Last full day in Kauai

Today was our last full day in Kauai.  We could come up with a month's worth of things to yet do, but time has run out and next week we will be back to our old routines but remembering all the wonderful experiences we had on Kauai.

We started our morning with a Kauai must do - we headed to the Kmart parking lot to find Malasadas.  It was just a little stand about the size of a food truck on the sidewalk out in front of the store.  Kelsey, our new friend, told us we had to try them before we left.  Malasadas are this wonderful warm ball of fried dough covered in sugar or cinnamon sugar.  So amazing and so affordable.  They were 3 for $2.  We bought 3 of each.  They are so big, that we saved 2 for tomorrow morning.

For all people visiting Kauai - Kmart is the place for souvenirs.  We found some of the exact same items as found in the small gift shops, but for much less.

From there we headed to the Hawaiian Village for lunch and an afternoon of fun.  We followed a 1-1/2 lane-wide winding road to the bottom of the mountain.  When meeting an oncoming vehicle, one of the drivers must pull to the side to allow the other to pass.

There we found the Chef George of Da Jungle food truck, recommended by Owen.  We shared a chicken gyro and an organic shave ice made with real fruit juices.  Before that we thought we had tasted the best shave ice on the island but the real mango and strawberry juices made this so very tasty.

At the entrance to the Hawaiian village we were greeted by a cat in a lei.  Well actually we were not greeted by her; she raised her head and gave us a lazy look as she was sprawled out on the steps.  Later we found her in a basket on the table, again giving us lazy looks.

We enjoyed walking around the grounds of the Village.  Everything in Kauai is so green and colorful.  This area was no exception.  One very cool plant we saw was sleeping grass - a fern like plant.  This was crazy - when we touched the leaves, they fold inward and the entire branch fell back to the stem. The flowering trees in Kauai are so pretty.  I wish I had taken more pictures of all the blooms.  This is truly the Garden Isle.

Jaclyn, really, was this so important to you to write your name in the tree?

Owen works at the Hawaiian Village.  He suggested we should try a kayak trip down the Wailua River.  We spent about an hour winding our way down the river and back.  It was so relaxing, listening to all the birds along the river banks.  And yes we even saw a chicken - geez!

Hey Owen, hope all the tuna sold from our fishing trip!

After leaving the Hawaiian Village we drove back up the narrow, steep winding road to the ridge.  From there we could stop at multiple lookouts.  From the first vantage point we could see the river, kayakers and the Hawaiian village below.

On the north side of the ridge road we could see the Opaekaa Falls - they were so pretty.  Nothing like we would see back home.

Back in town, we decided to check out the souvenir shops and find dinner.  I had read about the shave ice in the back of Hee Fat General Store.  

The girl working the stand suggested that we should try the fresh fruit juices on our shave ice, made right in the store.  We had just experienced the organic juice shave ice at Chef George's so we figured that was the way to go.  We shared a macadamia nut ice-cream, raspberry and passion fruit topped with snow cap sweet cream.  Oh my!  We just found the absolutely most amazing shave ice.  Hee Fat has the best shave ice on the island, hands down.

We strolled through the shops, purchasing a few items for family back home.

We happened across another food truck, El Taco Feliz.  Again I went with the fish taco.  It was quite good but I still think the taco on the north shore road trip was the best.

Time to head back for the night.  We decided to spend an hour on the beach just enjoying the sounds of the surf.  It was a pretty night.  By 9:00 it started getting chilly so we headed back.  Earlier on our way out to the beach we met the new Mr. & Mrs. Smith from North Carolina.  They were just starting their honeymoon.  After their time at the pool and our hour at the beach they stopped by our condo and we shared our left over sodas & water from our trip.  We hope they have as fabulous a time as we did on Kauai.

It will be sad to go back to the midwest.  We will bring back wonderful memories of friendly people, beautiful scenery and fabulous adventures.  Mahalo Kauai for your hospitality.  A special thank you to Owen & Kelsey.