Kauai Saga 2006

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• Friday the 13th:
  Get up time is ohMyGawd 5:50-ish. Being Metro, and being the experienced travelers we are, we knew we should be there as early as we could. Long lines are always a pain. Stopped at Dunkin Donuts for coffee and a bagel, and we were off. Got a parking spot and the shuttle bus was right behind us. We got dropped off at the terminal, and made our way to the first line to check in. Flying the Friendly Skies appears to be a whole lot easier than flying with NorthWorst!! Check in was painless and quick, so we were off to the security line. Again, a short wait and we were stripping to pass through the metal-meter. Somewhere in the process, I lost my boarding pass. Yup - me. Funny, I had it a second ago ... um, yes I did, I'm absolutely sure of it! No officer, I am not a terrorist. Please don't make me go home, I really need this vacation. Fortunately, one of the nice TSA guys found the missing boarding pass and I was able to put my shoes back on and continue my day.
  The flights were OK, if flying in steerage is OK. The plane changes were easy, and the layover time was minimal. We arrived in Lihue about 30 minutes early - 17:30 HST. (HST is EST + 5 hours) It was nearly dark on the way to the condo, but the drive was green and hilly. Pretty cool! Made it to room 7102 and promptly went to the pool bar. Had a sandwich and two Pina Colada's, each!! 
  

• Saturday, January 14:
  Up around 8, made coffee and decided to get some free, welcome to the Embassy breakfast. The sun was peeking out, so we sat on the lani and sunned for a while, then we went out the front door and grabbed a couple of chairs by the pool. The pool has a beach around half of it, and the bottom is gradually sloped, just like the ocean. We hung out for a while, had a cocktail, then the rain started. 
  We made it to the room and it poured, but didn't last long. We went for lunch at the bar to wait for the tow truck - the battery on the car was dead. I guess there must have been a light on - damn Chryslers anyway! Once the car started, we went for a drive with the top down. Got some groceries, checked a few sites and back to the pool for round two. Made dinner and cocktails, and began uploading pictures. Got high speed connection in the room - I'm happy!
  

• Sunday, January 15:
  Had a fab breakfast made to order by Chef Donna, drank a pot of coffee and headed to the pool by 9:30. By 10 we were having our first cocktail. Note to self: the Bloody Mary's here suck! So, we stuck with Mailbu Rum and Pineapple / Orange juice. Lounged in the sun, or the pool - which was sooo much warmer than yesterday it was surprising. By 1:15 we stopped drinking and opted for a sandwich. A little more sun, then back to the room to shower and walk the beach. Took some pics of some big sea turtles that were body surfing. We watched them for a while. After the walk we hit a spot down the road for food. Donna had a totally yummmmmy chicken breast and I had grilled Mahi. Back to the homestead to upload and process pictures. 
  

• Monday, January 16:
  Today began with Donna waking me up to watch the whales. There were a few breaching and playing, so we watched in the early morning sun. By 9:30 AM it was partly cloudy and 76 degrees. We decided to take a drive to the North Shore. As we drove north-east, we passed through Lihu'e (where the main airport is), Hanama'ulu and then noth to Wailua, Kapaa, and Anahola. Most of the drive was inland but we were treated to amazing coastl views and some cool looking mountains. We stopped whenever we felt like it - so i'm not sure if i could pinpoint all of the pictures, but the coast is breathtaking. Onward and north-westward, we continued our drive to Kilauae and drove out the the light house. Too bad it was closed for the holiday - but we still saw lots of birds and whales, so it was cool. Stopped for lunch in Princeville. A quick burger at CJ's and we were off again. The road starts to narrow down just after the Hanale Valley Lookout, which is in a valley that has been designed to house birds. Pretty cool. Down the road, over one land bridges, sheer drop-offs that made Donna nervous, and the view just didn't quit. We ran out of road, so we turned around and headed back. I've been lucky so far - the only shopping we've done has been for food. I'm sure that will change soon.  Hung at the bar for a bit, then vegged out for the night.  This vacation stuff is truly exhausting! 
  

• Tuesday, January 17:
  Hung out at the pool until about 2-ish, had some lunch then went for a drive.  Spouting Horn Blow Hole was something special.  After watching that and chasing roosters for a while, we headed east to the quilt store.  (aka: Donna's candy store.)  Got some pretty cool stuff, can't wait to see the end product.  Headed back west to Koloa for some pizza, then back to the ranch.
  

• Wednesday, January 18:
  Pop tarts for morning meal the it was off to the pool.  Ahh, the pool.  Just a few feet from our front door, our favorite chairs were waiting.  It was really hot in the sun, so we decided to wade for a while.  Yes, I said wade - the side of the pool we're on has a beach and is ramped to about 4-feet deep.  It's nice - you can take the shortcut across the pool to the bar for a drink.  That is if the cute pool girl isn't working.  A simple hand signal from the pool, and the bar keep is busy creating our drinks.  Almost like being at "Cheers", only they don't know our names, just what we drink.  We hit the small shopping mall in the afternoon.  Got some stuff, had some dinner then rushed to the beach to catch the very end of the sunset.  No camera today - damn.  Back to the hotel, walked out to the coast to watch waves until it got dark. 
  

• Thursday, January 19:
  Sitting here in the very early AM, watching the sun come up.  Waves are crashing, clouds are puffy, it's gonna be another day in paradise.  We hopped in the car, put the top down and took off to the west coast.  Toured through the small towns and went through the canyon.  Wow!  Back in time for some quality sun at the pool, then off to the beach to watch the sunset.  Again, Wow.  Life is good.
  

• Friday, January 20:
  Dad called at 6:15 Hawaii time.  Thought he was calling my sister.  Went back to sleep for a while, then were up and at the coffee.  We extended our reservation but we had to change rooms.  So, off we went with the luggage & food, to a room with a view.  The sun was a tease today - lots of wind, some rain, not hot.  Sat at the pool for a hour or so, then showered and vegged in the room until we had to leave for the airport.  Our plane took off at 10:20 Hawaii time.  Flights were uneventful, layovers were minimal and we landed at Metro at about 3:15 Michigan time.  Managed to catch a couple of hours sleep between Kauai and San Fran, but not much after that.  We hit the front door at 4:30 after stopping for the traditional 'After Vacation Snack Shop' Taco Bell.  Nothing else got done today ...  watched TV from my fave chair then much needed sleep.  It's good to be home but it sucks to be back!