Aloha!

We are back to the real world after an amazing getaway to Kauai. If anyone's every thinking of getting away to a sunny, low key place, I definitely recommend Kauai. There was so much to see and so many great beaches to relax on without tonnes of people. Most beaches we went to had only about 20 other people on them, some only had two other people, it really felt like our own little island at times. Here's a recap on some stuff we did.

The first couple days we checked out the North since that was where we stayed (at Princeville). Our first day we checked out some beaches like Hideaways (where there were only 3 other people) and Tunnels where we got to try out our snorkeling skills. We also checked out Hanalei village and got some shave ice which is the island's big thing to get. It's basically like a Slurpee, I didn't mind it, Chris like his ice cream better.

Our second day we hiked the Napali Coast as far as we could go without having to go camping and get a permit. We hiked for about an hour to a beach that had random stray cats on it (I don't know how they got there) and then hiked back to spend some time snorkeling and relaxing at Ke'e Beach which was right at the trail entrance.

The next two days we went down south. The first day we went to this place called Maha'lepu Beach which was basically a trail in a meadow on top of these lithified cliffs. It was one of my favorite spots, we got caught in a 5 minute down pour and then dried off in about the same amount of time. Then we headed to Poipu beach, which was by far the busiest beach we went to but it was still a great little spot. Before heading for supper we checked out a blowhole that was just down the road and then got some burgers at Bubba's, which is the island's burger joint that uses only Kauai beef. When we got home, the sun was just setting so we walked down the road a few minutes to a lookout and watched it set with Bali Hai (a popular shot in movies) as the backdrop.

The next day we headed to the arid West side and drove up and up and up until we got to the top of the Waimea Canyon. It was pretty crazy to think this canyon was on the same island, it felt like we were in Arizona. At the very top we could see the Kalalau Valley which is where the whole Napali Coast hike ends, it was pretty cool to look down as we were basically in the clouds. We decided to do some more snorkeling at Poipu and there just happened to be a sea turtle and a monk seal (which there are only 500 of left) suntanning on the beach. I specifically said that day that I needed to see a turtle so I was excited. I've always wanted to see a sea turtle while I was in Hawaii and I got to do it, it made my day. The snorkeling at Poipu that day was probably the best we'd done all trip so it was definitely a good day.

Then the last couple days we spent back up on the North side. We went to Queen's bath which is a place that has these pools in the rocks you can swim in when the tide is low. The tide was definitely not low when we were there but it was a cool place to watch the waves break. Just next to this spot was Secret's Beach which was a nice beach but quite wavy so we didn't spend too long there. We decided to go back to Ke'e beach (the farthest beach on the north before the Napali Coast) because we really liked it and stayed there until sunset. It was definitely worth the wait to see those beautiful colors over the ocean.

The second last day we were there we hiked down to a secluded beach near our place that only had two other people on it. We had a good suntanning session and I talked to a hippy about what he was looking for in the sand. I found out he was collecting these tiny spiral shells you can only find in Hawaii that he makes necklaces out of. Looked like a lot of work. After grabbing some lunch at our place we then went to a beach more locals go to and rode the waves there. Who needs a surfboard. I got a swimsuit full of sand but it was a lot of fun. Right up the road from this beach was a very hidden but very cool spot where there are lava pools. If the tides were down more there were all these pools you could swim in but instead we watched the waves come crashing in and fill them up, didn't look too safe to go in but it was cool to see.

And our last day we walked down the hill from our place to a beach called Pu'u Poa which was across from Hanalei Bay. We could've actually walk to Hanalei if we crossed the river but we didn't want to risk it with the tide coming in. We walked around that beach and watched the more experienced surfers do their thing out in the bay. Then to end our trip we went to the first beach we went to, Hideaways, and enjoyed some last suntanning and dips in the water. I'd say this trip is exactly what we needed. It was so relaxing and had such amazing views and places to see. We will definitely going back one day.


Since we've been back we've got right to work. I finished painting the basement bedroom and have finished cutting in the main room, so only a few more days of being able to paint and it should be finished and ready for some new floors. Chris trimmed the hedge too so a bit of our yard work has got started. We got to see a bunch of our friends last night at Denis and Andrea's new house so that was fun to play games and see everyone before the craziness of school begins again. Tomorrow I am going to make perogies for my first time with Cheryl while Ryan and Chris do who knows what. Then Monday it's back to work. I don't know if I'll get work right away but if it's anything like I had before Spring Break, I won't be getting much time to paint.