Kauai: Abandoned Houses, Trees, Chickens, Waimea Canyon, and Rainbows.

"i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything
which is natural which is infinite which is yes"
~e. e. cummings (1894–1962)

Kauai is widely thought to be the most beautiful and lush of all the Hawaiian islands. Known as the "Garden Isle", it is geologically the oldest of the main islands.

We forced Mom out of bed, which I hope she thinks was a good idea, despite the fact that I knew exactly how she felt, having had the illness before she did. Absolutely zero energy and very limited lung capacity. But I had her bring her pillow and a blanket so she could rest if she needed to.

After renting our car, we set out for Waimea Canyon. Along the way, we stopped at this random deserted house. Really, I'm not sure how we even found it. We talked about buying it and fixing it up. Pretty great, isn't it? I was already daydreaming about sitting on the porch sipping lemonade.

Right in the front yard was this beautiful tree, limbs twisting about, providing perfect shade for the hundred feral chickens, for which Kauai is (in)famous, that roamed the yard.

Our presence in front of the old house intrigued a new transplant from the mainland. Maybe she ended up buying the property.

I still think I should buy the place...

We finally made it to the Waimea Canyon Lookout. If you've never been to Waimea Canyon or even heard about it, let me preface these pictures by saying that it is often called "the Grand Canyon of the Pacific" with good reason. As you'll see it has the look like the massive canyon in Arizona with the red earth, but the Hawaiian touch of green lush beauty is added.

The ten-mile-wide canyon is truly a dramatic sight to behold.

Shortly after we arrived at the lookout, we heard a man performing some kind of ceremony. Listening and watching was a pretty surreal experience. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be a private moment, but I took pictures since I figured he was out there in the middle of the day and didn't seem to even notice anyone watching.

As you can tell I took many pictures. The canyon was just so beautiful that I couldn't stop staring or see a new angle from which to shoot a photo.

I know I don't look too excited to be there, but I'm not sure I was ready for the photo. :)

While we were there, we saw several helicopters flying through. I can imagine that would have been an amazing view.

Stunning, don't you think? It's worth the trip. Even in spite of the feral chickens lurking around.

On our way back down we stopped at the Shrimp Station for some lunch/dinner or whatever meal that ended up being.

To be honest, I can't remember what I had, but looking at this menu I'm pretty sure I had either the garlic shrimp or the shrimp tacos. Whatever I ate, I remember it being so delicious, so filling, and so messy. Luckily they had a nice tub to wash up in once you were done.

As we continued back to port, we came across the most beautiful rainbow. I think that means "any rainbow in Hawaii." But seriously, I was trying to take pictures from the car, but then we were able to stop. I ran across the street to get a good view in the canyon. And once again, you're getting a photo dump because I can't just pick one. :)

What a perfect way to end a pretty perfect day on Kauai! Thanks Mom, Stephen, and Shep for a great day.

Stay tuned for one last Hawaiian port and one last Hawaiian post. Maui.

(Written August 12, 2013)

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Hilo, Hawaii: Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens.

"Life is either a great adventure or nothing."

~Helen Keller

Our first stop on the cruise, after four days at sea was "the big island" of Hawaii. Our port was in Hilo. Mom, of course, was still deathly ill, so we left her at home (on the ship) and Stephen, Shep, and I ventured out. While waiting for our car rental, we selected a few spots that we thought we could pack in and still be back to the ship in time to get on.

First we headed south to the Pana'ewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens.

Interestingly, this was one of my favorite stops in Hawaii. Get ready for a major photo dump because it was beautiful there.

One of the best parts were the peacocks who were just wandering around. They were not shy at all.

They were really stunning. And then there was the bird who fell in love with Stephen.

This white cockatoo (I think that's what it was) was very interested in Stephen and his camera and got very angry, hence the raised head feathers, when Stephen tried to walk away. It screeched and screeched as we started to walk away. Stephen got it interested in another family that was wondering in that direction and we made a run for it!

And we ran right into this guy.

Haha. It wasn't long before we found more colorful views.

It really was a beautiful day at Pana'ewa.

After leaving the gardens, we decided to stop for a little treat. Shepherd saw a sign for a bakery up ahead, so we stopped to find the Mt. View Bakery, home of the famous stone cookies. They aren't kidding. The cookies are like stones. Hard as rock. But interesting and pretty tasty.

Next stop in Hilo: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and the Akatsuka Orchid Gardens.

(Written July 25, 2013)

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