We're back from Kauai - trip report
Jun 12th, 2005, 08:47 AM
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We're back from Kauai - trip report
Well, we (husband, daughters ages 21 and 18, son age 16, and I) landed at the Atlanta airport about five and a half hours ago! Here's just a short report of our trip -- our son is having surgery in the morning, and we have to leave the house at 6 a.m. to get to the hospital. We'll be there all week, so I may not get to post any this week.
June 4 - flew Delta to Honolulu, then Aloha Air to Kauai. We arrived at Honolulu about 3 p.m., then had a 2-hour layover until we flew to Kauai. No problems with the flight.
We stayed the first 2 nights at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club in Lihue (using Marriott points). This was a great resort with several good restaurants and a WONDERFUL pool area. By the time we got to the resort, it was 8 p.m.; we ate and were in bed by 10 p.m. (4 a.m. for us!)
June 5 - We got up early and headed to the North shore. We went through McDonald's drive through for b'fast, and then drove to Ke'e Beach. We hiked along the trail at Ke'e and then snorkeled at the beach. We saw a huge lobster, and then my husband almost backed into a giant sea turtle! We swam with it for awhile, and then it drifted away. The kids also saw the shark that hangs out there -- I think it was a reef shark.
We then went to Tunnels beach for awhile. On the way back we stopped for lots of pictures, and we ate lunch at Bubba's Burgers. One of the ladies working there saw my son's shirt (still a little damp with salt water and sand and with some bleach stains on it) and wanted him to trade his shirt for a new one from Bubba's. He had been saying that his shirt was uncomfortable, so he gladly traded, and now had a new shirt! My husband was hoping they wanted his shirt also, but, alas, nobody did. Bubba's Burgers were very good; it probably helped that we were all very hungry after snorkeling and hiking all morning!
We stopped at the lighthouse and took more pictures.
Got back to the resort around 3 p.m. Enjoyed the pool, and then had dinner at Duke's (very good).
June 6 - enjoyed the pool in the morning, then checked out and drove to Poipu to the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club. (We got a FANTASTIC deal through Marriott for agreeing to tour the property (timeshare). We were a little worried about this place, because the Marriott in Lihue was so nice, but we needn't have worried -- it was great. We had a 2-bedroom, 2 bath, condo with full kitchen, 2 pullout sofas, ocean view, beautifully landscaped grounds. For the rest of the afternoon we enjoyed the pool and the beach. Went to Safeway for groceries. Dinner was at Kioki's (pretty good).
June 7 - We all needed a totally relaxing day, and this was it. Had breakfast in the room. We enjoyed the pool and beach all day. My husband and I tried to snorkel at Poipu Beach, but that day the surf was very rough (we have the cuts on our legs to prove it). Dinner was at Brick Oven Pizza (very good).
June 8 - Waimea Canyon. We did some hiking and took tons of pictures. The views were amazing! We got there early, and the weather was perfect. We had ice cream at Lappert's, and then dinner at Brennecke's (pretty good). My husband and I had had our first meal on Kauai several years ago at Brennecke's, and we wanted to bring the kids there. Then we walked across the street to Poipu Beach Park for awhile.
June 9 - another beach and pool day. We tried to do a mixture of active days and relaxing days. The pool area at Waiohia is great, and the trade winds are so wonderful. Dinner was at Joe's on the Green; this was a recommendation from a couple we met at the pool. The food was good, but the service wasn't so great. The views were awesome. (Every night for dinner we ate outside, except at Brick Oven -- that's one of the things I love about Hawaii!)
June 10 - We had arranged for a surf lesson for our son in Lihue, but when we got there it was canceled because of large waves. We then drove to Lydgate and snorkeled (there was a decent amount of fish but cloudy water) and then drove to several water falls. We spent the afternoon/evening at the resort and had dinner at the Marriott Grill on the property. We had a wonderful dinner!
June 11 - we had a noon flight, so we left the resort around 9:30. No problems with the return flight.
SUMMARY: We love Kauai. The cloud- and fog-covered mountains are beautiful, and we love the fact that it's still so relatively undeveloped. We had great weather while we were there (only occasional 5-minute rain showers). We slept with the windows open at night, and we could see the stars and hear the breeze and the ocean pounding on the beach. The roosters woke us up every morning around 5 -- much nicer than our usual alarm clock!
All your prayers are appreciated this week; our son's jaw surgery is at 9:25 a.m. on Monday, June 13. He will be in intensive care for a couple of days, and then in a regular room for a few days. He is 16 years old but still very scared about the surgery. During our week in Hawaii we didn't talk much about it, but every once in awhile he would bring up the subject. Thanks for your prayers.
June 4 - flew Delta to Honolulu, then Aloha Air to Kauai. We arrived at Honolulu about 3 p.m., then had a 2-hour layover until we flew to Kauai. No problems with the flight.
We stayed the first 2 nights at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club in Lihue (using Marriott points). This was a great resort with several good restaurants and a WONDERFUL pool area. By the time we got to the resort, it was 8 p.m.; we ate and were in bed by 10 p.m. (4 a.m. for us!)
June 5 - We got up early and headed to the North shore. We went through McDonald's drive through for b'fast, and then drove to Ke'e Beach. We hiked along the trail at Ke'e and then snorkeled at the beach. We saw a huge lobster, and then my husband almost backed into a giant sea turtle! We swam with it for awhile, and then it drifted away. The kids also saw the shark that hangs out there -- I think it was a reef shark.
We then went to Tunnels beach for awhile. On the way back we stopped for lots of pictures, and we ate lunch at Bubba's Burgers. One of the ladies working there saw my son's shirt (still a little damp with salt water and sand and with some bleach stains on it) and wanted him to trade his shirt for a new one from Bubba's. He had been saying that his shirt was uncomfortable, so he gladly traded, and now had a new shirt! My husband was hoping they wanted his shirt also, but, alas, nobody did. Bubba's Burgers were very good; it probably helped that we were all very hungry after snorkeling and hiking all morning!
We stopped at the lighthouse and took more pictures.
Got back to the resort around 3 p.m. Enjoyed the pool, and then had dinner at Duke's (very good).
June 6 - enjoyed the pool in the morning, then checked out and drove to Poipu to the Marriott Waiohai Beach Club. (We got a FANTASTIC deal through Marriott for agreeing to tour the property (timeshare). We were a little worried about this place, because the Marriott in Lihue was so nice, but we needn't have worried -- it was great. We had a 2-bedroom, 2 bath, condo with full kitchen, 2 pullout sofas, ocean view, beautifully landscaped grounds. For the rest of the afternoon we enjoyed the pool and the beach. Went to Safeway for groceries. Dinner was at Kioki's (pretty good).
June 7 - We all needed a totally relaxing day, and this was it. Had breakfast in the room. We enjoyed the pool and beach all day. My husband and I tried to snorkel at Poipu Beach, but that day the surf was very rough (we have the cuts on our legs to prove it). Dinner was at Brick Oven Pizza (very good).
June 8 - Waimea Canyon. We did some hiking and took tons of pictures. The views were amazing! We got there early, and the weather was perfect. We had ice cream at Lappert's, and then dinner at Brennecke's (pretty good). My husband and I had had our first meal on Kauai several years ago at Brennecke's, and we wanted to bring the kids there. Then we walked across the street to Poipu Beach Park for awhile.
June 9 - another beach and pool day. We tried to do a mixture of active days and relaxing days. The pool area at Waiohia is great, and the trade winds are so wonderful. Dinner was at Joe's on the Green; this was a recommendation from a couple we met at the pool. The food was good, but the service wasn't so great. The views were awesome. (Every night for dinner we ate outside, except at Brick Oven -- that's one of the things I love about Hawaii!)
June 10 - We had arranged for a surf lesson for our son in Lihue, but when we got there it was canceled because of large waves. We then drove to Lydgate and snorkeled (there was a decent amount of fish but cloudy water) and then drove to several water falls. We spent the afternoon/evening at the resort and had dinner at the Marriott Grill on the property. We had a wonderful dinner!
June 11 - we had a noon flight, so we left the resort around 9:30. No problems with the return flight.
SUMMARY: We love Kauai. The cloud- and fog-covered mountains are beautiful, and we love the fact that it's still so relatively undeveloped. We had great weather while we were there (only occasional 5-minute rain showers). We slept with the windows open at night, and we could see the stars and hear the breeze and the ocean pounding on the beach. The roosters woke us up every morning around 5 -- much nicer than our usual alarm clock!
All your prayers are appreciated this week; our son's jaw surgery is at 9:25 a.m. on Monday, June 13. He will be in intensive care for a couple of days, and then in a regular room for a few days. He is 16 years old but still very scared about the surgery. During our week in Hawaii we didn't talk much about it, but every once in awhile he would bring up the subject. Thanks for your prayers.
Jun 12th, 2005, 09:01 AM
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Samsaf, please tell your son that he will certainly be in my thoughts and prayers as he goes through his surgery. Whatever your age, surgery is scary!
Your trip report really interested me because we love Kauai, and the first resort we stayed in in Hawaii many years ago was the old Waiohai!!! It was wonderful, and I'm glad to hear the "new version" is so nice. I want to stay there sometime...
Glad your trip was so enjoyable, and it sounds as though you really took the time to relax! Mahaho for sharing with us.........
Your trip report really interested me because we love Kauai, and the first resort we stayed in in Hawaii many years ago was the old Waiohai!!! It was wonderful, and I'm glad to hear the "new version" is so nice. I want to stay there sometime...
Glad your trip was so enjoyable, and it sounds as though you really took the time to relax! Mahaho for sharing with us.........
Jun 12th, 2005, 11:07 AM
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samsaf,
We're leaving for Kaua`i in 44 days and your report is helping to prime the pump...so to speak. Great report!
I hope things go well for your son this week. I'm sending positive vibes his way.
-Bill
We're leaving for Kaua`i in 44 days and your report is helping to prime the pump...so to speak. Great report!
I hope things go well for your son this week. I'm sending positive vibes his way.
-Bill
Jun 12th, 2005, 04:13 PM
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Thank you, everybody. We really appreciate it. His Dad just took him out to get magazines and 'stuff' for the hospital -- I guess he knows that we'll agree to get him pretty much whatever he wants right now!
Sherry
Sherry
Jun 12th, 2005, 06:10 PM
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Samsaf: I had wanted very much to include Kaui in our trip to Maui/Oahu in July! Alas, that is not to be this time.
Thanks for the TR! Glad you had a good time!
Belle
You can count me in on the prayer list! Belle
Thanks for the TR! Glad you had a good time!
Belle
You can count me in on the prayer list! Belle
Jun 12th, 2005, 06:10 PM
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hello Sansaf, I so enjoyed your trip report, it sounds like your family had a wonderful vacation. Isn't Kauai beautiful? I love that island.
How nice you could do this, I am sure it helped all of you before your son's surgery. He will certainly be in my prayers, you all will. I am sorry he has to go through this and I know how you must be feeling. It is so hard having a child in the hospital. My very best wishes to you and your family.
How nice you could do this, I am sure it helped all of you before your son's surgery. He will certainly be in my prayers, you all will. I am sorry he has to go through this and I know how you must be feeling. It is so hard having a child in the hospital. My very best wishes to you and your family.
Jun 13th, 2005, 02:58 AM
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Just wondering, were you able to get five people in a standard room at the Marriot in Lihue? We have five in our party and are struggling with finding reasonably priced accomodations that will hold five people.
Jun 15th, 2005, 12:49 PM
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WE'RE HOME!! Son did extremely well in surgery (now has 2 titanium plates/several titanium screws/'countless' stitches in his mouth and jaw area). He was in intensive care until last night; then we moved to a regular room. He had to be put on oxygen Monday night, but other than that, everything went very well. He got off oxygen this morning, got off the morphine pain pump this morning, and this afternoon was chomping at the bit to come home! So the doctor said we could. He's now in bed resting (and playing video games). Thank you for all your prayers.
Ashley24, we did all stay in one room, but we weren't really supposed to do that, and it would have been too difficult to do it for a whole week. We were there for our first 2 nights in Kauai, and we were so tired those first 2 nights that it didn't really matter to us to be in one room. We had two double beds and a rollaway bed in the room, and it was pretty crowded.
Thanks again,
Sherry
Ashley24, we did all stay in one room, but we weren't really supposed to do that, and it would have been too difficult to do it for a whole week. We were there for our first 2 nights in Kauai, and we were so tired those first 2 nights that it didn't really matter to us to be in one room. We had two double beds and a rollaway bed in the room, and it was pretty crowded.
Thanks again,
Sherry
Jun 15th, 2005, 04:23 PM
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Sherry,
Thanks for sharing the good news about your son. So happy he is doing well.
I bet you are ready to settle down for a bit..your trip with your daughter, your Hawaii trip and now your son's surgery.
Been up Chattanooga way lately? The Riverbend Festival is going on this week and this is the first year in about 18 that we are not attending. Just getting too old and it's so hot!
Glad you had fun on Kauai and thanks for letting us in on your happenings!
Aloha
i'2
Thanks for sharing the good news about your son. So happy he is doing well.
I bet you are ready to settle down for a bit..your trip with your daughter, your Hawaii trip and now your son's surgery.
Been up Chattanooga way lately? The Riverbend Festival is going on this week and this is the first year in about 18 that we are not attending. Just getting too old and it's so hot!
Glad you had fun on Kauai and thanks for letting us in on your happenings!
Aloha
i'2
Jun 15th, 2005, 05:35 PM
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iceeu2, We were in Chattanooga a few weeks ago for our nephew's graduation. We'll probably go again some time in the summer. The last time we went to Riverbend was several year ago, and I agree -- it was too hot!
And I'm glad you have fun in Kauai, too! There's nowhere else like it, is there?
And I'm glad you have fun in Kauai, too! There's nowhere else like it, is there?
Jun 15th, 2005, 07:50 PM
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Samsaf
Thanks for the report. Just out of curiousity how did the timeshare "pitch" go ? Was it really only 90minutes as claimed ? High pressure ? I'm curious because we got a teaser from them too.
Sounds like your son had something similar to my wife's op in 85. When we switched dentists a few years later the expression on his face when he saw the xrays was priceless
Glad it went well, it's a tough one.
Thanks for the report. Just out of curiousity how did the timeshare "pitch" go ? Was it really only 90minutes as claimed ? High pressure ? I'm curious because we got a teaser from them too.
Sounds like your son had something similar to my wife's op in 85. When we switched dentists a few years later the expression on his face when he saw the xrays was priceless
Glad it went well, it's a tough one.
Jun 16th, 2005, 04:24 AM
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pspercy, I know I'm not samsaf, but a few years ago we did a timeshare presentation with Marriott at the Lihue site.
It was very low key..no pressure..told the sales person that we were financially embarrassed by the stock market at the moment and could not purchase anything. But, that we would do our obligation and give her the time we had said. She did the spill, of course, but was anxious to get us out and onto a live target!
Don't know what samsaf's take was, but I do hope it was as pleasant as ours. I would probably enjoy a timeshare at the new Waihaoi Beach Club!
It was very low key..no pressure..told the sales person that we were financially embarrassed by the stock market at the moment and could not purchase anything. But, that we would do our obligation and give her the time we had said. She did the spill, of course, but was anxious to get us out and onto a live target!
Don't know what samsaf's take was, but I do hope it was as pleasant as ours. I would probably enjoy a timeshare at the new Waihaoi Beach Club!
Jun 16th, 2005, 05:27 AM
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The timeshare presentation wasn't too bad; the salesman was pretty hokey-sounding (you know the type), but he was nice. We told him that we couldn't afford it, and then he brought in the 'big gun,' one of the managers. This guy tried to talk us into it for a few minutes, but then gave up when he realized we were not buying.
I would love to stay there again, but the Marriott prices are pretty steep (40K), and we don't think it's worth all that money. The resort is beautiful, though.
PROGRESS REPORT: Son is doing GREAT! He's still asleep this morning (9:26 a.m.) and kept saying last night that he wasn't having any pain. His face/jaw area still is very swollen, but he seems to be doing fine.
I would love to stay there again, but the Marriott prices are pretty steep (40K), and we don't think it's worth all that money. The resort is beautiful, though.
PROGRESS REPORT: Son is doing GREAT! He's still asleep this morning (9:26 a.m.) and kept saying last night that he wasn't having any pain. His face/jaw area still is very swollen, but he seems to be doing fine.
