Rain in Waipouli
 

Hi Friends
We are on the bug infested, rooster crowing, rainy island of Kauai. It's beautiful.

Oh well, going out now....bet I see a rainbow!!

Just wanted to toss another bone to my friend, iamq. Don't worry, you really don't want to come back here anyway. They rolled up our sidewalk last night at 9 pm!

((r))Donita

WOOF! ((&))

9 pm on a sunday night! How come so late??

>:-)

I've been gone a week and a half and I expected, when I returned, to be able to catch up on all of the iceeu2 gang's fun on the Big Island!

I certainly didn't expect to see the K9 gang being so passive about the huge LACK of info here!!!

Am I the only one who wants to shake things up abit & raise alittle cain about all the hype of things to come that hasn't???

Whew! I see you've made it to the boring island! So maybe NOW you can fill us in on the fun stuff on the BI!

(Really, with my upcoming trip, I want to know what you did that you'd recommend passing up, as I have too much on my itinerary!).

Have fun and post when you get a chance!((f))

OSB,

I properly chastised Donita about her hit and run posts (which btw she has been doing since she left), but it has done no good. As usual she continues to ignore me. Her trip report better be better than these little jealousy-inducing tidbits!

Bill

Bill: Agreed! I just can't wait!!

I just googled that Rainy Resort. Last time I was there it looked like a big construction mistake surrounded by a landscaping nightmare of dead palm trees.

WOW it looks amazing! Check out the website!

That Donita is one wicked wahine! Trip report!!!!!!

Oh my dear gulls. Don't get so antsy. Both of our blood pressures dropped when our flight landed here on Kauai. Must be about 50/20!!!! No joke, we are that laid back.

Now, OSB, we did not make it to the Big Island. Instead we did 2 days on Oahu(wonderful) and 3 in Hana and 2 in Wailea. Maybe if I ever get up and about I will do a bit in Word and copy and paste it for you.

Today was our first full day on Kauai. After we stopped yesterday at Costco, KMart and Safeway for provisions-wine, vodka and POG being the essentials, we just checked into the beautiful Waipouli Beach Resort in Kapaa. The unit we are staying in I found on vrbo.com. It is also a member of Outrigger's Condominium Collection. OSB, you may want to look on vrbo and stay at this place. The unit we are in, I ended up paying $199/night. The refrigerator is a Sub Zero and the cooktop is Wolf. Granite counter tops. The real icee and I love this condo, especially the kitchen. It is across the street from Safeway.

Ok...so, we got here on Sunday afternoon. Unpacked, did laundry, walked the resort and the beach. Long after our pupus and cocktails, we walked across the street to La Playita Azul and shared a Seafood Burrito. It was a huge flour tortilla filled with fish, shrimp, scallops, veggies and rice and beans. Had some kind of tangy sour cream topping. Really good
and huge. The chef has recently left here and gone to a new place called Monico's Taqueria and taken most of the business to that location down the road, but our food was great and we didn't have to wait.

To be continued......

Well, today we just woke to rain, roosters and bugs. Why does anyone want to come here?

This was a laid back and business tending kind of day.

A few years ago, I had purchased a couple of kahelelani shell necklaces and bracelets from an artisan who displayed his wares at 'Opaeka'a Falls. Now that I am an ample size woman I don't like the way my favorite necklace chokes me, so after driving around in circles(but seeing beautiful countryside), we finally got to the falls to find he and his partner and their child were not there.

I was disappointed, so we drove down to Lydgate Park to watch the kekis play in the pools. Being the good pack rat that I am, I was able to put my hands on Lono's business card which had his phone number. Luckily, he answered my call on the first ring. He no longer does Nihau shell creations, but does carvings now. He gave me directions to his home and we trekked there and visited with he and his beautiful 3 year old daughter. I left my necklace and a bracelet with him and he is going to restring them and add an extension. He was excited to be working on a new creation, and I was excited to be getting a new look with my old goods. Happy happy! Good times indeed to quote our sistahlou! Where is she?

To backtrack a bit....2 years ago when we were here I also bought some great opihi shell carving pieces of jewelry from a fellow up by the lighthouse. Well, we ran into him at the airport yesterday in Maui. Long conversation short....he is making some new jewelry for a big show on The Big Island, and we are going up to his house in a few days and snatch a couple of new creations before their introduction. It was so great to visit with him and when his little grandson came up, it just gave me the chills when he told the kid that we were "talking story". That was a cool experience.

Continuing since all of you should be asleep right now.....

Well, now it was time to do some eating and go ahead and ship edible goodies back home.

First stop....Hamura's Saimen in Lihue. Wonderful wonderful! The real icee had a special and I just had a small and a chicken bbq stick. What an experience. When the orders are taken the waitress sets the proper bowls out and that way the cook knows what to fill them with. Ordered a whole lilikoi pie, but then told her I would come back later since we decided we were going to Waimea for a shave ice for dessert! It's worth the drive. We had no watch or anywhere to be!! We're on vacation!!

So, we trek it down to Waimea to go to the new/old Jojo's. The new JoJo's is on the next street next to Bucky's Liquor. The lady who originally opened the JoJo's on the highway and made it famous and then sold it has opened the new place called JoJo's Shaved (yes, the sign says shaved) Ice and Treats. They also serve hot dogs and milk shakes. Anyway, I had passion orange with cream topping (condensed milk) and the real icee had something with macadamia nut ice cream and cream topping. Ono!! This new place is very clean and the young girls working there were very friendly.

Posting for now......

So, from the new/old JoJo's we walked down the street to go to Aunty Lilikoi's to send stuff home. Whoops!!! The place is now Kaua'i Granola. We bought Lilikoi Granola bytes, several things of cookies, and some kind of banana taro chip things. Good snacks. But, not to send home!!!

Now, Aunty Lilikoi is still around, just down the street and in a larger location. She now is making ice cream and sorbet and is also going to start making pies. I don't remember what we shipped home, but probably wasabi passion fruit mustard, passion/coconut syrup, jellies and passion fruit juice (for pie making) and passion fruit dressing. She ships it to you thru the postal service for what it costs her. $8 or $10, I can't remember! It's that box that costs the same no matter how heavy it is.

While we were in this store, there was a local talking about some great taro chips. Well, I asked where this place was and promised not to tell y'all about it!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The place is called Taro Ko Chips and is in Hanapepe Town. Oh, for goodness sakes, the non-descript place has the best taro chips ever. Bought some sweet potato chips also, but haven't tried them yet. This place you would never stop, much less go in, unless someone had told you to!!!! The little old lady working in the place must have been 90 years old.

We're finished eating for the day.....well, almost!!!!

Ok....so now we are headed back to Kapaa to end our day............

Detour...........Ele'ele to go to The Red Dirt Shirt Factory and pick up some shirts. The real icee was able to pick up some 2nds for only $3. Bought some first quality shirts also as well as some red dirt hats. When we return home, he plows (yeah, Green Acres, it is) the lower forty in his red dirt shirts. We both also took the quiz and Yes, we are both "Older Than Dirt"!

Now, we are for sure headed back ......

Stop........Hawaiian Trading Post! It was getting near their closing time, so we just went in to dream and gawk at their Niahau Shell Necklaces. No purchases, can you believe it?

The real icee is such a good sport...he remembered that I had told the lady at Hamaru's that I would come back for a pie. While he listened to the ball game on the radio, I went back into Hamura's. As soon as I walked up to the take out counter, the girl that waited on us earlier came over and said...One Pie!!!!

When it was time for dinner, we were too full, burp, to go out anywhere.

Just had fresh Shoyu Poke from Costco, chicken salad sandwiches (roitesserie chicken salad from Costco), fruit and taro ko chips. I made the real icee a POG martini. Other than being too strong, he said it was good!!!!

Can't wait for tomorrow....probably will drive north after we laze around the pool and beach here for a while.

Unless the plans change, we will not pig out all day, but will build up our appetites for dinner at Kauai Pasta.

love and kisses and love and kisses.....

Donita (formerly known as i'2)((r))

Happy now you know who?

Oh, yeah....we did have lilikoi pie for dessert tonight.

Okay "donita", this is now shaping up to be a great food, ooops, I mean, trip report.

Sounds like you're having FUN! Hope you'll post photos of the new/redone necklace.

Don't you just love eating in Hawaii? I just finished having fried limu poke, maki sushi and a quesadilla for dinner. Haupia for desert.

Lucy, that sounds great! Yes, I do love eating in Hawaii...and we missed you the other night at Kincaid's where we ate mighty fine!

When we did the Lihue shuffle-I got the bags and the real icee went for the car........the real icee got rooked on the car rental.

Had reserved a convertible thru Alamo for like $175 for the week. The lady told him the Sebrings were old and causing problems, but the new Mustangs (6,000 miles is new???) were great and he could "upgrade" for $10/day!!

We're driving a new Mustang! Geez, it's only money! But, a convertible is definitely the way to go!

((r))

Yes, I'm happy now!

Man alive, you guys get around! Keep the bones coming!

Bill

I'm excited now.....Lono just phoned and he has my necklace ready!

No rain at the moment but cloudy and overcast.

((r))

Oh, Thank you Thank YOU! I needed that!

I will take notes of these places before we leave!

((f))

Donita,

Does that $175 a week for the rental include all the taxes and fees that usually add another $50 or so? If so, you got yourselves a mighty fine deal.

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy your time on the hell-hole and don't forget to give maria a big mainland hug from me and Marteen.

pilabanana

pila and OSB, here's a few more bones to toss your way!

Yes, the $175 for the car was for everything for a week. Got it thru Costco. But, we did look like Jed and Granny on their way to Beverly Hills. Remind me to tell you of our trip to Denmark when we laughed ourselves sick and were the Clampetts!! It's funny.

I haven't heard from Auntie yet. She must be embarrassed by a couple of Clampett southerners.

((r))....ok........so, it was another crappy day in Paradise. This will be short and sweet as I have to go soak my tired aching bones in the hot tub.

The day started being awakened by Lono to tell me he had my necklace ready. Had breakfast in the condo and kicked back here for a while before heading out to pick up my new/old shell lei. He did a remarkable job of taking my old necklace and bracelet and combining them for a beautiful new look. His little kehki was so cute. She was going to the beach and to buy yogurt and bubble bath now that her daddy had some money!! The real icee purchased one of his fish hook carvings. He does it from mother of pearl and it is just exquisite. I'll make photos of all of this and let you all see our jewelry.

So, after getting our jewelry we were just going to drive up the road and bit and take in the ocean.

We kept driving until we were already at the turn off to the lighthouse. Went to my favorite spot on the island and killed an easy hour. Whales were jumping and birds were soaring and nenes were waddling. We also saw the bricks that you can purchase as a part of the lighthouse restoration project. I love this spot and know where seafoam green was created. I love watching that green foam roaring and crashing against the rocks.

From there we left and went to the home of a great Hawaiian named Juny. Juny sculpts pendants and earrings from opihi shells. He is preparing for next week on the Big Island at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo on The Big Island so we had first choice at some prize picks. Two years ago I purchased an octupus and taro leaf pendant and earrings that I have worn and enjoyed so much. Today, I was fortunate to find a bird of paradise and also a plumeria pendant. Love both of them and if I get as many compliments on them as I have the octopus and the taro then it will be well worth the money spent. At The Merrie Monarch Festival there are about 200 craftsmen. Your wears must native to Hawaii and made in Hawaii. No imported China stuff is allowed. We spent probably an hour with Juny and his wife just talking story and enjoying our new found friends. Juny and the real icee talked hunting and fishing while Juny's wife and I talked celebrities and others here on Kauai. She filled me in on who the locals like and who they do not like. It was a fun time spent with them. I was originally introduced to Juny by Margot55 who used to post on this forum. Margot, if you happen to still be around, Juny is very complimentary of you! Thanks for turning me on to him!

We left Juny's place (which is on the way to the lighthouse) and headed toward Hanalei because the real icee thought it was the perfect time of day to go to the green church and make photos.

Took a detour over to The Hanalei Pier and had a fun time making photos of the mountains and waterfalls and watching all of the people taking surfing lessons.

After stopping and making photos of the church, we headed on north....you just can't get enough of this place.

The Farmer's Market was in Hanalei today so we stopped and ate our way thru there. Got lots of tropical fruits and also some flowers. Got apple bananas and an avocado that I can identify. Found this fruit similar to a lychee, only big and red and prickly looking. Another fruit that is like a candied yam, some other weird thing that is like brown sugar(I didn't care for this one, but the real icee did).

Continued on north to the end of the road with several stops and pullovers along the way.

This place is so beautiful! There just aren't enough adjectives to describe the beauty of Kauai.

Came back and went to an early dinner at Kauai Pasta. Splendid..........had carprese salad, mixed baby greens, pasta marinara and pasta with meat sauce. Then, oh then........the big O happened right there in the restaurant when we shared a milk chocolate coconut creme brulee!!!!!!! I'm not sure it was as good for the real icee as it was for me, but it put a smile on my face!! Kauai Pasta does not serve alchohol, but you can take your own wine for a $5 fee. Great food and outstanding service.

Gotta go to the hot tub now!!!! Will probably make a drive south tomorrow and see if Spouting Horn is still spewing....

((r))Donita

I was wondering what this thread was about. I thought it was a newbie asking if it rains in Waipouli!!!

Glad to see you are enjoying yourself! have you tried pickled mango yet? My friend just brought some to my office....brok da mout!

Crap...........I just did a report on our fun time on Oahu and the flippin thing got LOST in Paradise again.

Guess I better do it in word and then paste it, huh.

We had a great time on Oahu, specially with Melissa, Chepar, Mari808 and even with Icuy(by telecon).

Living vicariously!

You Clampitts sure get around. Did the real iceee remember to bring his corn cob pipe?

Bill

pila...should I have fruit for breakfast? Yes? Ok then, lilikoi pie it is! :-D

Donita: What a fabulous report and glad you are having such a terrific time. BTW, the big red soft-prickly lychee-looking fruit is rambatun, MelissaHI and I love them.

Shang, I'm with you and MelissaHI...I love the rambutun also.

Last time we were here lychees were plentiful, so I was disappointed they were not ready.....Now, that I found rambutun, I am a happy girl:-D

Wish you could have been with us at the Honolulu GTG to toss back a few lychee martinis!!

Now that you've had your helathy fruit bfast, what's on the days agenda? Carpe diem missy!

I'm waiting for slow poke!! He's on Hawaii time!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've already walked and talked and had breakfast and a 1/2 pot of coffee along with POG.

I think we may head down Poipu way and make sure there is still a Spouting Horn. Perhaps go over to Lawai Beach in time for sunset.

You know what I really really really love about Kauai? Not having to dress for dinner.

Know what else? Not wearing makeup.

((r))donita

...But do you have to do your hair?? Ugh!

Nope, OSB, you put a hat on your head! You get em for $5 at the ABC Store or $18 at the other stores or bring your foldable smushable one from home.

Yesterday was just another day in Paradise. Pretty lazy and laid back day! We did drive out to gander at Wailua Falls. They have built a new stone wall and put up lots of fences to try and keep people from hiking to the bottom of the falls. I still heard people talking about trying to find the trail head. I just don't get why some want to endanger their lives, but I guess they think Paradise can't be dangerous.

If you need a malasada fix, go to the lady that has a stand in front of KMart. She keeps them warm and they are very good. She has just regular sugar and also cinnamon. She opens at 9 am and said she runs out most days about 3 ish. These are much better than the malasadas that we picked up at Kauai bakery. Now, Kauai bakery had some awesome looking pie and breads. Smelled great!!!!!!!!

The real icee enjoyed watching the folks out on Kalapaki beach while I tried to find me a new Easter frock at Tropical Tantrum in the Marriott. I may go back, but gotta check TT in Kapaa first.

Early dinner at Olympic Cafe in Kapaa. Fish tacos for me and an ahi sandwich for the real icee.

We've been getting a late start every day since the real icee has had work to do, but tomorrow is a holiday so we will start early and end late!! Yipee.

I do hope I find a new Easter frock!!

((r)) Donita

bbq, I thought of you yesterday and also wondered something. We went to Kilohana Plantaion...and they have a place there called Clayworks. The lady was throwing a pot. Is that the proper term? Just whatever happened to my aloha vase?

Btw, the Kilohana plantation estate is beautiful. Gaylord's is the restaurant on site and appears to have a lot going for it.

((r)) Donita

You know you have really arrived in Paradise, when icee is working and you're chatting online instead of knocking honeymooners over on your way to Queen's Bath. How wonderful the life of leisure!

Yes Donya, "throwing" is the correct term! Was it an interesting shop? I'll be "throwing" a pot at you one day, not to worry. You know we've never been to Gaylords and Kilohana. We must do it this time...in...115 DAYS!

bila

What? Not even a post card? =-O

Oly Cafe, La Playita, Gaylord's, Hamura's, JoJO's, Taro Ko, K'Pasta, malasadas...
Is ***kim**** your travel agent? :-?

Made our way yesterday up to spectacular Waimea Canyon. It's wonderful going up to the canyon, but the real icee scares the peediddle out of me coming down! Tried to make our way out to Polihale, but the road is so bumpy and full of pot holes, we turned around. Talk about a whole lot of shaking going on. I'm not sure if it put my back into place or shook it out of place!!!

Spouting Horn is still spouting and that's always a sight to behold.

And, a real sight to behold was when we saw our very first beached monk seal napping on Lawa'i Beach. That was a first for us. It was great.

Other than continuing my search for the perfect mumu and accompanying easter bonnet, we are just gonna stick close by to the resort today. A crapload of people arrived yesterday and the pool was packed with kids last night, so maybe they will all be out sightseeing today and we will stick by right chere.

If we do get out and do any driving, I want to stop at Anini Beach and see if I have any luck harvesting Kahelelani shells.

Check out this website...I think the clayworks place is on this one.

kauaimade.net