i'll take the money now

Kauai Vacation 2 part A

2009-06-06T11:09:00.000-07:00

Our crew left the amazing north shore digs in Princeville and headed south in search of sand and sea. We stopped at the Lihue airport to pick up Sara and Jenna's dad, Mark. Our first stop was to get some home cooked saimin at a local joint in Lihue. On we drove to the south shore of the island with our sights set on Poipu. Beth has really worked out some major logistics for us to have a really smooth trip with plush accommodations. This vacation is a gift to her daughters as a graduation celebration for the both of them and I am so grateful that she invited me to tag along! Thanks Beth!!

2nd time around to the Lihue airport.

I'm pretty sure this is called Opaeka'a Falls.

Saimin from Hamura Saimin Stand in Lihue. Lot's of different ingredients that were delicious.

This is the place we are staying on the beach. Pretty upscale digs.

The salt water pool is chill.

Nice, man.

Sara and Mark enjoying some pineapple juice and taking note of the meticulously manicured grounds.

Lawn chairs for days.

Salt water pool.

The rest of the photos were taken from those lounge chairs. There's a pretty decent surf spot right out front of the hotel that breaks both left and right. Seems to be a lot of people vying for the shred, but hopefully i'll grab a few when it's not too crowded.

Goofy and regs co-exist, brah.

Local dude grabbing some rail.

This dude is a snowboarder for sure. Bs 360

Meeeooowwww...

Food and Beauty

2009-06-05T10:21:00.000-07:00

The day before yesterday, our crew went for a hike along the Na Pali Coast. It's a pretty popular hike out to Hanakapi'ai Beach and on to Hanakapi'ai Falls. Both are worth the trip and probably some of the nicer scenes you'll see anywhere. Speaking of nice scenes... the edible scenery has been up to snuff as well. Check the photos:

Duane's Ono Char Burger (this one's the BBQ Burger)

Duane's Ono Char Burger (Duane's Special w/pineapple 'n stuff)

This is Haupia Cake with coconut and vanilla pudding on shortbread with whipped cream and dried coconut on top. This and the 3 photos below were from local bakery/hangout in Hanalei.

Loco Moco Plate lunch (rice, mac salad, hamburger with gravy and fried eggs. Dang!)

Sara got Teriyaki Chicken (comes with rice and mac salad)

Just the right stuff to wash it all down with.

They put this up to keep the locals out, man. Said 82 people died there.

Hanakapi'ai Beach: Such nice water, but again, 82 dead people in there...

Hanakapi'ai Falls not as many have died here.

Just like Leo D.

Only shower we've taken thus far.

Falls.

Na Pali

Sara, Beth, and Jenna... like pirates huntin' for gold.

Kauai Ahiki Malo #2

2009-06-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

Been in Kauai for a couple days now. We've been doing the snorkeling thing and beach time for the past couple days. We rented the real big surf boards that you ride on with a big paddle standing up. We caught some waves and got the full body workout everyone here raves about. Something always gets burned when I go to the beach and this time it was my legs. The ankles are white (got sunscreen there), so it looks like I'm wearing pink yoga pants under my bathing suit. Not worried about looking like a kook though, as there are a lot of people who do yoga and have that steeze around here. Here's some more photos:

I still can't get enough of this dang view. (Sidenote: pink yoga pants)

There's a cool little trail right near our place that leads to some lava rock shoreline where there's crashing waves and a bunch of tide-pools. One of the pools is as big as a swimmin pool and it's nice and warm. It's called Queen's Bath and it is a pretty sweet spot. There were turtles swimmin around nearby too.

Go swimmin' fool!

"Put the camera down, and enjoy tide-pool mania!"

Good little sunset watchin' spot. (Sidenote: walking on super inconsistent black lava rock in the dark is an acquired taste to most.)

Kona Coffee is best. Kauai sunrises are best. It's like listening to your two favorite songs at the same time, except this is better because listening to two songs at the same time is pretty hard to wrap your ears around.

We are going to hike around on the Nā Pali Coast this morning. Check back for more in a day or so!

Kauai Ahiki Malo

2009-06-01T12:04:00.000-07:00

So Sara, her mom (Beth), her sister (Jenna) and I got to Kauai yesterday. Flying in you are like, sweet... this place is nothing like USA (even though it is). First stop was WalMart... yep, still in america. Our spot on the North side of the island is pretty much the jam with sweet views and a plush pad. Might play golf later. Here's some photos:

Beth is pretty amped to be coming back here. She comes at least once a year plus she lived here for about 9 years in high school and college.

This is Waikiki Beach from the plane from Oahu to Kauai

This is my face when I saw what you saw in that last photo

Hitting the cliffs of Kauai

Sara and I sampling some of the local vibes

Here we have the rocky shore below the place we are staying. There is tons of coral and tropical stuff everywhere.

Jenna found a cave.

Our place is in the corner unit on the top floor in the right hand building. Mad views Ahunikiki.

This sign keeps the kooks off my wave. They only put it up for you if you call ahead.

Enchantment, folks.

Sunset kokani'i
This window sticker was in my room growing up. Lo-behold, there it was on the window of my room in Kauai.
The deck view.
The deck view
Sharp reef break out front.

Just hours ago... finally there conawahiki'i

Great beach for good living. The first one we saw

Sara navigates the "locals only" stairs. Ain't never scarred.