Dream a Little Dream Hawaii (week two)

 Someone pinch me!

Am I dreaming or is this really my life? Second week in Hawaii, one week by the sea in Princeville, Kauai and I am living the dream. It helps the dream to be staying on the most beautiful spot in Kauai, and in the most exquisite house which  overlooks the sea. Blue, blue as far as the eyes can see. The white noise of the surf hitting the shore is the most divine and comforting soundtrack.

My days begin with the sunrise and end blissfully with the sunset. Am I really going to bed at nine? I really can't believe when darkness engulfs the island how sleepy I become. But it's all good. As I sleep the soundtrack plays on because there is no pause button, and that is just fine with me.

Vacation time is an excellent time to reconnect with family. Without the stress of the daily life of work, school, and other obligations to distract us the opportunity to have heart to heart conversations presents itself when you least expect it.  Nothing like sunny days and long sandy beaches to be able to really acknowledge and appreciate family members, especially when not restricted by time.  The biggest decision is what beach are we hanging out on today.

Our island days are without an agenda. When you're far away from your "real life" you become more relaxed, more focused, more aware of your surroundings, the by-product is a more fun you. The kids are loving it, eating pie for breakfast, frolicking in the waves, and generally behaving as though they don't have a care in the world. When that happens, you know you're doing something right. Yesterday they went to the County fair! Sun, surf, and a county fair, what more can you ask for?

We know that the "real world" is out there waiting our return, but for now... the surf and sun are all we know.

Hawaii (Week one)

I never get used to the natural beauty of Hawaii.  Each time I return, it is like observing it for the first time.   Hawaii must have magical powers of sorts that renders everyone in the present moment, it's like falling in love.  Everything is just awesome, food taste better, flowers are more vivid, and the sea is an indescribable blue.

It is always a treat to stay in Honolulu for a few days and take in the many tourist type activities, like touring the island and taking in some of the water excursions.  But then the real beauty is away from the hustle of Waikiki and a trip to one of the other islands is in order.

The island of choice this trip is Kauai.  Kauai has spectacular and rugged beauty of Na Pali, the Waimea Canyon, and of course there are nice sandy beaches too.

Living room in our rented house

This is our 2nd day in Kauai, we rented a beautiful house in Princeville.  The house sits on a buff over looking the sea.  All the window slide open, allowing the warm trade winds to breeze throughout the house.  What an amazing house, it has everything including a fully stock kitchen.

the private beach (Sealodge) below our house

The children explored the grounds surrounding the house and down to the sea.  They report that the beach is quite rocky and rough.    So today we went in search of a more suitable beach.  After a wonderful lunch, we drove to Lumahi, Makua (Tunnels), and Ke e Beach.  We decided on the first beach, Lumahi.

What impressed me the most about island living is everything and everyone moves in slow motion, it is not if you are going to relax, but how soon will you adapt to the island's rhythm.  As the stress is washed out to the sea by the surf, we watch the sunset.

It's in the Soil I'm sure!

The biggest zucchini I've ever seen, and it came from my garden.  I baked it into the most tasty zucchini bread that unfortunately, didn't last long enough to be photographed.