We spent the first few days of our 2 week honeymoon sleeping, looking out the window of our hotel at the dreary rain, glued to the weather channel that reported both a hurricane and tsunami were headed our way. We discovered our shared love of elementary school card games and comfortable pillows (which we did not possess). Our hotel neighbor liked to sleep with the door open so we could hear the rumbling sounds of snoring throughout the night, which was okay with us because he periodically had nightmares that caused him to make animated sounds which scared him awake, much to our amusement.
When it finally cleared up, and our fears of peril subsided, we went to Waimea Canyon--the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. I had been there before, but was nevertheless awed by the array of colors and steep drop-offs. Waterfalls abound throughout the canyon, cascading and careening towards red and orange rockbeds and soil deposits. It's stunning to say the least.
When it finally cleared up, and our fears of peril subsided, we went to Waimea Canyon--the Grand Canyon of Hawaii. I had been there before, but was nevertheless awed by the array of colors and steep drop-offs. Waterfalls abound throughout the canyon, cascading and careening towards red and orange rockbeds and soil deposits. It's stunning to say the least.
Ironically, these hydrangea were the same coloration as the flowers at our wedding, making me feel that magicical sensation of being in the right place at the right time and knowing it.
The next few days were spent driving around the island, reading at the beach, eating Hawaiian burgers, and inventing new and interesting ways to wreak havoc on our rental car. We discovered the worst song of all time, "Killer Surf Session" which blared constantly near beaches and restaurants. We found a litter of kittens living underneath the Hawaiian burger joint in Nawiliwili, and somehow ended up there day after day ordering extra food so that we'd have scraps to feed them. Thus, we discovered our grand wish to travel the world and "pet the kitties" as Eric said.
We decided to take a drive up near Kapaa and went on our first hike along a peaceful, deserted trail. The smell of rain still lingered in the air, and everyting was an electric sort of green. I'm always grateful I don't smoke now, as hikes at sea level on Kauai proved to be a little challenging for me back then. The reward at the end of the trail was a spectacular view, well worth the huffing and puffing it took to get there.
We spent the next few days exploring the Eastern coast. We drove around and enjoyed the mountains and inland waterfalls at Wailua and Opaekaa,which were stunning.
We also discovered an abundance of loose chickens and realized that our wish to "pet things" extended beyond felines and canines.
After a few peaceful days, we resumed our typical routine of me pretending to torture Eric, and Eric pretending not to thoroughly enjoy it.
The surf in Kauai proved to be an easy diversion, even Eric who swore he hated to "get in" the ocean couldn't help but enjoy being knocked over by the powerful waves.
The next few days we spent hanging out near Lihue, eating good food and enjoying the local artisan marketplace that took place on the weekends. We purchased funny sunglasses and a Japanese tapestry that now hangs in our living room window.
We hiked around the Kilauea Lighthouse, the northernmost point of the Hawaiian islands. We went to the nearby wildlife refuge and enjoyed watching an array of nesting seabirds. The view from the lighthouse was very beautiful.
I forced Eric to go horseback riding for 2 hours in Princeville, which was an incredibly amusing experience for my part. Who knew Eric was terrified of horses? We spent time watching the Spouting Horn and enjoying deserted beaches on the South end of the island.
We spent several more days being beach bums; Eric read Les Miserables while I took pictures of crabs and tidepools and napped in the sun. We watched a spectacular sunset from Wailua one day and Barking Sands the next.
We spent out last night eating sushi in Nawiliwili, very sorry to be leaving. Two weeks was perhaps a little long to spend on such a small island, but it was restful and beautiful which was just what we needed after a hectic wedding ordeal!
Packing up and getting ready to head to the airport!
Goodbye Hawaii, at least for a few years!
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