Last Day in Paradise

Upon seeing the gray cloudy sky during my morning coffee, I was sure we were in for a day like yesterday! However, to my delight, it was only partly rainy, and really
quite a pleasant day.


After my private yoga lesson with Susan, we drove into Hanalei and dropped Susan off for her yoga class. Dan and I were curious about the damage done yesterday by the heavy rains and high water, so we started out on the narrow winding road around Hanalei Bay. During our drive the rain started coming down in sheets, and since there was already quite a bit of mountainside mud on the road, we hastily turned back toward town, heeding the Kauai mantra, "Turn Around, Don't Drown!". We ended up down by the bay at the fishing pier that you might recognize from "South Pacific". Dan recently shared with me that our family is actually more French than Swedish. Considering his (and my) adoration for Kauai, I declared him French-Polynesian while out on the dock. He seemed to think that might have some truth to it.


After our visit to Hanalei Bay we drove around to take it some sights while Susan was still in yoga class. We stopped at a view point to see what impact yesterday's rains might have had on the Tarro fields. They looked wet... but that's the way they're supposed to look since they are really Tarro paddies.



While at the vista, we came across a gentleman weaving palm baskets, hats, and bags in his car. He was quite a character, and a good salesman, too. I bought the basket closest to the front of his car. :)



You might have asked the philosophical question, "why did the chicken cross the road?", and now I know the answer: "Because he lives on Kauai!". There are chickens and roosters all over the place here. Apparently during Hurricane Iniki in 1992 the chickens and roosters that belonged to the islanders were scattered all over the place. Now you can see them EVERYWHERE... including crossing the road!


After our adventures of the day we decided to get cleaned up and have cocktails at the Princeville Hotel... and quite a hotel it is! It sits overlooking Hanalei Bay, and has a magnificent westward view of Hanalei Bay, Bali Hi (the real Bali Hi), and the setting sun. Absolutely incredible!


We decided to have Foo-Foo drinks tonight. Mine was the pretty red and white one call a Lava Flow... Pina Colada mixed with blended strawberries... YUM!


Truly a perfect ending to a perfect vacation!
Thank you Dan and Susan!
with love & Aloha,
Gail