I was kind of awake this morning when Robby thought that
he heard a knock on the door. I jumped up and looked but no one was there.
After checking my phone, we discovered that it was a tad too early for knockers
since it was still 6:45. We had a few more minutes to rest before it was time
to wake up and get Keaton ready for breakfast.
She had opted to go with Nonna and Pops to breakfast at
the nicer dining room. Everyone, but Campbell, went with them. They had to
leave a bit before we did so after getting her ready, Robby and I got ourselves
ready and then I did a bit of organizing for our day trip and started to stuff
one suitcase full of dirty clothes. I was so organized getting here-all 7 of
the suitcases that I packed-but coming home will be a different story. I will
end up just shoving stuff in the suitcases.
Campbell, Whitman, Robby and I went to breakfast at the
buffet. We found enough to eat though It think that I am getting a bit sour
with the breakfast buffet. I have enjoyed the eggs benedict though tomorrow I
might just try an omelet (I don’t think I have ever had one.)
Robby and Pops left to get the cars before 9 and at 9, I led the group off the boat to the terminal to wait on the cars. They soon arrived and we all climbed in and headed towards Waimea Canyon.
Our first stop along the way was the Kauai Coffee
Plantation. There were plenty of samples for Nonna, Pops and Jason to try out.
The kids depleted Jason and Pops of all of their change when they found a coin
smasher. Everyone left with smashed coins that said Aloha or Kauai. Then we
walked along the self guided tour. It was pretty interesting-the coffee beans
grow inside of a cluster of fruit that they call cherries. They are ready when
they are red. I picked one and most of the fruit is filled with the bean. I
assumed that the cherry would smell coffee-ish but instead it smelled sweet
like fruit. It was also very sticky and when I licked my fingers it tasted
delicious (not like coffee at all.)
After the coffee plantation, we headed up the hill to
Waimea Canyon. It wasn’t too long of a drive until we reached the top of the
canyon. Waimea Canyon is often called the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Anderson
said that it was prettier than the Grand Canyon because instead of all of the
browns, it is full of bright red dirt along with lush green plants.
On the way to the top of the Canyon, we stopped at one
place. Out of the red dirt came a waterfall flowing. It was pretty steep but
the kids enjoyed climbing on it. The only problem about this was the red dirt
was everywhere. I am sure that it will prove difficult to wash out of their
clothes but surely it is nothing that some oxyclean can’t handle!
We stopped at two different overlooks when we were on the
top of the Canyon. You could see helicopters inside of the canyon flying folks
around for a close up view. There was also a beautiful waterfall that you could
see in the distance.
There was a booth at the top of the overlook set up. We
did buy some sugar cane and pineapple. Robby tried to get all of the kids to
try the sugar cane before handing them the pineapple. My little two rarely will
try anything new. I have tried sugar cane now and I can say that I don’t have
to try it again. I am just not really big on sucking on a piece of wood.
On the way back down the canyon, Graham got a bit carsick
and had to stop briefly. He was in Pops’ car and we weren’t too sure when we
had lost them. They eventually showed back up and we found a spot to pull over.
As in true Hawaii fashion, the spot that we parked was on the ocean and it was
absolutely breathtaking. Soon he was feeling better so I shoved him in my car
and we were off.
From that stop, we just had a bit longer until I jumped
out of the car. We had spotted the Kauai Kookie company so I ran in to pick up
a snack for the cars. It was really just a warehouse with a back-room gift
shop. They had some pretty fancy cookies but I did find some for both cars. I
passed them out and soon we were all back in the road.
We didn’t have too far to go until our next stop. It was
a swinging bridge over a river. Graham was a bit skittish of it but it was fun
and the long old bridge didn’t collapse. After our walk across the bridge, we
went through another gift shop-this time is a was the Aloha Spice Company. We didn’t
buy anything there even though Whitman quickly walked me to the ice cream
freezer.
Our drive took us through a beautiful tree tunnel on our
way to see Spouting Horn. This blow hole was much more impressive than the one
we had seen on Oahu. I tell you Kauai is my favorite island. It has the
beautiful beaches along with the lush green mountains right nearby. So if my
family picks up a moves, it will probably be to Kauai.
Just a mile or two down the road through the resort area
was a beach called Shipwreck Beach. It was an absolutely beautiful beach with
huge crashing blue waves. We let everyone put their feet in and of course my
boys left with wet shorts. But who could blame them from wanting to get in that
gorgeous water?
As we were washing off our feet, Whitman was quick to
turn on the top shower sprayer and take a shower so he also joined the boys in
being soaking for the ride back to the boat. It was just about 15 minutes back
to the boat and we drove back through the tree tunnel again.
Now on the way through the tree tunnel, we saw a hat
laying on the road. We could even tell that the hat said Kauai. The kids begged
us to stop but there was no way to turn around on the crazy road. Now this time
on the way back through the tree tunnel that silly hat was still there. We made
a u-turn and Robby drove slowly as I jumped out of the car and grabbed the hat.
Anderson was quick to suggest different people that we could give the hat to as
a souvenir but currently it is sitting atop my head.
It was just a short haul back to the boat. I parked Pops’
car while he went inside with the rest of the crew. By the time that Robby and
I were back to our room, Reagan had already dressed Whitman in his nice clothes
and was heading back to get herself ready (Sometimes they just amaze me.) Pops
took one load of kids upstairs to grab a bite to eat since we hadn’t had lunch.
A bit later, Robby took another group. Graham has been a bit funny today
because every time he leaves us to take a shower, run to get some cereal, drop
something off in his room, etc. he shouts, “Don’t leave me.” He is kidding but
I am afraid that the boy has a complex!
We loaded up and pulled out again around 4:45. We drove a
bit and stopped at a waterfall that is famous for being on Treasure Island.
Afterwards, we hightailed it to the luau. We didn’t do the luau from the boat
but did Smith Family Luau. We had lots of fun and would highly recommend it.
The grounds were absolutely gorgeous and as we arrived we
were given shell leis. Then we walked towards the imu pit. The kids had a
perfect spot as they uncovered the pig. I wasn’t able to get a picture of
Keaton’s disgusted looking face when she realized that they were digging up our
supper. I am pretty sure that she did not have any of the pork tonight. Then we
headed on to the dining area.
They had plenty of drinks and the kids quickly found area to get cokes-they have been a bit deprived this week. As Graham was going to get his second drink, I told him to pick up a fruit punch on the way back. They had fruit punch just sitting out. Graham looked at me and asked, “does it have alcohol in it?” I guess the boy thinks I would tell him to grab an alcoholic drink!
They had plenty of drinks and the kids quickly found area to get cokes-they have been a bit deprived this week. As Graham was going to get his second drink, I told him to pick up a fruit punch on the way back. They had fruit punch just sitting out. Graham looked at me and asked, “does it have alcohol in it?” I guess the boy thinks I would tell him to grab an alcoholic drink!
Soon the luau food was ready-they had a wide assortment
of food. Whitman’s favorite was the fried rice. It was very good but most of
his rice ended up on top of him and on the floor. As I was walking with him
later in the night, I put my hand in my pocket and told him that I had rice in
my pocket from him. He was quick to tell me that he also had rice in his
pockets and it was yummy.
Everyone ate until they were stuffed and then we headed
to the luau ceremony. It was bleacher type seating but Graham and Campbell
found a spot on the grass. Soon I joined them with Whitman. I had been trying
to get Keaton to sit with them but she did not want to sit on the grass. Once I
was over there, she hopped in my lap. After a while with her and Whitman on my
lap, I just stretched my dress out as far as I could so she would have
something to sit on.
Our favorite part of the luau were parts where there was
fire. Whitman was about to go to sleep but he quickly stirred when the fire
throwing and swinging happened. When the luau was over, we walked down the
beautiful sidewalk towards our cars. They had lanterns lit and it was perfect
weather.
The ride back to the boat wasn’t long so we dropped
everyone off and Robby and I went to look for parking spots. There weren’t too
many but we did find some. We had walked about a block or two when Robby
remembered that his wallet was in the car. He thought about leaving it in there
but decided that we should go back and get it.
By the time we made it back to the room, the boys were
already in their beds with their pajamas on (someone listened to me!) The girls
were showering and when we made it to the room, we threw on Keaton and
Whitman’s pajamas and they were soon sound asleep even though Robby and I were
still talking.
Tomorrow is our last full day on the boat but it will be
an early morning!
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