Hawaii Day 5

Friday, August 26

Our final full day in Kauai wasn't wasted, Colleen and Zach decided we needed to meet up before we left (they were staying another week for their honeymoon) and that we had to see Poipu beach before we left.

The drive there was simply beautiful. It was just over a 30 minute drive from where we were staying, on the south shore. Just look at these pictures I took during our drive!

sign at the entrance of the park

Don't worry, not dead. Just sleeping! There was also "caution tape" around him, giving him space
and still allowing us to observe us. 

The kids, Zach, Colleen and Stephen played in the water for several hours. I think I was in for only about 30 minutes, but it was so nice. I enjoyed watching the rest of the time. 

After everyone was done, we headed to "Kickshaws" a local food-truck spot. Only a couple of the trucks were open, but everyone was able to find something to eat. Pretty safe to say that no one left disappointed. Here are few pictures I took there. LOTS of chickens and some pretty cool scenery. 

These chickens were BRAVE - there were multiple signs telling people not to feed them, but they had apparently been fed at some point because they would even jump on recently vacated tables to look for crumbs. Such pretty birds though. 

Hawaii Day 4

Thursday, August 25

I can't share too many pictures of the wedding day, since Colleen hasn't been able to share, but I think I'm safe in sharing just these few. 

On Thursday, August 25 at 5 pm, my sister got to marry her best friend. It was the most beautiful, most personal ceremony I've had the chance to attend in quite some time. 

I spent most of the day with Colleen helping (and by helping I mean supervising) her getting ready and then had the all important job of holding the bouquet during the ceremony. 

I am just going to share a couple pics, special things that jumped out to me. 

Can't get ready without COFFEE! 

The bouquet

she wore my mom necklace around her bouquet, so a piece of her was there 

This pin belonged to my grandfather's mother (Oma Schallig) 

The pearls belonged to my grandmother 

Hopefully I will be able to share more pictures of the actual bride and groom at a later date. Until then, enjoy what you have!

The Smith's Family Garden Luau

Luau Schedule: 

6 pm Imu Ceremony "Meet some of our family members and learn of the Hawaiian cooking method called Kalua — where Kalua pig is wrapped in ti leaves and cooked to perfection in our earthen imu oven." - we didn't really get to see much of this as it was too crowded around the pit. 

6:15 Cocktails and music - "Have a mai tai, beer, or glass of wine at the open bar while the Smith family entertains with Hawaiian songs. (Soft drinks and juice are also available.)" - The whole family loved this part. They also had Hawaiian coffee! 

6:30 Luau Feast: The music continues while you enjoy traditional flavors and island favorites like kalua pork, beef teriyaki, chicken adobo, and sweet’n’sour mahimahi. Sample our ono local specialties like lomi salmon, fresh poi, Hawaiian sweet potato, mac salad, namasu salad and scrumptious tropical desserts! - OMG This was beyond amazing. Seriously! The mahimahi was one of my favorites as was the lomi salmon. 

So, the part I was looking foreword to most, the food, is the part I got zero pictures of. 

What I can tell you about dinner is that it was amazing! There was so much food and I can't think of anything I didn't at least like. 

There were a few things I wouldn't get seconds of, but even more things I would have loved to take some home! 

While I didn't get pictures of the dinner, I did get lots of pictures of the show after dinner. 

What you cannot see in these pictures is that for most of the show it was POURING. These performers were simply amazing though, you can't even tell! In some you can see the water pouring off the front of the stage though! 

Pictures do not do this performance justice. It was so worth every dollar I spent. We all loved it. Even the kiddos sat and watched (minus Liv who was just done with the day). 

This is how they describe it on their website (it isn't just Hawiian dancing!):  Move to the rhythm with colorful, authentic performances from Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Philippines, New Zealand and Japan in our spacious open-air, torch-lit “Pele Amphitheater” (complete with erupting volcano!).

The Smith's Family Garden Tour

 Between the end of the Fern Grotto tour and the beginning of the Luau, we had the pleasure to tour the Smith's Family Garden. With 30 acres of garden, there was a lot to see and not nearly enough time to see it. According to their website: View over twenty types of fruit in the Tropical Orchard including breadfruit, star fruit, jackfruit, macadamia nuts and soursop. Wander the Bamboo and Fruit forests or enjoy the colorful attraction of the Flower Wheel and Flowering Tropicals areas. Set amidst this natural backdrop are replicas of Polynesian and Filipino huts. The Japanese-themed garden island is a popular location for those who choose to get married in the gardens.

It was truly a beautiful garden to walk. We did start out with the tram tour, but really, the guide talked so fast and the tram moved so quickly, the time would have been just as well spent wandering on our own. 

Here are just a few of the beautiful pictures I was able to capture. 

Given the opportunity to visit again, I would give more time for walking this beautiful garden.