Kauai
2007

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Did I mention that we saw lots of chickens and roosters while walking around yesterday? Well there are tons. And the roosters start to crow at 5:20 am.

Today had everything; a 'secret' beach, a drive along a super narrow, overgrown road (which is actually the main highway here) that made me feel like I was in the hot house exhibit at some zoo, more amazing beaches, swimming in pretty big surf and of course a sun burn.

Our place is in Kapa'a. This morning we drove up just past Kilauea and then down 1st Kilauea Road and immediately turned off on a dirt road and took it to the end. It terminates in a housing development and there is a public access path that goes from the construction crew parking lot down to the beach. According to the guide book this used to be a secret beach but now, it's in the guide book. :| The path to the water is steep and rooty but the beach is great!

There were already lots of surfers in the water and more walking their boards down as we arrived and when we got to the water there was also a group firing up the obligatory morning splif. Stereotypes are grounded in fact after all. We walked down the beach quite a ways and around every point there was another small bunch of people and surfers in the water. It looked a little too hairy to swim in most places as there are reefs out here and close to shore you risk getting battered a bit; especially if you are a totally inexperienced surf swimmer like me... So instead we found a nice spot of sand and just enjoyed the view for a couple of hours.

Next up was the very end of the highway. The road keeps getting narrower and more twisty with all these one lane bridges and eventually you end up just past Haena at the Na Pali coast. Since it was about 12:30 we were much too late to get a parking spot so instead of hitting this beach we turned back and drove to a less busy one. And as it turns out this was the right thing to do! The surf here was BIG.

There were two older guys in the water bobbing up and down in what must have been eight foot breakers and it looked like so much fun! And the water was this amazing shade of light blue, like something from a pastel painter's pallet. So we jumped in.

Hoo-boy, talk about hilarious. You can also talk about sand in the shorts and looking like fools. For the longest time we could not even get out into the ocean! The beach was really steep and so it got deep quick and when the waves came in they just shoved us right back up the sand. And if we happened to lose our footing they just pushed us up farther and packed our swim suits with beach sand all the way up.

Finally we spotted a lull and ran out, dove in and swam like mad for 50 feet to get past the breakers. And it was awesome! Out here you were being lifted up and dropped down like you were in some big wave tank. I know, I know, we _were_ in a big wave tank but it was the only experience I had previous to this that was similar. It was so much fun to be way up here and then all of a sudden be way down here. Waves look HUGE when you are in the trough. But the water was so warm and the color so pleasant it was not scary or worrisome at all. When we finally decided to swim back to shore we got pummelled and rolled around in the sand again - it was impossible not to be.

	Martin: What's the opposit of non-stick? This pan. Shelley:
	Martin: Windows (and walls) are not really required here but they install wood blinds on the front door for privacy. Shelley:
	Martin: Ah... Internet access. Shelley:
	Martin: 'Secret' beach Shelley:
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	Martin: Coconut! Shelley:
	Martin: There was supposed to be some cool tidal pool beyond the rocks but as the tide was high, it did not look possible to get there. Shelley:
	Martin: The trail back to the car from secret beach. Shelley:
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	Martin: You can't really tell in this picture but the swells are 6-8' and that is the coolest shade of blue I have ever seen. Shelley:
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	Martin: Those swells look like a blast to swim in, I'm going to give it a try. Shelley:
	Martin: Not so hard so far. Shelley:
	Martin: It's all about the timing. Shelley:
	Martin: Me almost getting knocked on my can. Shelley:
	Martin: The waves came in, went up a steep, 10' tall sand hill, spilled over the top and swamped this little picnic spot. Towels = gone. Shelley:
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	Martin: Hey, we're in HAWAII! Shelley:
	Martin: The lifeguard tower. Shelley:
	Martin: The two scariest stuffed animals you have ever seen. I think that at one point they were washed up on the beach...? Either that or they were stored in a dark box and attacked by moths. Or worse. Shelley: