One Whole Day and a Half too.

Is it a rock or honu???  

Time flies when your having fun and on vacation. A day and a half to go and these are tiki tears flowing from my eyes. It's been delightful and a great vacation and chance to share this place with friends who have never been to Hawaii and the island of Kauai before. I have so many friends I could pack up and bring here to explore (even if they have been here before).  Figured out, I have been coming for the past 12 years. First Rich and I, and now myself with Mike, other family and friends too. It's been great sharing with Chad Okuma (the last Hawaiian vacation with Chad was 1999 when they graduated from high school). The tradition continues along with the blessings.  And I pray Mike and Jeff both bring their families and friends here for many years to come. Looking forward to seeing Christie and Max here hopefully next year.  Excited to see the Rich Hyland DNA, in action here on the shores of Poipu in the next few years with Hunter and the new baby.  The legacy we were given. 

Sitting here enjoying the view in a lounge chair with Kathi and her friends. We are watching 3 to 4 Honu gracefully playing in the shore break eating off the lava rocks in the surf. The canvas changes every few seconds. Clouds, winds, color of the ocean.... A Mai Tai.  No Mai Tai yet, since this morning mixology class. Kathi and I  now have a Double major in mixing Mai Tai's (we have been to the class twice).  We will need to try out our new found skills and our degree on our friends at Hylands Island very soon.  Now accepting occupants for barstools....

Oh my jump to Thursday. Last sunset coming up.  No no no.  Last Mai Tai

Too.  Feeling blessed and sad! 

Island time goes to fast...

'

Island time - the slowed down pace of life and the lack of bombardment of our everyday life in California.... Then the lightening speed of looking at the calendar and realizing you only have 4 days left of your 14 in this colorful place. Where has the time gone the last 5 days....

We finished last Wednesday in a spooning way. Everyone came to our villa for dinner and wine. Then it was time for "let the games begin".  Julie and Bruce talked us all into a card game which involves the grabbing of spoons when someone gets four of kind. A very fast paced game, you don't know if you should look at the cards or at the spoons (9 people play only 8 spoons to grab so one person always comes up short... And you lose when you spell the words spoons and you must sit out, I learned first hand it is a very long boring time to be the first one out. I also learned I have competitive friends that will climb across the table length wise to grab a spoon - Chad what a move). Since Bruce and Julie are from Colorado I am thinking they play this game in the winter and have tournaments to stay warm and they have some really good spoon grabbing maneuvers.... Warning, this game could cause injury and severe muscle aches in the stomach region from laughing so hard.

 In this picture, Kathi is questioning Dicks, spoon grabbing stragedy and consoling me as I add another letter to my score. 

Although Kathi is is staying with me her friends, Dick and wife Pat along with Bruce and wife Julie, are staying in Kathi's villa.  These 6 people (when Bob was alive) are lifelong friends from back in the kids soccer days.  What a great night.

Thursday, it was time for tubing the sugar cane ditches with Kauai Back Country and the group. Butts up, lights on. Terms you may hear while going through the tunnels as your inter tube bounces from side to side and spins around.  This is a Hyland favorite, that we have been doing time and time again for years.  We have done it so much we get the local rate... Nice.

Mt. Waialeale in the background.  Getting some of its 500 inches of a rain.  

September 18, was a day of reflection on the 3rd anniversary of my second marriage to Rich.  The Ohana 3 years ago on Maui before the renewal of our vows.  After 36 years to recommit to each other at sunset with family, the ukulele playing next to us such a God moment, I will never forget.  

A great day Thursday was followed up by dinner at a Hyland-Render all time favorite place the Beach House Restaurant.  Yes, we enjoyed one of the Rendarrio wines that was packed in my luggage with great friends and a sunset.  

Then there were 3, Haiti sister friends. Summer arrives.

What is one of the top 5 things new visitors to Hawaii want to do after a giant shave ice and seeing waterfalls? Go to a Luau!

The fun and the adventures continue and Friday was the big adventure.  Getting all of us into the zodiac for the 17 miles plus viewing of the Napli coast line.  Majestic, and radiant at 6:30 in the morning, not a cloud in the skies as the sun rises over the ancient cliffs.  It was like riding on a velvet ocean compared to the Costa Rica excursion.  Not one of the 20 persons on board needed the sea sick bag.  That is a good day.

A quick stop at the the Shrimp Shack for some of that world famous garlic and coconut shrimp (we give it a 10 thumbs up rating) and then we are off to Waimea canyon to the lookout points. Our end destination is the look out that looks from the top down the cliffs of the Napli coast line.  You never know what you're going to get weatherwise. And on this day we ended up in a big cloud cover and their was no view to be scene or seen.  We still had plenty of stops and scenery to take in as we drove to our destination. Funny because Chad, Yvonne and Summer had no idea that the ocean was in front of them because the cloud cover was so thick.  Which means that they have to come back someday.  The look out to Napli is the Pu'u o Kila lookout.  

A stop along the way.

Canyon View

What a great last day for Yvonne, to soon it was Monday and Summer and I drove her to the airport for her afternoon flight. She feel in love with Kauai and she will be back.  Too soon it was Monday and time to take Summer to the airport.  We did manage to get take her out to Maha'ulepu for some kodak moments, with Chad, Mike and myself.

Friends

Saturday night Yvonne, gets down and dirty with her homework for her soils class.

A selfie at the Menehune pond before Yvonne begins re-entry back in irvine...  Hugs to all going to go soak in more of the beauty around the resort.  Live picture post 2:45 pm Hawaiian island time.  Aloha

Island Time

Definitely on Island Time.  Everything is going tropical!  Exploring and having a fantastic time.  A few pictures to share. 

The only Coffee Bean on the Island. Amazing the rental car knows right where to go to get here.

Kilauea lighthouse.  Who knew it was closed on Monday.  Guess we will just have to go back later in the week.  Still it is breathtaking from a distance. 

Life is full of warnings. 

Panoramic of the dry cave. Much better in person. Lesson: Your iPhone flashlight is not enough light to light your way if you wonder to far inside this cave... Dark 

Yvonne is so good she doesn't even get wet

 Yvonne definently has the form down.  

Hammock morning after our mixology class.  Yvonne is coaching me on how to get in the hammock so I don't dump us both on our butts.  

When Your Cup Explodes and your Camera says Wow.

I need to admit my spiritual cup was running a little low today, which had nothing to do with being in this beautiful and spiritual place. For several years on a Sunday morning while "on island" (a term they use here), we have gone to Kauai Christian Fellowship.  They start the music today and my spiritual cup exploded.  Yvonne, was having the same experience and then Katie Booye (their praise leader, and it happens to be her last day she is moving to southern California), sang the song OCEANS by Hillsong. Being in this place and seeing Gods hand everywhere it just connected all the dots.  Further, Yvonne looks at me and tells me she listened to the song two times Sunday morning.  She knew the song Katie was going to sing by the first three notes, was that a spiritual sign or not? We believe it was!

Then pastor Dane, delivered a great sermon, it was a prelude to their next 21 week study in the book of John. Yvonne and I will be back in 21 weeks see you in Februay....  

Katie, and the rest of her team raised the roof off the place.  A red haired dynamo. Purposefully, bumped into her after the service, so we could share the enthusiasm we felt and wish her well in her next adventure. Exchanged some info with her and told her she was invited to Hylands Island anytime. I would love to be her adopted aunty. 

Here is the link to a great church experience if you are on the south side of  Kauai.... Or just goggle it 

http://www.kauaichristian.com

We followed up church with a world-famous PUKA dog which was reviewed by the travel Channel. Their fresh squeezed lemonade is the best and if you have some left it goes well in an adult beverage at the end of the day.  After we received our super powers from the PUKA dog we went for a breathtaking hike along the Maha'ulepu beaches. Some of Kathis friends were not ready to take on the challenge of a dirt road in their rental car and turned around to visit other sites. After 3 weeks of traveling a lot of dirt roads in Costa Rica and with Yvonne as the copilot we looked like two Irvine housewives out in the mini van for a drive to the market. We did bottom out a couple of times but we were on a sight seeing mission.

 

Click click click, every 10 feet cameras were out and clicking away.  We walked along on an elevated field of litchified sand.  The constant assault from the waves, winds and sea spray has caused the sandstone to erode into short fantastically sharp and strange looking shaped pinnacles.  Many of which look to me like lizzards and prehistoric animals.  Click click click...   every 10 feet or every 10 seconds was an opportunity for a new photo op. Even are cameras were saying wow.  

Monday moms, Yvonne and I found a new place for our meetings...

Spouting Horn 

Delightful

Sunset....again... 

We finished the great day with lots of laughter and a Milky Way with a few shooting stars.  Yvonne, Kathi and myself sat out in the dark watching the night sky, giggling and laughing as only girlfriends can do at times... It felt good. 

View and Views.

Landing gear down... Here we come.  Top picture Kauai, this picture flying over Oahu.

Returning to the Hyland tropical home. Flying over the blue water of the Pacific, looking out the window the big island off in the distance and flying over Maui and Oahu.  Officially viewed 5 of the Hawaiian islands today (Molokai too). Which can only mean we are getting close to those tropical breezes and swaying palm trees and the Honu Bar. Remembering the first time in Hawaii when Jeff, Mike, Rich and myself were all a lot younger.  Stepping on to the stair way of the plane to disembark (before all the jetways) for the first time and feeling that tropical breeze and seeing the palm trees bend and sway in the wind.  The senses were all engaged, and our family and friends continue to fall in love with this special spiritual place. They welcome you at the Waiohai by saying welcome home. What a great feeling to be home your soul just feels good and refreshed.

Yvonne my friend and Haiti sister is here with me and she has fallen in love in less than 12 hours.  We just need to keep that Indian-Scottish skin from getting to tanned in the first day. I should talk, sitting in the shade of my favorite spot I can feel the burn, and it's not an exercise kind of burn. You don't normally feel the strain on your muscles when your butt is planted in a lounge chair and this is your view.  NOTE|: baby chicken in the shadow on the left.  I want to come back as a Kauai chicken living here at the beach someday. Yes, it's true they are still off their schedule from Iniki from 1992, and crow randomly when ever they want at will.

Big plans for the day here in Poipu, Yvonne, Kathi and myself need to keep these lounge chairs company, we may throw in a trip to Glass beach. And the really big one we are going to Wal-mart. Seriously, best one in the United States.  I will get a review from Yvonne and let you know. 

We are so blessed to have one of the best views and location on the property.  Yvonne, calls it the crows nest.  On the fourth floor overlooking the water, beach and pools.  Wow! Wow and wow.  Oh and our neighbors are the tops of the palms trees. Oh and we can see the Honu (sea turtles) from our balcony.  Yvonne was impressed and had her first Honu sighting.

Live picture 5:37pm... On the balcony listening to the live music and the waves.  Not sure it gets any better.

Hugs to all back home....

Vacation Count Down

7 days to go and this could be the view that greets us in Kauai

Last years view in Poipu shortly after we arrived. Rainbows are always good, then a double and almost a triple.  Mike was enjoying a surf while Debbie, Ron and myself checked out the property.  This is a special place for the Hylands, Rich and I vacationed in paradise on Kauai the past 12 to 14 years.  Our very favorite spot the Honu bar at Waihoai, of course sitting on the lawn over the lava and crashing waves is also a favorite.  Actually I am guessing about 500 favorites on this Island.

Thrilled to be sharing the experience with Summer, Yvonne (Haiti mission sisters), who have been all over the world on missions, but never to Hawaii....and Kathi this year.  Good news for Mike his friend Chad will be joining him. Last time Chad vacationed with us was Hawaii in 1999, the year he and Mike graduated from high school (oh my 15 years ago really). We rented a fabulous beach house on on the north shore of Oahu.  When my lottery numbers hit my house will be on the North shore. Such a dreamy place (of course I think if your going to have a chance of that happening you need to play... note to self buy a lottrey ticket).

Last years trip was bad.  Food positioning for myself, Debbie and Ron (not sure they will be anxious to vacation with me any time soon, although now it's one of those incidents we laugh at after a libation or two), Mike ended up in the hospital from the food poisioning or as he calls it a bad bout of flu. Jeff, was in the hospital same time in Long Beach.  Challenging!

We get all that behind us the Browns fly home and we move onto Princeville, Dale, Diane, Kathi, Mike and myself.   A new place to discover.  Then I get the phone call that Gracie was super sick and we flew home 6 days early from our trip.  She waited for us all night and seeing her after a night of anxious flying she couldn't even lift her head to greet us.  There was no decision to make, an hour later she crossed over into dog heaven.  Pretty sure Gracie and Rich are up there in the clouds romping around while Rich throws her much loved tennis ball for her.  Actually this vision gives me peace.

This year promises to be a 100% turn around from last year.  I will be blogging, when I am not sitting at the Honu bar with an umbrella in my drink.  Beware pictures of tropical drinks with umbrellas to follow... along with adventures and what trouble the three of us can get into when not on a mission trip to Haiti.   Oh this is going to be fun! Hulu lessons, lei making.  And yes a zodiac trip on the Napli coast to visit sea caves etc.   Can you believe it me again on the ocean.....

Oops time to book a rental car... Better get on that 7 days and counting every second to go. 

A week ago

A week ago we were flying home home from our adventure in Costa Rica.  It feels like we have been home a month, hard to believe it has only been a week.  Almost time to pack again leaving for Kauai in 10 days.  So excited to spend vacation time with Haiti sisters Yvonne and Summer. They do mission work all over the world but neither has been to Hawaii.  It's going to be FABULOUS!

My NEW hiking boots in the gulf on the boat trip (one of those where in the world are you feet now pictures).  Looks mild and the water is calm at the moment.  You can see one of the big storms brewing up ahead.  Yes, our boat was aimed right towards it.   The new boot smell was definitely gone father this adventure, and 5 days of drying they were good as new again. 

Stormy Seas and Wet Skies.

 Crazy picture with water flying everywhere.  Hunter clinging to his mom.   

Finding a Tapier and posing for a picture.  No Zoo here

Across the inlet from the Tapier… Big Reptile on the shore.  Glad we didn't become his dinner.  He could have just as easily been sunning himself on our side of the river.  They look like some of the washed up logs and sand. 

Family Phot time at a place called the Tree House Hotel… A little dangerrous for a toddler we didn't stay long the view was off the charts.

Jeff excited about capturing great mccaw video.

Love it…. Not a post card, one of my better photos