Kona coffee and new friends

We were in Kona for 3 days. We stayed in the bottom floor of a local family's home, that was listed on airbnb. It was nice to hear the giggles and pitter-patter every morning. LK's mother called her a "Hawaiian chili pepper" she is such a spunky little girl. She has an incredible personality. She became great friends with my cousin Kayla and I. She woke us up one morning with a "See you later alligator! In a while crocodile!" We had an entire conversation with her through the bedroom window. We even painted our finger nails so they matched.

The first morning we drove a couple hours down to Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. It was a gorgeous drive south along the coastline. 

We stopped at Punalu'u Black Sands Beach.

Although many of the Hawaiian islands are eroding the volcanoes of the Big Island of Hawai'i add 4 inches per year to the coast. There was an eruption in 2008 that forced the park service to close off a large amount of the road so we were unable to drive to the coast and active volcanoes.

We walked through the Hawaiian rain forest that had been spared from the many eruptions of the volcanoes. There we found the Lava Tunnel. The Hawaiians used to be a burial site for their loved ones.

Kayla and I had to make it to the beach, our travels had been full of beautiful beach views but no actual beach day, imagine that! 

That night we went to a great luau and has a fabulous time. There was the funniest guy there putting on a presentation about how to open a coconut. The performers were great and of course gorgeous. ;)

The next day we had a marvelous breakfast with an incredible view.  We had some entertainment from a cute gecko. 

Nothing like a cappuccino to get the day stared off right!

Then we hope on a plane to head to Honolulu. Whoohoo!

In Memorium of Our Grandmother

I took my cousin to the northern part of Kauai.  My grandmother had a timeshare in Princeville, which is on the north shore of Kauai, with her best friend Mary Jane for more than 25 years.  My grandmother was an inspiring woman.  She loved to travel, try new things, eat great food, meet new people, and have new experiences.  In honor of our grandmother's spirit we made a rash decision to get a convertible.  I never knew how much I missed having a Camaro convertible in my life until I drove one ..  SOLD!

We drove north to Hanalei Bay and up to the end of the road. 

Wai'oli Hui'ia Church where my grandmother used to go to church while in Kauai.  She had a painting of this church hanging on the wall in her condo in Denver.

Isn't the water just enticing?  We drove to the end of the road where you can hike the Na Pali Coast.  There is a great snorkeling beach and a few caves, Ke'e Beach Park.  There was no need to lug all of the snorkeling gear, which we left at the condo, because the fish were swimming around our ankles right on the shoreline!

Adventures in Northern Hawaii - Friday the 13th

I went for a 3 mile hike in the secluded southeastern shore of Kauai with my aunts and uncle. Kawailoa Bay has a lovely beach.

Along the way we met a couple that was spreading their mother's ashes on the beach. They left messages on the beach in honor of her.

We created some abstract art.

"Mother Kauai," as one of the groom's friends calls her, made sure that the weather was incredible for the wedding.  My cousin looked gorgeous and the couple was so happy.  I was so delighted to be a part of their special day.

The wedding was held at the Sheraton Kauai. Such a beautiful back drop.

The best way to end a Friday the 13th, you ask?!? With family and new friends.  We always seem to end up at the beach.

Aloha!

Well we made it to Hawaii!! We were awakened this morning by a welcome to Kauai rain storm.

Only one more trip to the airport and I'm headed straight to the beach! We are staying in Koloa near Poipu Beach, in a cute condo surrounded by GREENERY. The beach is just a short walk away.