Ride along with the Chang Gang: Summer of Fun-Chapter 4- The Aloha Edition

SAW-HEARD-DID

SAW: Just like most summers, with the turn of the calendar page to July- time seems to pass at warp speed. This summer I saw a shift in my perspective. I had one last big adventure to experience- an adventure that would take me right up until the final hours of summer break. And as a result-instead of that sense of dread and a hint of melancholy- well I had a lot of pep in my step- We are going to Hawaii!

HEARD: I still pinch myself when I reflect back on when I heard my hubby agree to this trip. Last summer, over perhaps too much bourbon (is there such a thing?), our good friend Larry pitched the idea of joining him and his wife for 2 weeks on the island of Kauai. Hubby shrugged and said sure!

Most likely when Operation Hawaii first took shape..

I just figured we'd never prioritize a trip to Hawaii. Hubby grew up in tropical areas- both in Honduras and later in south Miami. The sun and surf are not his jam. And me- well, I wasn't going to advocate too much to make it a priority. I prefer travel that is less mainstream (Yes, North Dakota-I'm looking at you!).

With Hawaii- it seems like everyone has been to one of the islands. And the moment you share that's where you are headed- you are greeted with enthusiastic travel recommendations. Hearing these suggestions is all well and good-as I do enjoy connecting with people, and what better way than to connect through shared travel experiences. But, I also get a bigger thrill of "Ooo, I've never been there, you'll have to tell me what it's like".

Don't get me wrong- I wanted to go- I mean- HELLO- Hawaii, two weeks, free lodging with friends...sign me up! But it remains a "pinch me" moment that we actually ended up going!

DID: Enough with the chatter, let's talk about what we did when we were in Hawaii!

For 14 days....

We would catch the first morning light...

and celebrate the setting sun on yet another "DNS" day

DNS was code for Does-Not-Suck..which yep, applies a lot in somewhere like Kaui.

We got to know the beauty that is Kauai

Kauai is known as the Garden Island...which was apparent

whether traveling through the Tunnel of Trees

or climbing the narrow winding road of Waimea Canyon..

.so much to take in and fully appreciate!

We met the locals-

The Honu -also known as the Pacific Green Turtles...

why they come to soak in the sandy beaches remains somewhat of a mystery- whether to avoid predators or digest their food- they are indeed an impressive sight to experience.

The Monk Seal-in native Hawaiian known as lilo holo I ka uau

These majestic mammals are few in number (so few that they are on endangered species lists) but are making a comeback. We were fortunate enough to see two moms nurturing their pups...but alas in each circumstance they were too far for us to take a picture.

Red Crested Cardinal

The condo had beautiful landscaping that provided a welcoming environment to a wide range of feathered flock, but this little guy (and his kin) really caught my eye. We don't see many cardinals back home, and so to be greeted by this guy each morning as we sipped our coffee was an unexpected surprise. I was constantly reminded of the poem- When cardinals appear, loved ones are near. Yep-lots of cardinals, and surrounded by loved ones.

Feral Roosters (and chickens too)

Experts note that while they were originally brought to the island by the Polynesian people, why they are in such an abundance on Kauai is up for debate. Filipino people would later move to Hawaii to work on sugar plantations. Cock fighting was one of their favorite hobbies, so they brought their own aggressive strains of chickens. Neither types of these chickens lay many eggs or get big enough for much of a meal so, eventually modern productive breeds were imported and kept in hundreds of backyard flocks throughout the islands.

Then mother nature took over. In 1982 fierce Hurricane Iwa hit the Islands. A decade later, Hurricane Iniki again tore through Hawaii destroying buildings, crops, and fences, freeing many backyard flocks. No matter the reason...they are everywhere- and takes a bit to get used to the sight of the rooster strutting his way across the restaurant!

We did a little hiking...