Tuesday, September 1, 2015
We are going surfing!!!
But because of yet another tropical storm passing close to Kauai the ocean is hurling out monstrous waves. Luckily, our surfing instructor Cliff from Learn to Surf, knows just the place for us.
Almost there!
But because of yet another tropical storm passing close to Kauai the ocean is hurling out monstrous waves. Luckily, our surfing instructor Cliff from Learn to Surf, knows just the place for us.
Almost there!
We meet up at Hanamaulu Bay, a nearly
deserted county park where the Hanamaulu River flows into the ocean
next to a pretty crescent shaped bay.
Full disclosure: Hanamaulu Bay has one of the highest water pollution levels in Hawaii due to river runoff and I'm sure the recent rain made matters worse than usual, but we survived! I didn't like all of the debris floating in the water though ... kind of unsettling when you unexpectedly bump into things! Also, the facilities could use some updating ...
We practically had the beach to ourselves.
Full disclosure: Hanamaulu Bay has one of the highest water pollution levels in Hawaii due to river runoff and I'm sure the recent rain made matters worse than usual, but we survived! I didn't like all of the debris floating in the water though ... kind of unsettling when you unexpectedly bump into things! Also, the facilities could use some updating ...
We practically had the beach to ourselves.
After a quick safety briefing, we start practicing our pop-up technique on solid ground. I'm not a big fan of his over the knee pop-up technique (because it teaches you bad habits), but as he explains most people just want surf once and at least they can get to their feet this way.
I can see his point, but what about the people who fall in love with surfing? I taught myself to pop up over my knee and years later I still haven't been able to fix it. Cliff tries to give me some pointers, but bad habits are so hard to break once they're fully ingrained.
Time to hit the water! Cliff pushes me into my first wave, lets me paddle for the second and by the third I'm off on my own.
He sends me further out to where the waves are breaking and I'm having SO much fun! Getting in position and paddling into my own waves is something I normally struggle with a lot, but no problems today!
Surfing isn't easy, and Tjitske who has never surfed before, is facing a very steep learning curve. I thought I saw her falling on her butt once, but she didn't think so ... too bad Sandy happened to catch it on camera!
She's much more graceful than I am when I wipe out.
I had my fair share of bloopers as well ...
That's my least favorite way of wiping-out. It's called pearling and it means the nose of the board dives underwater. Before you know it, the tail rockets up and you find yourself hurtling into the surf.
Tjitske can be just as stubborn as I am and wouldn't give up until she got to her feet.
My cousin, the surfer girl!! I'm so proud of her!
Satisfied and sore, Tjitske heads in for the day, freeing up Cliff to paddle out to meet me for a couple of waves. He says, "Wow, have you been this far out the whole time?" ... um, yep! So after a few waves he decides to ride back to shore, but I get to surf some more while he talks to Sandy & Tjitske.
Tjitske was making movies of me ... I did warn you that I'm not very graceful! Haha
I can see his point, but what about the people who fall in love with surfing? I taught myself to pop up over my knee and years later I still haven't been able to fix it. Cliff tries to give me some pointers, but bad habits are so hard to break once they're fully ingrained.
Time to hit the water! Cliff pushes me into my first wave, lets me paddle for the second and by the third I'm off on my own.
He sends me further out to where the waves are breaking and I'm having SO much fun! Getting in position and paddling into my own waves is something I normally struggle with a lot, but no problems today!
Surfing isn't easy, and Tjitske who has never surfed before, is facing a very steep learning curve. I thought I saw her falling on her butt once, but she didn't think so ... too bad Sandy happened to catch it on camera!
She's much more graceful than I am when I wipe out.
That's my least favorite way of wiping-out. It's called pearling and it means the nose of the board dives underwater. Before you know it, the tail rockets up and you find yourself hurtling into the surf.
Tjitske can be just as stubborn as I am and wouldn't give up until she got to her feet.
My cousin, the surfer girl!! I'm so proud of her!
Satisfied and sore, Tjitske heads in for the day, freeing up Cliff to paddle out to meet me for a couple of waves. He says, "Wow, have you been this far out the whole time?" ... um, yep! So after a few waves he decides to ride back to shore, but I get to surf some more while he talks to Sandy & Tjitske.
Tjitske was making movies of me ... I did warn you that I'm not very graceful! Haha
Sandy didn't just document our surfing adventure, but also the enormous waves crashing into the jetty at the edge of the bay.
And the stunning red-crested cardinal that I have been trying to photograph (unsuccessfully) for days ...
Finally, – after nearly 2 straight hours of catching waves and paddling back out through the breaking surf – the muscles in my arms are screaming for mercy and I call it a day. Probably a good thing, because the back of my knees have been shredded from rubbing against the board.
Almost forgot to take a picture together!
A cute puppy shows up and Tjitske tries to
share her dried fruit and healthy snacks with him, but he is not impressed. He does love getting petted and playing with sticks.
Hungry and with just a few granola bars in the car we swing by Costco for a slice of pizza, a hot dog, and a smoothie for Tjitske. Can't beat that for a cheap lunch!
Hungry and with just a few granola bars in the car we swing by Costco for a slice of pizza, a hot dog, and a smoothie for Tjitske. Can't beat that for a cheap lunch!
Yikes, where did the time go? I'm worried we might not even make it to the Humane Society, but
we get there just in time.
It's always a bit overwhelming walking past cage after cage of unwanted dogs. The shy ones quietly watch us from where they lie tucked away in a corner, while the more boisterous run around their kennels wagging their tails against the bars, barking, licking, doing anything they can think of to vie for our attention.
Tjitske & I take an instant liking to a 7 year-old owner surrender whippet-mix called Drew Brees, named after the famous American Football quarterback.
It's always a bit overwhelming walking past cage after cage of unwanted dogs. The shy ones quietly watch us from where they lie tucked away in a corner, while the more boisterous run around their kennels wagging their tails against the bars, barking, licking, doing anything they can think of to vie for our attention.
Tjitske & I take an instant liking to a 7 year-old owner surrender whippet-mix called Drew Brees, named after the famous American Football quarterback.
The front desk exchanges some looks
when we present our first choice, and explain that he arrived at the shelter just a few days prior and has never been
on a field trip before. Also, he doesn't know how to walk on a leash, so if we want to take someone else …
But no, we loooooove Drew Brees!
It takes a bit of convincing to get him
to leave the safety of the shelter and – very awkwardly – hop
into the car.
Then the panting starts. And the
drooling. And the drooling. Did I mention the drooling? Kauai has a
new waterfall! But that's ok, because he's sitting on a towel, except
now it's all over the seat, and the window, and the console …
Oh Drew Brees, it's a good thing we love you! We keep encouraging him to sit down, but he is too busy watching out of the window.
Oh Drew Brees, it's a good thing we love you! We keep encouraging him to sit down, but he is too busy watching out of the window.
He's still pretty high strung when we
park by the Grand Hyatt in Poipu (yes, the same place we visited earlier) at the start of the Maha'ulepu Heritage trail ... an easy trail without slippery mud for a change.
He actually does quite well on the leash!
He actually does quite well on the leash!
Kauai is experiencing one of the hottest, rainiest, muggiest summers on record! No matter where we go, people are complaining about the heat and today is no exception. The temperature has soared well into the 90's and we're worried about Drew getting overheated, so we take frequent breaks in the shade to rehydrate.
I would love to do some more exploring here some day, but it's too hot to stay out in the sun with Drew not drinking a lot.
Back in the car he is still huffing and
puffing, and his mouth is never without a long strand of drool, but at least he has decided it's ok to sit down and rest his little rump against me. Mostly nerves I think, but we crank the AC to the max just in case.
You can't take dogs on county-maintained beaches, so we bring Drew to nearby Kalapaki Beach where dogs are allowed. I always have a hard time figuring out where to turn in for the beach and we end up near the break wall instead of the beach. Oh well. Nawiliwili Bay is ripping with enormous waves and people have come out in droves to watch the action from the break wall.
Seeing Drew's "Adopt Me" vest sparks the curiosity of several locals and they ask a bunch of questions about him and the program, but while it was very nice to 'talk story', it doesn't look like we found any takers yet.
Seeing Drew's "Adopt Me" vest sparks the curiosity of several locals and they ask a bunch of questions about him and the program, but while it was very nice to 'talk story', it doesn't look like we found any takers yet.
You have to cross a small stream to get
to the beach and Sandy & Tjitske are worried about taking Drew across, maybe because they would rather walk the long way around? Ha ha.
So, it's just Drew and me heading across the stream and he takes a flying leap before I've even made it to the bottom of the steps. Yay!!! Now that's a happy pup.
So, it's just Drew and me heading across the stream and he takes a flying leap before I've even made it to the bottom of the steps. Yay!!! Now that's a happy pup.
We find a shady area on the grass to relax for a while.
But Drew is more interested in watching everything that's going on than staying in the shade.
Getting some loving from Tjitske
But Drew is more interested in watching everything that's going on than staying in the shade.
Getting some loving from Tjitske
Just as we are heading back across the stream a large wave rolls. The look on poor Drew Brees's face ha ha. But he handles it like a champ!
Savoring his last moments of freedom ... note the slobber on the seat and the window ha ha.
He's finally tuckered out!
Drew doesn't make things any easier on us; where before he would just hop down from the seat, this time we practically have to pry him out of the car. Poor Drew Brees! I hope he gets adopted soon! We make sure to leave him a glowing review in his Field Trip log before we leave.
Please check out the Kauai Humane Society for more information on the Field Trip program.
Verdant green along Kuhio Highway.
We drive straight to the Hanalei Harvest Market for a wholesome meal, except their 'cafe' closed at 5pm. We decide to try our luck at neighboring Bar Acuda, despite not having reservations. As luck would have it three adjoining seats are available at the bar and we snap them right up.
We make quite the trio in this trendy joint with sunburned noses and wind-whipped hair. Not to mention our stylish outfits!
Bar Acuda (love the name!) probably has the most extensive vegetarian, gluten-free menu of any of the places we've visited so far. After some deliberation, Tjitske decides on the tomato gazpacho and a market salad.
Bar Acuda (love the name!) probably has the most extensive vegetarian, gluten-free menu of any of the places we've visited so far. After some deliberation, Tjitske decides on the tomato gazpacho and a market salad.
Sandy and I solve our dilemma by sharing four plates; risotto
fritters with mozzarella, fingerling potatoes with garlic aioli, banderillos (flank steak skewers with chipotle honey) and seared ono. All excellent food, especially the banderillos, and I loved sitting at the bar and being able to watch them prepare our food in the kitchen.
We make a quick stop at the supermarket across
the street for some yogurt (both for my burned nose and breakfast),
then it's straight home where after a quick look at the surfing pictures, we head to bed.
The board rash on the back of my knees is stinging like mad and keeps getting stuck to the sheets! I don't think I'm going to sleep well tonight ...
And Drew? He was adopted a few weeks later!!!
♥
Breakfast: stuff from the grocery store
Lunch: Costco
Dinner: Bar Acuda
Hotel: AirBNB Casa Pau Hana at Mauna Kai Resort
No comments:
Post a Comment