K a u a ' i

October 29th - November 4th

Day 15: Destination Kauai

After half a day spent at airports we drop off our stuff at the condo then go hunting for grub.
It's time for another cheeseburger in paradise!

We stayed at a beautiful condo right on the shore with amazing views out two sides.
The waves crashed against the rocky shoreline right below our bedroom window.

The view from our lanai as the sun gets ready to set.  You can just make out some of the many surfers.
Our bedroom window is in the wall on the right - what a view!
Day 16: Helicopter Tour of Kaua'i

Norm enjoys the view from the lanai looking south-west.

This is the view out the livingroom windows looking east at a small bay.

Helicopter tour of Kauai! Gorgeous island, full of waterfalls, sea cliffs, rainforests and beaches!
(Sorry, too busy enjoying the flight to take any pictures!)
Thank you so much, Stefee & Mike and Joyce (Mom)!

After the flight, posing with the pilot, Byron. Notice how Norm and Alene dress exactly the same.

And another gorgeous Hawaiian sunset from our lanai.
Day 17: Scuba Diving off Poipu
Thanks to Lee & Sue and Ted & Traci, we got to do more scuba diving while on Kauai!!
We did a two-tank boat dive and saw amazing things today, a small fraction of which are picture here.

!

The endemic Hawaiian Lionfish (aka Turkeyfish), seen from below (it's on the roof of an overhangupside down).
 Venomous spines; very painful! No touchy!

Coral and sponges.

This was a very common coral.

A hermit crab in a triton shell tries to pinch our divemaster in retaliation for being disturbed.

Spinner Dolphins off the port bow!

More spinner dolphins during our surface interval.
When they jump out of the water, they actually spin in the air.

Looking up from down below. . . a sea turtle swims away in the distance.

Hawaiian Dascyllus hiding in coral. Nice try.

A Day Octopus makes an appearance!
Day 18: Car Tour of Kauai

We decided to spend the day exploring the perimeter of the Island of Kauai by car.
(We couldn't go to the high elevations because we dove yesterday.)

Located on Kauai's northern end, Kilauea Lighthouse has the world's largest clamshell lens.

We stopped on the north shore at this Dry Cave. "Dry" because it isn't full of water.

 Norm at the back of the dry cave.

This huge evil looking spider and his many brothers were camped at the opening to the dry cave.

We also stopped at the Wet Cave. "Wet" because it's full of water. 
Tempting to scuba in there and check it out. . . it goes back beyond the archway.

On of several beautiful beaches on the north shore. 

The waves were a gorgeous color.

Alene can't resist getting her feet wet.

Little whatnots picked up on the beach. The seed pods collect sand, rocks and miniature shells.

Tree roots, exposed as a north-shore beach erodes.

An endangered
Hawaiian Monk Seal takes a nap on the beach.

A tourist touched his head and he reared up and lunged for her hand before settling back down to his nap.
Do Not Disturb.
Day 19: Kayaking & The Beach House

Thank you Bob & Mo and Kaye for the chance to go on a kayaking tour in beautiful Kauai!! 
We kayaked through lush jungle settings and hiked through tropical rain forests.

Kauai is a gorgeous green tropical island.

On the hiking part of our kayak tour we visited
 a swimming hole where we "Tarzan'd" into the water!

This was the small waterfall location where we ate our tasty lunch.

Norm found a vertical lava tube to hide in at the base of a waterfall.
He went straight down in over his head after Alene took this picture.

The Menehune Fish Pond.

That night: a fancy dinner!  Here we are enjoying the relaxed atmosphere and lovely view while
waiting for our table outside the Beach House Restaurant.

The view from our table at the Beach House Restaurant.  
The food was wonderful and the setting oh so romantic! Thank you Phil & Phyllis!!!
Day 20: Waimea Canyon

Today we visited the incredible Waimea Canyon, termed "The Grand Canyon of Hawaii" by Mark Twain.
Thank you Mike & Diane!!

The views were spectacular.

Norm and Alene at one of the Canyon lookouts.  It even gets cold in Hawaii this high up.

Our last full day on the Islands and much to our dismay,
we still haven't spotted the endangered Hawaiian state bird, the Nene.

A view of part of the Na Pali coastline.

Alene, while on a hike near the top of Waimea Canyon.

Ferns seen on the hike.

A close-up of the soil that make Waimea Canyon so red.

At long last!!! The elusive Nene!!!  Our trip is now complete!

Our last excursion of the day is to the northernmost beach on the west shore.
A long drive over bumpy roads, then a hike over sand dunes, 
and we arrive at a long sandy beach.

The northern end of the beach butts up against the impassible Na Pali Coastline.

This was a very beautiful beach, reminiscent of dune beaches in Oregon.

The groom at sunset on his honeymoon in Hawaii.

Our last beach sunset while on the Islands.
It was verrrrrry romantic.
Day 21: Heading Home
This was our day of departure for home, but since our flight wasn't until late afternoon, 
we decided to continue our exploration of Kauai.

But first we say goodbye to our beloved living room gecko. . .

 . . . and our even cuter bathroom gecko.  They did a fine job of eating tiny bugs.

Then we visit Spouting Horn.

Cool tropical berry-like things. We should probably know the name, but we don't.

We visited a historic site and memorial to Prince Kuhio.

This area was royal land, and Prince Kuhio was born in a house here.

What at first looked like bright pink flowers with white centers turned out to be bright pink leaves
 and small white flowers.

Then it was back on an airplane as we headed back to home, sweet home!
Waaaaa!

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