We chose this day to explore the NORTH side of the island, so started with another breakfast of AMAZING macadamia pancakes at the Tip Top Diner, then headed toward Tunnels Beach (I found a picture of Tunnels Beach on the internet before we left, and REALLY wanted to see it!).
On the way, we stopped in Hanalei and explored a local grocery store, then looked around a shopping area nearby. It was raining hard enough that we were really just trying to find a place to avoid getting even more drenched than we already were. We found a "photo op" outside a souvenir shop...
After lunch, we walked (waded?) next door for shave ice at Shave Ice Paradise (another local establishment that Vickie recommended...although I think we liked Kalapaki Shave Ice the best of ALL the places we tried on the island...).
After shave ice, we drove to the Kiluaea Lighthouse and National Wildlife refuge. It was raining a little harder, so we made a brief stop (for a photo op) at the lookout...
...then drove to the parking lot near the lighthouse. It was beautiful, but would have been even more lovely, had the sun been out. It DID clear up briefly, so we were able to get some good photos.
After looking around the lighthouse grounds for awhile, we continued north. The road got more and more narrow. The bridges became "one way/car at a time" only. Parking, as we got nearer to the beach, became non existent... We DID...eventually...after turning around...turning around again...and driving through a stream that was flowing across a low point in the road... get to a parking area for a beach a little further down from Tunnels.
Across the road from the beach we parked near an old lava tube. It went WAY back into the cliff above. It was formed THOUSANDS of years ago, and was eerie, and EXTREMELY cool!
After "spelunking" in the lava tube, we headed to the beach.
THIS is the photo from the internet that sparked the interest in Tunnels Beach...
Here's what it looked like while we were there...
DEFINITELY not as scenic, but again...we were in Hawaii, and it was raining...not snowing...
As we were walking down the beach, we saw that a small crowd had gathered. A Monk Seal was taking a nap!!!
After Tunnels Beach, we continued north as far as the road would take us...Ke'e Beach. We didn't stay long (we were tired of being wet, and of being rained on), but took a few photos...
After Ke'e Beach, we headed south. We stopped at a farmer's market near Kapa'a and had some AWESOME fresh pineapple...
...watched a local barbecue "Huli Huli Chicken" on a homemade grill...
...then stopped at Kealia Beach to watch the waves on the beach.
After the beach, we headed back to the hotel to get cleaned up to meet my friend Kimberly's mom, Pat, for dinner. Kimberly and I met when I was living in Japan. She came over on the same short term mission program, through the American Baptist Churches, that I first went on (and how I got the job at the school at which I was teaching).
Kimberly and I became "fast friends" and spent a lot of time together in Japan. Her mom, Pat, came over to visit one summer, and she is a HOOT! Very fun! Very kind! Very sweet! We had a great time, and I got to get reacquainted with her a couple of years ago when she came to the cities (where Kimberly also now lives) to visit.
Pat is "sansei" (third generation Japanese) on Kauai. She knows all the great places to sightsee...things to avoid..and GREAT restaurants. She took us to Duke's Canoe Club Restaurant. We had a table overlooking Kalapaki Beach. It was LOVELY!!
Duke's has been around for decades, and it's a combination of vintage and kitsch. There are two levels of dining, with a waterfall along one side of the building. Duke Kahanamoku (the restaurant's namesake, and one of Hawaii's most famous residents) won an Olympic medal in 1912 for swimming the 100-meter dash. Surfing memorabilia hangs everywhere.
Duane and I both had the Kushiyaki...teriyaki marinated brochette of chicken breast and beef tenderloin. AMAZING!!!
After a delightful dinner, we said our goodbyes (with the promise of getting together once again before leaving the island), and went back to the hotel and bed. Another FULL, but wonderful, day on the island!!!
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