3-1-09 new Wyndham owners

2009-March 1: new Wyndham owners, Tunnels

Today we headed north again. We had agreed to go to the Wyndham presentation at Bali Hai in Princeville. We went last year and bought in , then recended the next day. But we figured it was worth the $150 and discount on the Smith's luau so we said we'ld go again. This time the offer was about half what the best deal they could give us last year was. Since our resort, Pahio Kauai Beach Villas, has Wyndham as their management now, they were offering to convert all our weeks into Wyndham included in the deal. After asking a bunch of questions about things i didn't like about the program last year, they made it sound like something we might actually find useful. So, 5 hours later, we left as new owners again! I'll have to study the paperwork, again, and make sure it's what it sounds like. If it works out anything like Worldmark, I'll be very happy with it. Just going to take a little time learning how to work this new system---and as a VIP Platinum level member! (as of 2017, we're still very pleased with our Wyndham ownership.  I'm sure a lot of that has to do with our Platinum VIP level!  Most of our stays are for half the points and with free upgrades.)(As of 2022, we're still happy with our membership, but they've realized their mistake in making us Platinum and kicked us down to Gold.  Still working all the kinks out with this new developement)

Since we got out of the the presentation so late, we spent a few hours at the Bali Hai pool.

Ken even played with the dolphins there.

We ended up at Kee beach to catch the sunset --- along with a few friends..... This little guy is a favorite bird of mine (Hawaiian cardinal).

These guys are just a part of Kauai!

a Coconut disguised as Ken!

The sunset was actually pretty much a dud---despite what these pictures show (aided by cheating and using the white balance feature on my camera set to shade to warm it up).

It was really pleasant sitting on the beach waiting for sunset, though. The wind had completely died down. In fact, the surf looked really nice within the reef. I think I would have been snorkeling there and maybe Tunnels if we hadn't spent so much time buying more timeshares!

With sunset over, we headed back to the east side and to dinner at Kauai Pasta. I had heard a lot of great things about it, but we had never eaten there. The food was really quite good. I had the sampler plate of pesto, alfredo, and marinara---they were good. Ken's chicken parmesan was good, too.

Now, on to check out the Wyndham literature.

On a really sad note----my friend who was suppose to take the WAikiki trip last week lost her husband to cancer last night. I'm glad he's no longer in pain, but I know first hand how tough it is to watch someone you love be destroyed by such an unforgiving disease.

2008-March 6: Anini, Kee sunset

Today we headed back to the North side to get the rescission in before the 7 day cancellation period was up.
Then we headed to Anini.  It was a bit windy today.  There were lots of wind surfers out. 

 Neat to watch, but sort of scary if you're snorkeling

 But we wandered the beach a bit.

 and checked out the end of the bay.  We tried snorkeling here once, but found a strong current running out, so never went back.

 I always wonder if this is like a little Lydgate where fish hang out at the rocks.  But it's probably too shallow to snorkel.

 Wonder if these cattle egrets live here on Kauai all year long.

 beautiful Anini!  Still hadn't found the great snorkeling areas here, but did in years to come.

 Lucky horses!

 Heading in

 The water was too beautiful to pass up.  So wind surfers on not, we headed in.  They pretty much kept to the outter reef anyway.

 a little white spot toby

 found out turtles like hanging out here in Anini, too.

 an occassional shell appeared.

 lots of these guys here, too---flounder.

Then we headed North for dinner and sunset.

 Tried out Hanalei Dolphin Restaurant.  It was pretty good, but pretty expensive and service was really slow.  They were very busy.

 Walked around the shops in Hanalei a bit.

 Can't wait to meet there again.

 Since we were near the pier, we headed to the bay to check out conditions.

 the wind was kicking up the waves and there were a lot of surfers out.

 Too bad more visitors (and locals) don't heed these requests.

 With a lot of time still before sunset, we drove on to Kee. 

 Love watching the ocean there.  Outside the reef it's consistantly pretty high,

  but inside the reef it's often pretty nice.

Watched another pretty nice sunset, then started our long trek back to Lihue---about 1 1/2 hours drive, but worth every minute of it.

2008-March 4: Princeville, Hanalei, and convert to wyndham

Today we headed up to the North shore, again.  We had agreed to go to the "owner update" at the Bali Hai today.  Then we planned to take advantage of the calm North shores again and get some more snorkeling in. 
One of my favorite views from our ride to the North shore.

 and another

 love the green mountains of Kauai.

 Plans didn't go as expected.  After about 6 hours at the "update", we left there as new Wyndham owners!  They convinced us to convert our Pahio weeks to Wyndham with the promise of being able to reserve ocean front units and other size rooms and being able to go to any of the Wyndham properties when we don't make it back to Kauai.  So by the time we got out of there, it was too late to snorkel.  So we went and hung around Hanalei.

 Ended up at Hanalei bay. 

 Wandered around the beach and pier.

 a nice back drop for sunset.

 One of the better sunsets we've seen at Hanalei bay---maybe the best one!

After sunset, we did our 45 minute or so drive back to Wyndham Kauai Beach Villas.  I spent the rest of the evening studying the paperwork and rules for Wyndham owners.  We've been Worldmark owners for quite awhile and really like it.  Thought Wyndham would be similar since Worldmark is owned by Wyndham.  It's not even close to being the same!  In the end, I decided there was too much for me to learn in one night, so we decided that we'd go back that next day and rescind our purchase.  Then I'd study up on Wyndham over the next year and rethink converting then.