Anini Beach pages

Driving on Kauai's east side has become a chore -- narrow roads, too many cars, every one with a single driver. No meaningful public transport, and anyway, who'd want to take da bus? So we negotiated the slow-moving parking lot to Kapaa in search of groceries and lunch, then drove to the end of the road at Anini beach to wait until time to occupy our house clear at the beginning of the beach...

Typical summertime north shore weather: showers in the morning. The cacophony of the birds -- roosters have taken over the island, and here on Anini they use their particular abbreviated version of the traditional rooster call: "Doodle-Doo!"  Chad and Zoe took an early morning between-the-showers walk, but the rest of the crew stayed in and watched the weather go by...

We meant to make a quicker start this morning, but it was 11 by the time we headed out toward the end of the road. Passing Wainiha, we stopped at Sushi Girl's for sushi, thinking to take it on to Haena and Ke'e, old favorite beaches at the end of the road...

Rochelle and I met up with our island host, Luan Becera, at Anaina Hou, a park near Kilauea, for a walk through the Mahogany plantation. Seemed like miles and miles of trees lined up in ranks like soldiers waiting to be cut down ...

Our day started with a boisterous shower through which Chad and family returned from their early morning expedition to the beach.

Snorkeling out front again. Sunday must be Eel Day: saw an itty-bitty (but wasn't ready to take its picture, and when I got ready, it was gone) but found photogenic big brother (in shadow, sorry...

We awoke to the rattling of rain. There had been lightning during the night, far out, no thunder. When we looked at the weather, we concluded this was going to be an inside morning and likely a cloudy day...

We started the day early with a stick insect inside the house. I rescued him (or her) and set her on a likely leaf outside. The we hustled to get to Hanamaulu for the day's Main Event: TUBING! The personnel for the day included the usual suspects plus Saxon, our guide (right) and Geo, the driver...

Chad and family went kayaking in Hanalei, and Rochelle and I went out front, where the water was mid-tide and lovely. Lots of sun. I took a long snorkel, but the seeing is disappointing: Anini's reef is nearly dead...

Rochelle and I walked west on Anini Road past the polo grounds and the (apparently) Egret Legislature.Here we see prominent Egrets from all over Kauai conversing about the state of the frogs and bugs.

Our adventure began with chirping from a device at 5:30am. Still dark outside. Minimal breakfast, scramble to get our gear together, and away to Hanalei, where we signed in and were shuttled to Hanalei Beach Park...

Kilauea Bakery first thing, for chai and sweets, before we go to Ana'ina Hou Saturday Market. We hardly needed anything, but this is such an abundant, colorful, human market ...

Lazy morning -- last night's delicious left-over polenta for breakfast -- and then off in search of ingredients for paella to please Lindsey. Lunch first at Fresh Bite, the only 5-star eatery in Hanalei, and Yes, it's a food truck. And also Yes, worth 5 stars.

Last day at Anini. Mostly packed -- all except things needful before departure tomorrow morning early. I took the time during a sunny period to walk the grounds and take pictures of the many, many flowers (from every tropical region in the world) to be found in our meticulously maintained landscape.