2009-Feb. 26: sunset cruise, Hanapepe, Waimea Canyon overlook

Today was the day of our sunset cruise. We had to be at Port Allen around 1:45, so we left the east side around noon and headed south. Since we had a little time to kill, we stopped at the swinging bridge in Hanapepe, the canyon overlook, and even had a quick lunch at Grinds. Lunch was very good with very good service.
The swinging bridge:

Waimea Canyon overlook

This was Ken's and my 4th Napali cruise, all in the winter. The first time we went was a morning snorkel trip, the winds were strong and the surf was high, but they made it to the Napali. The views weren't good, though, since the wind was throwing mist on the cliffs, but at least we got to see the Napali. The snorkeling was in really deep water and it wasn't very good, either. The other 2 times we had great views of the Napali. One of those trips was also to Niihau with snorkeling there (not great) and the other was a sunset cruise with great views, but cold and rainy on the way back. This time, the winds were high, as they have been all week, and the surf was very rough. A few people, including Angie who has never gotten sea sick before, got sea sick.

We made it about as far as Polihale and had to turn around.

We spent about 5 hours in the stretch between Polihale and the boat harbor. The good thing about it was we did get to see lots of whales. None that were breaching very far out of the water, but at least many were breaking the surface.

and flipper slapping

and tail slapping

Plus the views of the coastline were still interesting---
Salt Pond from the cruise:

 Old Sugar Mill?

 red dirt--

Even the sunset was pretty good this time and we didn't encounter any rain. It was chilly, but not too bad since we came prepared with sweatshirts and jackets.

Even caught this slight rainbow.

Since dinner was on the cruise---luau style complete with kalua pork and teriyaki chicken---we headed straight back to our condos after the cruise and called it a day.

2009-Feb. 25: Lawai

Today was a little different. The kids called and said they wanted to ride in their convertible and that they would meet us at Lawai beach. So Ken and I attended the Pahio (Wyndham) Kauai Beach Villas owners meeting in the morning. Heard, again, about the proposed new pool they've been promising us for 4 or 5 years now. Only thing different this time is now they are no longer denying that we owners won't have to pay a special assessment for it---in the tune of about $700 or so (probably twice that for us since we own 2 weeks a year).Shortly after that we were on our way south. I always love the views along the way, like these farm lands--

 and the jagged mountaintops.

We caught up with the kids about 1pm at Lawai. We all snorkeled for quite awhile.
Unicornfish

 Lawai is the only place around Kauai that we see Black Triggerfish

 surgeonfish

Then when Ken and Josh were lounging on the beach while Angie and I were still snorkeling, they witnessed a really neat event and were clever enough to record it.  2 young monk seals came to the beach right in front of where we were sitting.  

 it's rare to see 1 monk seal, let alone 2, so this was pretty special.

  Angie and Josh left us on the beach and took off to sightsee on their own a bit---so we thought (more about that on a later date). We did meet back up with them about 3 for a late lunch at Tropical Burger in Poipu. That was the first time we've eatten there and I was rather impressed. Service was good and friendly and our burgers were really good---with a wide range of choices for burgers. They were about $10/burger and fries, but that's not bad for Hawaii.
Angie and Josh then went on their way. They wanted to get back and cleaned up so they could attend Ash Wednesday at the historic Lutheran church in Lihue.  They loved the church, mass, and said everyone was incredibly friendly.

Ken and I just drove around a bit, then went to Safeway for a few more groceries---such as their delicious large deli sandwiches.

2009-Feb. 24: ride to the North shore, snorkel Anini

This morning started by meeting Angie and Josh at their resort and sitting through a timeshare presentation. We had no intention of buying, but like the discount on activities that it gets us. It was Angie and Josh's first timeshare presentation, so I was also curious to see how Josh, a salesman, would handle these guys. Unfortunately, he didn't have much oppurtunity to say much. The saleman seemed more interested in trying to convince Ken and me that we should buy. The 90 minute presentation lasted the expected 2 1/2 hours, even with us trying not to talk. But in the end, we each got basically a buy one get one free 5 1/2 hour Napali sunset cruise certificate out of it. We booked the cruise for Thurs., the 26th.

With that done, we headed north. I knew the surf was high, but the sun was suppose to be shining so I figured it was a good time to show the "kids" the north side and all it's lush folliage, wildlife, and spectacular mountain vistas.

We stopped at my favorite place on earth, Tunnels, and waded in the water,

 enjoyed the scenery (did I mention it was a bit cold for Hawaii),

and watched Josh kick up a good time.

Heading back towards the east side, we stopped at Banana Joes for a delicious smoothie. They get better and better every time I get one!

Since snorkeling was on the day's agenda, we did stop at the protected beach on the north side, Anini, and Angie and I did some snorkeling.

I've been there 5 or 6 times before and have had some great snorkeling there a couple times, but usually snorkeling there sucks.  (Update:  I've discovered where the great snorkeling is and as of 2016 it's one of our favorite places to snorkel) Today wasn't an exception, it sucked. But the water felt great and the views are great. With Angie snorkeling with me and not being out there alone, we ventured all the way to the edge of the reef. There the floor of the ocean dropped drastically and spooked us into scurrying back.  but we did enjoy the water and the few odd things we saw---like this guy, a sea hare.

One highlight of the snorkeling this time was the lone yellow tang we found. They seem to be few and far between around the island of Kauai. On the way back in, we were rained on. It was rather neat snorkeling in the rain, but we could see the guys on the shore rushing to get everything into the car so we hurried our way back to shore.

Here we are snorkeling back in the heavy rain.

After hottubbing and showering, we headed to the Wailua Marina Restuarant for dinner. After bragging about it so much, I was disappointed with a really poor cut of steak. At least everyone else's dinners were good.

And another day comes to an end.

2009-Feb. 23: Lawai, farmer's market, Poipu

 Today we headed south. Our goal was to snorkel some and also go to the Sunshine Farmers Market. Since we were too early to go to the market, we headed to the Spouting Horn and rode around a bit. We decided to hit Brennecki's Deli and pick up a sandwich to take with us. After waiting forever for Josh and Angie's sandwich, we headed to the market. It had already started and was packed! But we still made it in time to get a good selection of fruits and tropical flowers.
 
Then it was time to hit the beach. The surf was only 1-3 foot so it was ideal for snorkeling on the south side. First we went to Lawai beach. 

Angie wanted to swim with turtles and I was pretty sure we could find some there---and we did.

We also snorkeled at Poipu. Josh spotted a brown eel. Usually I just see the snowflake eels, so this guy was a special treat.

Also at Poipu we were treated to our first encounter of breaching and tail flapping whales this trip. They were too far out for me to get a good picture with my little underwater camera, so we just stood and watched them awhile before jumping in the water and snorkeling.

When we'ld had enough of the salt and waves, we headed back to the Beachboy to hang out in their pool and jacuzzi---along with a mango collada or two. We ordered Brick Oven pizza take out to share in their condo. It was good---at $63 for 2 large 2 toppings pizza, it better be!

They also took us back by the airport to pick up our rental car.  By waiting a day to get it, we saved almost $200! 

2009-Feb. 22: travel day and Lydgate

After having just spent 4 days on Oahu by myself (http://travelingwithsue.blogspot.com/2011/04/2009feb-solo-trip-to-waikiki.html), it was time to hop over to Kauai and meet up with my daughter and son-in-law.  They flew in the day before and were joining us for their first trip to Kauai.  It was our 8th trip, so we were looking forward to showing them around.  Originally Ken and I were suppose to fly to Kauai today, but when an opportunity arose to spend a few nights on Oahu first (by myself), I went ahead and took it.   So today was a travel day for both of us, just not together.  I got to fly into Kauai during the day time for a change and was wowed by Kauai from the air!

Angie and Josh picked me up from the airport.  I'm thinking this means they like this place?!

Then we headed off to get a late lunch at Monico's Taqueria in Kapaa.  I had never eatten there and really enjoyed it.  Ken's not a big Mexican food fan, so if we have it, it's usually Taco Bell!

Then we headed over to Kauai Beach Villas so I could check in.  We only had a 1 bedroom unit this time, so we got the "kids" a room at Shell's Kauai Coast at the Beach Boy Resort.  LOVE their heated pool!  Their furnishings sort of put KBV to shame, too.  But we still like KBV and happily spend our weeks there every year.  After checking in, we went to Safeway to do a little grocery shopping.  Then it was time to show them one of the reasons we keep coming back to Kauai---the snorkeling!   Josh had never snorkeled so we figured Lydgate was a good starting point.

This was shortly before they "fixed" the rock wall, so it was pretty shallow and the sand was churned up pretty well.  But there were still some fish to be found. (AFter they dredged the sand out and rebuilt the wall, they've had a problem with water not circulating and the water remaining murky. We did snorkel there in 2011 and were happily surprised to still find these guys there, along with lots of other fish, but the clarity wasn't any better. Hopefully it works it's way back to being great again one of these years!  ----- As of 2016, it was back to being great again!)

  I always look for these Stripeys that I only see there---or the Waikiki Aquirium

There is a huge school of these yellow fin surgeon fish here---has been every since we first started coming to Kauai (and as of 2016, there still is)

After snorkeling awhile, we headed back to their pool and jacuzzi and hung out there until it was time to go pick Ken up from the airport when he arrived from the mainland.

After sunset, we picked up Ken and they dropped us off at KBV.  The travel day almost over, we  parted ways for the night. 

2009-Feb. 22: HON-LIH

Today I had to be out of the Wyndham Waikiki Beach Resort by 10 am. I had an interisland flight with Hawaiian Airlines that was to leave Honolulu at 1:30. The airport shuttle said they needed 3 hours to get me to the airport, so I went to the shuttle stop right after checking out. The total time on the shuttle was only about 30 minutes, so I was at the airport way early. At check in, I asked if I could go on an earlier flight and was told I had to talk to customer service about that. Customer service wanted a fee just to talk to them, so I checked in and went straight to the gate and asked the gate agent for an earlier flight. Thankfully he put me on an earlier flight. The flight was quick and smooth. It was the first time I've flown into Kauai in the daylight and the views amazed me. All I could say was, "Wow!"

My daughter and son-in-law picked me up at the airport and we were on our way.

Sort of sad that my time on Oahu was up, but anxious to show the "kids" our Kauai!

To continue with us on our vacation to Kauai---click:  2009 Kauai

2009-Feb. 21: Waikiki beach, Marina reflections

Today was my last full day on Oahu. I had finally decided to take the bus to the "Swap meet" at the stadium, but after waiting over 30 minutes for a completely full bus, I decided to abandon that idea. I also thought about going to Hunauma Bay and snorkeling, but decided I didn't want to go there alone and I'd have plenty of time to snorkel for free on Kauai. So I walked around Waikiki some more. Ended up sitting with my feet in the water and making a few phone calls. It was also the day my daughter and her husband were arriving in Kauai, so I wanted to be around to hear how their flights went and make sure everything went ok with their car rental and condo check in. All went well for them. Here's my view from the pier I was sitting on dangling my tired feet in the water.

It was the clearest day so far and less wind. So when I was tired of sitting in the sun, I went to Fort Derussey Park and sat on the hill by the Army museum and gazed out at the ocean from there.

 

At sunset, I walked to the boat harbor and took pictures of reflections. The sunset wasn't that spectacular because of the clear sky, but the reflections were pretty awesome. Here's the pond by the Hilton on my way to the marina.

 

Lots of photo ops by the marina!

There was even color in the sky for a short while.

 

 Heading back up the beach to the Wyndham Beach Walk.
On the way back to my condo, I stopped into an ABC store and picked up a pre-made salad for dinner. The ABC stores in Waikiki are great. I was able to get all the groceries I wanted from them and there's one right on the ground level of the Wyndham.

It was also the night to pack up again for tomorrow's flight to Kauai.