Kauai, Day 6

Last full day on the island and we made the most of it! We started in the morning by heading up to the Hindi Monastery. It was a little tricky to find, but a few U turns later we got there. It rained almost the whole time we were there, but that is what makes it so pretty and green. The grounds were very pretty and I enjoyed photographing the flowers and things there. Next up Smith's Fern Grotto. A total tourist trap, but it is one of those must dos while on the island. It was a nice boat ride up and fun to see the grotto. It hasn't really recovered since that hurricane in 1998(?).

Quick stop at the room, and we headed out again. We went up to Ono Char Burger, which was highly recommended by the locals. We sought on a quest for a beach, and after coming up short a few times (good thing there is a beach at almost every turn!) we ended up going back to the beach at the end of the road. We got stuck in a 30 minute traffic jam, where we didn't move at all. But something about being on an island, made it all seem ok. We got to the beach and really enjoyed the water. Genevieve, you even liked it again! We played the rock game and splashed around in the water. A drive back, a dinner of left overs before our last night in Hawaii.

Kauai, Day 5

Happy 4th of July! In the morning, Grandma, Daddy and Mommy went on an inner tube adventure through Kauai Backcountry Adventures. The tour company was awesome and our guide was Ms. Kauai (I'm not joking!!). We had a really fun time in the inner tubes and at lunch. We headed back to the hotel, took a break, washed up and Daddy barbequed steaks for dinner. We had a nice hearty dinner and packed up to go see fireworks at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue. There were a lot of people there and you kept busy! Grandma was nice and paid for a bubble wand for you. You played and played and covered yourself in bubble liqued. You had such a fun time.

Once it got dark Grandma broke out the glow bracelets for you. Daddy gave you a hard time and keep saying "my bracelets" and taking them away from you, you got very mad at him. We ran into our tour guide again and got a picture with her in her crown. The fireworks were nice and we sat in a little traffic jam leaving the lot, but nothing these LA area people couldn't handle.

Kauai, Day 4

What a jammed pack day! We hit lots of sights today and covered a lot of island. We started with going to Glass Beach, right near where we do the raft trip. I have wanted to go to a glass beach for forever, and I finally got to go. It was so cool! You on the other hand didn't really like it and sat with Daddy crying the whole time. Next stop was Salt Pond Beach, a beautiful beach where they still commercially harvest salt from ocean water. Next time I am on the island I am going to make sure to schedule a beach day here, what a beautiful calm beach. We didn't get to see the Salt Making up close, but we took lots of nice photos.

We didn't know if we were going to be able to head up Wamaeia Canyon because of a brush fire and fuel tanker overturn (not related by the way). But we found the road open and headed up. Along the way we found an impromptu waterfall off the side of the road, the wonders of Kauai! Daddy really enjoyed the canyon and we ate our lunch amongst many chickens. You love calling them "cock a doodle dos"!

Back down the mountain we stopped off at Jo Jo's for Shave Ice (not Shaved ice, shave ice!). It was yummy, I got mine with a scoop of ice cream in it, doesn't sound good, but it was yummy. Spouting Horn was our next attraction on our way to Po' Pu Beach. The water was a little rough at the beach but they had a playground (or you called it a park) and you enjoyed playing in it. After a long day we headed back through the town of Koloa  and famous tree tunnel.

Kauai, Day 3

Today Nana, Daddy and I got going early! We had to check in for our Na Pali Coast tour by 7am so we left you sleeping. Grandma stayed back with you while we took an adventures (AKA exciting) motorized raft ride up the coast. We saw two types of dolphins in the water, went inside a couple sea caves, pulled into  a beach only accessible by boat or kayak and had lunch and snorkeled with sea turtles and fish! It was lots of fun and very exciting.

After we were done we headed back to the hotel to rest and shower! We were all like a salt factory after the trip. You had a good time with Grandma at the hotel while we were gone. You went to the beach and dug in the sand, you went to the pool and you played out on the grass. Grandma, Mommy and you all walked over to Coconut Plaza in the afternoon to shop. We made a yummy dinner and turned it in early!

Kauai, Day 2

Today we had a light day to settle in. Daddy and I woke up early to go grocery shopping for the week and pick up tickets for the 4th of July celebration. By the time we got back you were awake and Grandma and Nana had made you breakfast and were playing with you. We loaded into the car and headed to Wailua Falls. We stopped at Hilo Hattie's on the way and Grandma and Nana bought you a pretty Hawaiian dress to wear on our trip. The falls are super easy to get to, just drive right up and look over the rail. There were trails down to the bottom but no one was up for an adventure except for Mommy.

We had a few hours to enjoy the resort before we left to go do professional photos with Jonathan Moeller on the north side. We went to the eastern section of Hanalei Bay and took some gorgeous photos on the path and on the beach. We had such a wonderful time and even though you still don't like sand you hung in there.

After being models for a while we worked up an appetite. We ate at L&L Hawaiian BBQ, it was so good! I know we have one here at home, but it seemed better over there.

Kauai, Day 1

We made it! After coming in late last night we made it to our first day of fun. We started off the morning by heading up to Na'Aina Kai Botanical Gardens. They have a monthly Keiki Day (children's day) where the kids can play in the water and swing sets. You had a blast! You loved the slide, the swings, the chalk, the tree house, but really loved the fountain. When it comes to water you can usually pass it up just fine, but you loved getting into the fountain and playing. I hated to take you out, but nature had called to you in the middle of your playing and we had to change you.

Onto the Historic Kilauea Lighthouse. We made it there no problem and enjoyed seeing a monk seal off in the distance, a rain shower and some beautiful coastline. We stopped at North Shore Grindz for lunch, so good! I had a BBQ burger with an onion ring on it, was the best meal of the week. Next up Ke'e beach. A beautiful beach at the end of the road, literately at the end of the road.  So nice, pretty sand and calm seas. You even let Grandma take you into the water. You played a game with Daddy of dropping rocks and Daddy catching them in the water. You had such a fin time!

We stopped at two caves on the way out, a wet cave and a dry cave. You were not impressed, you kept yelling "no cave, no cave" as we were in them. Last stop for the day was Queen's Bath. The street's are not well identified in Hawaii, as lots of streets have no street signs or missing letters. After some hunting we found it headed down the trail. The trail is exciting and not for the faint of heart. Two waterfalls great you as you walk down. Nana had enough about half way down and turned back, Grandma came about 3/4 of the way and offered to stay with you while we went the rest of the way. It was worth it! I had a wonderful time swimming in the natural ocean pool and saw lots of little fish around the edges. Headed back to the hotel and had a wonderful roasted chicken for dinner. Another full day tomorrow!