Hawaii's Call

Beach lover. That is me. The Hawaiian Islands call out... "come and see my beauty". Animals and plants of Kauai - strut your stuff!!  ->

Really... 
Go right ahead, Kauai - strut like a peacock! You've got the right... your shores contain some of the most colorful, outrageous, unique creatures the world has ever seen! {in my humble opinion}

Oh, The Sights...

Our caravan of six - stuffed into a brand new mini-van - hit the lone highway that rims the edge of the Island of Kauai. When you rarely get to a specific destination it seems sacrilegious to forgo the sightseeing and touring of said place. We just HAD TO. We saw valleys of green, lush foliage, seas roiling with white spindrift, red dirt canyons and the acreage of a bird sanctuary-garden that became a night of eating and entertainment....

Taro fields ~

Our neighboring pool was luxurious ~

Our day to Waimea Canyon was nearly a bust.. as there was so much vlog (volcanic fog) and clouds that the view deep down into the volcano was instead a sky of white mist ~

but, clear - it did!

As we sat parked waiting for the weather to cooperate, my Dad was skillfully bargain shopping with a man that sat on the grass with his wares all around him. What a cheerful, haoli man he was. This guy made jewelry from all sorts of seeds and pods off the local trees. Sweetly, Dad purchased all of his "girls" a piece of jewelry. I'll remember it forever.

Bamboo forests of posts over 20 feet in height.... this image does not do it justice. What a wild walk on this morning - through a hurricane destroyed resort - with the forest creeping in on the foundations and roads....

The leaves of this tree bearing the names of loves ~

Encounters with numerous locals rendered stories of unusual temps and wave action. Hanalei Bay is known for its calmness. While we visited a few of the days had us hiking out just to see the wild surf and high waves ~

look at the size and curl of this wave ~

Supremely lush, unique and a tropical Eden... I realize just how many scenery images I shot! This post is very photo-heavy. So, I'll either share captured scenery again.. or maybe even get into my personal stash of family pictures and add them next time. While I do at times attach a photo of myself, maybe Hubby too ... but not often do I do a spread on many of my loved ones. Possibly now I will! They're a good lot - that family of mine - I'm sure they won't mind (seeing as this blog is not a big read in the Internet world).  hhhaa

The Past Week of Paradise

Back onto my new sofa and ready to share some Kauai beauty.  Man, does that island have some lush greenery! While it was pretty, 'twas also hot and humid - not my favorite weather. Yet, who's to complain when you can just run on over to the ocean or the pool to cool down?

The "secret" went off with nary a hitch! The long white limo was quite a surprise! I believe it took a moment for Mom & Dad to realise that Hubby & I were also part of the surprise.

Leis and mimosas for the ride...

Resort living is pretty darn special! Yet, we were happy to have dinners right on our own lanai. We shopped the local farmer's market for fresh produce. A fishery for freshly caught  Ono (Wahoo) and took numerous trips to the Hanalei grocer.

Along with vacation excesses we were also sure to add healthy time to each day.  New scenery for a morning walk every sunrise...

Water activities for all...

including looking like a silly sea creature..   Ha!

The pool was the perfect temperature...

There were days of sightseeing. Spectacular scenery was at every turn. You'll see more of this Kauai paradise soon.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

This is how the story goes ~

Brother and Sister-in-law make plans to celebrate their 5th Wedding Anniversary at the same beautiful spot where they honeymooned. Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii.

not Kauai... but, right couple!

Somehow they get the notion to invite along our parents (mine & bros). Said parents NEVER go on these sort of vacations. Dad has not flown since the Navy... oh, around Nineteen Fifty! Mom has on occasion traveled with me for a Fall weekend of antiquing.. but not much more. The parents even venture to the ocean - just the two of 'em; still quite limited.

Mom & Dad said yes to the Hawaii trip of a lifetime. Was it that my Dad figured - why the hell, not? Since last year he nearly left this planet. May as well go to another state far, far away.. what could be so bad?

Weeks pass and everyone is joyous that Mom & Dad will be seeing this amazing place and relaxing for a week. Bro & SIL come up with the idea to ask Hubby and myself along too.  We keep the secret amongst us four until we're sure if will happen. There is a possibility that the room reservation cannot be changed to accommodate us. Then, even though the booking agent says it almost never happens, a larger "apartment" becomes vacant and it is given to my SIL!!  Hubby & I booked our flight in a matter of seconds.

WE'VE KEPT THE SECRET!!  Mom & Dad have no idea that Hubby & I are on the travel ticket! We leave this morning!! We let the rest of my brothers and families in on the plan. Had to, in fact, seek one brothers extra help. He must now stay with the parents' pets the entire week, since I can no longer go to relieve him! Good brother, huh?

How will we reveal the secret? I'm scheduled to be airport shuttle early in the morn. It is said that I will pick the 4 of them up at my brothers and whisk them away. Little do any of them know.. Hubby & I will arrive in a limousine. Hubby had the foresight to buy fixins for a mimosa for each of us. We'll pop out of the limo and hopefully not cause the parents a heart attack.

The last couple of months have been a frequent panic. Many times we've wondered if our feet would ever leave the ground. Often I've exclaimed - "just get us on that plane!". Wishes and prayers, and lots of ... please-please-please. Even up til this morning, as my Father-in-law was ill and seen at the hospital late last night. GGEEEEESH!  Is someone trying to tell us not to get on the plane?


So.   ALOHA!! from here...

Think I will not bring the computer with me. No Abundant Picnic {blogging}... however, YES! to abundant picnic living on that tropical isle. Fish & fruit and picnics in the sand!

Back in about 8 sunsets from now!!