Near Koloa, Kauai: It was a dark and stormy day, and a very quiet day as we think maybe a lot of people flew back to the mainland today (Sunday)… but we don’t know. Maybe it was quiet because it was so cloudy and it seemed the clouds would open any moment? Dave and I were down to claim our poolside chaise lounge (that Lenny had snagged earlier), but no one was at the pool. We ended up going to breakfast with Lenny.
Later in the morning, Lisa, Lucile and I drove the rental car to the local mall. This shopping area is not like the mall you probably have near your house, but a group of different buildings along a closed street filled with shops and restaurants. Most were family-run, but there were a few chains like Tommy Bahama, Reyn Spooner and Sunglass Hut. It was fun window shopping, but Lucy wanted to go to a shop where she could decorate a photo frame. She made a cute frame for her bedroom. I found a few fun things (like I need more linen tank dresses?) and we bought gifts to bring home, then had lunch at a local place.
After lunch we headed back to the resort along the shore, stopping at two fun places. The first was to the Spouting Horn, a geyser-like blow hole on the south shore. Every few minutes, water gushes up from a hole in the lava. The most impressive thing is the amount of noise emitting from the tiny hole.
After watching the Spouting Horn for a few minutes (from a lawn above the geyser, filled with hundreds of chickens), we drove to Poipu Beach - where Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles are often seen. There were about 10 turtles on the beach or floating a few feet off-shore.
The turtles are fairly massive - about 2-3 feet long and weighing 200-400 pounds. They can stay underwater for hours at a time.
While the ladies were shopping, lunching, and visiting tourist sites, the boys went to see a cave on the beach near our hotel.
After we returned, some of our party went to the poolside bar to watch a football game, but the wind was so strong and the rain had started, so everyone was getting wet at their barstools. We retreated to our rooms, listening to thunder, before meeting for dinner. Our usual pre-dinner cocktail bar size had been reduced by half due to the wind and rain, so we could not secure a table, but ended up again at the sushi restaurant - The Stevenson Library. (Shouldn’t a restaurant named Stevenson Library be a steak house?) Either way, we enjoyed more fantastic sushi - and cocktails - before the kids wanted to go swimming. It was only 71 degrees - too cold for me to join them in the unheated pool, so Dave and I retreated to our room well before 9p.
Considering the weather, I had a fantastic day with my girls, saw turtles, saw a blow-hole, and enjoyed a great dinner with our family.
Until my next update, I remain, your girly correspondent.