Gidget Goes Hawaiian- Kauai & Aulani 8/2012 TR- 5/24 COMPLETE!!

[dvc4life]

Gorgeous photos Ellen!

I can't even imagine how beautiful it is in person.

 

[podsnel]

Back to the beauty of Na Pali-

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This looks like the Kalalau Valley we had hiked on the first day. Pretty impressive from this angle, too. But still, I don't see any naked off the grid hippies- do you?

We entered another cave- this one has been in a lot of films, including POC, I think 3-

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This one was different, not really a cave but an arch you went through to a big hole to the sky. It was dazzling. They told us people get married on the rocks in the center.

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[rentayenta]

Im in. I've been reading. It's a beautiful place.

 

[podsnel]

We left the hole, and headed towards where we would anchor for snorkeling.

My family does NOT have the best luck with snorkeling. Not at all. Usually Timmy has a hard time with his mask. Or we don't have equipment for everyone because I thought it would be waiting on the boat- and then, of course, I am snorkeling with goggles and no snorkel. Which is pretty limiting. THIS time, though, I thought I had all my bases covered- snorkel gear for all!

We jumped off and went in search of fish.

Timmy started having leaking issues almost immediately. I kept trying to work with him, but the mask was leaking and he was EXTREMELY unhappy. So, he got back on the boat. I soon followed, hoping I could convince him to try again.

But no luck. It was actually a bit rough, and i think that made it too challenging for him. So our snorkel experience was not the greatest that day. Pods and Tyler, however, swam far, far out and saw turtles and tons of fish. So at least they had something to brag about!

As Pods swam in, we threw a bunch of crackers on his head- wow, that was hilarious! Like 100 fish dive bombed him! Pretty fun for us up on the boat! Before he got back on, he took a vid-

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Then it was back on the boat where we were served cheese and crackers and soft drinks. Followed by an exhilerating ride back to Hanalei- woohoooo!

The kids loved it, it was wet and wild!

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[podsnel]

In case you wanted to experience UFO for yourself, here's a couple of clips-

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It was pretty rough, but no matter WHAt Pods says, I think we had it worse going to Tortola one year from STJ.
One of the families onboard was from CA, they come out to Kauai every couple of years (as I would if I lived out there!)- so nice to talk to! The Captain was a decent guy, he slowed it down a bit when that woman was startled. He slowed down, too, whenever he saw a turtle (which happened a few times) and when we got back to the kite surfers who were still at it. But for the most part, it was go, go, GO!!!

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3 1/2 hours had flown by- I would book this again in a heartbeat. We had chosen the afternoon tour because of pictures- their advice was that the light was better and there was less glare in the afternoon vs. the morning. The morning, I believe, would have been calmer and the dolphins more active, tho- so keep that all in mind if you are planning a Na Pali boat trip.

Back in Hanalei-

We caught the van back to the lot- our driver was another good guy. He was passing around some photos of a HUGE shark he caught a few years back. Ever see the movie "Soul Surfer" ? It's the movie about Bethany Hamilton, the surfer who lost her arm to a shark while surfing in Kauai. It turns out, our van driver was the guy who went out and caught the shark. He was quite a character- I honestly could have listened to him all night! But that was not to be, because we had other plans on a certain pier. Can you say, JUMP! Up next!

 

[podsnel]

Gorgeous photos Ellen!

I can't even imagine how beautiful it is in person.

It is beyond what anyone can imagine- completely surreal.

Im in. I've been reading. It's a beautiful place.

Hi Jenny! Thanks for coming over! Are you down to 5 days? Have you been to Kauai?

 

[kathymc]

I am so enjoying your report. We just came back from the Big Island and Kauai (we stayed at the St Regis and had a similar amazing view) My husband caught a bad chest cold and all of the hiking we had planned (Pihea and Kalalau) we had to cancel. We did about 10 minutes of the Pihea Trail so I was stoked to see your pics. We also did zip and dip and while we had other guides they were a blast!

We absolutely adored Hanalie and are researching house/condo rentals for a late spring visit!

Looking forward to more as we are headed to Oahu in December. My husband won a 4 night trip to Waikiki and we are adding on 6 nights at Aulani on our points!

 

[dizneeat]

Wow! I am speechless! Those are wonderful photos. Lucky girl!

Thanks for sharing, Ellen!

 

[englishrose47]

Gorgeous pix !!! The water is soooo vibrant and the caves are awesome !!!

 

[saintstickets]

Fantastic pics and video Ellen! I really appreciate how much effort you have made in taking all these pictures. I sometimes get so busy taking pictures that I miss things! Have you ever taken a certain pic and said to yourself, that one will definately be posted on the DISboards? I'm guilty of that! Really loving this TR. Can't wait for more.

 

[Misskitty3]

Gorgeous photos Ellen!

I can't even imagine how beautiful it is in person.

My thoughts exactly!! Amazing photos! Really looks like a trip of a lifetime!!

 

[MEK]

Wow..Wow....WOW!

I looked at your pictures this morning and they are stunning. What paradise. I especially love the pictures of the four of you posing while in the boat under the rocks (I think that's what you were doing - heck I looke at them like 3 hours ago )

I agree, this really was a vacation of a lifetime! I want to go back and see them in more detail tonight. Gorgeous.

 

[JKSWonder]

The photos are just gorgeous, Ellen.

A the family pic of all of you in the cave is a fantastic shot.

 

[Mysteria]

I'm in awe at the beauty of it all!

 

[ACDSNY]

Wow it's great to see the Na Pali tour coming from the Hanalei side although I might be a little chicken to be on that small of a boat. We've taken the Capt. Andy's dinner tour from the Port Allen side which takes longer to get to the Na Pali area. No matter how you get there it's just beautiful!

 

[anewmac]

OMG I see why you couldnt deceide between pics, they all are gorgous. The water, the land, the sky omg breath taking!

just one questions.. whos the Floozy near Pods? lol

 

[franandaj]

Your pictures are so gorgeous and the excursions you take are so amazing!

 

[jenseib]

Wow! this is just gorgeous. I love your guide too. He reminds me of the guy who took us snokeling too in Grand Cayman.

I bet you never wanted to leave there.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Ellen! I'm finally all caught up!

Like Mary Ellen said - WOW! Your pics are amazing.

-Crazy Zip Lining - you are so brave! I love how you made yourself jump in the tubing water only to find you could have walked in! I would so have done the same thing!

- Your #8 story is so fun! Making family memories that you can laugh at for years is what it's all about!

- Loved your pics at Kilauea, and the Na Pali trip looks amazing. Sorry about Tim's mask. How disappointing for him.

Kuai is such a paradise! I see why everyone says it is the best Island! Looking forward to your jump!

As you know, my opportunities for being online are a little limited right now, but we are enjoying the sunshine and all the sports here - once we have our own place, it will all be good!

 

[podsnel]

Thanks for all the compliments on the pics- I'll be back for replies after I update.....

I am posting a map of the island so you can get an idea of where all these great places we visited were, and how that Kalalau Valley Lookout on the first day's hike relates to where we were on this day on the boat. On the map, the pier is not marked, but it is actually just south of the river where we got the boat-

That pier was just waiting for us....waiting for the JUMP! Well, not for me- I was taking the pictures- yea, that's my excuse, and I'm stickin to it! Really, this was the only thing I DIDN'T do with my family in Hawaii, so I don't feel all that bad about it.

Click to play-

This was another thing my kids really enjoyed- as a matter of fact, they jumped off this pier several times this night, and then they were happy to come back the next day, our last day on Kauai, for one more jump before we had to go.

Turn around, guys- Mom wants to take pictures from the beach-

Can you see them? All jumping together?

This is how it is on the beach- all the Hawaiians coming at the end of the day to hang-

While the boys kept on jumping, I started talking with a dude of about 50 or so, who was. like many in Hawaii, someone who grew up coming here as a kid, then ended up moving here as an adult with a family. He said this place? 40 years ago? It was exactly the same- he jumped off the pier as a kid, and now his kids jump off the same way. Absolutely timeless...something you don't get a lot of in life-

Everyone toweled off, and we decided it was time to get some chow. Pods said, "Alright guys, time to go back and get ready for dinner".....and I said- "Nah- we can go like this." SHOCKING, I KNOW!! Dinner in bathing suits! In a restaurant in Hanalei- well, yea, you just fit right in. SCHAAAAA.....

Tonight we were eating at Hanalei Gourmet, here's a link to the website-
http://www.hanaleigourmet.com/index.html

When we walked in, four hikers with dreads that probably had not showered in a month walked out...yea, Pods, bathing suits are just fine! Pods started with a Mai Tai-

And I had one of my FAVORITE drinks of the the trip- a Guava Dacquiri-

OMGEEEEEEEE, that was good!The boys watched football while we waited-

I asked the server which she recommended, the fish tacos (a special) or fish & chips, and she said the tacos, because I could get the F&C anyday- well, not really, I was leaving tomorrow and this was probably my one and only visit to this restaurant ever, but, I went with the tacos anyway-

Gotta say, they were very tasty, but...the BEST fish tacos were still to come on this trip.... I also got a second Guava drink-because I am no dope! Tim got a cheeseburger- well, he felt he HAD to, because it was called Big Tim's Burger on the menu-Big Tim's Burger
6 oz. of fresh, butcher ground chuck, hand formed and prepared to order with "the works" on a fresh toasted bun with french fries. 9.95

Pods went with Scallops Meuniere
Sauteed giant sea scallops served over fresh french croutes with a lemon herbed, brown butter sauce. 24.95 -

And I think Tyler had Charbroiled Pork Loin
A 16 oz. of freshly grilled, center cut pork loin. Seasoned with Hawaiian alae salt, fresh black pepper and garlic. Served with a spinach saute. 24.95

Timmy, in an extremely rare moment, finished first-

Timmy takes about an hour and a half to polish off a burger on a normal day, so either this was a REALLY good burger or this was a REALLY hungry Timmy! We Finished up, and I made them stop at the surf shop to buy tshirts to remember this great place by. Of course, had I offered needles in their eyes or unmedicated tooth extraction as an alternative to shopping, they would have picked it, I'm sure.

Shopping with my family is the WORST!!

After THAT ordeal was over, it was time for another visit to-

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