bits of miscellany (hawaii part three).

Since I don't appear to be able to stay on topic for very long today, I'm just going to divide this into several smaller ones. Just cause. 

Why did the chicken cross the road?

The world may never know.

The most miserable I have been in a long time.

On Monday (I think? I get all my days confused during vacation :P) we went to this so-called 'hidden' beach. It had a treacherous hike down--very, very steep with very few rocks to step on. Anyway, we get down and long story short, the waves are huge--much bigger than at the previous beaches, because here they don't have reefs to cushion them or something. I decide to go swimming, because I am brilliant, and this is what happens: La ti da, I am floating along, and then a wave comes and knocks me off my feet. And it twists and turns me around, I do flips and acrobatics underwater I would otherwise be quite incapable of doing. I feel my head hit the ground, I feel sand pounded into me from every direction. Saltwater fills my eyes but I have to get up before another wave comes. Eyes closed, running, running, hoping I'm going the right direction. 

That happened to me twice (I know, right? You'd think I'd learn...) and it was not pleasant either time. In fact, by the end of the second time, I was very upset. I was covered in sand, salt in my eyes, my head sore from being hit against the ground. All I wanted was to take a shower. And I still had to hike back up the path, uphill. Needless to say I don't think I'll being going back to that beach. I'll stick with the small docile ones, thankyouverymuch.

This was what my shoes looked like after this excursion:

They have gone through a vigorous cycle of the washing machine now and look brand new! But they're still kind of damp... That's the trouble with the humidity.

Sun, sun, sun, here it comes!

As I've mentioned, it's been raining a lot but the sun finally came out yesterday. We went to a gorgeous beach on the other side of the island for the day. 

Look how blue the sky was! It was brighter in real life, but I haven't seen it so devoid of clouds in a while. Makes for a nice change, if a rather *hot* one.

Evenings are my favorite.

I love coming back at the end of the day, after being outside for hours, and just hanging out. Playing a board game, having some ice cream, and watching the sunset. That's my favorite part. :)

Have a great day!

-Kendall

the sea and me (hawaii part two).

This is my one hundredth post! If I was at home, I'd try to do something extra-special to celebrate but as it is, I think this is okay. ;)

There's something about the sea. It can be so beautiful and peaceful and so powerful and strong. The lapping waves can meet the shore softly, or they can crash against the rocks fiercely. The water is so full of polar opposites but at the end of the day I can't help admiring it.

We've gone to the beach a few times since we got here. The first time was early Saturday, in the quiet fog of the morning. It was pretty vacant, not crowded at all. It wasn't like I'd imagined the beaches--full of rainbow umbrellas and frolicking children and surfers. But it was nice, in a simple way. Just the sand and the sea and the mountains peeking out from behind the clouds.

We found some shells, too.

Then, yesterday, we went to a different beach in the afternoon. The sun, which has played hide-and-seek the whole time we've been here, teased us with warm rays for a bit, but despite that, it was still cold. I read from my book while shivering under the weight of two towels. And then, I at least tried to boogie board. The waves weren't very big, though, so I mostly just drifted along by myself.

I love the beach and all the little things about it: the squishy sand on barefeet, the sound of the waves, seeing fish swim by, etc. etc. 

That's about all for now, folks! Have a great Monday. :)

-Kendall

aloha to the aloha state (hawaii part one).

Well, I finally made it to Kauai yesterday, after waking up before the sun and sitting on an airplane for an ungodly amount of hours.

And--can I just say--it is beautiful. Despite the fact that it has literally rained about six times since we got here, it feels terrific outside. A breeze keeps it from getting too hot, and it's all very mild and temperate and nice. I'm sitting with the windows open, listening to the wind rush through the palm trees.

This is the view from the front of the house that we're renting. ^^

Yep, it's rained a lot. Never for very long though; only a few minutes usually. It's how everything stays so lush and vibrant! Like this:

The back has a little patio and then looks out onto a golf course. It is perfect for playing frisbee at sunset.

Look, a UFO!

I'm suffering from awful jet lag, though. We're five hours behind our normal time, so it's taking some getting used to. I woke up initially at five-thirty this morning, to the sound of rain and roosters (there are chickens all over the place!). I managed to go sleep for another hour but I'm still so tired, and my eating habits are off too. Oh, well!

Pretty bird! I've seen them a lot but they're elusive, i.e.  they won't sit still.

We went to the beach this morning. It was remarkably bereft of people, although I guess the fact that it was only eight o'clock had something to do with it. That time change again... Anyway, it was nice, though I am not a fan of salt water at all. I'll show pictures of the beach soon; that deserves its own post, I think.

Then we walked around town and got burgers for lunch. Afterwards we drove around some more, looking at the scenery. We stopped at one place where there was a cave on one side of the road and a beach on the other. It was neat.

Even the grass is pretty... or I'm just weird.

And here I am, writing this from my mother's laptop (what great inventions!). I'm sleepy but we're going to make brownies so that should perk me up. ;)

I'll blog more later. Until then, have a great day!

-Kendall