kauai- at the grand hyatt

Here are some photos from our recent trip to the beautiful island of Kauai! Many of you already know, but Jason and I were offered an all expenses paid vacation to the Grand Hyatt Kauai by Consolidated Supply Company (they sell plumbing supplies- pipes, water heaters, etc.) We honeymooned in Kauai ten years ago, if you can believe that, and haven't been on a real "alone" vacation since, so thought we ought to take the opportunity. The owner of the company Jason works for, Brian, and his fiance Nan went on the trip too- there were about 350 participants in all. Consolidated put together a very nice vacation, with every perk imaginable! Unfortunately, I was sick throughout most of the trip had to eat very plain food- a relatively sad experience when all your food is paid for at a 5-star hotel! And the weather was unexpectedly overcast-very rainy and windy- but still deliciously warm. But despite my pesky illness and the lack of sunshine, we had a good time revisiting favorite spots from our honeymoon, and enjoying the lush tropical scenery.

My had family graciously and readily agreed care for the children while we were gone, and they had a wild vacation of their own at Camp Grammy and Gramps. They spent their days and evenings with their aunties, uncles and cousins who lovingly indulged them in all their wildest dreams. (For example, a Star Wars movie marathon complete with red hots and popcorn!) From the sounds of it they did ten times as many things as we did! Thanks to a good deal of effort on the part of my family, they stayed very busy and entertained, and came home with a million exciting things to talk about! We have never been separated for longer than 2 nights, but I think the time passed very quickly for them with so many people surrounding them and so many fun things to do. I don't have any photos to post of "their trip", as they call it, at this point but might later! I think Eva was "way too busy", as she says, to take any pictures.

I have a lot of photos from Kauai so I think I will break them up into different posts. These are all taken on the hotel grounds- 56 acres of luxury and beautiful landscaping.

Below, the view of the hotel from the beach.

We couldn't figure out why this crane was always standing in the same spot in the pond, and concluded they must have stapled it there.

All the trees were lit from the ground at night, a look I always enjoy.

This looks like a rock, but is a Hawaiian monk seal- an endangered species. Whenever one lands on the beach, volunteers come to rope off the area so it can get a good days sleep without disturbance from curious humans.

This restaurant sits on the koi pond, which had more koi in it than I had ever seen in one place. They are less charming and almost a little creepy in such a swarm! Prettier when spread out a bit, I think.

Below- at a "formal" dinner. I was a real rebel and never wore my name tag. I just doesn't go with anything, really!

Below is the pond we sat near at breakfast every morning. There is a swan that is constantly swimming around the pond. (It can't be stapled- maybe tethered?)The best thing about this hotel is that there is no real barrier to the outdoors- it is all so open you are never really inside except when in your room. The birds fly in and and out of the dining room, and the ocean breeze refreshes everything... Not a bad way to live!

The two pictures below show the view from our room.

We loved all the different plants on the island. I wished I had a plant guide because I enjoy knowing what I am seeing. Most of the time when I travel, I return home really appreciating the lush greenery of Western Washington; but in Kauai the growth is just as thick, if not even more so, though nearly all the plants are different than ours.

The girls were very excited about the idea of leis, especially when I told them that dad would be getting one. They made me promise to take a picture, as it just tickled them to no end to imagine Daddy in a necklace of pink flowers- apparently they thought it would look incredibly silly.When I showed them the picture, they smiled for a while, and then Eva said, "You know, he actually looks sort of nice with it on." I agree! Pink flowers- it's a good look for him.