Paradise Found

Waterfalls in the forest

Endangered Kauai chickens

Sleeping giants on beds of grass

Where the rainbow ends

Smiles while out on the Napali Coast

Wyatt and I headed west over the pacific ocean for a week. We landed in Kauai. Otherwise known as paradise or if you prefer the tourist moniker "The Garden Island." It was paradise to be at a beach resort where if all we wanted to do was sit at the pool and drink Mai Tai's while watching the waves and experiencing the trade winds we could do just that. We also could explore outside of the resort. Our week in short: Monday: Flight to Kauai followed by mai tai's at the sand bottom pool while cooled by the trade winds, dinner at the hotel Highlight of the Day: Being on holiday in a bathing suit and relaxing Tuesday: Kilohana Plantation Train Ride and Rum room. Exploration to the towns and booking our adventures, finding the grocery store and mai tai's at the pool. Dinner at The Eastside Highlight of the Day: Just enjoying the different towns, noticing the green everywhere and the chickens too. Wednesday: Early morning (heck all mornings were early) Kayaking the Waiamea River then hiking to the Secret Falls followed by a Laua at the Smith Family Gardens. Highlight of the Day: Lunch at the Secret Falls and kayaking Thursday: Morning Lei making class followed by a Hula lesson. Afternoon exploration of the south and north shore. Lighthouse, Hanapepe, Princeville, as well as exploration of the island. Dinner at Bushido Sushi Highlight of the Day: Finding a really cool lava tube on the north shore Friday: Napali Coast expedition on a coast guard outrigger. Hike in protected land followed by relaxation at the pool and mai tai's. We skipped dinner due to the filling lunch on our adventure and snacks post adventure. We had wonderful appetizers and drinks at the hotel bar then back to the room early to sleep. Highlight of the Day: Seeing a monk seal taking a rest on the rocks near the beach. Saturday: Recover from the adventure by exploring more of the island and having lunch at Bubba's Kauai raised beef burgers. Swimming and mai tai's by the pool. Highlight of the Day: Recovering from previous adventure. Sunday: Our last day in paradise. We headed out with the goal of finding several waterfalls, wondering on roads we might not have had the chance to explore which included driving up the mountain to find the arboretum but had to turn back due to rain, driving to find a chocolate factory but again turning around because it was closed, finding Kauai grown, roasted and sold coffee, and finally visiting the Plantation one more time to buy and taste Kauai rum.