Thursday, November 6, 2008

Hawaii Day Four - Kayak Trip

Today is/was Wednesday, and we started the day with a buffet breakfast at one of the resort restaurants. This one is called "Tidepools" and its located over a big pond. Microsoft took over the restaurant in the mornings during our stay exclusively for event attendees. Then we took a stroll on the beach before getting ready for our kayak adventure. We boarded a shuttle van at 9:30am and arrived at the "kayak shack" about an hour later. First we received some basic instruction and then we set off on the Hule'ia River. Even though we were headed upstream, the wind was at our backs and pushed up the river. We paddled about an hour until we arrived at the trail head. We then left the kayaks and started hiking on a very muddy trail through the forest/jungle. We hiked about 30 minutes to a big swimming hole where some of us (me included, not Jane) tried out a rope swing into the pond. After our cool off break we continued hiking to a small waterfall where we had lunch. After lunch we hiked back the way we came and were picked up by a motor boat for the ride back. The motor boat towed our kayaks behind. We were done about 3:00pm. When we got back to the resort Jane and I washed up all the mud off of our shoes and got ready for our last evening party, which featured the cruisine of many of the local chiefs who were their in person preparing dishes. When we got back to our room after the party we received a small recipe book on our bed with all of the recipes. Sweet!

Breakfast at Tidepools

Looking towards the resort from the gardens. The beach was right behind the photographer (someone walking by)

Gone strolling....



80 degree water and coral sand. It doesn't get much better than this



Paddling instruction



Heading into the jungle



About 1/2 way to lunch



Stairs help in some of the really slipperly parts



Rope swing (but not me... )

Rain forest stream

Our lunch spot

Our final destination

Heading back to the head of the river and our cars

The view down river

Hawaiian kings were buried in the caves in the cliff

2 comments:

scooping it up said...

Soooo fun!! Mom, you've got great legs still! I love Hawaii, you deserve this trip big time.

Jason and Leslie Guthrie said...

Sounds like your having a blast. Wish I was there. Jason.