Kauai 1998
told via exerps from Steve's Journal with special two bit commentary by Evie

A Brief Explaination of Intent: I wanted to share my vacation with my family and friends. But you are all over the map, it seemed more complete to narrate our photos for you. Steve kept a journal of our days activities while we were on vacation. This was a good thing because a few times later in the trip we had forgotten what all we had done. It seemed expedient and at many times humorous to use Steve's journal entries for our narration. So we have, the numberous interjections, visible in purple, are my two cents worth of commentary.

May 13th, 1998

Went on a "jungle hike". Directions appeard to be precise, but weren't, so we just made up our own. Saw all kinds of birds, flowers, and dead frogs. Followed an access road then cut across a rough trail into a huge sugar cane plantation. The fields became thick to the point that you could hide in seconds and be unfindable. Bumped into some college(?) kids with a flat tire and a flat spare.

Almost watched the sunset. Got soaked by a late shower. Oops. Before the rain, saw an odd man who had acquired a cat ("It followed me, now I won't let him go."). He was talking to it. A lot. More than one should, Ithink.

Ate at Postcards. Mmmm. Good soup.

May 14th, 1998

Went through Lihu'e to get MedicAlert repaired by a slightly gruff Philipino man named Joseph. He wouldn't fix it since it was too much labor. Easier to replace. Directions to him came from Kym in Princeville. "Across the street from the Dairy Queen, which may not be there anymore."

We also spotted at a local stitchery store that sold very beautiful local needle works, as well as, hand made hawaiian shirts. And went on a tangental excursion to see the waterfalls used in for Fantasy Island.

At lunch at Poipu beach and watched surfers until it rained. Hung ouit then drove along Waimea Canyon. It was gorgeous. Teased wild roosters and hens. Shopped in Koloa. Ate dinner at Brennecke's from Andi's recommendation. Saw a 3--legged cat. Long, rainy drive home.

May 15th, 1998

Snorkeled at Tunnels! Terrific (until it rained)! Saw a pet piglet and chick. Got red dirt shirts. Went to the Kai Guava plantation. Watched the sunset. Ran along the beach. Saw two kids trying to get hit by a truck. Ate improvised burritos.

May 16th, 1998

Spent several hours on the beach at Hanalei. Played with a very friendly puppy. Spent the afternoon snorkeling at Queen's Bath, looking at mudskipper-like fish and funky crabs. Dried off and watched sea turtles. Ate Lappert's ice cream. Spoke Japanese with a woman outside the ice cream parlour. Sacked out and watched Comedy Central. Saw "Once Upon a Crime" on Mastercheese Theater. Awful.

May 17th, 1998

Rain. Kileaua lighthouse - beautiful overlook, but slightly dull otherwise. Went to Puhi to see a butterfly farm, but it was just a small shop with a fenced enclosure out back. Watched monarchs and found caterpillars and eggs. More rain. The plantation where it was located had massive mangos that were heavy with fruit. Geckos. Dinner at Hanalei Gourmet.

One of these days we went to Waimea Canyon-I think it was the same day. Waimea Canyon is like a small Grand Canyon . Actually it has to be MUCH smaller because Kauai is only 25 mi x 35 mi. It was very pretty. It rained very hard on the drive there and was relatively clear while we were there gawking.

May 18th, 1998

Late breakfast, rainy drive to Poipu. Watched surfers, ate lunch until the skies opened up. Watched a nearby hotel disappear in the rain. Shared mango with some little kids. Had drinks at Brennecke's, then grabbed snorkel gear and gawked at odd, mutant fish and huge sea urchins. Left after it started raining. Saw a wild boar on the drive back. Walked and collected shells along Hanalei beach. Wine and cheese and triscuits for dinner. Talked of grilled cheese, soup without rice, grandparents and religion. Dessert at Postcards: banana cheesecake and chocolate silk pie, tea and decaf. YUM!

May 19th, 1998

Rained through the morning, but went to Ke'e beach to snorkel. The current was stronger than other beaches, but entirely tolerable. Saw a yellow cleaning wrasse, a Day-Glo(tm) yellow and purple and black fish that has a fetish of eating stuff off other fishes' bodies. Speaking of eating, we had PB&J's on the beach while chickens tried to gate-crash. Handy note: chickens hate literature, especially HTML. Watched kids catch chicks, scaring the snot out of the chicks. Beach-combed Hanalei. Ate at CafÚ Luna for dinner (after noshing on edamame in our room). Looked at the stars.

May 20th, 1998

Walked along the beach, after it rained most of the morning, Again. Felt nauseous and staggered back to the B&B. Waited for stomach to settle. Did some shopping in Koloa. Saw the spouting horn while it rained. Sense a pattern? Saw a rare seal on the beach. They feed in the ocean, then lie on the sand while they digest. Unwittingly, "helpful" tourists drag them back into the ocean, sometimes to the death of the seal. Saw an amazing rainbow.

Stopped at Hilo Hattie's, a tourist trap, to get trapped. Had beer and artichokes at Zelo's, then went back to eat soup + bread, and to get showered and packed up.

May 21st, 1998

Headed out after being given a little care package from Diane, the caretaker at the B&B. How nice! Made it to the flight with no incidents. At the transfer in Honolulu, there were about two dozen middle-aged and older Japanese women all wearing identical blue and white Kimonos and various leis and flowers. I was tempted to stop and take a picture, but couldn't bring myself to cross the social barrier. Couldn't quite think of the vocabulary to ask why they were all dressed that way, so I just let it go. The traffic in the Bay Area at 10PM between the airport and home was thick. I did not miss this.

Stopped in to feed the cats, but found that they had fed themselves by knocking the food tin over. Both cats' stomachs were distended from the gorging. Little buttheads.

Had notes from various banks and bills and all the crap I left behind. I suddenly felt much less relaxed. Went back to E's and found out how much I missed Jack by his absence

THE END.