Kauai in Review: Exploring

You know those vacations where you just want to "get away" from the rainy northwest, head to a tropical location, sip on a tasty beverage, and lounge on the beach all day? Yeah... well, I have never taken one of "those" vacations. When you are married to a man who claims "if I'd been alive 500 years ago, I would've been an explorer" you can pretty much rule lounging vacations on the beach OUT. Although I truly enjoy reading on the beach for a day or two, I also love exploring with The Great Jonas Newton. Here is a glimpse into some of our "adventures" on the great Island of Kauai...

PUBLIC PARK/GOLF COURSE (Southwest Shore)
Here is a park with an amazing view that we stumbled upon while looking for a place to eat our Hawaiian plate lunch. Doesn't it look like the perfect spot for a wedding? I can see it now... the ceremony under the big tree, looking out over the south shore... Ok that's it- my next friend who gets engaged MUST have a destination wedding...


LITHIFIED CLIFFS (South Shore)
Joe and I read about these cliffs in our guidebook, Kauai: Revealed. He was OBSESSED with this book, although in his defense it never led us astray. We found cheap local restaurants and fun little places to check out that were not busy or touristy at all. We loved these cliffs so much we came back here a couple of times, just to hang out and watch the sunset.

Here is part of the cliffs next to the mighty Pacific Ocean

We unexpectedly spotted a couple of whales (look close!)

Little old Joe on a big old cliff

This is so Titanic-esque

Even the clouds in Kauai are beautiful

Me with the hub in our new favorite spot

The view to the north (a COMPLETELY isolated beach lies just about a mile north of here... of course we went off and looked for that one too, pretty awesome)


QUEEN ANNE'S BATH (North Shore, near Princeville)
Again, we read about this area in our guidebook. However, we hung out here for at least an hour and only saw two other people the whole time. I don't know if it was the weather or the warning signs of death that kept people away, but it was awesome to have almost to ourselves. Cool cliffs, clear tidepools with fun ocean creatures, huge crashing waves, and my first taste of fresh coconut milk made this a fun little spot.

This warning sign is kinda creepy... have this many people REALLY died at Queen Anne's Bath?

The water here is SO clear!

Joe carefully peeking over the edge

Well hello Mr. Crabber

As the sign warns, the waves here can be brutal.

I love the ripples in the water here... so soothing

The water in the baths was such a clear, beautiful blue... and set against a pretty nice background.

Joe vs. a coconut he spied as we were looking for Queen Anne's Bath

Using the key to our rental car as a wedge (notice the stick in his hand as his hammer)

Jonas, "I provide for my woman"... (thanks sweetie)

And the winner is...

Jonas!

Ahhh... victory tastes so sweet (especially when it is fresh coconut milk)

Mmmmm... snacky snack time for me!