Day 14

Always bitter  sweet to have to leave one of your favorite places in the world. But back home we go... After we checked out of our home away from home... We snorkeled one last time over at Lawai Beach in Poipu,  CB was determined to find a turtle one last time... And he did... After we said our good byes to  the Verdugos we headed up to Hanalei... On the way the boys had their shave ice and I my acai bowl. We stopped by Tunnels to soak our feet in the ocean one last time.   X was craving a cold coconut (which happens to be the grossest thing ever, in my opinion) we finally found a small stand in Kapaa,  that will charge you nearly $100 (really like $8,but still) for a a fruit you can find on the side of the road.

The Place :$$
Back into Lihue we go to have dinner at JJ Broilers.  This was a great sports bar (Chris now informs that apparently i didn't read his mind  on where we sat... Because I chose to sit outside in a bar full of TVS with playoffs going on... Opps.) off of Kalipacki Beach.  We were there right  in time for happy hour. They have the best Hawaiian Chowder and fish and chips! The Calamari was excellent too!

After we ate we took one final stroll along the beach.... It was such a beautiful night!!! Always such a great time when we're here!!!

MALAHO Kauai! Until we meet again xoox

Day 13

The guys golfed with Corey today! They said they had a great time... They even came home with a few parting gifts... T-shirts and hats from his Little League Association. Such a nice guy :)

While the guys golfed G, the kids and I headed to Kapaa to check out the Fern Grotto.  This place was beautiful. We took a quick ferry ride up the Wailua River to a 500 year old Grotto. There we hula danced and listened to traditional Hawaiian music...I spent most of the time wrestling with P to stay in the boat. Oh how relaxing that was(not). The tour was about 1.5hrs so once we were done we headed back to G's place and  for some Mai Tai' s, plank contests and a little twerking sesh. (let's just say we got turnt, turnip, turntup)

On our Friday we chose Kalipacki Joe's for some cocktails and dinner.  We said good night to the rest the family and went home to rest before our last day!

Day 12

Today was a chill day. It was unfortunate our Blue Dolphin tour was canceled  due to "weather" we all were looking forward to that.  So The V-Fam decided to host a delicious spread for breakfast. We filled our bellies with cinnamon buns and mimosas!!! After we headed back to the Marriott where the boys went surfing for a bit! They did awsome!!!  The rest of the evening was spent enjoying cocktails, food and pumpkin pie gelato!

Day 11

Wow... Talk about a full day.... We started early and headed out right around 9. The boys went golfing... G and I took the kids to Koloa to book a couple. Of excursions.  We decided to do a bit of sightseeing today and meet the boys in Hanalei. 

We first found ourselves at Walmart to stock up on some much needed essentials like sunscreen, mixers and food... And exactly in that order. Then we headed off to Kapaa to see if we could make the 1230 ferry to the Fern Grotto. Apparently it's a 2pm ride.  So. No. We didn't make that time. We then hopped in the car and took a drive all the up past the Opeaka'a Falls in hunt for Lillie's rope swing she had posted on FB... We were told that it was before the river meets the road.??? As we drove deeper and deeper into the RAINFOREST while it  was Raining . when we were convinced that we had gone the wrong way and may never see the likes of our family again,  we saw it... Right there is front of us.. The river over the road. I jumped out... Like I swore I knew what I was doing... In search for this damn swing. Let's just say the tourencial down pour stopped my mission.

On we went... The rain finally seized and we found our way to this little farmers market... G bought some local goodies and the kids used the restroom 100 times.

Finally they were asleep.... And we enjoyed our ride in bliss. We arrived in Princeville,  G really wanted to see Queens Bath her BFF (TripAdvisor) had told her this place was an amazing site. ***spoiler alert *** what TA didn't say was that you could die if you don't know how to hike down a path. Which apparently I can't. 

After we got to the bottom we had the kids stay near the trail and G and I walked out to the bluffs, which was gorgeous.  The waves were high and rough so we were quick to snap a couple of photos, make the sign of the cross and make our way back. G says that when  the tide is low you're able to jump into natural pool. Maybe next time!

We met the boys up in Hanalei and decided to have dinner at Kalyspo Restaurant,  it's one of our personal faves we go  everytime we're here! We had great food, drink, and of course great company!

We finished off the evening with a dip in the ocean... Tunnels was way to rough to attempt and it was near sunset and raining so we headed to the end of the coast over at Ke'e beach. We swam till the sunset...It was a great end to a fun day!!!

Day 10

Today was a lazy day.

We spent all day at the pool. Which was filled with a lot of cocktails and a lot. Of Sun.

Day 9

We woke up to the sound of rain... Which is as common as the roaming chickens here in Kauai. After it cleared up I cooked up some breakfast, packed snacks and lunches and waited for the V-Fam to arrive for a day of snorkeling!

We decided to check out snorkeling over at Poipu State Beach, which was around the corner from where we're  staying here at the Marriott. According to  popular opinion it's suppose to be one of the best rated snorkel spots here on the Island.  I wasn't impressed.  I remember this beach from a few years back ( when I nursing myself back to life from kidney stones)  that it was rough, had little to no fish and kind of a short beach and the coral was right beneath you which made it difficult to get your bearings if you needed to balance.

So,  after much whining and complain to our tour guide (CB) we packed up and headed off to a place that came hugely recommended, in Koloa. It's right in front of the famous "Beach House Restaurant" there everyone relaxed on the lawn, swam and filled their bellies with lunch. Across the street was a small shave ice stand. For $5 you can get the largest shave ice you've ever seen...like ever. Gina and I got the piña colada that topped with a little 151, compliments of our trusty flask, made for a great afternoon!!!

Carpe diem, right?! Well off we went to both Wailua Falls & Opeaka'a Falls to take your standard tourist pictures. Both these places were beautiful, everything was so serene and lush. We had worked up and appetite since both these falls were in different parts of the island. We double backed and headed back to this small sushi spot back in a cozy little village in Lihue, by Kilipacki Beach.

The place : Bamboo $$

This place was the bomb.com, it opens up to the beach, here they give you a very generous serving of 

Garlic sautéed edemame, which was finger licking DELISH. Being the starving family we were we ordered 3 ginger shrimps ( which blew our minds) 2 stuffed shrimp, stuffed wantons, sashimi and sushi...the kids ate mussels, cheesy bread and teriyaki beef.  This place not only had great food they had service and great people, the guys met a really friendly local who grew up in SD...what gave it away you ask ? Could it be the padre / charger wearing dads? Ya. Corey ( the Hawaiian San Diegan ) was so sweet, chatted up the guys and offered them a complimentary round of golf!!! Score!!!

Our days are so full we usually call it a night around 8pm!

Day 8

The  Verdugos arrived!!! We laid them of course... Picked up their rental then headed off to Costco, which in my opinion is the best route to go... We split the cost of food and liquor and BAM !!! INSTANT SAVINGS !!! We spent almost 2x as much as party of 4 in Maui!!!

Priority #1 stock the liquor and fill the flask.

Priority #1 accomplished.

The Place The Marriott Waiohi grill $$:
Great Nachos
GREAT drinks... Insert flask.
Great Wings
Great burger
Great smuggled in drinks.

***spoiler alert... Verdugos +Bravence =shit show.
The evening went according to plan. GINA passed out at 4pm. The guys + Alex booked out catamaran excursion and rented snorkel gear while I babysat (updated my blog). All in all. It went exactly to plan.