Hawaii day 12- June 22nd

Our last day of vacation!  We slept in today and Tim and I did our final morning walk along the Kapaa path- so glad our hotel was on this path!  We then had a big breakfast of eggs and toast and then finalized packing and said goodbye to our resort.

We headed out to our final destination in Kauai and that is Waimea Canyon which is reportedly the Grand Canyon of the pacific. We took the very long, windy road up to the first outlook and it was gorgeous!  Very grand canyonish but smaller of course and more green with a visible waterfall. We had a picnic lunch at one of the lookouts. We then went to the lodge and museum at kokee state park. There was a big grassy area where the kids had ice cream and chased chickens.

Finally we went to the final lookout where you can see the Napali coast and ocean. Unfortunately, it was fogged over- it blew away a little bit and we got a couple of pics. 

We ended our day at a Mexican restaurant over looking the ocean and took a final walk along the beach. It was time to head to the airport for our 10 flight home. We will miss you Hawaii!

Hawaii day 11- June 21st

Happy Father's Day Tim!  So sweet of the girls to come up with these cards. We decided today to do a catamaran tour of the napali coast. So we left early and went to port Allen to meet up with our company- blue dolphin charters. We got right on the boat with 50 other people and captain Christian. We saw a sea turtle and rainbow before we even left!

We then took off and shortly saw a bottle nose dolphin and her baby. 

Also right away mommy was sick. Shortly thereafter noah was sick and then Tim. The ginger candy we ate in the shop didn't help and unfortunately the 3 of us were pretty miserable the entire 6 hours. Mom was the first one to toss her cookies off the side of the boat- in front of 50 people- ugh!  The girls had a blast and we could not keep them off the front of the boat!

We went all along the north shore napali coast and saw Dolphins, waterfalls and untouched beaches. 

We stopped and snorkeled for 1 hour and saw huge fish. Then it was heading back with lunch and an open bar. Wish I could have enjoyed that!  It was a gorgeous day full of beautiful scenery and wildlife despite our sicknesses. Noah said it was the most miserable experience he has had and Tim's Father's Day treat was kind of a downer for him. We went back to the hotel and had dinner and started packing. We leave late tomorrow night and have really fell in love with gorgeous Kauai!  

Hawaii day 10- July 20th

Sunrises in Kauai are addicting and worth rising early for.  I started off the morning with a little sunrise yoga on the beach. 

Today was another beach to explore and more snorkeling. Tim and I walked along the Kapaa path again and got stuck in several rain storms and accidentilay became part of a charity walk too!  I rode on a tree swing on the beach. 

 

Our adventures for the day started off with going to a farmers market at Kauai community college. It was great to see all of the local produce and we bought a few treats. Then we set off to a south side beach called poipu state beach. This was another beautiful drive as we drove past a tunnel of trees. This is the sunny side of the island where most of the resorts are located. Our set up on the beach was a little island and right away there was a sea turtle that came up on shore. 

The snorkeling was incredible and the kids were out there for hours. We even saw some people doing their wedding photos. We headed to the local shopping center after for a few and then we stopped off at waiula falls- these were on the opening credits for fantasy island. 

After that we headed back to the resort for mommy and daddy to get ready for our date night to celebrate our 20 year anniversary. We had reservations at the oasis on the beach restaurant which is on the ocean at our resort. Noah took some photos!

We had a delicious dinner at sunset on the beach. Dad had steak and mom had vegetable curry with swordfish. They gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate. 

After dinner we met the kids at the pool for some hot tub time. Thanking God for my hubby of 20 years!

Hawaii day 9- June 19th

We got an early start this morning as we headed up the north coast for a hike and we heard the parking lot fills quickly so out the door we went at 6:30 am and took a beautiful drive up to the Napali coast. We drove by hanalei bay and the north coast is lush and green, waterfalls everywhere, chickens on the side of the road and one lane bridges to cross.  The hike we are going to take is the kalalua trail and it is 11 miles along the coast leading to beaches only accessible by hiking or boat. Our plan was to hike 2 miles to the first beach and then another 2 miles to a waterfall and then back for a total of 8miles. The trail starts where the highway ends- Kee beach and we were early enough for a parking spot. We hit the trail and were amazed by the lush green everywhere- ferns, pines, and a steady ascent among rock and mud. Every so often you get a peak of the ocean below. Us girls had a few slides with the best being mom falling and sliding right between Leah's legs!  We were very muddy and wet from intermittent rain by the time we reached hanalakee beach 2 miles in. So cool to be at a beach so secluded!

Next we headed up to the waterfall. This trail was a steeper ascent, narrow and completely muddy and after mom slipped again and had to grad onto foliage to keep from falling over the cliff- dad called it off after 1/4 mile. I think that was a good decision- so we took photos of the waterfall from far away. 

We made the tiring return trek back to the first beach and enjoyed swimming and cleaning off in the ocean. It was glorious! I even too a nap on the beach. We then headed back to hanalei and enjoyed a well deserved shaved ice- in an amazing setting- mountains behind us with 3 waterfalls. 

Back at the resort it was more time laying at the beach and then to the pool. We took walks watched the sunset on the beach. We then played uno on the patio until bed.  A fun day!

Hawaii day 8- June 18th

Our first full day in Kauai was really nice and relaxing. Tim and I started off the morning with a walk on the Kapaa beach path that goes for miles. It was a good way to explore this part of the island and find out what's around us. The kids were anxious for pool time so we did that for a couple of hours. We then set out to lydgate state beach for some snorkeling. The have a protected area and the kids saw a ton of fish. 

The beaches are gorgeous here!  We then stopped by to see our first waterfall- Opeakaa

falls which is a drive up look out point. The fall is about 100 feet and on the other side was a view of the river. 

We headed back to the resort where Tim and I parked our lounge chairs on the beach- there was no one around!  

We ate dinner at bobby v's Italian pizza next door and then back to the pool hot tub. Early to bed tonight as we have a long day of hiking tomorrow...

Hawaii- day 7- June 17th

Today we are spending our last few hours in Waikiki- we have a 4pm flight to Kauai. Tim and I arose early and went for a run along the beach to our favorite ala moana beach park. Then it was back up to the room to clean up and pack. After check out we had brunch at the restaurant at our hotel which was fabulous!  I had eggs Benedict with crab cakes in it instead of ham- yum.  We then walked around the shops on Waikiki and bought a few souveniours- Leah got her ukulele she had been wanting also. Tim initially said no as he didn't know how we would get it back on our plane ride and I had to remind him that on his Hawaiian vacation as a teenager his parents bought him a SURFBOARD so we could find a way to make it work. 

We then headed to the airport and caught our 20 minute flight to Kauai. We rented a car and then headed straight to the resort which was only 10 minutes away. We ended up getting a ground floor unit- right on the ocean- it is gorgeous!  We now have some space as we have 2 bedrooms compared to our studio before. Kauai appears much quieter and slower paced than Oahu for sure. We walked around the resort and went in the hot tub at the resorts amazing pool. The hot tub had a sand bottom which was cool. Then it was Tim and I heading off to get groceries, a quick dinner, laundry and bed!  

Views from our lanai- I will be on those lounge chairs daily!

Hawaii day 6- June 16th

Our last full day in Oahu had us back to relaxing on Waikiki beach at our hotel. Tim and I took a nice long walk along the boardwalk and discussed what water activity the family would do. We have a couple of surfers in the family so it was decided to do a group surfing lesson later on for everyone- except mom- who would be the photographer. So we signed up for the lessons for later that morning. Then it was back up,to the room to get ready for beach day. We set up camp on the beach near the surf lesson kiosk and then they all set off for their lesson and hour of surfing. Leah and noah were both first time surfers and they did great"

Mom sat on the beach in front of them- tanning, listening to music, taking photos and drinking a mai tai. Fun is subjective!  

After surfing we had lunch on the beach- that delicious shrimp truck was calling our name again but the boys opted for burgers from some little joint on the beach. More swimming in the ocean and finishing off the tan. Then it was back up to the room to relax for a bit and then back down for pool time. We ended the night with a sunset on the patio and then Tim and I did some shopping in Waikiki- mostly walking around the gorgeous Hilton that is right next door. A great end to an amazing time in Oahu!  Tomorrow afternoon we set off for Kauai and are looking forward to more space in our hotel and a lusher landscape with less people!  

Did I mention this is the view from our condo?  Both harbor and ocean view!

Celebrating 20 years of marriage!  We were married in Maui in 1995 so Hawaii has a special place in our heart and was perfect to commemorate our 20 years together...