65 mph ~

As usual, my transition back to the mainland is slow. I wake up late, drive slow and am generally just taking it easy while trying to catch up to the rest of the mainlanders. It is so easy to slow down~ I find myself driving 55-60 and feeling that it is too fast. The posted speed on the island of Kauai is 35-55, with 35 being the typical speed. You see and enjoy the scenery and can stop at lei stand or shave ice cart with ease. 

Here are the last of the pictures from our trip ~ we made dinner that included macadamia nut crusted Opah, our favorite fish in the world, steak perfectly done, taro rolls, sushi rice that was not perfectly cooked and fresh mango salsa with all the ingredients purchased from local stores and growers. 

happy faces ~ Hale Hina

throwing lei's ~ Kepuhi Beach

 I toss my lei's into the ocean because I had heard, whether true or not, that if you do so you will return. I am evidence that it works because if given a choice this is where I will return over and over again. I am always sad to leave and I am sorry that these pictures do not capture all the amazing colors of the sand (crushed sea shells), black lava rock and blue water which happens to have a full range of blues and purple. I know it sounds unreal.

sad faces ~ Lihue Airport

pretty payphone ~

I didn't take a picture of the painted trash cans around the island but even the payphones are pretty. We were surround by beauty, culture and aloha the entire time.

fabric ~ Kapaia Stitchery

 Here is my stash of fabric and patterns. The large stack in the middle will become another Postcards quilt that will fit the bed. The barkcloth, the 3 on the left, will become pot holders and pillows. Almost can't bear to cut into it. The rest is a mystery ~

Hawaiian applique ~ in progress

 I am still in the progress of tacking down my first applique, the one on the left ~
I put them side by side then laughed. I thought the little one was a big project~

Better get to it
Mahalo

Wish you were here ~

 

 The best place to purchase a lei ~ Anahola

plumeria lei

We decided to travel around to the other side of the island to Polihale State beach and along the way stop in the different little towns and shop & eat.

 

McDonald's with haiupia pies
(coconut cream)

  Certain somebodies were hungry and despite my request for something more local, we went to the golden arches. On the sign was the offering for haiupia cream pies like the famous $1 apple pies.

swinging bridge in Hanapepe

We continued on to Hanapepe, a little artist town and the inspiration for the movie Lilo & Stitch. We had purchased a mango painting several years back that now hangs in our kitchen.

mango tree

mangoes

Polihale and the Napali Coast

what not to take to the beach....

no rain, no rainbows
Hanalei taro field

We enjoyed lunch in Waimea and then headed to Polihale. It was a nice day, the water blue, the sand hot, the company excellent ~ but don't take a lei to the beach.

 It rains everyday and rained off and on the 50 or so miles back to the North Shore.  I am not complaining, it is what makes this island so green and pretty. Rainbows to our right and left the whole way home.

Tomorrow is a travel day, back to the mainland ~ bringing back an aloha spirit, memories and a few trinkets.

Mahalo