Kipu Falls

Yesterday (Thursday...amazing when I remember what day it is!) unfolded much like the day before...beach, body surfing, boogie boarding, reading, etc. right at Kiahuna...then lunch and chill out at the condo (Maddie crashed)...then afternnon adventure - this time to Kipu Falls. The falls was only about 6 miles away and really easy to access. It is pretty smal (by Hawaii standards) but it has a GREAT swimming hole and many places to jump in from the edge, which we took full advantage of! I couldn't get a good shot of the falls from below (since I was in the water) so I got this one off the web, o give you the idea. The best part was a rope swing on which you could play George of the Jungle and swing off the cliff, out over the water and plop right it. You have to let go at the right time, or belly/back flops result...and we saw a few...ouch! Here are a few more pics from the web that show the rope.

We all took a bunch of tries off the rope and the rocks...it was a BLAST! At one point, one of the locals climbs the tree where the rope is tied, and walks out on this limb balance beam style, probably 40 feet above the water and 20 feet out on the limb, and launches from there! Incredible! Huevos grande! Brian and I got a bit braver and swung WAY out from up higher on the rocks (but nothing like the locals)...the ride was awesome and the landing so sweet! You can't get this stuff at Disneyworld! We shared a great afternoon together..high fives and gratitude were flowing forth! Some of my pics are below. Enjoy and Aloha!

Staying South

A slow start to our Kauai stay...but slow can be good. Spent the morning in our grassy/beach area at Kiahuna, soaking up rays, reading, body surfing, snorkeling. All great stuff. The winds and surf have really been up both on Oahu and here...so the waves have been pretty wild! After a light lunch, I wanted to explore a bit, so we headed down the road to Spouting Horn, a blow hole through some lava rock. It was fun to watch...much like a geyser. We hung out here awhile while a huge shower moved through.
Vendors had trinkets for sale, so we browsed through that on the way back to the car...Maddie came away with something. Next we drove to Poipu Beach Park (which is just adjacent to Kiahuna, but a hike over some sharp lava on the beach side) just to check it out...looked like good snorkeling there as well (once the waves calm down). Next, I wanted to head to a string of 3 beaches that are off the beaten path a bit (neither of the kids likes when I do this...they weren't born with my adventurous spirit) called the Mahaulepu Beaches. Finding them, I got a bit...lost is not the word...diverted is better...which lead us to the Old Koloa Sugar Mill (see...the Universe provides!). Maddie was freakn' because I drove past some "No Trespassing" signs...most of which seem to be bunk on the islands (it turns out we were trespassing! Ooops) I managed to get some great shots of the old sugar mill...what a great place for a 'real' photographer to play!
Eventually we ran into Security, a nice Grandpa-aged local gent, who after I did some explaining, told me how to find the beaches I was looking for...no harm done. Maddie said, as expected..."I told you so!" SO we drove to where Grandpa described (through some different "No Trespassing" signs ;-) and found the beaches I was looking for!



We ended the day with a delcious (expensive!) dinner at Keoki's Paradise. We were all famished, and the atmosphere was lush...so it was voted best dining experience of the trip so far. Not only that...they served each dinner with an edible flower (orchid) of which only yours truly partook! It was pretty non-descript tasting (I've eaten way worse!) , but beautiful! My tummy must have loved this unique treat! Aloha for now!

Kickin' Back on Kauai

This morning I was greeted by a soft rain shower & a rainbow...not a bad way to start the day. Yesterday was a travel day and just flew by. We were all exhausted by 8pm. We landed ~1130 and meandered over to the south shore to the Kiahuna Plantation where we will stay the next 9 days (pic outside our condo below). I thought it was green on Oahu..this island is amazing...and we are on te 'dry' side! Our unit wasn't ready when we arrived so we explored the surroundings...where the pool & tennis courts were, the shopping across the street, the beaches, the huge expanses of green soft grass. This area is definitely more 'touristy' than where we stayed on Oahu's North Shore (and I don't know if I like the 'feel' as much...kids don't seem to mind it). After we checked in, we unloaded all of our crap, then the kids hit the pool while I hit the supermarket (doesn't seem fair, does it?) By the time we reconnected, it was 7 o'clock!! I whipped up a quick dinner of salad and rice and cheese tortillas (notice, no carne ;-), we all rotated through the showers, checked e-mails, and crashed! This is a one bedroom place with a kingsize bed, so wee tried fitting all of us in that last night rather than mess with the pull-out. I think we are going to banish Maddie...even the king wasn't big enough with the way she squirms in her sleep!

Back and front of the condo.

Maddie welcomes you to the pool area!

Ok...Maddie just woke up so I better get things rockin'. We are going to explore the south areas of the island today, and probably just enjoy the beach/grassy areas right here when we are done. Aloha for now! Peace.

Hangin' Loose at Turtle Bay

Today was a relaxing day...starting with breakfast at the Kahuku Grill (banana pancakes...mmmmm) and then just hangin' around the condo, pool and beach at Turtle Bay. I went for a run to Kawela Bay (still one of the most beautiful places I have seen on Oahu), and then swam and soaked up some rays with the kids at the pool. I walked around the grounds (which are so lush and green) and snapped pictures to share here and for our e-photo album. After we had enough of the pool, we went back, ate some lunch and started getting organized for tomorrow mornings flight to Kauai. Yes, nearly 2 weeks has flown by since we hae been here...incredible! Somebody slow the clock down....please. On Kauai, we will probably do adventure days interleaved with relaxed days, reading on the beach, strolls at sunset, snorkeling, etc.

For now, let me post a few pics from around the prperty here at Turtle Bay and then sign off until we settle in at the Kiahuna Plantation on the south shores of Kauai. Aloha!!

Kahuku to Kailua

Today was our first totally non-soccer day so we decided to try our hand at kayaking, and some of the best was supposed to be at Kanehoe and Kailua Bays. The drive from Turtle Bay to the east and south was absolutely beautiful...green towering mountains, palm-lined bays, jungle covered roads. One thing that did not bode well for us was a constant east wind at 20 knots. We figured we would check it out anyhoo and see how bad the surf was when we got down there. There were 2 choices I had picked, one to Disappearing Island in he middle of Kanehoe Bay, and the second to some islands off of Kailua Beach. Once we found where the kayak shop was, we decided it best to do the Kailua trip just because of the logistics of getting the kayaks where we would want them. For the Kailua Bay, we could park at the State park and pick up the boats near a canal/river that lead right to the bay near the beach...perfecto! So off we went against the wind AND against the waves (like biking uphill against the wind). Maddie and I were in a tandem and Brian had a solo kayak. I wanted to head to one of the Mokulua Islands (which are bird sanctuaries; one you can land on and stay on the exterior, the other you can't land on at all) It turns out this island is ~2.5 mile kayak, which doesn't sound too bad, but the winds and the surf conditions made it a VERY tough grind to get out there. I was talking Maddie through it, but Brian was on his own. Here's what the crew looked like right after we beached the crafts.

I don't think they were too happy with me for what we just went through (and I can't blame them), but after w refueled and rested and played on the island, they cheered up. It was so funny, where they were sitting in this pic, stuffed up in a hole in the rock, someone stashed 4 stakes and 4 horse shoes, so Brian got them out, set them up, and he and Maddie played shoes for half an hour. Horseshoes on a deserted island!

Views from the island.

I talked to some boys who had hiked to the top of the island and saw a shark off the east end of the island (which is where we planned to snorkel while there), so after I told Maddie, there was no need to unload the snorkeling gear. We hiked around a bit. I met another gentleman, Bill, who was out there on a single man outrigger. He was 71 years old and said he was born on Oahu in 1939 (so was there when Pearl was bombed). Had a wonderful conversation. We saw another monk seal trying to come ashore to have a nap but found it to crowded for his tastes.

So with the wind and with the waves we were back to the beach where we launched in a fraction of the time and with a fraction of the effort (for which we were all thankful!) We treated ourselves to pizza and shaved ice in Kailua, drove home, cleaned up and relaxed for the evening...well deserved. Ahhhhhh.....

Maddie found she got pretty burnt on the legs today...failed to sunscreen as requested....so tomorrow we will find things to do around here and get organized fo our flight to Kauai on Tuesday. I wanna try some more snorkeling where I heard the turtles hang out. Twas another fine day in Hawaii!!! Oh yeah..... Aloha!

NM Gladiators 1 - CS Arsenal FC 2 Semifinal

Well, our streak has ended in the semifinals once again. We started the game too slow (tired from yesterday's OT?) and went 2 goals down in the first 15 minutes. We finally got up to speed by halftime and in the second half put good pressure on them and got a goal. But alas, too few too late. Arsenal FC was a VERY fast, skilled team (as are all CA teams at this level) and it was a pleasure to watch 2 teams play the same style of possession, quick passing futbol. This was the first team we played that played our style...too bad they played it a bit better than us. Hats off to them and kudos to our boys for the valiant attempt at a Regional title!

Soccer is done (for this trip) so let the vacation & adventures begin!! I will continue to update the blog with our daily adventures from here and Kauai. Today, Brian and Maddie are heading to Waimea Bay (the Rock) with different families. I have some free time and will try some snorkeling near here that I heard was quite good. Thanks for your support and attention! ALOHA! Scott

NM Gladiators 2 - WA Crossfire 1 (2OT)

Whoa...I aged a bit during this game. Early first half goal by Gladiators, early second half goal by WA, 1-1 at full time. We had 1 sub, they had 8, so the thought of two, 15-minute (No golden goal/sudden death) Overtime periods did not bode well for us. With 9 minutes left in the second OT period we had a free kick from ~5 yards outside the 18 yard box. Nico Muniz takes it, and drives it hard toward goal, deflecting off of their wall and in for the 2-1 lead and ultimate win. Our boys had to dig soooo deep for this one. WA had three >6'5", trees in their backfield (2 central defenders and their keeper) and the rest of the WA team was relentless with continuous fresh troops off the bench....continuous pressure and attacks at our goal. Huge credit to our boys to come out with a victory in this one!!! Well done.

SO I believe we are the only NM team left in the tournament for the Semi-finals, and the only NON-California team in our semifinals! Quite a feat! Tomorrows semifinal game is at 10am against Cal-South Arsenal FC. We could use all the positive energy y'all have to send our way! Thanks and Aloha!