Made it to Kauai!!
Everyone made it to Kauai after a long day of travel - especially for Tom and Anna who came from NYC. Over 12 hours of flying for them but worth it! The rest of us - Keeley, Matt, Angela and myself flew from Seattle which was just over 6 hours in the air.
Aloha from the balcony of our villa!
But first I will back up and post briefly about my stop in Seattle and Gig Harbor. Getting to Kauai from Kansas City is not easy so I flew to Seattle for 2 days to visit family and see one of my oldest and dearest friends Pam and her amazing husband Lance. They have lived in Seattle for many years and very recently moved from a beautiful but very congested area on the east side to a fantastic area called Gig Harbor. Gig Harbor is south of Seattle across Puget Sound from Tacoma. It might just be my new favorite place!
Pam and I on the wrap-around verandah at her spectacular home which has a beautiful view of the sound!! You can watch the ferries go back and forth to Vashon Island!
My brother Dave and I drove over to Gig Harbor and we all went to an awesome place for lunch in the adorable downtown area right on the marina called Devoted Kiss Cafe. It is one of Pam's favorite places and the funny thing is I had looked up Gig Harbor restaurants on yelp before we came and it was the place that really caught my attention - also number 1 rating on the site!
Just a tiny place you could easily drive by but so good! Fantastic clam chowder and a delicious salad with apple, Gorgonzola cheese, bacon and candied pecans for me.
The view of the marina from our table. In the warmer weather you can sit right on the water.
It was so great to have the time with Pam and Lance - although as usual never long enough. I can't wait to go back when I have more time!
That night we met family at Anthony's in Des Moines for happy hour - one of my favorite things! It was really raining - even more then usual for Seattle so I don't have any great views from the restaurant - but Anthony's also is on the water. Great food and happy hour specials.
Tons of clams, tempura asparagus and artichoke dip - all delicious!
So great to see family even though it was too brief. But I can't be too sad because I was headed to Kauai!! Day one was pretty much travel and getting the villa stocked with food so the real exploring will start today. From my research I know Kauai will be much different then Maui or Oahu in terms of being more laid back and natural. We experienced a bit of that last night when we went to dinner. We are staying on the east side of the island in Lihue and went to a restaurant/brewery called The Kauai Beer Co. Very local crowd and very casual but delicious.
All farm to table ingredients and quite a selection of beers. Greens with beer battered avocado, pickled onions, chicken and candied macadamia nuts for me. Mac and cheese for Angela, Chicken sandwich with kale slaw for Matt and a beet, sweet potato chicken salad for Keeley.
So far I am mesmerized by the beauty of the mountains from our balcony and all the roosters roaming free everywhere crowing constantly!
This guy is right below me and he moves fast! Better pictures to come!
There was a hurricane that hit Kauai in 1992 that destroyed all the hen houses. No one bothered to round up the roosters and hens so they roam freely everywhere - love it!!
Well a beautiful day awaits me - more to come soon!! Mahalo!!