Thursday, April 30, 2015

Snorkel, Shrimp & Spa

Hi All,

More "S's" but no more stones!

This morning we were back at Poipu Beach Park for more great snorkeling.

We saw Christmas Wrasse

Moorish Idol

Yellow Tail Coris

Humu-humu-nuku-nuku-apua'a

and Convict Tang.
Great shrimp lunch in old Koloa then back to the condo in the adult spa.

Another great day; only two days left.

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Kukuiolono Park

Hi All,

We were all up late last night so got a slow start this morning. Carl is feeling fine. Around midday we drove to Wiamea for the best tacos on the island, followed by the best ice cream in Hanapepe.

On the way home we stopped at Kukuiolono Park with Japanese gardens,




hundreds of chickens following us around

and gorgeous vistas over the ocean.

Love,

Roberta & Elliot
Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Snorkel, SCUBA and Stone

Hi All,

We began the day snorkeling at Poipu Beach Park. Lots of fish in shallow water close to shore. Carl's old LUMIX camera (waterproof to 33 feet) got a few decent shots.









After lunch, Carl went on a SCUBA diving trip. On two dives he saw lots of turtles, thousands of colorful fish you never see in the Caribbean, moray eels etc.

Sandy , Roberta and Elliot hiked along the shore and up the trail to the cliffs.

After supper Carl developed back pain and other symptoms of another kidney stone. Four hours later he had IV painkillers, a cat scan and a report that the stone had passed. He's fine now.

Love,

Roberta & Elliot,

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502
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Monday, April 27, 2015

Victory at Sea

Hi All,

Carl awoke at 6:15 to see this beautiful sunrise.

The wind speed increased throughout the morning until the ocean was covered with whitecaps. This produced considerable anxiety since we were scheduled for a cruise along the Na Pali coast in the afternoon. 

We checked in for the cruise and learned that it was like "Victory at Sea" along the Na Pali coast due to the high winds. This was a reference to a 1960's World War 2 TV show that opened with scenes of Navy ships pitching and rolling through hurricane seas. We were offered a more sedate cruise along the south shore to Poipu or a refund. We opted for the refund since it didn't make much sense to pay $440 to look at our condo from the ocean!

Back at the condo, we were rewarded with this beautiful rainbow.


Love,
Roberta & Elliot
Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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A Quiet Weekend

Hi All,

A lazy couple of days, rain and relaxation. Saturday the forecast probability of precipitation was 100% for the whole day. A craft fair and shopping filled the day between downpours. The Sunday forecast was better so we hiked along the coast east of the condo for about 3 miles



Nice views. Much of the trail is alongside the Poipu Bay Golf course. To maximize the great views, the course is two holes wide and nine holes long, right along the cliff.


After dinner we walked over the Hyatt to see how the other 1% vacation!
Love,

Roberta & Elliot
Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Friday, April 24, 2015

Biking and Breadfruit

Hi All,


Carl was up before the sun to go on a 12 mile bike ride down Waimea Canyon. His first reward was this sunrise.


Driving up the canyon we entered the clouds at about 1,500 feet. By the time we got to the starting point at 3,400 feet  elevation the fog was pretty thick but down we went.
The 12 mile ride took just about an hour including several stops to let cars get past us. Carl's GPS recorded a top speed was 26.4 MPH  briefly.

In the afternoon we all toured the McBryde National Tropical Botanical Garden. Their primary mission is to preserve the indigenous Hawaiian plants that have been crowded out by introduced species. They are also preserving the 27 plant species brought to Hawaii by the Polynesian voyagers over a thousand years ago ( taro, breadfruit, banana . . .).


There was lots to look at and photograph.

Although less important in the ethno-botanical sense, these flowers were far more photogenic than taro!


Another fabulous day.

Love,

Roberta & Elliot

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Thursday, April 23, 2015

Another Fabulous Day

Hi All,

Our first activity of the day was a boat trip up to Fern Grotto.


Located in a lush tropical gorge along the Waimea River

Fern Grotto has attracted visitors for years. Roberta and Elliot first visited here 28 years ago!

While we were there, we got word that the Grand Teton Grizzly Matriarch, Bear 399 was a grandmother once again. Her daughter, Bear 610 was spotted with her new twins. 

Next stop was another gorgeous roadside waterfall.

This week is the 25th anniversary of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA released this anniversary image.

Love,

Roberta & Elliot
Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone


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Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Cascades & Kiluea

Hi All,

Today we drove north along the east coast of Kaua'i. First stop was Wailea Falls.


We then drove to the Kiluea National Wildlife Refuge . This offshore island is part of the refuge. As we watched, we saw frigate birds, red footed boobies, red and white tailed tropic birds and laysan albatross.

Along the lighthouse trail we spotted wedge tailed shearwaters nesting in the bushes.

We also got good looks at the née née goose, Hawaiian state bird.

Driving back to Poipu we once again drove down the "Tunnel of Trees".
Love,
Roberta & Elliot
Sandy & Carl 

Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Panoramas from Paradise

Hi All,

Today we explored the south shore and Waimea Canyon to capture these remarkable panoramas. Although the iPhone has a panorama feature, Carl prefers to capture individual high dynamic range images with Pro-HDR then stitch three or four of them together with AutoStitch.

Spouting Horn is a lava tube at the shore that channels the surf into a vertical water column.

About five miles up the Waimea Canyon Road is this waterfall carving a gorge in the red volcanic soil.

Mark Twain may have called Waimea Canyon the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. It sure looks that way.

This view of the Na Pali coast is at the end of the road. It is a long, steep, muddy hike to the north shore from here.
Another wonderful day. Thanks to all who have commented so far.

Love,

Roberta & Elliot

Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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More Local Special Spots

Hi All,

Our first morning view offshore showed some rain but it mostly stayed away


We hiked west along the shore and found these gorgeous flowers

More beautiful coastline 
At Poipu Beach Park we saw an endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal. In the next cove To the east we found turtles swimming close to shore.
There were about a dozen swimming in this cove. Not surprisingly, the condos across the street were "Honu Kai View" (Turtle Beach View).

Next stop was the farmers market

where Roberta & Sandy selected fresh veggies.

Back at the condo we spent some time at the pool; nice but shallow.
Love,

Roberta & Elliot
Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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Monday, April 20, 2015

Shop & Shore

Hi All,

We started today filling the cupboards for our two week stay. The Costco was great. Same selection as on mainland with wine cheaper than in FL.

In the afternoon we walked along the shore east of our condo.

With a strong SE wind there was a strong surf.


The path goes by the Hyatt where they have beautiful plantings and a place where people can leave their lei as a commitment to return.

The leis are beautiful.

The hibiscus were not to shabby either.

We turned around at this headland.

Love,
Roberta & Elliot
Sandy & Carl 
Living & Traveling in our Motorhome
Volunteering across America
617-435-8502

Photographed and sent from Carl's iPhone
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