Day 31 – A Visit to the #1 Tourist Spot

Did you guess the number one tourist spot on the island yet? If you said Costco you are correct. Our entire day revolved around a trip to Costco for a new camera. You see yesterday on the humid, sweaty trail, we killed a camera. The non waterproof one didn’t enjoy sweat dripping in it and it died. We tried to revive it, but to many sweaty hikes, to many beaches filled with sand and thrown in a backpack took its toll. We mourned the loss of our old reliable camera.

Before we went to Costco we hit Hanalei Bay for a morning beach walk. What a perfect morning for a two-mile stroll followed by coffee and fruit on the sand!

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We returned home to make a quick breakfast, a repeat from yesterday, toast with egg, cheese, tomatoes and avo on it.

After our visit to Costco, so busy even at 11:30 a.m., we headed to Poipu and Moir Gardens. The orchids are stunning, the cactus garden is a little neglected. However there were some indication that revitalization might be happening in the future.

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Our next adventure lead us to a return visit to Da Crack food place. We ordered fish tacos and headed to Poipu Beach Park to devour it.

We had some time to kill before heading to the Kapaa farmers market, so we stopped at Lydgate Park to walk and take some pictures.

We took a longer route inland to get over to the market, love exploring different roads and neighborhoods. Once at the market, we picked up our fruit we needed and headed home. We did miss the red truck lady, she went to back to the Philippines to see family. Hopefully when we return in two years, she will be still be around.

We were exhausted from our day, so we didn’t cook up the ahi instead had leftovers of poke and sushi rolls. Tomorrow will be the day for ahi!

Tonight’s cloud tv was brought to you by Mel’s Imagination Station. It was a beautiful evening to sit on the beach people and cloud watching.

Great ending to a day visiting the most popular attraction on the island, Costco!

July 26, 2017 0

Day 25 – A Simple Day

It really was a simple day; two beaches, a little dessert making, meals, running errands, an exchange of goods with a neighbor, dinner and a sunset.

After a morning beach walk at Hanalei Bay, we plopped down on the sand to enjoy coffee and croissants. Chatted with a couple from Colorado for a bit also.

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At home we made a full breakfast of papaya boats.

Then we made a mousse parfait with the sapotes and juiced the over-abundance of papayas, mangoes and pineapple we had.

the most amazing dessert, sapote mousse with layers of whipped cream and Kauai Kookie shortbread mac nut cookies

Finishing up that task we decided a little time reading and floating at Tunnels was called for. Today we spent about an hour and half on the beach.

fullsizeoutput_1908 — This was about 11:15 am. by the time we left a little before 1 p.m. it had started to fill in

fullsizeoutput_1909 — the view from my beach chair

fullsizeoutput_190a — taking in the views

We went home to lunch on SushiGirl Kauai leftovers. We still had one plate left over from last night. It was perfect to split for lunch.

Running into Princeville and Kilauea was our next stop. We had a few more aloha boxes to fill and ship out. While in Kilauea we stopped again at Kauai Juice Company. We each had a free shot of algae. It was a thing to do, but if offered that algae again, I’ll politely decline. This time I picked my juice based on color.

Once we arrived home, we needed to bring some of my frozen mango cheesecake to our neighbor/friend Mel. In exchange she offered us fresh ahi and pineapple. I think we made out better than she did! Thanks Mel!

Dinner was teriyaki ahi (from the other neighbor) over my taro-slaw. I accompanied my meal with our papaya juice mixed with seltzer.

“Cloud TV” was very entertaining tonight at sunset, especially with live commentary by our friend! All of these things made for a simple day, but yet a perfect day!

July 20, 2017 0

Day 21 – A Perfect Sunday

Today was one of those perfect days; an early morning beach stroll, coffee on the beach, late morning beach time reading, a relaxing float in the ocean, a sunday drive, a stop at local craft show, a nap, a garden tour, a delicious dinner, followed by sunset. This is the type of Sunday I wish for this the rest of our lives.

fullsizeoutput_187c — woke up to rainbows

fullsizeoutput_1879 — Never found a shell like this before, couldn’t keep it, living creature in it

fresh caught ono on salad greens, topped with a mango pineapple salsa

July 16, 2017 2

Day 18 A Vacation Within a Vacation

We hopped over to Maui late afternoon today. First our day started with morning showers and rainbows.

We decided before housecleaning, packing and eating to go for a walk at Hanalei Bay. I even ran a mile at the beach today, what is happening to me?

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After a refreshing float, back to the house we went. I made a breakfast of french toast with fruit.

Lunch was a stop at SushiGirl Kauai and then it was time to head to the airport. We stopped in Oahu first, then on to Maui for a few days to visit with friends.

We missed sunset, only caught the beginning of it, as we landed in Maui.

We are here to have a vacation within a vacation. This is our first trip to Maui. Already the pace seems faster than Kauai.

July 13, 2017 0

Day 11 – Catching Glimpses

I felt like today we saw small pieces of our future and flashbacks to old traditions of Hawaii.

Our day started with a quick cup of coffee and some fruit and then we headed out for an early morning beach walk on Hanalei Bay. For the first time in 27 years I watched my husband return to his competitive swimming roots and actually swim, not float along. After he emerged from the water, we exchanged that look that said, this is where we want to be in retirement. We both had the same feeling about our retirement days here.

On our way “home” we stopped at Wainiha Kountry Cafe for a smoothie and frozen banana chai. I was a little disappointed when she pulled out a costco type bag of frozen fruit. Both drinks were yummy, but we listed this as one and done. Sweetest owner though, full of aloha.

Once “home” I whipped up some french toast with bananas and toasted mac nuts.

After breakfast we attended to some general housekeeping items. Our nephew took himself down to the beach to read and people watch for a few hours. Mike and I cleaned, cooked and did laundry. After the chores were completed, we headed down to the beach for a float.

hey who is photobombing us?

The sky so blue, the water green

Mike’s new favorite photo, selfies underwater

After our float, Mike and I returned back to grab an early lunch and I had to be online at 1 p.m. pacific time to purchase tickets to a fundraiser back home. Glimpse of our life back home still peeking through.

After lunch, getting my VIP tickets and a nap, I walked the yard once again to photograph the flowers.

New white orchid I found hiding

repeat one

I have no clue what this is

Just loved the vivid colors

Dinner was easy tonight, leftovers from the 4th of July. Over dinner we discussed our plans for the next few days and what our nephew wants to see.

The hour of the sunset was upon us. It was during sunset we watched Hawaiian cowboys break horses in on the beach and other Hawaiians net casting on the reef. I was transported to a time when this must have been a very common scene on the islands, not seen often enough these days.

I worked on a no bake mango cheesecake pie earlier the day, after sunset it was ready to devour.

Today we had a brief insight into our retirement life and a flashback to old Hawaii. To the future and the past, may it always contain contentment and peace.

July 6, 2017 1

Day 34 – The final full day ends

It was bittersweet to wake up today, knowing it was our last full day on Kauai, but we are ready to start the journey home.

As usual we started the day with Kauai Coffee and a bowl of fresh fruit. After our nourishment, we needed exercise and off we went to walk Hanalei Bay. From end to end it is said to be 2 miles, so we did a lovely 4 miles on the beach.

We walked out first on the pier to gaze at the mountains that circle around the bay.

As we left the pier, we watched a little towhead boy, walk with his surfboard. This little boy is the epitome of what Kauai is and the surfing culture that is Kauai.

P1020557 — surfers start young in kauai, he is about 3 years old

P1020558 — walking in the lot to Black Pot

The walk was beautiful and it represented the lifestyle of Kauai. We watched tai chi on the beach, surfing lessons for tourists, paddle boarders enjoying the calm of the morning, a single woman doing yoga, a dad and his son riding waves, families laughing in the water, friends walking and every one was in the moment enjoying it.

We left with not a heavy heart, but one of satisfaction, that we had this time to enjoy the beauty and peace of Hanalei Bay.

We returned to the house to clean and pack. Unfortunately, last week my feet were burned on the sand and the blisters that developed finally gave way, so we spent time working on my feet and trying to figure out the proper shoes to wear home. Reality of re-entering our life we left behind is fully gaining on us.

We returned to Hanalei to have our last lunch out. We settled on Hanalei Dolphin at the bar. Mike had the fish taco.

and I gobbled down a cajun marlin burger. First time I’ve had marlin, a bit of a dry fish, but so tasty.

We both agree though that Da Crack has the best fish tacos on Kauai.

After lunch and not a good night’s sleep (no not because of the roosters), we had to nap and my feet needed more loving care. After nap time, we did a bit more cleaning and laundry.

As usual when we eat out at lunch, we don’t do a big dinner, so we just noshed on leftover food. Then it was time to have our last sunset.

Down we went and shared the night with our friends with Cheri and Mel. Stories were shared, promises made not to go public with them, laughs abounded and pictures were taken. Cheri is a great photographer and in time I will have the evenings photo session to share with everyone. The sun didn’t dazzle us, the fun night we had will be the memory we cherish.

August 13, 2011 0