Last Week In Kauai!

 Sunday, February 27th, 2022.

So here is a typical morning routine for me: 

- Hit the trail at 6am for a 24km (15 miles) bike ride 

- Get back, pull on the swimming trunks, walk down to the beach, jump in the ocean

- Back to the room, and quick change to my walking gear and then out for a 6km (4 mile) stroll on the ocean path with my darling bride!

- return to the condo for coffee and breakfast!

Today was typical, except we walked with Bruce and Lorry!  Their company only enhanced the experience! 

We got to meet Alayna's mom and dad, Susan and Mark, this morning as well.  Alayna also told us our Kauai baby is a girl!  Munchie says that is perfect as she has experience shopping for girls!

We hit the beach for a couple of hours and we all (except Munchie!) took a dip in the briny!  After his plunge Bruce headed over to the hot tub to warm up!  We are not sure how but Bruce ended up getting a tad too much sun and now he is doing his impression of a lobster coming out of the cook pot!

In the afternoon we walked down to Sam's Ocean View to say farewell to our favourite server, Candice.  She was working until 4 pm and then was not back  until the weekend, so this would be our only chance to see her and say so long.  

We got there just after 3pm, right at the transition from brunch to dinner, so they weren't actually open until 4pm!  We walked up and asked for Candice.  She was able to get us a beverage and in fact was able to hook us up for a table at 4pm!  Candice you are awesome!  Sam's is fortunate to have such a caring and considerate employee! 

We love being here on Kauai.  We love the atmosphere, the sun, the sand, the surf, the palms, but I must say the highlights of our stay here on Kauai are the awesome people like Candice we have had the opportunity to meet!  

I have to again give kudos to Sam's kitchen and servers.  Our meal was fantastic, both  in taste and presentation!

We finished off the evening back at the condo playing dominoes!  This was Bruce and Lorry's first crack at the game and they took to it like a duck to water!  They dominated the win column!  

Not to be out done, I was able to get my name in the record book!  I was able to eclipse Shannon's record for the most points in one round, her 128 fell to my 134!  So, now I have braggin' rights as the "biggest loser"!

Alberta Update Compliments of Yolanda!

The Coffey's swapped the sand for the snow!

Note how she is wearing her open toed mukluks!

Monday February 28th, 2022

Kawaihau Spur

We all went out for our walk this morning, and Bruce and Lorry ventured off on a romantic meander up the hill side (the Kawaihau Spur) to see what was at the top!  

Back at the Pono Kai, we spent some time at the pool, playing dominoes in the covered area as yesterday's sun day ended up being a bit excessive for some of us!  

Lorry and Brenda took a walk to the Safeway for some fixin's for our grilled ono fish dinner.  Thanks to Bruce for prepping and grilling, the lime rub, marinate concoction he made was awesome!  

We whiled away the evening telling stories, reflecting on where we were, where we are and how we got there!  It was the latest I've been up since arriving in Kauai!  Thoroughly enjoyed the evening!

Tuesday, March 1st, 2022             Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday)!

Had a leisurely morning, coffee and fresh sour dough bread from the VIP Bakery.  The owner/baker, Marlana makes fabulous sourdough!  You have to Johnny on the spot to get it fresh as it sells out very quickly!

Marlana the baker!

We met up with Kevin and Juliana at the Taps and Hops this evening.

Munchie picked up an awesome onesie with a matching bib and a cute blanket for Juliana & Kevin's future arrival.  We learned tonight that "its a boy"!!  

The evening was awesome and the little Irish firecracker that served us, Izzie, was great! Bruce tried the "reaper hot" wings.  Izzie warned him that they would take your breath away hot and Bruce said Izzie did not lie!  After downing a gallon of water and a beer to ease the flames Bruce could talk again!

Wednesday and Thursday March 2nd and 3rd, 2022

Wednesday was a day spent close to home.  Kicking back on the beach and we tried our hand at croquette!  We played two games, Bruce won one, and I won one!  

Munchie had promised Bruce Kung Pow chicken and delivered it was very good!

On Thursday we had to go the the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall for our covid PCR tests.  It was a seamless process and we had the results in about 2 hours (all testing negative!).  We stopped by Nawiliwili and had lunch at Dukes.  

We packed up the condo in preparation for our final departure.  We had actually accumulated a fair amount of "stuff"!  So we boxed up our unused food and all the stuff and delivered it to Josh and Alayna.  They revealed they were calling their girl, Meredith! 

That evening we took a stroll down town Kapaa and had pizza and wasabi fries at the Scorpaccita food truck.  We spent the evening preparing for our departure tomorrow.

Friday March 4th, 2022

We woke up to an overcast morning, a fitting melancholy day for our farewell!  We were all packed up and ready for our final mini move from H307 to E108.  We had booked E108 as our departure times were late evening (Bruce and Lorry at 11:40pm and me and Munchie at 10:50pm).  This way we could have the convenience of the shower etc to get ready for our departure.

Gab's new bike!

I passed on the bike and accessories to Gab (he's the young man who works at the Pono Kai housekeeping and gave Shannon and I a ride to the Sleeping Giant).  He was very appreciative and said his younger brother did not have a bicycle and would be so happy with it.

We ordered cabs for 9 pm and thought everything was falling into place, famous last words!  I received notification that our flight was delayed.  After a couple of delay notices from Delta, our flight departed at 4:50am! 

It was a bit of a scramble to re-arrange cabs and I ended up "ticking off" the one cab who ultimately cancelled both Bruce and Lorry and us.  Bruce was able to find another cab for a 8:30 pick up, and after a bit I found another and scheduled a 1:00am pickup.  

So we said our goodbyes and saw Bruce and Lorry off at the lobby.  We had time to have a late shower and then waited for our cab to come.  I ended up having to call the cab at 1:25am (she said she fell asleep!)  So after all was said and done, we got to the airport and onto the plane at 4:50am!

Saturday March 5th, 2022

Majestic Princess

We touched down at LAX at 11:50 am.  By the time we got to the baggage carousel our luggage was already there!  We hopped a cab and were at the cruise port and on the ship by 12:50 pm!  The check in process for the ship was amazingly quick, simple and efficient!   

We did a little bit of exploring on the ship, but not much, by that time we had been up for about 36hrs and were ready for bed!

Settling in for a nice relaxing cruise!

New Friends and Family!

 Friday February 18th, 2022     2nd last move day!

View from B103

Last night we pretty much packed up everything for our second last move.  Out of H307 into beach front B103.  I must say we are getting quite proficient with the packing for the move!  I picked up the only cart with an over head bar for hanging clothes and first thing this morning another regular cart.  

We had time to go out for our walk and have coffee when we got back.  We moved everything into the hospitality suite that is equipped with a luggage room and fridges/freezers.  We then hit the beach to wait for the word that B103 was ready for us.  And again, the Pono Kai housekeeping came through with flying colours!  We were in just after 1pm!  

It seemed like unpacking and setting up took longer this time.  I think were both just a bit pooped from lying in the sun!  Anyway, we had a quiet evening chilling and a game or two of Play Nine.  (this is one of our favourite card games)

Saturday, February 19th, 2022

Another great morning, I had a bike ride, jumped in the ocean to cool down, then Munchie and I took our morning walk along the ocean path.  I know I have said this repeatedly, but it is a wonderful stroll!

We hit Sam's Oceanview to say hi to our favourite server, Candice.  She is such a genuine and caring person.  She said she enjoyed the cookies Munchie had baked for her and true to her nature shared them with her coworkers and her landlords kids!

Sunday, February 20th, 2022     Family Arrives!

Lorry and Bruce Bergman fly in tonight!  We are excited to have them come and share the Kauai experience with us!  (side note: Lorry and Brenda are 1st cousins and share a birth-date, April 1st!)  A little bit of family history for those who don't know my brides back story: Brenda's mom was number 12 of 16 children, the Chomyshen clan (8 boys 8 girls!)!   There are close to 80 first cousins just on the Chomyshen side and what has always amazed me is how close this family is, and particularly the Solnicka girls (Brenda, Beverly, Betty & Bea) and the Lucki girls (Bonnie, Lorry & Lynne (twins!) )  Bruce & Lorry's daughter, Hannah, a coed at the Vancouver Island University, arrived yesterday with her college roommate, Taylor and her parents, BJ & Yolanda, the Coffeys.  They are staying a short jaunt away at the Kauai Shores by the Coconut Market.

After our morning walk, Munchie got busy!  Josh and Alayna had mentioned how they make soup on Sunday for their lunches all week, so she made some homemade chicken noodle soup.  I was the Uber Eats service and delivered the soup.  Josh later sent a message claiming it was the best chicken noodle soup he ever had!

Soup wasn't Munchies only enterprise today, she made apple pie and we hosted the Coconut Fish Cafe crew for pie and icecream!  And since Beth doesn't eat gluten, there was a GF apple cobbler for her!

After pie, we stopped by the Kauai Shores and picked up Hannah, then off to the airport to fetch Bruce and Lorry!  They were staying at the Shores for the first 5 days so we went back and met Yolanda, BJ, and Taylor for the first time.  After a short visit and introductions Brenda and I went back to the Pono Kai and the travels turned in to sleep off the jet lag!

Friends & Family!

The Girls!

The Boys!

Monday, February 21st, 2022

Munchie and I did our walk for the morning. 

Got to see some local wildlife scampering across the path!  Munchie was worried this guy would end up squashed, so I had to help him get to the other side!

The crew from the Kauai Shores came by after they did the essential Costco run.  We spent the afternoon getting acquainted, sharing stories and adventures as well as a beverage or two!  

Yolanda & Lorry

BJ & Bruce

Our new friends are from Fort McMurray, Alberta.  Both BJ and Yolanda are east coasters from Newfoundland and have been in Alberta for over 25 years.  Yolanda is a hoot!  Full of life and sunshine!  She was playing some Johnny Cash on her bluetooth speaker and couldn't help but get caught up in the moment and set to dancing solo!  She even got her hubby, BJ, to step up and dance with her! 

Tuesday February 22nd, 2022

At the top of Sleeping Giant

Today the crew decided to tackle the Sleeping Giant.  My second time up this trip.  It was just as good as the first time!

Lorry & Bruce

The Bergmans!

The Coffey's

Yo-Landa!

BJ & Yolanda

Hannah & Taylor in the caves!

After the hike we went for Taco Tuesday at Paco's Tacos.  The food was great!  After the lunch the girls needed to take a stroll to check  out the local shops along the main drag in Kapaa and the boys walked down to Big Wave Dave's to take a load off and enjoy some "quiet" time.  It wasn't long before the girls found us and brightened our day by joining us for a cocktail!

Later on we spent the evening on our lanai enjoying another awesome evening.  Our neighbours, Angelica and Danny joined us.  They are an awesome couple from just north of San Francisco.  As it happens Danny and Bruce share a fondness for tequila and Danny had a bottle that Bruce had never tried before.  Not only did they share a shot or two, but Danny also taught Bruce and Lorry a Mexicana style toast!  "Arriba, abajo, al centro, pa'dentro" (up, down, center, down)!

Wednesday, February 23th, 2022

Today we made a trek to the north side of the island.  We went up to Tunnel Beach and spent a couple of hours on the beach taking in the sun and watching the surf!  And of course, we had to check out the tunnel cave again.  Brenda picked up some fresh banana bread and some apple bananas from a food truck there in the parking lot.  (the banana bread was fresh and very tasty!)

On the way back we stopped up at the scenic look out to have a look at the taro fields.

Taro fields at Hanalei

I think the highlight of this day's trip for Munchie was the stop for a Dole Whip treat in Hanalei!  She said experiencing a Dole Whip would change your life forever!  

Everyone tried it and  gave it the thumbs up!

We hit Jimmy's Bar and Grill for a cocktail and dinner.  Even got a group pic with the owner Jimmy!

the Crew, with Jimmy!

Enjoying Jimmy's!

Thursday, February 24th, 2022

Today Bruce, Lorry, BJ and Yolanda hopped on the complimentary bikes from the Kauai Shores and did a bike ride along the ocean path.  They loved it!

Wailua River

We had reserved kayaks for today at noon and paddled up the river then hiked in to Secret Falls.  The crew  thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  It was a bit of work out, both the paddle and the hike! 

Secret Falls

We went to Paniolo's for supper.  This is the place that has live music and its a BYOB.  So we got a large cooler from the concierge and filled it up with ice and libations and settled in front and centre to the stage for an evening enjoying the music and the company!  The evening was a blast and our Yo-Yo got her groove on.  She ended up winning the air-guitar contest (she was the only contestant!) 

Friday, February 25th, 2022         Last Move Day!

We have gotten into a groove for the room moves!  We were all packed and ready the night before and the transfer was seamless!  Again, housekeeping had us in just after 1pm.  

BJ had to return the Turo rental today and the girls wanted a photo op with the jeep on the beach before it went back!

The return was at the owner's place in the back country.  There were some pretty awesome places back up there!  Google ended up taking us to the neighbours place, and as it turns out, the neighbour, Richard, had on his grumpy pants this day!  He was not helpful at all, and basically told us to take a hike!  

When we got back to the Pono Kai this ended up being a "decompress" day!  We had pulled pork and just spent the afternoon/evening chilling and yakking the day away!  It was awesome!

Saturday, February 26th, 2022                  The Coffey's last day!

Today we had to say goodbye to Hannah and the Coffey family.  Taylor and Hannah have school on Monday, and BJ and Yolanda have to be back at work.

We grilled up some dogs and smokies and had a bit of feast undercover at the pool (got chased under by a brief rain shower).  After the eats we had a mini corn hole competition.  Big Bruce Bergman was the undisputed champion, knocking off the defending champ, BJ the King Coffey!

Goodbyes are always a bit melancholy, but the knowledge that we have made some new wonderful friends takes a bit of blue out of the Aloha!

BJ and Yolanda, you are awesome people and we will see you sometime at your cabin at Skeleton Lake!

A week's worth.....

 Saturday February 12th, 2022

On our morning walk we met Joe Olivas.  Joe was walking up onto  the path with a fishing rod and gear so we had to ask if he had any luck.  As it ends up, Joe is a fishing guide and pro angler and has a number of Youtube posts on his fishing exploits.  This one, a 99lbs Ulua, he landed after a 40 minute battle using a relatively light rod and tackle.  (July 2015).  

We were able to hit the beach again as well.  Catching rays (and some of us....me, catching zzz's!).  

We also began passing time playing dominoes.  Shannon jumped in on this with both feet!  She promptly set the bar for most points in a single round, 117!  The object is having the lowest score!  And keeping with her competitive nature, to ensure her record would not fall, she also later claimed a single round of 128!

Kimberly Hope was back and we went down to the lobby to catch her performance.  It was awesome!  Ms Hope is very talented and impressed everyone who had crowded into the lobby area to take in the music.  

We took a walk down to Sam's Ocean view, Brenda had told our server, Candace, that she would bring her some homemade cookies when she had waited on us before.  When we dropped off the cookies, Candace was almost in tears!  She said how grateful she was for Brenda's thoughtfulness and kindness in doing this for a complete stranger!  

After a stop at Big Wave Dave's for a quick "bump", we headed home.  We actually settled in and watched a feel good movie; "Blue Miracle" before turning in for the night.

Sunday February 13th, 2022      Super Bowl LVI!

Another morning on the beach!  Then we spent the afternoon watching the Rams and Bengals square off in the NFL's grand finale!  It was a great game that could have gone either until the last minute sack by Donald to seal the win for LA.  (side note:  that is the longest I've been in front of a TV since arriving here!)  

This was also steak dinner night!  

A highlight for me as I do love a good steak!

I tell you, it is wonderful being married to a gourmet foodie!  As I always say, Munchie and I have a perfect relationship, she loves to cook and I love to eat!  It just doesn't get any better than that!

Monday February 14th, 2022                 💘   Valentines Day  💑

Being the caring and doting husbands we are, JT and I took our darling brides to a Valentine lunch at Gaylord's Plantation House Restaurant.  Oh my, were the portions ever generous!  Believe it or not, it was a challenge for me to finish my entree!

Gaylord's had an apt ambience for the occasion, and our table next to the courtyard was perfect. 

And this being Valentines Day my darling little Munchie gave in and contrary to her "no PDA" tendencies, actually let me give her a smack right on her north and south (mouth)!  Have to thank the Peanut for this one, she had sent a message earlier telling Munchie she had to give me a kiss because it was Valentines Day!

On our way to Gaylords, we swung by the Nawiliwili harbour.  The Koningsdam (Holland America line) was in port.  As Nawiliwili is a small harbour, we were able to get relatively close to the ship.  

Cruise ships are impressive vessels for sure! 

Tuesday February 15th, 2022                North shore!

Today we decided on a trip north and ended up taking a walk on a couple of beaches.  The main purpose was shell hunting for Shannon's granddaughter, Everly.  

Our first stop was Tunnel Beach.  There just happened to be a high surf warning for the area so there was no swimming permitted.  The surf was quite a display for sure!

Across from Tunnel Beach is the Maniniholo Dry Cave.  The cave is quite large and goes back about 300 yards.  Apparently it was quite a bit larger but in 1957 a tsunami partially filled it with sand.  Even so it is pretty cool.  Shannon did some deep exploring, Munchie got as far as the opening and that was as far as she would go (claustrophobia, one of her phobias!)  I chose not to go in, but no because of a fear of confined spaces, but for a healthy fear of Kauai Cave Woozels!  A cousin of the dreaded sand woozels, you know those elusive creatures who hunt in threes, one trips you, the other two jump on you and pound sand up your nose until your head explodes!

We made a stop at Lumahai Beach after this.  Again an amazing display of the power of the oceans!

Back at the Pono Kai Munchie put out a spread of appies and we had a delightful visit with Kevin and Julianna.  Kevin is the Kauai Police officer that attended when I left the door open and my wallet was stolen.  Julianna is a counsellor at the Kapaa Middle School, at as it happens she is expecting!  Very exciting!  We had a great evening!

Wednesday February 16th, 2022

We started early this morning.  JT and Shannon have to head back to the frozen north tomorrow and as per current protocols entry back into Canada requires a PCR covid test.  Fortunately the test is offered free at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall in Lihue.  We heard about the site from Gerry and Cathy of Regina, Saskatchewan.  They had said to go early as it could be lined up and you would be assigned a time for your test.  Gerry and Cathy said while waiting they would go for breakfast.  

So we got there about 15 minutes before 8am and JT was about 6th in line.  As it turns out they were able to get in right at 8am!  So by 8:20am we were headed out looking for a breakfast spot.  I had googled it and found Daddy O's close by so we headed there.  

Now, I tell you Daddy O's was a great breakfast joint, and the owner, Harry, was a complete treasure.  Witty and could toss out the zingers with the best of them!  Harry has an amazing back story, at 19 years old he joined the army and a year later he was flying combat missions in a twin huey in Vietnam!  He survived being shot down 3 times!  He also received numerous medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement. 

This man is a national treasure!

He has been a crop duster, helicopter tours pilot, charter fishing captain and now, to keep his mind occupied he says, Daddy O's!  

As we all know fish tales tend to get exaggerated and when Harry told us about catching a 1000lbs blue marlin, we were a bit skeptical, but google verified his claim!

Thursday February 17th,l 2022             The Turgeons head home!😥

For JT and Shannon's last day on the island, we spent a significant amount of time down on the beach!  A fitting way to say goodbye!  Shannon and I took some time to kid around and do a take off of Tom Hank's Castaway (Wilson).  

We hit Bobby V's at the Coconut Market for the "last supper" before heading to the airport.  

Dropped them off to catch WS1875 LIH to YVR!  Sad to see our friends leave.

JT & Shannon, we thoroughly enjoyed your visit!  You can't put a value on enjoying the company of great and dear friends.  It was awesome that we got to enjoy the island together.

See you in March!