January 28, 2012 Lazy Day

Another lazy day spent at the Hanalei Beach. Surf is up with lots of young surfers honing skills on smaller waves. Walked to the enclosed mission behind the Wia ali Huia' ia Church only to find it closed till February. Back to Federico's for lunch of fish and shrimp tacos and an expensive but excellent ice cream at  Lappert's. Rest of afternoon spent writing reflections and suggestions for visitors in the Guest Book.

January 27th Beautiful Beach,Sunset Dinner Blues Concert

Our days are drawing to an end here in Kauai so we walked the Hanalei Beach and later took our sushi dinner and a bottle of wine to the St. Regis lawn area to watch the sunset. The inter island cruise ship passed by. Later we attended a great musical performance at the Tahiti Nui featuring blues singer Buffy Bishop, her fabulous guitarist husband, and the Swampdaddy band. Lots of dancing and good company. 

January 26th The Kalalau Trail

Wayne took the Kalalau Trail along the Napali Coast to the Hanakapi'ai Beach. Immediately a major downpour drove most hikers to seek shelter and then take the slippery, rocky  trail back to Ke' e Beach. Miriam went off to check for other secluded beaches and some shopping. 

January 25th More Paddle Boarding and Lighthouse

Wayne on Hanalei Bay

Miriam on the Hanalei River

January 24th Paddle Boarding

Today we decided to try out paddle boards. Wayne started out on the Hanalei River, about 200 yards distance to the bay as the crow flies. However due to the meandering river the distance is approximately one mile. After mastering the river it was time to enter the bay with its small waves and swells (That's Wayne way out there). After several spills the technique for balance slowly developed. Miriam next took the board and successfully conquered the river. Another good dinner at the Calypso at a reasonable price. 

January 23nd Ke' e and other Beaches

Today was beach day. We snorkeled at Ke' e, a reef protected beach on the far north shore.  Surf was down allowing for a rare day to view the fish at this time of the year. This spot is where many hiker take the 8 mile trek along the Napali Coast. We then checked out and swam at two other beaches on the East Shore. Back to the St Regis for complimentary drinks from my golf partner and Bar Manager Drew.

January 22nd NFC Championship Game

'Todays activities were set up around the 49ers-Giants NFC game.  What a nail bitter and what an unhappy ending.  Before the game we enjoyed a nice breakfast at the Calypso Restaurant in  Hanalei and a walk on the beach. After the game we walked off our (rather my) frustration on the remote Kalihiwai Beach.  Seems like every place here on the islands ends in either ie  or ai. The winds and surf are down, so hopping for good snorkeling tomorrow.

January 21 Poipu Beach

Today we drove to Po'ipu to see what changes had taken place from our stay here about 10 years ago. There are many more resorts and condos.  New developments on the west side are threatening to displace some of the older small businesses around the Spouting Horn. The water coming up from the spout is reminiscent of Old Faithful. We were tempted to go snorkeling at a favorite spot next to the Beach House Restaurant but chose instead to stop for an early dinner at Bennecke's a favorite spot with a terrific open air ambiance.

January 20th Makai Golf/Anini Beach

We went to the Village Snack Shop for highly touted macadamia banana bread but found it is only baked on weekends. Stopped for snow crab roll at the Dolphin fish market. We will go back tomorrow for more fish for dinner. The varieties here are very different with names like butter fish and moon fish. I returned to the Makai Golf Course for another  round. Using ezlinks.com I again paid half price. The view here is of the 3rd hole, elevated tee with pond on right, thick foliage on left, one or few holes I parred. I played with the bar manager at the St. Regis, a good golfer, who was great company and gave me great tips how to play the course. He invited me and Miriam to the bar anytime for a round of drinks. Likely we will go there on Monday. Picture is of albatrosses along the fairway doing mating dance.Miriam went back to Anini Beach and swam along in shallow water with a large turtle.

January 19th Tunnels Beach and Monk Seal

Another mild day with small surf so we tried the Tunnels. Swam with a turtle but water became very choppy. Observed a Monk Seal at a protected area of the beach. We think this was a female waiting to delivery a pup. Left for lunch at the Tropical Taco for a fish taco plate. Next off to Hanalei for better conditions. After some catching some sun and taking a swim we went to the Lighthouse area farmers market for avocados, lettuce, cucumber, and bananas. A cocktail stop at the Tavern at the Prince Golf Course lounge and a walk to see the remodeled course. Back to the condo for leftovers. 

January 18 Queen's Bath

Our landlord told us how to get to Queen's Bath close to our condo. The trail was rocky and slippery due to yesterday's rain but we made it.  The last rocks to the pools were rather steep so only Wayne went in.  Occasional waves crash over the protective rocks and send unaware bathers into or across the pool.  This was an nontypical calm winter day allowing a nice cool reprieve from the exertion of the climb down. Two nice waterfalls and vegetation make this a nice adventure.  A sweaty climb back to our car and off we went to Anini Beach for a swim with the turtles and a little snorkeling on a shallow reef.    

January 17th Walk to St Regis

We said goodbye to Ron and Lori as they departed back to San Diego. Shortly after they left we had a short black out and immediately experienced a major thunder storm with heavy rains. After moving back to our original condo Miriam and I walked to the St Regis catching views of the many new waterfalls on the north side of the Hanalei area mountain range. Hopped the Westin shuttle back to the Westin near our condo.   We enjoyed a good dinner at the Lotus Garden Chinese Cuisine Restaurant, Thai noodles with shrimp for me, mixed vegetable plate for Miriam. 

January 16th Back to Na Aina Kai

Back to the Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens.  Tuesdays are discount day for a self guided tour of about half of the gardens. Very knowledgeable docents are positioned throughout to answer questions and provide directions. Back at our condo we sat outside whale watching with a few (several) glasses of wine. What a life with temperatures of 78˚F day, 72˚F nights and 80˚F water.

January 15th Hanalei and Lighthouse

Time for some snorkeling. Miriam and I went to Hanalei Beach for a little swimming with the local tropical fish and turtles. Others went for a drive to the Lighthouse. Later on we drove to the St Regis and a walked through the hotel gardens, pool area and interior. Stopped at reception area where George Clooney was filmed checking in during one part of the movie "The Descendents". 

January 14th Tahiti Nui

With brother Ron and his wife Lori, Miriam and I drove to the Napali Coast, Ke e beach, and Tunnels.  Another surfers day with big waves for surfers and wind for the kite and windsurfers. Drove to Hanalei for drinks at the Tahiti Nui Bar where Descendants was filmed with George Clooney. Wayne sat on bar stool where George sat. The lady here, Julia, was in the film serving George and Beu Bridges. Back at our condo for dinner and view of the clouds that rolled in for a colorful sunset

January 13th Biking, Lighthouse,Farmers Market

It was bicycle day along the Kapa (Coconut Coast) beach path with my Wayne's brother and his wife. We again saw many whales breeching and dolphins jumping. Later we stopped to shop at a large farmers market and then a stop at the viewpoint for the Lighthouse.   

January 12th Waterfalls and Mermaid

Planned a bike ride along new coastal path in Kapa. Cruisers (4hours for $10) were already rented out so we drove to two waterfalls, Opaeka and Wailua. Stopped for late lunch of Ahi Tuna wraps at the Mermaid Cafe.

January 11th Ocean Condo

Today the owners of our unit volunteered to have us move from our garden/mountainview condo to their unit overlooking the ocean. Brother Ron and Sister in-law Lori arrive in time for dinner. 

January 10th Na Aina Kai Gardens

The weather is still warm and sunny. We had a three hour tour at the Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens lead by the founder Joyce Doty (1st wife of cartoonist Charles Shultz) of this gorgeous 160 acre nature preserve. This facility is magnificent collection of tropical plants, trees and flowers with commissioned bronze sculptures throughout. Many surprises of sculptures birds, animals and people were appropriately placed. Joyce and her friend had many stories and facts to convey so that our tour lasted four and a half hours. Afterwards we were famished and returned to our favorite Princeville Center cafe for mexican food.