Friday, November 4, 2011

Tunnels Beach, a monk seal, and a night out

On day three of our vacation, Jeff and I left Meredith and Aaron at 100 Shades. We spent the day at Tunnels Beach. We went snorkeling, again, and saw some huge fish and deep caves in the reef. After I while, I had to get out of the water, because I was completely freaked out by the dark caves.

I sauntered up to the edge of the water and took a nice long nap in the sun. I was very careful about covering up with spf 30, and to look at me now, no one would ever know that I had been to Hawaii! But trust me, I am a little bit tan. Now, I'm just "pale", rather than "translucent."

While I napped, Jeff went for a stroll. When he came back he told me there was a surprise for me, if I walked down the beach a bit. So, I went for a little walk and came upon a perfect surprise!
A napping monk seal!
I love him!
When we decided that we had enough sunshine-and concluded that the sand would just have to be a part of our lives in every part of our bodies-we went on home, lured Meredith and Aaron out of the hot tub,  and prettied up for a night out. On our entire Hawaii trip, we barely ate out, but decided this night was meant for a fancy time. We chose wisely, and had a perfect dinner of tapas and conversation. I wish we could have snapped some pictures of us in our North Shore finest.

xo
Alli

Napali Coast

 We decided to go on a hike the second day. After much deliberation, we chose to hike the first couple of miles of the Napali Coast, since the trail head was just a few miles down the road from us. We were warned that it gets very hot on the trail, and to be sure to pack enough water. So, I filled all the water bottles I brought, and we were off!
Jeff even wore a sarong on the hike.
 
We hiked two miles to a secluded beach, with dangerous surf warning signs all over the place. "Sudden high waves!" and "Don't get near the water, you could get swept away!" and "Even though it's crazy hot weather, don't even think about cooling off!"
 We saw some wild life: a couple of wild house cats.
The hike out was pretty tough. The sun was beating down on us and we were hiking straight up. I tried not to complain, because at least it wasn't this.
Aaron. Happy in his shades.
After much huffing and puffing, we finally made it back to the trail head. We jumped into the ocean at Ke'e beach, relieved that we could cross that excursion off our list. Aaron was so excited, he dove into the waves with his sunglasses on. He didn't realize he'd lost them for a few moments, because he was so happy to cool off. (Luckily, we found the sunglasses, neatly laying on the ocean floor.) Swimming in the ocean-at that moment-was pure bliss. I was so happy to have the hike behind us, and the soft sand on my feet, cool ocean engulfing me, and people I love looking on.
That moment was everything.  
(I think I was also a little bit happy, because the rice worked! My iPhone was all better. Like nothing happened.)

xo
Alli

PS-Sorry it's taking me forever to post everything. It's all ready to go, but sometimes blogger posts the pictures all wonky. But don't worry-it's not over 'til it's over.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Day One

The quilt on the bed in Kauai was made of old, thin sarongs. Before I crawled into bed, I saw this perfect, light quilt, and couldn't wait for the air to keep me warm. It really was the best sleep of my life, but when I woke up, I heard the strum of Aaron's ukulele, and the flurry of Jeff's sarong had already swirled around the house. I jumped out of bed and curled up with Happy Accidents on the lanai.
The morning hours of shear indulgence were my absolute favorite. Letting the hours pass by, while laughing at Jane Lynch, squealing at wild chickens (and baby chicks), hearing coconuts fall, soaking my feet in the river, and wondering how we could pick the high up bananas. We would eventually eat an amazing breakfast. Jeff usually would whip something up, and we'd eat it on the lanai again. We basically lived out there, and none of us really wanted to do anything else.
Later in the first morning, I decided to snap some photos of the incredible property. I had just purchased a cute little iPhone right before the trip, and I was having a blast using Instagram and Hipstamatic. I was in a little state of bliss, and stuffed my cute little phone into my back pocket. I went inside to use the bathroom, and then PLOP!! My phone fell in the toilet! I had only had it for, like two days. In a split second I pulled it out of the water, and didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I remember hearing that if you put the phone in rice right away, and let it stay there for a day or so, the rice will absorb the water in the phone. Luckily Jeff brought a tub of rice from home, so I put the phone in a ziploc bag and dumped rice on it. I didn't know if it would survive, but how could I even begin to be upset? I was in a beautiful place with my favorite people? It's like it barely mattered.

As we were laughing about my misfortune, we'd decided to do something-we chose the beach. We packed up the car with snorkel gear, and headed down the road a bit. We drove all the way to the end of the road, and settled into Ke'e beach. Meredith and I sat at the water's edge, while the guys floated on their backs in the waves. Mer and I screamed if the water splashed on us, and we gladly acknowledged that sand would be a part of us for the next nine days.

Jeff got out of the water, and declared that he had to go snorkeling. He donned the mask and flippers, and floated in. He begged me to join him, but I was too scared of the jagged rocks. I watched him for a little while, and snapped a couple of photos of him. Then he stood up, and demanded that I join him.
"I'll hold your hand. I promise you'll like it."
Classic moment for us. I panic, and he talks me into it. And he was right! It was incredible. He held my hand as we peacefully swam through the reef. We pointed out crazy-looking pencil shaped fish and some truly psychedelic-colored little monsters. I was so glad (as always) that he forced me into the water.
The rest of the first day was filled with exploring Hanalei and indulging on the lanai. Even though my iPhone might be dead-Meredith adding to the characterization of Peg and Peg made it all worth it.

xo
Alli

100 Shades of Green

I'm a little hesitant writing about this gem of a house we found to rent on Kauai's north shore, because I want it to be my own personal treasure. We knew it would be beautiful, but we were stunned. As we entered the house, it was like we were on the first episode of a Real World season. Ya. You know.
As we dumped our luggage, we knew we had to get into some island garb and settle in for an evening on the lanai. Meredith declared a snack attack, Jeff donned a sarong, Aaron grabbed his ukulele, and I wiped a smile ONTO my face. 
Before we gathered on the lanai, Meredith pulled me aside, and displayed some flower hair clips she made for the trip. I was reminded, once again, why we are best friends, and picked the big pink one to wear for the evening. We wore those flowers every day, and I was lucky enough to bring home two. I am already thinking of ways to rock one in my real life.
As we settled into our evening, we listened to the frogs, roosters, and river and stared at the hilarious surf boards and huge spiders. Every once in a while a little lizard would crawl up the outside of the screen, and his little white belly would glow in the porch light. I settled into laughter with my bestie, and smiled with pride as our men bonded. 
Our inside jokes were back, and I am happy that Aaron and Jeff enjoyed regular visits from Peg and Peg and Doctor Professor Susan Bluewater PHD, MFA, CNA, DDS, DSD. I can't begin to describe these characters, so I won't. PEEEGGGG!!
After hours of fruit, dip, cheese, and laughs, I remembered that I hadn't slept much (see red-eye flight), and was pretty excited to settle into bed. We left the doors to our bedroom lanai open, so we could listen to the river and rain. The moment my head hit the pillow, I was out. I don't think I've ever slept so well.

xo
Alli

The Good Guys

Jeff and I took the red-eye to Hawaii. We didn't really have any other choice. Flights out of Anchorage are often in in the middle of the night, in order to catch a "decent hour" connection out of Seattle. I would have dreaded our 1:30am flight, had it not been for our delicious first class tickets. Yes, we splurged (even though we only split the cost of one ticket, because Jeff had a companion ticket). I know that people fly first class all the time, but I was like this girl when I remembered that we get to use the fast lane for all lines. And once you're on board, they ask you what you want to eat. It was a little extravagant, but we were definitely over the moon.
When we finally landed in Kauai, the air was thick and hot, and a downpour ensued for about five minutes. Then it was gloriously clear and beautiful again. We picked up our friends Meredith and Aaron, and hit the road to Hanalei (yes, where Puff the Magic Dragon lived).
Have you ever been to Kauai? Holy. Cow. I went about 15 years ago with my family, but I don't remember it being this gorgeous. The windy roads lead you through jungles and then spit you out to spectacular views of the ocean only to pull you back into quaint towns. We spotted about five Mormon churches, and Meredith told us that if her dad were with us, he'd proudly declare, "The good guys are here!" I knew the good guys were here, because I was with them. All three of them.
 Peg and Peg on our perfect lanai.
xo
Alli

Monday, October 24, 2011

Home Again

I just got back from an unforgettable nine days in Kauai with Jeff, Meredith (my best friend), and her husband, Aaron. I'm in a little bit of denial that a dream vacation is now a fresh memory. I will be remembering/writing about our Kauai heaven, in detail...ad nauseum. So look out.

Until I can organize my memories, here are some of my favorite Instagram shots.
One of the flower clips that Meredith made, specially for us to rock in Hawaii. 
 A shot of our daily snack attack. This usually occurred on the lanai, after a beach day or hike.
Aaron and Meredith, relaxing on a gorgeous garden tour. 
Enjoying a morning with Jane Lynch's memoir, "Happy Accidents" while listening to Aaron strum the ukulele. 
Jeff, trying to capture the best view of a lighthouse. 
Me and my man on Polihale beach, at the tail end of our last sunset. 
Me and my best friend on the beach by our house.

I miss all of it and all of them so much. 

xo
Alli