Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Aloha!

Aloha from Poipu Beach on Kauai!

Every day we’ve seen a variety of sea life. We’ve had three whale sightings! This morning I just happened to look up from my knitting and saw a whale breach. First time I’ve ever seen that. Later in the day we all saw a whale slapping its tail over and over. Several times during the day we observed sea turtles swimming in the surf. Almost every day a monk seal takes a nap on the beach. Because it is endangered, locals are designated protectors and put ropes around them to keep people at a distance. Dan managed to capture some of the abundant life under the surface while snorkeling with his waterproof camera





Not all the sea life were fish...


the unicorn fish
I think this is a surgeon fish.
butterfly fish
trigger fish, which has a long Hawaiian name... humu... something. it's the Hawaiian state fish.

The surf has been unusually high due in part to some breezy weather. It makes our morning beach walks pretty interesting. Several places along the rocky shore the waves splash about 25 feet in the air.





We did manage to find a place to do some boogie boarding where we didn’t get smashed by the waves (well, not too badly anyway.) We did swallow a lot of salt water and let’s just say that our sinuses are well irrigated. I lost my goggles when I got flipped by a wave and Colin lost a flipper.



Dan caught the biggest wave... and rode it all the way in.





Tuesday was expected to be clear but windy, so we decided to go to the high country of Koke’e state park and Waimea Canyon park to do some hiking. We hiked about four miles downhill, on a slip and slide in some places, to a viewpoint of the Na Pali coast. I think the photos will speak for themselves of the awesome beauty of the place. On they way back we got into the fog and rain which was hanging over the mountaintops, but it was worth it.


Oh, how they need a Kauai trails association. Even with our poles, we all fell at least once.


The view from the lookout.

Waimea canyon.

We went through a Kauai rain squall on the way back, but then went swimming in the sun at Poipu.


We went to market on Monday and came home with all kinds of wonderful fruits and vegetables, all locally grown by small farmers. Colin had a strong desire for fish for dinner, so we purchased Monchong, a deep sea fish. Dan and I ate some at Keoki’s and it was some of the best fish we’ve every had. Our preparation wasn’t quite as gourmet, but it was so tender and tasty.


Dan bought a ukulele, Hawaiian made of Koa wood, and he is having a great time finding songs on the internet to play, such as Honolulu Baby and I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas.


This was Wednesday's sunset. One of the best.

Wish you were here...

No comments: