Zodiac and Snorkeling Tour

We recently went on a zodiac and snorkeling.  Through a friend that worked for the company we were able to go on a quiet day and only shared the boat with one couple and the two guides.  It was an amazing adventure and very personal.  We got to see humpback whales, bottlenose and spinner dolphins and swim with the sea turtles.  It was truly an awesome day.  Here are some pics....

Random spots....

 

Here are some random photos of other adventures we have had recently.....

Wailua Falls

Hanalei Pavilion Beach Park

Maha'ulepu Beach

Maha'ulepu Beach

View on the way to Maha'hlepu Beach

One of our favourite places to hang out....the staff take good care of us and the view is amazing!

 

 

Kealia Beach Park

We try to do a new beach everyday....
Its a rough life!!

Polihale State Park

Those of you who know me well, know that I have a "second" birthday on November 11... and my friends wanted to do something special for me that day!  So we headed off to Polihale State Park on the west side of Kaua'i.  It boasts an amazing stretch of white sandy beach and stunning sunsets!  What more can a girl ask for?
So we grabbed some beer, food and a friend with a four wheel drive...the roads are a bit dicey that way!
Side bar, great to make friends with the bartender at the local bar.....:o)  Who also happens to have a tuck and a super cute dog...thanks Ryan!!

Big truck, little Doris......

 





Super cute dog, in big truck!







The scenery there is just breath taking.  Miles of beach one way, mountain range the other way.....

All you can do is take it all in and appreciate the beauty that surrounds you.  And then the sun starts to go down and it goes to a whole other level of amazing!!

Needless to say, this was a very awesome way to spend my second birthday.  It's probably one of my favourite places, ever!!!  We are likely going to go back and camp out here one night...oh, and the stars there are so bright and clear.  No pics though because they just don't it do justice.

Time here is well spent and we are enjoying every moment!!  It doesn't even feel like November!

The Day at Hanalei Bay

So today (Sunday) was an amazing day!!!
Actually slept fairly well, and a bit later then the last couple days!!

We had a yummy breakfast...scrambled eggs on toast - the eggs are big here, btw!  And fruit smoothies!
Since Doris has had a hankering for fresh sushi from the Dolphin Fish Market, since May when we were last here...Hanalei Bay was one of the first places we planned to visit.  And today was the day!  So we packed up our beach stuff and headed north.

A little side bar, Hanalei Bay is famous from the song
Puff the Magic Dragon...

"Puff, the magic dragon lived by the sea
  And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called 
Honah Lee"

Honah Lee refers to the town of Hanalei, Kauai....



Anyway, the drive up north is amazing!!  The scenery is breathtaking!! Mountains, trees, lush vegetation line the streets...the 401 has nothing on this!! lol

We eventually arrive at the town of Hanalei which is filled with shops, restaurants, fish markets...very quaint little town.  We are looking for Hanalei Pavilion Beach - its a calm little beach tucked away from the strong currents and waves...perfect for Doris, since her swimming skills leave something to be desired!!

It has been almost 6 months since we have been there so the directions are a little fuzzy... and Doris has many skills and strengths, but map reading is NOT one of them.  She is definitely of the GPS generation!!
So we drove a ways past Hanalei but again, every road and view is stunning so not really a horrible tragedy in anyway!!  Once we got turned around and headed back to town, I looked at the map and determined our course!  We found the beach!!  And it was as spectacular as I had remembered!!  Beautiful sandy beach, blue water, mountains in the back ground!!  Perfect!!

 

We had a nice relaxing time on the beach....it was super hot!!!




So only one thing to do at that point....take a dip in the ocean!!

After a little more laying on the beach, in the super hot sun and we were ready for some lunch.  We had seen a restaurant on the way into town offering fresh fish tacos, so our plan was to have these for lunch and then stop for sushi to bring home for supper....seemed like a god plan.

So we drove back into town, found a place to park and headed to Tropical Taco.....

View from our seats!!

After our very, very yummy fish taco lunch we explored around town, did a little shopping, Doris got her coffee fix....it was very pleasant!
It's now about time to be heading home....and stop at the Dolphin fish market....


Doris is very excited at this point....we had sushi
here last year, thanks to Sony's knowledgeable
suggestion and she has been raving about it ever
since....and even I had to admit, it was pretty good!!



So we pulled up to the market and Doris went in while I waited in the car.  Sadly, she was back very quickly with that pouty look she gets on her face...
they were sold out for the day!!!  :-(


It was truly devastating news!!!  This is what she had been looking forward to for 5 months...but not to worry, we will be back!!  So we head towards home now...in a saddened silence....
Until, a ways down the road we see a roadside market....we decided to stop!!
It was the mango bread that caught Doris' eye, but then another treat tempted us....fresh BBQ wild boar!!!
I mean come on....how could you not???  Its just angry pig!!!   And oooohhh so tasty!!!


All in all, very good day in paradise!!!!

A Night Out

Last night was our first official evening out...jet lag is a bitch!! We've been in bed by 10 every other day so far. 
The night life is pretty low key around here, but from past experience we knew Trees Lounge is usually a good time.  And it's only 2 minutes down the street, so why not!!
I just want to say that I LOVE LOVE what they call Aloha Spirit here.  The people are just friendlier and genuinely nicer.   Doris and I were sitting at this long, bar style table at first alone, then a couple of guys sat at the other end.  We were just sitting there, chatting and this lady comes up and asks if she can sit next to Doris.  Of course we say yes, because it's awesome to meet people, especially locals that we can learn from.  So she sits down, and we start chatting.  Her name was Marnie and she was super nice...and she has a friend who teaches Aerial Silks...and provided us with her information so we can take a class.  She then engaged the gentlemen at the end of the table in our conversation so now we are all chatting.  She had ordered fries and upon their arrival, she offers us to have some...two complete strangers...she offers to share her food with. 
I mean hello??  would that ever happen back home? I don't think so.... you would barely talk to strangers, let alone share food with them!!!  Then as it turns out, the guys at the end of the table know the owner and he is trying new recipes on them, so when I commented that his dinner smelled good, he offered for me to try it!!
I declined, feeling a bit awkward by all of this politeness that I am just not used to!  However, when his dessert came and he saw me eying it, and offered me that, I could no longer resist....and OMG it was good!!
Warm banana chocolate chip bread pudding with whipped cream.... I had a bite and offered it back and was told to have as much as I like. 
It turns out that the other guy at the end of the table owns a used car dealership and he's lived here for 10 years.... and has offered to take us on a 4x4 tour when he is back from a business trip.  The other guy was his son who works at a surf shop and has offered to give us a surfing lesson.
This such a friendly, giving place...it makes you think about how things are back home and why it can't be like this here.  It sure makes me want to be a better, more giving person....pay it forward people! Random acts of kindness go along way....
It was a fun nite....nice to get out and mingle with the locals for sure!

Our First Full Day

Well, where to begin?  My day actually began around 2:30 am with a rude awakening from the local wild rooster population.  Apparently they are confused here and believe that sunrise is in the middle of the night when it's still dark!!  And they don't stop....ALL DAY!!!!!!

 So needless to say, I did not have a very restful sleep.  So by 6:30 when I was still awake I decided to get up and check out the beach!!  Sunrise anyone?

 I had a lovely, long reflective walk along the beautiful beach, early that morning.  This is the reason I am here. To reflect, to take in the beauty, to love my journey.  "No regrets" someone once said to me....and I have tried to live by that ever since.  This is one of the most amazing experiences of my life and I plan to enjoy every second of it!

After my walk, I headed back to the condo to see what Doris was up to!  We decided it was a good day to go out for breakfast.  So we headed out in search of food, and gas for Turtle!!
Not far up the road, we found gas...and food.  We stopped at Olympic Cafe, a place I had been to before so was well aware of the yummy eats we would find.  And we did....sooo good....

The portion size was pretty large, and to answer a question from this picture on facebook, no, I did not eat the whole thing....and Doris helped me....but damn, it was good!!

And you can't beat the view from our table....stunning!!!
Then it was off to do what Doris and I do best....shopping!!!  We explored Kappa a little bit...hit a local flea market and drove down the coast a little bit.
Next stop Cost-U-Less, as recommended by our landlord.....this is where you went before there was Costco. (yes there is a Costco here!!  Which is on our list of things to do...).
It is basically just a smaller version of Costco, some good deals, some not so much...but it's super close.  And Cranberry juice was half price, which we need to go with our giant bottle of vodka:

And okay, I just have to mention...this bottle was $22.50!!!
I mean, come on.  We are soooo getting ripped off in Canada.....
and we are taking bets on how long it will take Doris and I to finish this...





Now to my super discovery in Cost-U-Less........

Those of you who know me, know that JD is my weakness!!

 I LOVE LOVE IT!!!

But you will be proud of me...given large amount of vodka just recently purchased, I did in fact refrain from buying this bottle...even though it was only $36.00!!!!  Hello??? Crazy price!!!

Maybe when the vodka runs out???  We shall see.....






After our shopping adventure, we headed home.  Then off to our first real trip to the beach....
Nothing but sun, sand and water... beautiful!!  And yes, we did use sunscreen!

Bathing beauties... :o)







Well, that was pretty much it for our first day!!  We had a few beverages in the afternoon, did some blogging and facebooking...keeping our friends back home up to date with our adventures.  So then I couldn't drive into town to go to real Costco or Walmart, so we just had a couple more drinks (we have to finish that bottle people) then walked up to the Italian joint at the end of the street for some excellent pasta and pizza. 

Sadly, we were in bed by 10pm!!  Since the roosters kept me up and the oh so lovely jet lag....it will be a while before we get back on track....  Oh did I mention that Doris had earplugs, but failed to mention this to me until today....so she slept quite well!!  High hopes for tonight now...we will see!!  Fingers crossed!!