com, it was suppose to be 78 in Lawai and 85 in Hanalei.  Weather.com also said it was going to be partly sunny both places.  Kauaiexlorer.com said the waves in Lawai were 1-3 feet and only 3-5 in Haena and that Haena was the only one with a "good" visibility rating for the water .  The north surge was down, too.  According to weather.com, Hanalei is going to be socked in with clouds the next few days.  So I begged Ken to travel north one last time and hoped for some snorkeling at Tunnels and Kee.  So by 10 we were on our way.

First stop was breakfast.   No pancakes and eggs today!  We went straight to Mc Donald's and got our junk food fix (I actually had a yogurt, fruit and granola cup, too, along with my Mcdouble---very good!)  I got a big kick out of their pie ad!   Thought of giving it a try---then gained my senses!

Traffic moved well today and we were at Tunnels about 40 minutes later.  We did hit a little rain along the way and wondered where the sun was, but held out hope that it would come out.   Didn't find the temps rising to 85, either!  I think it was about 72 most of the day.  I'm not even sure kauaiexplorer was right!  When we got to Tunnels, it was almost flat!  Low tide was also going to be 2:30 today and I find the surf usually calms down more around low tide.  So I was stoked!  All that was missing was a little sunshine---and a fully charged underwater camera battery!  No sooner did I get in the water when my camera warning "charge battery soon" came on!   It did last a lot longer then I expected it to, though.

 Alluring and scary is the sudden drop off near so near to the shoreline.  It goes from shallow and crystal clear to deep blue and poor visibility.  What's out there --- besides the shark that startled me last year?!

 As I recall, this is a female Hawaii hogfish.  I've seen them at Anini, but it was much clearer here at Tunnels.

 I wonder if this is the juvenile blackside hawkfish?  The tail looks like the ones I've seen at Lawai, but those had black heads.  This is the first one I've seen with the speckled head.

 I was really excited when I saw this triggerfish.  I remembered seeing one of these 11 years ago on the Big Island.  This is the first time I've seen one of these vibrant triggerfish on Kauai.

 Here's the triggerfish that we see all over Kauai.

 As I was slowly floating along the edge, suddenly a VERY large turtle popped up from below so close to me that it really startled me.  Sure glad it wasn't a shark!  Here it is after I backed away.

 After about 2 hours of non-stop snorkeling, we decided to get out and warm up a bit.  Of course, it started raining.  So we packed up and figured we'd head to Kee.  By the time we found a parking spot, it had stopped raining (for a little while), so we jumped into that calm pool of water.

 At one point, I spotted these 2 lobsters.  It appeared that they were placed here---for use later--or already had their tails town off?  They were pretty far down, so I didn't investigate too much, but I doubt they lay around upside down on their own!

We were really surprised to see so much sand washed up against the reef .  We were just here last week and I'm sure there wasn't that much sand!  I wonder where it all came from!?

We spent about 2 hours snorkeling here, too, mostly on the left side of the "pool" where there is usually a current pulling out to sea.  Today it was totally calm.  Even came across this pretty snowflake eel.

 And another eel---not sure what kind.  It was brown and white and a lot more agressive.  But, of course, this is when my camera's battery decided it was done.

Shortly after that, I even saw a baracuda.  Could have gotten really clear pictures of it---unlike the ones I've gotten at Poipu in the churned up sandy area.  About 2 hours into our snorkeling here, it started raining, no---pouring!  We tried to sit in the water and wait it out since the rain was cold, but we finally gave in and got out.   We grabbed our stuff and headed to the car.  No 85 degrees today, but it was a GREAT day!

We headed back to our condo.  Traffic moved well again.  Got back and spent some time in the jacuzzi.  At 7, we decided it was time for more junk food---so off to Taco Bell! 

Another great day----even with all the rain!

Feb. 28, 2012: Anini

Sad day in our condo.  Coni and John had to pack up and get out!  Their week flew by!  So many things we planned to do that we didn't get around to---like wine and cheese on the beach, heli ride, even some games of Cribbage!  I guess we'll have to work on those for next time!  Yet we were pretty busy every day, even on the 2 days of monsoons!  Kauai even sent them off with one last beautiful sunrise.

We did get to go out to eat one last time before they left.  On the way, I decided to snap a picture of our Kauai Beach Resort tunnel of trees.  Maybe not eucalyptus, but still very nice.

Since I hadn't been able to go to Kountry Kitchen yet (they went when I was sick), we went there for breakfast.  Although I like Olympic cafe's ambience better, I sure do love KK's mac nut pancake!

 Then we tried to kill a little more time at the beach.   Soon it was time to head to the airport and drop them off for their 2pm flight back to the states.  Heard they had a fun time with check in since the scanners weren't working.  Took them about 2 hours to get through security. 

We headed back to the resort and wondered what should we do now?!  Since Ken or I hadn't been in the ocean for 4 whole days, we (I) decided to go find some snorkeling.  The north shore was showing sunny weather and below surf advisory, while south shore was showing more clouds and rain.  Plus low tide is now about 1:30pm(about 1 hour later every day), so we decided to head north.  Unfortunately, slow drivers were getting on Ken's nerves (usually he's the slow one!).  Something about the speed limit being 40 and people going 20 on an open road annoys him.  So by the time we reached the Anini turn off, I consented to letting him go there.  We spent a good 2 hours exploring the waters there.  It was low tide and the beach was more exposed then ever.

 But the snorkeling was as good as always.  Even saw this resting turtle right away.  Possibly the biggest turtle we've seen so far.

 Even saw a different turtle swimming around later on. 

 Anini reminds me of a nursary for fish.  There are tons of juvinile fish here---even the elusive trumpet baby.

 Here is a young eel.  Not sure what kind.

 Even encounted this school of young goatfish just off the beach.

 It had clouded up even more while we were snorkeling, so it was rather cold when we got out.  Headed to a jacuzzi at our sister resort of Wyndham Bali Hai for a little while, then changed and headed in search of dinner.  Tonight, we decided on Bullshed in Kapaa.  I really enjoyed my steak.  The fish of the day, Ahi, was also very good.  Sticky rice??--well, I'm not a fan.  But the salad bar included in dinner was delicious.

 The views from the tables are really nice, too.  No sunset today, just gray to black, but it was still nice hearing and watching the waves as we ate.

Dessert?---milkshake from Bubba's.  It had sounded really good a few days ago, but after being sick, I was only able to drink about a forth of it.  Didn't have that "problem" tonight!

Hope the travellers are safely on the mainland now and anxiously awaiting the next of their marathon flights back home!  It was sure nice having them along----and not just because they kept picking up our restaurant checks, and luau fare, and gas!!!

Feb. 27, 2012:  Waimea Canyon, Polihale, Poipu

What a difference a day makes!  It was a beautiful sunny day---most of the day.  We had decided this would be a day to take the Schneides up to see the Waimea Canyon and then to the west side beaches before a final attemp at snorkeling.  Fortunately, the weather cooperated, and it was another GREAT day!

First stop was Grind's restaurant near Hanapepe for breakfast on our way to the canyon.  Breakfast was very good.  They make great fresh breads and pastries, as well as everything else we bought.

 On our way up the canyon, we stopped at the first overlook to take a look over the town of Waimea.  It was hard to tell the last 2 days were solid rain!

 The ride up the canyon was gorgeous!

 I think I included this in last year's blog, but I still love this view!

 At the first big lookout we meandered around and ohh and ahhhed at the sights for quite awhile.

 It was about 67 degrees up there, but it felt great with the sun shining.

 At the end of the road we checked out the lookout over the ocean.  Again, it was fabulous!

 We even walked down the hill to check out the canyon and ocean views.  Here Coni and John are but a speck near the top of the hill.

 We marvelled at the continually forming clouds.  We figured the warm moist air from the ocean was meeting with the cooler air some 3500' up here and creating clouds that constantly built near the top of the mountain then dispersed as they fell back towards the ocean.  Fascinating!

 Back at the Kokee museum and snack bar, we wandered through the interesting museum, then bought a soda and sat at a pic nic table admiring the very different view of Kauai.  If it weren't for the chicken in the field, I would think this was a picture in Oregon!

 Since we were that far south and west, we decided to check out the road to Polihale.  I was really shocked at what good shape it was in!  There were only a couple spots that were wet.  It was slow going of about 10 miles/hour, but we made it easily.

 Just another view of the road to Polihale.

 At Polihale, we enjoyed the views.

 Coni and John even walked along the beach a bit ---trying to loose their water shoes in the surf!

 With that, they were ready to try snorkeling again, so we boogied up to Poipu. 

 They really caught onto snorkeling quickly and had a ball.  Coni even said the water temperature was comfortable there.  Unfortunately I wasn't able to snorkel today---I forgot to bring my contacts and would have surely ended up in the middle of the ocean without them!

 So I guarded our stuff from the wild animals!

 Of course, there were clouds and even some rain in the Poipu area.

 We did stay until sunset, but it was another "dud"---the clouds were too heavy.

Shortly after sunset, we headed back to our east side and over to Olympic Cafe, again, for dinner.  After snorkeling with the fishies, Coni and John we craving fish and we knew their fish and chips are ONO. 
Thus ended another great day in paradise---and the last full day for Coni and John.

Feb. 26, 2012: South Kauai, Kauai Coffee Plantation

Ahhhhh---what a difference a day makes!!!  The weather didn't get any better, but I sure feel better today!  As for the weather, it rained and stormed all night and most of today.  Lots of lightening and thunder even.  Our helicopter tour was cancelled.  We heard the Hanalei bridge was closed due to flooding.  Even our resort on the East side had flooding and they had their pumps out.

The rain didn't stop us, though.  Especially after having spent the last day sick in bed most of the day.  It was time to get out and first activity on the list was----food!  So we headed to Eggbert's in the Coconut marketplace for breakfast.  It was good.

After a quick stop back at our condo, we decided to head south.  First, though, I took a picture of the motocross tracks across from our resort.  I bet they wish they were out there today instead of yesterday.

As we drove through Lihue, we stopped at Hilo Hattie's for a few more souvenirs.  Then continued in the rain to Poipu.  The flooding down south was even bad.  This was the road not far from the Spouting Horn.

The view of spouting horn was pretty interesting with the red water in the back ground.

Another tradition of ours for rainy days has been to go to Na Hoku jewelers in Poipu Shopping Center.  So today mre then qualified as a rainy day!  So a trip there was in order.  Some day I'd love to get this necklace.  My daughter and son-in-law actually got me the pendant a couple years ago so I'm on my way to owning the whole thing!

But for now, I "settled" for this, my first pieces with Koa wood in them:  Happy helicopter ride to me!!!  Even Coni ended up with a NaHoku bracelet. 

Across from the shopping center is the Moir orchid gardens, so we took our guests there to show it off to them----a great little free garden!  Not only do they have orchids, but also cacti and other flora.

Then we decided to head further south in search of drier ground.  Along the way we checked out glass beach---from above.  The ground was way too wet and pot holed to drive down too.  We watched a bit while the stream leading to the little bay turned the ocean red.

Since we were by the Original Red Dirt Shirt Factory, we checked it out and got a few more souvenirs.

We drove to Salt Pond before turning around.  It was even raining there, so we started heading back then.  On the way back, we stopped and did the walking tour at the Kauai Coffee Company.

Although most of the trees didn't have coffee bean on them this time of year, a few hybrid ones did.  It was interesting seeing how they grow on the branches.

The coffee drinker in our group (only one of the 4 of us) said the Peabody Dark Roast was excellent with a full body taste but no bitterness. 

 By the time we left there, it was getting near dinner time, so we headed back to Poipu to Keiko's Paradise for happy hour and half price appetisers and drink specials. 

 Finished it off with their mint chip hula pie.  Like a slice of ice cream sundae.  Good but I wouldn't call it a pie.

 Not many people were at Poipu beach today.  Could be because the parking lot by the park had turned into a lake!

 We did see a sliver of blue skies, though, so decided to hang around the south side for another hour and see if we could catch a sunset.  At the last few minutes the horizon became totally clouded over, but the sky did light up a bit and it turned into a beautiful sunset.  This was taken at the Beach House Restaurant lawn.

Not a bad day!  Rain or not!!!  I do hope the sun comes back out so we can see the beautiful blue (and now red) ocean.  At any rate, it beats a dreary day back in the midwest during winter!