Kaua'i was heaven...with really expensive supplies. No billboards, hardly any streetlights, clear skies, uncharted mountains and valleys, beaches filled with fish or just empty, warm, blue-green water. Soft sand and palm trees with real coconuts, ruffling their feathered leaves. Humid air and hot sun, red dirt and surfers. And a forest, a jungle of greenery. Waterfalls, rivers, and the ever-present ocean.
I'm not a huge fan of saltwater; I prefer freshwater streams or lakes, but I couldn't get enough of the ocean. I also discovered that I like snorkeling. A lot. Funny how I amlost drowned in trying that one out back in secondary. And Emblem discovered that she does not like to snorkel. A lot. However, she enjoyed the ATV tour (which we took in a Mud Buggy, and she drove while I watched the bone-jarring ruts and blind curves).
I admired the way Hawaiians speak: long vowels like Canadians or Native Americans; strong, pronounced L's and a slow cadence. You can tell who was born on in Hawai'i and who transplanted from California.
My favorite tour, the chartered sailing catamaran, with snorkeling off the Napali coast, was exciting, comfortable, and the perfect introduction to the vacation Kaua'i lifestyle. The helicopter tour was amazing; all those movies shot on the same little island, with the Waimea Canyon keeping its secrets and its dominant position on Kaua'i. We stayed in Poipu/Lawai, with an ocean-view one bedroom condo on the upper floor. We overlooked the beach and the pool, and just had an amazing view from our lanai.
The ATV tour took us through the now-dormant sugar plantation currently owned by Steve Case of AOL, who supposedly wants to keep the area just the way it is...a haven for rare, indigenous plants and incredible flora.
The rest of our time was spent enjoying the scenery, finding the perfect beach, and the perfect souvenirs, and observing the difference between the culture presented to tourists and the true roots of Hawai'i.
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