Fun Week For Us!
One good thing about owning a time-share is that we vacation every year. Larry and I both know that if we didn't have to pay dues we probably wouldn't schedule a get-a-way every year. We haven't been sorry for buying it. I wouldn't suggest it for others simply because it's easy to find good deals for Hawaii and other places on the internet these days. We just don't think we would have gone like we have if we didn't have it. Larry and I arrived a few days before our kids so we could have a little alone time. ☺ We stopped by Larry's favorite little fruit stand, Banana Joes right off the bat. We always do. We lined a few things up for the kids and bought some groceries and then we relaxed. Now that our vacation is over, I'm thinking it might have been a good idea to send the kids home and have a few more days of alone time just to rest. We wore out! We wanted the kids experience as much as they could. Our deal with them was we would get them Kauai and make sure they got fed but all their fun and extra's would have to paid by them. Our kids are good at saving and so they all had plenty.
One of my very favorite things to do is watch for whales. The condo we were at has a balcony right by the ocean and on Saturday the whales were out there. They were there every day but on Saturday they were close. These pictures aren't good because I just had my phone but they help me remember. I enjoy watching the whales until I can't see them anymore. These whales were still close when they left my view but I didn't bother leaving to follow them. Something about it thrills me inside.
We enjoyed some shaved ice a few times. I think they are actually more enjoyable when the weather is hot but regardless we had our share. I usually shared with Larry and when I did get my own I was never able to finish it. They make them big!
Jaydan wanted to go on a hike that Braxton had told him about. (Trichelle and TJ actually found it first and told us all about it) So on Monday we hiked! It's a 3 mile hike through Mahogany Trees. It's beautiful and leads to a really pretty botanical garden. The reward is wonderful. The boys were able to swing off a rope into the pond there which is always fun for boys. I tried taking pictures but some lady continued to walk directly between us every time. I loved the hike but wasn't thrilled with my back. Propping little kids on my right hip has paid a toll on me. My lower back hurts whenever I stand too long or am on my feet for long. Needless to say the hike was a little long and my back was screaming. I had to stop often and try to stretch it but I made it with a few tears.
We went miniature golfing after the hike. It was fun and Larry was on fire. Last time we golfed there I was the one to beat but not this time. I was still hurting but hung on. We had fun. The course has been thinned out. You could see the other holes and sometimes that has not been the case. It's been fun watching this course. We were there the first year when everything was newly planted to having it lush and beautiful. It really is a pretty course and pretty fun.
Another favorite of mine is waking up to beautiful sunrises. I just lay in bed and watch the sky change colors. I do jump up to step out onto the deck to take a picture. I love sunrise and sunsets.
The first adventure our kids had was to go zip lining. They did the zip and dip and were gone for hours. There are 9-11 zips and then a little hike to a pond where they could jump in or just float around and then have some lunch. When we went to pick them up it was nice to hear the rest of their group tell us what good kids they are. I knew the others would enjoy them because they really are so fun.
Kimi really wanted to go Horseback riding and so on Wednesday we jumped on a few horses and off we went. The ride was through a few fields and it was pretty enjoyable. My horse was the only one that caused a few problems. It might have had something to do with me but I'm pretty sure old Blondie just had a mind of his own.
We tied the horses up and went a little twenty minute hike. Twenty long minutes going straight up or down the mountain. Holy Crap my legs do not do well and they were shakin like bacon when we finally made it down to the waterfall. It was a peaceful little place and we enjoyed a yummy little lunch while we rested. The kids enjoyed the water....oh the joys of being a kid. I enjoyed being dry.
The waterfall was pretty and I was fine just to enjoy for as long as possible. I knew that only way back to the horses was up and I wasn't excited for that at all. We took a different route and it was a lot better. We did have to cross a river and climb a rock wall but that was at the first and the worst and it wasn't that bad. My legs reminded me of this little twenty minute hike for three days after.
Since there was still daylight and so much more that one could do we decided to go kayaking. The ocean was off limits this week because of the undercurrents and so we stayed in the river. I think the kids really enjoyed it. Larry was going to go with us but his finger split open riding the horses and so he decided against it. Before we came to Hawaii, Larry had an accident at work and smashed his finger. It spit open and his wedding ring had to be cut off. He had 7 stitches and even though everyone who saw his finger knew it was broke the x-rays showed it was just dislocated. Let's just say he was still suffering with a lot of pain this week but made sure we all had a good time.
Thursday we headed to the south side of the Island. We had a dinner cruise planned for everyone but Larry. At first Larry just didn't care to go and later when he thought he'd like to join us it was too late and there wasn't any openings. We left in the morning and went to a few water falls and other pretty look outs. It's incredible how pretty the island is and we wanted our kids to see as much as possible.
The cruise was along the Napali Coast Line which is beautiful and a little rough. My kids stood right up front and were able to see everything. Everything included whales, dolphins and even a shark. It was a great ride and the dinner was so yummy. We were served drinks the entire time as well. I felt very pampered. On the way back we slowed down so we could see the sunset which was so incredible. It was a wonderful and relaxing day. Larry drove around and visited some shops while we were out. I don't think he enjoys alone time as much as I do.
Our last day was spent on the beach on the south side. The kids wanted to snorkel and of course we wanted them to experience it. Jaydan has done it a few times and was excited for Jared and Kimi to as well. There were signs up saying it wasn't safe but with the reef we felt like it would be okay. I tried keeping my eyes on the kids but heard later that Jaydan had floated past the reef without knowing. Thank goodness he checked and got himself back.
We went to Duke's for a late lunch and we were so disappointed. I didn't like my meal and all and Larry thought his was flavorless. The Hula Pie was good though. I think the kids were fine with their meals but we had talked this place up because we have always really liked it but this time it was just different. It seemed weird to look out in the water and not see anyone. Usually their are surfers and paddle boards all over. The ocean can be crazy and deadly.
We walked around all the shops in that area and spent a lot of time and money in the Cariloha store. The kids even spent a lot in that store. Everything is so soft it's hard not to. We bought a mattress here and it's being shipped to our house. We've been wanting a new one and since Larry loves this store we just got it. The young kids helping us were from Ogden and Morgan. We knew a few of the same people. They were so cute and really fun to chat with. We had one last shaved ice at Skinny Mikes. The shaved ice over her is better than what we get at home. The ice is like snow. We did a little more shopping and then dropped the kids off for their flight. Larry and I still had to wait a few hours for ours.
I really do not like the flights coming home. I hate flying through the night. I didn't sleep mucheven though the seat next to me ended up being empty. I get a little sick without sleep and so it's not a fun way to end a trip. But....The trip was fun and so I will focus on that.
ALOHA
