Mahalo fellow travelers - Great Kauai vaction
Sep 18th, 2007, 07:54 PM
#21
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sonora - After I finish writing about restaurants I might write a little about the wedding - but I don't want to bore people with TMI. Please email me directly if you have questions - [email protected]
Kauai is such a beautiful place to get married - I highly recommend it.
Kauai is such a beautiful place to get married - I highly recommend it.
Sep 19th, 2007, 04:36 PM
#26
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I haven’t been called a tease in many years . . . but I guess old habits die hard 
Restaurants later tonight – then wedding, then . . . let’s see . . . maybe weather report . . . summary statement . . . special thanks . . . random thoughts . . . future plans . . .
This is like reliving the vacation all over again and I plan to keep it going until we leave for our next vacation – June '08
Restaurants later tonight – then wedding, then . . . let’s see . . . maybe weather report . . . summary statement . . . special thanks . . . random thoughts . . . future plans . . . This is like reliving the vacation all over again and I plan to keep it going until we leave for our next vacation – June '08
Sep 19th, 2007, 08:51 PM
#27
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Fabulous food in Kauai
In the morning we’d fix a quick bite to eat in the condo before heading out – then have a simple lunch back at our place mid-day. Ahhhh . . . nothing tastes better than a huli huli chicken (from foodland) after an active morning of snorkeling. We went out to dinner every night.
POSTCARDS – The bluebook says overrated – I disagree. We loved it and ate there twice. I strongly recommend ordering the nightly special – John did both evenings and his meals were outstanding. The first night it was stripped marlin over pasta in a fabulous basil pesto cream sauce with sliced oyster mushrooms – and topped with a small eggplant parmesan. At the risk of sounding like a teenager. . OMG. I ordered off the menu and my meals were very good . . . but I was glad we had agreed to share. The pineapple cake with coconut sorbet was also outstanding!
BARACUDA (tapas) – When they say small plates – in some cases they mean very small. For our first plate we ordered scallops. When they brought out a plate with one scallop (the size of a quarter) on a small mound of whipped potatoes we both rolled our eyes and smiled. We each got a half of a scallop and one fork full of whipped potatoes -- $14. The other plates were more respectable in size – and everything tasted very good - but we couldn’t get beyond the scallop. We laughed about that on and off for the rest of the week.
LIGHTHOUSE BISTRO – Our favorite. We ate there after our wedding – then again our last evening. Coconut crusted pork loin in an amazing sauce & parmesan shrimp – both fabulous. And the presentations were beautiful too. Lava cake to die for.
BALI HAI (Hanalei Bay Resort) – What a great setting. For a big resort this place had a nice welcoming feel (unlike Princeville which we didn’t like at all). We took photos by the pool and hung out for a bit before dinner. Our meals were good – not great - but the setting made for a memorable experience. Right as the sun was setting about a dozen people surrounded our table to take photos of the sunset. They were all nice and friendly and we thought it was fun – but I can see how some people might not be thrilled about that kind of thing.
We were craving sushi so we headed to Sushi Blues one night. We got there early, before they started seating – we looked around quickly and for some reason it didn’t seem that appealing. Maybe we were too quick to judge – but Postcards was calling us back.
We went to Hanalei Dolphin for lunch our first day – it was good and I understand dinner is even better. Unfortunately we never made it back there. I was hesitant to eat so close to the water at dusk because I thought I might get a million bug bites. Normally I wouldn’t care so much about that kind of thing but we’re headed to the east coast next week for an important family event and I didn’t want to show up all spotted.
As it turns out – I left Kauai without one bug bite – a first for me in the tropics (I usually come home looking like I have measles). And, I never used any of the repellant I brought along. There were breezes all week (particularly up on the bluff where we were staying). So . . .you never know what you’ll find on vacation – I love that each adventure is unique.
Next . . . ALOHA wedding . . . are you still with me?
In the morning we’d fix a quick bite to eat in the condo before heading out – then have a simple lunch back at our place mid-day. Ahhhh . . . nothing tastes better than a huli huli chicken (from foodland) after an active morning of snorkeling. We went out to dinner every night.
POSTCARDS – The bluebook says overrated – I disagree. We loved it and ate there twice. I strongly recommend ordering the nightly special – John did both evenings and his meals were outstanding. The first night it was stripped marlin over pasta in a fabulous basil pesto cream sauce with sliced oyster mushrooms – and topped with a small eggplant parmesan. At the risk of sounding like a teenager. . OMG. I ordered off the menu and my meals were very good . . . but I was glad we had agreed to share. The pineapple cake with coconut sorbet was also outstanding!
BARACUDA (tapas) – When they say small plates – in some cases they mean very small. For our first plate we ordered scallops. When they brought out a plate with one scallop (the size of a quarter) on a small mound of whipped potatoes we both rolled our eyes and smiled. We each got a half of a scallop and one fork full of whipped potatoes -- $14. The other plates were more respectable in size – and everything tasted very good - but we couldn’t get beyond the scallop. We laughed about that on and off for the rest of the week.
LIGHTHOUSE BISTRO – Our favorite. We ate there after our wedding – then again our last evening. Coconut crusted pork loin in an amazing sauce & parmesan shrimp – both fabulous. And the presentations were beautiful too. Lava cake to die for.
BALI HAI (Hanalei Bay Resort) – What a great setting. For a big resort this place had a nice welcoming feel (unlike Princeville which we didn’t like at all). We took photos by the pool and hung out for a bit before dinner. Our meals were good – not great - but the setting made for a memorable experience. Right as the sun was setting about a dozen people surrounded our table to take photos of the sunset. They were all nice and friendly and we thought it was fun – but I can see how some people might not be thrilled about that kind of thing.
We were craving sushi so we headed to Sushi Blues one night. We got there early, before they started seating – we looked around quickly and for some reason it didn’t seem that appealing. Maybe we were too quick to judge – but Postcards was calling us back.
We went to Hanalei Dolphin for lunch our first day – it was good and I understand dinner is even better. Unfortunately we never made it back there. I was hesitant to eat so close to the water at dusk because I thought I might get a million bug bites. Normally I wouldn’t care so much about that kind of thing but we’re headed to the east coast next week for an important family event and I didn’t want to show up all spotted.
As it turns out – I left Kauai without one bug bite – a first for me in the tropics (I usually come home looking like I have measles). And, I never used any of the repellant I brought along. There were breezes all week (particularly up on the bluff where we were staying). So . . .you never know what you’ll find on vacation – I love that each adventure is unique.
Next . . . ALOHA wedding . . . are you still with me?
Sep 20th, 2007, 06:14 PM
#31
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Sarah - the answer is drugs. In this case, the legal kind. Simply Sleep by Tylenol. But, I'm a product of the 60's - so I'd go with whatever it takes.
Actually - that would be a great fodors question -- How do you fall sleep the night before an early (very early) morning flight? I bet someone has already asked that - I'm going to do a search now . . . I'm curious.
Actually - that would be a great fodors question -- How do you fall sleep the night before an early (very early) morning flight? I bet someone has already asked that - I'm going to do a search now . . . I'm curious.
Sep 21st, 2007, 09:16 PM
#35
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Kauai Wedding
When I first spoke with Linda from “A Vow Exchange” (prior to leaving for Kauai) – I told her a little about us and said we wanted a private – no frills wedding. She immediately got it. She suggested following the Hawaiian tradition of exchanging leis – that sounded perfect. We agreed on a date and time (September 10 at 4:30). She said we could pick any location we wanted – and I should call her after we arrived on the island and got settled. At first I thought we’d get married right out on the bluff in front of our condo – but then realized it might be a bit too breezy there - so Linda suggested a small cove at Anini beach (a place she uses frequently).
We met at the Princeville airport at 4:15 and followed her to the Anini cove. It was a nice spot – right by water’s edge there was a small cropping of smooth volcanic rocks on various levels – sort of creating a low stage. It was perfect for us because I am 5’2” and John is 6’5” – so I was able to stand on a higher level and we were nearly eye-to-eye.
It was an informal ceremony – Linda talked about Hawaiian tradition -- about love and relationships. Frankly, some it is a blur to me . . . but I remember it was nice and brief (maybe 10-12 minutes). We repeated some traditional vows and exchanged the white orchid leis Linda provided. For some reason I got a bit teary eyed when we did the lei exchange. John looked so cute wearing his lei. Then we both said the required “I do” and kissed.
Linda immediately took our camera and started taking pictures. It is clear that she has worked with professional photographers over the years because she knows all the poses. Some corny and some cute. She took about a dozen photos and I’m sure would have taken more if we wanted – but we thought she had captured the moment. She gave us a commemorative wedding certificate – I understand the official one will arrive in the mail in 3-4 months.
We hugged her goodbye and left for dinner at Lighthouse Bistro. It was the perfect wedding for us. And now, of course, Kauai will always hold a special place in our hearts.
When I first spoke with Linda from “A Vow Exchange” (prior to leaving for Kauai) – I told her a little about us and said we wanted a private – no frills wedding. She immediately got it. She suggested following the Hawaiian tradition of exchanging leis – that sounded perfect. We agreed on a date and time (September 10 at 4:30). She said we could pick any location we wanted – and I should call her after we arrived on the island and got settled. At first I thought we’d get married right out on the bluff in front of our condo – but then realized it might be a bit too breezy there - so Linda suggested a small cove at Anini beach (a place she uses frequently).
We met at the Princeville airport at 4:15 and followed her to the Anini cove. It was a nice spot – right by water’s edge there was a small cropping of smooth volcanic rocks on various levels – sort of creating a low stage. It was perfect for us because I am 5’2” and John is 6’5” – so I was able to stand on a higher level and we were nearly eye-to-eye.
It was an informal ceremony – Linda talked about Hawaiian tradition -- about love and relationships. Frankly, some it is a blur to me . . . but I remember it was nice and brief (maybe 10-12 minutes). We repeated some traditional vows and exchanged the white orchid leis Linda provided. For some reason I got a bit teary eyed when we did the lei exchange. John looked so cute wearing his lei. Then we both said the required “I do” and kissed.
Linda immediately took our camera and started taking pictures. It is clear that she has worked with professional photographers over the years because she knows all the poses. Some corny and some cute. She took about a dozen photos and I’m sure would have taken more if we wanted – but we thought she had captured the moment. She gave us a commemorative wedding certificate – I understand the official one will arrive in the mail in 3-4 months.
We hugged her goodbye and left for dinner at Lighthouse Bistro. It was the perfect wedding for us. And now, of course, Kauai will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Sep 22nd, 2007, 05:03 AM
#37
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I always cry at weddings and just cried at yours!! How beautiful. And, I love love love Anini Beach.
One morning I walked onto our lanai at Pono Kai and a couple was being married on the beach. It was so beautiful. I stayed for the entire ceremony. And, it was a woman who married them. Maybe it was Linda.
Congratulations and many best wishes. Hope to see you on Kauai one day!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful vacation with us.
i'2
One morning I walked onto our lanai at Pono Kai and a couple was being married on the beach. It was so beautiful. I stayed for the entire ceremony. And, it was a woman who married them. Maybe it was Linda.
Congratulations and many best wishes. Hope to see you on Kauai one day!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful vacation with us.
i'2
Sep 25th, 2007, 11:36 AM
#39
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We did the same thing..got married by Linda on Anini Beach...it was awesome.
The marriage license at the hair salon cracked me up too. How about signing the certificate right on the beach and the guy having the option to take the lady's name? Anyways congatualations, I truly understand how awesome it was for you!!
The marriage license at the hair salon cracked me up too. How about signing the certificate right on the beach and the guy having the option to take the lady's name? Anyways congatualations, I truly understand how awesome it was for you!!
