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!

Fresh from Alberta!

 Monday February 7th, 2022                    Friends Arrive!

Received early morning confirmation that Shannon & JT received their negative covid test they needed to get here and they have begun their journey!  Although it did require an unplanned drive back to their house to get Shannon's Nexus card!  Westjet 1874 arrives at 22:22hrs (Kauai time).  Looking forward to their arrival!

It was a bit of a blustery morning, no rain, but quite windy.  Brenda did some baking, banana nut muffins, both GF (for JT!) and regular.  We gave a dozen to Steven the grounds/maintenance manager for getting the banana trees for us.  Brenda also dropped off a couple of GF muffins for Beth (and a couple of regular for Ed!)

On our walk this morning we bumped into a pair of gals we see walking quite often, Jan and Marga.  Jan is always wearing different fun and funky sunglasses!  We always thought they were sisters, but as it turns out they are not.  Jan says they are as close or closer than sisters!  Marga told us she loves to play cards so we are hoping to maybe hook up for a game one day!

We went to the airport a bit early hoping to maybe see Veronica and Tim before they leave, and we did!  We so enjoyed meeting them and spending a morning with them.  Hope their journey home was quick and seamless!

Shannon and JT arrived about 20 minutes early and we were home by 11pm in time for one night cap and then off to bed!  Our friends looked exhausted and were looking forward to a good night's rest.

Tuesday February 8th, 2022

This day was supply day.  A Costco run, and while in that neck of the woods, a stop at Kalapaki Joe's!  We were there prior to 3 pm (the start of happy hour) and Munchie tried her best to have them recognize it was after 3 in Alberta!  It didn't fly.  

Wednesday February 9th, 2022

We took a morning walk along the ocean path.  The humpbacks didn't disappoint!  We saw a number of them spouting and breaching.  🐳  We also saw a couple of sea turtles bobbing along not far off shore.

 

After some coffee and breakfast we hit the beach for a bit of the sun!  

The girls enjoying the rays!  

They weren't aware of the sign I had placed behind them!  My little joke!  We have to protect our beloved but endangered wildlife! (zoom in on the sign to get the joke!)

Being Wednesday, it was Kapaa farmers market day.  We went down for some fresh produce.  Munchie just couldn't resist the beets!  She saw them the last time we were at the market, but as I don't particularly care for beet borscht, she didn't take any.  But now that JT is here and he likes borscht, well, Munchie just had to get some.  She even thought about doing her beet leaf halupsi (her version is bread dough rapped in a beet leaf, then baked and served with cream and dill, fabulous!), but she opted not to go that far!

On the walk home, we stopped for a refreshment up stairs at the Olympic Cafe.  A well earned reward for our strenuous trek along the shore line!

Thursday February 11th, 2022      The Sleeping Giant!

Today Shannon and I did the Sleeping Giant hike!  It was fantastic!  In all the years I have been coming to Kauai, I have never done this hike!  Now I don't understand why I never did!  It is so close to the Pono Kai and it is considered to be a moderate level hike.  We found the first kilometer (3/4 mile approx) to be the toughest.  At almost 400 meters elevation, the "nose" provided the most spectacular 360 views!

Shannon, doing her mountain sheep imitation!

Can't beat this vantage point!

The caves at the peak of the Giant (just under the nose, nostrils maybe?)!!

                                                            That's a long way down!

The trail up!

When we hiked back down to the east trail head, we decided to walk back to the Pono Kai (about an hour's walk).  When we were trying for an Uber from the Pono Kai to the trail head, there weren't any available!  We ended up getting a ride from Gab who had just dropped his mom off for work at the Pono Kai.  We asked him if he was an Uber and he said no, but said he would drive us up to the trail head.  What a nice young man!  Very polite and respectful.  We gave him some gas money for his kindness.  

So we assumed getting an Uber to come up to the trail head might take awhile if ever, so we hoofed it!

We did take a break at the Coconut Market for a much deserved treat, ice cream!

The hike up the sleeping giant may be considered "moderate level",  but it was plenty for a couple of sixtyplussters!  When we got back to the Pono Kai, we took a refreshing dip in the ocean!  Man did than feel good!

To cap off the day we went down to Sam's Ocean View Restaurant for dinner.  The place was hopping and we had to wait for a table, so we took a stroll down the path to Jimmy's for a pre-dinner libation!  

We had a table right up at the rail, fantastic view with a nice cool breeze in off the ocean!

The food was really good, and the company was even better!

What a great end to a fantastic day!

(our view as the sun set!)