our kauai holiday (part 1)

1. cloudy skies + rain showers made for some dramatic skies 2. self-portrait on a wind-swept afternoon in poipu 3. orchid seen in orchid alley in kapa’a  4. heart made of kokui nuts, bits of driftwood, rocks and shells on waimea beach at sunset on valentine’s day 5. zara playing at the beach

I’ve been dreaming about a Hawaiian vacation since the last time Jamie and I went to Oahu, one month after 9-11. (We had planned the trip weeks before.) Even though were a bit nervous about flying (the airports were all but deserted), it turned out to be THE best vacation I’ve ever had in my adult life. It was everything a vacation should be: relaxing, leisurely, no-pressure, fun (I surfed!), good eats (highly recommend the omakase at sushi sasabune), beautiful views (we climbed Diamond Head Crater!).  Even though we were living in sunny Los Angeles at the time, we couldn’t wait to get to Hawaii.

Fast-forward 12 years. 

Windy and overcast on our first afternoon at the beach.

We took shelter next to some bushes, while the girls played in the sand. It was that cold!

Good food, do-nothing-but-enjoy-the-sights-and-sounds-and-feel-of-the-beach days, long scenic drives around the island, plenty of sleep, and lots of family time pretty much sums up our 9-day, 8-night Hawaiian adventure.

The wind didn’t bother Sofia.

My oldest daughter, Sofia snorkeled for the first time. We collected beach glass on Glass Beach. Jamie body-surfed. Zara buried herself in the sand.

Luckily, the days warmed up for our next day at the beach.

We got used to having sand between our toes. I toted my camera everywhere and snapped photos almost non-stop.We ate out almost every meal (until we wised up and bought some cereal and milk to eat in the mornings).

Lydgate Beach

finding treasures on glass beach

Beautiful views.

We enjoyed happy hour at our hotel a few nights: shirley temples, margarita and mai tai.