travel diary: kauai, hawaii day four and five

on day four we did so more beach lounging.  we went to mahaulepu beach.  while exploring we overhead some folks talking about a hidden beach that was over the hills.  hidden beach?  yes please!  we went on a little adventure and found ha'ula beach.  although gordon made the trek in flip flops, it was 100% worth it.  we were the only ones there!

on day five we took a na'pali coast raft tour.  i would be lying if i said i wasn't a tad bit afraid of the little pontoon raft they put us on.  i held on for dear life (especially since falling off could have meant death for this non-swimmer!) and eventually enjoyed the ride.  

along the way we saw a couple of dolphin pods.  once again, we had photos and videos of it all but they are gone!

parts of jurassic park were filmed along this coast!

we stopped to snorkel.  this snorkeling experience was so much better than our mexico trip.  i was a little more afraid of the water 7+ years ago.  thank you madison for a few secret swimming lessons!

travel diary: kauai, hawaii day three

**so we lost some photos from our trip!  that's never happened to us before...but gordon upgraded phones and in the process all of our hawaii photos on his phone were lost! thank goodness for point and shoots! photos missing from this day include: ke'e beach and some kids using a machete to cut open a coconut for me to drink from.  we also took video of that process and it was also lost in the phone transfer.

we couldn't wait to do some hiking!  kalalau trail along the na pali coast was the trail we knew would fit the bill of tropical heaven.  and indeed it did!

let me just say that we could have hiked all day every day with the ease that sea level gives to us mountain dwellers.  it was soooo easy.  we kept saying to each other "this is pretty steep and my mind is telling me i should be tired but my body isn't even phased by it." the ease of it all topped with the aroma of smashed passion fruit all along the trail made me think i was in hiking heaven.

pointing at ke'e beach (a beach that would soon be our refreshing end to sweaty hike upon our return).

tropical heaven.

these views for miles, that blue water...oh take me back!

we're not in utah anymore!

all the death and warning signs made all of laugh.

death or glory, that's what we always say.

the first of many river crossings.

pit stop at hanakapi'ai beach before heading to the water fall. 

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our first sight of the waterfall!

unbelievable!  and a great spot for lunch.

we wanted to see if we could pick some fresh fruit...team work success right there!

it rained off and on during our 8 mile hike but it was so refreshing.  made for an extra slippery and muddy terrain but it was fine.  we didn't mind one bit!

since we were on the north shore of the island we decided to take a pit stop at hanalei pier and hanalei bay.

one way bridges all over the north shore.  i thought they were so cool.

hanalei valley overlook (top and bottom photos)

travel diary: kauai, hawaii day one and two

a while back gordon's sister, jodi, invited us to join her and her family on an island getaway to kauai, hawaii.  we loved the thought of getting to spend time with their tiny but were less than thrilled at the idea of a crowded vacation.  we always thought our first island adventure would be on a more remote island not in the US.  after discussing, chatting with jodi, and doing some research we decided to go.  we weren't going to get an opportunity like this again (jodi drives a great bargain!). WE ARE SO GLAD WE DID!  we had an amazing time!  and we were able to avoid most of the crowds with the research we did beforehand and by talking to some locals once we arrived.   and now i'm dreaming of more island adventures...

where the locals eat and our first stop once we landed.  ramen noodles never tasted so delicious!

one of the locals we got chatting with.

but really though, best noodles and meat on stick i've ever tasted!

roosters are everywhere over there!  good thing i'm not afraid of birds.

the drive to our resort was gorgeous!  the jungle treelined roads took my breath away!

once we got settled in we walked across the street to the ocean and spent the evening playing in the sand and water, and then went to dinner.  day one complete.

day two: we couldn't wait to spend some time relaxing on the beach!  our first beach adventure was a beach called secret beach.  its on the north shore.  its known for its size, privacy, and scenery.  it did not disappoint!  

on the trail leading to the beach...i was already so excited because look at the scenery around that trail...so green and tropical!  we were far from the mountain life we know and love.

seriously, we could count with both hands how many people were on the beach with us that day.  we felt like we were all alone and it was fabulous!

just some volcanic rocks, no big deal.

we could see this lighthouse from the beach so decided that we go check it out on the way back to our resort.

red-footed boobies.  best name for a bird!

trevor checking out some of the boobies that covered the cliff side of the island (see other photo below, even though you can't see the birds, they are there and they covered that cliff).

baby bird!

it's no surprise that the other favorite part of our trip for me was the delicious food we ate every single meal!

fresh fish tacos.  yes, please.  all day long please!