snap-shots of Kaua'i

Last week, the pastor and I had the wonderful opportunity to fly across the Pacific

..... to Kaua'i!! 

Our former church in San Diego, had gifted us this trip, 

and we had every intention of going alone, until we realized that we could

request a two-bedroom condo for no additional cost. 

We decided to ask some long-time friends if they would be

interested in joining us.... and to our delight they accepted our invitation! 

SO, after a pretty stressful week of preparation (this was the first time we had left our five for this long,

and to say the least, I was a bit anxious!!), we left our sweet children in the able

hands of Num Num and Papa, and boarded our plane. 

I will say, it took me a couple of days to relax, but once I did it was wonderful!!  

We had the unit directly behind that "Lika-Lani" sign..... which included three porches.

We could see the ocean from our bedroom window and fell asleep to 

the wind and waves each night. Directly across the street were these sights....

Of course we had to experience a luau.

It was fabulous....especially the entertainment and that salted pig :)

One day we hiked about 5 miles in the Waimea Canyon State Park.

This is considered the "Grand Canyon" of Kaua'i. 

It was breath-taking! 

The next day, we boarded a Catamaran and headed up the west coast of the island. 

We stopped and snorkeled.... which was a highlight.

(In fact, the pastor enjoyed it so much that we decided to snorkel again the next day! 

He rented a camera so he could take pictures of the fish and underwater video too.

He swam with a sea-turtle and wowed the kids with his footage!!)

After snorkeling, we headed on up to see the very beautiful Napali coast.

Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it so much as I got sea-sick. 

Don't think I'll be taking any more boat rides for a very long time!! 

Being the coffee lovers that we are, the pastor and I had to visit the

Kaua'i Coffee Plantation.... I will say, it was hard to want to drink coffee

when we were so hot and sticky!! The Northwest sure feeds that love of ours

since we are always so chilly here. Anyway,

it was so cool seeing the coffee plants and bringing home some Kaua'i coffee!! 

A few more stops included:

the Wailua Falls and River

This was a once in a life-time experience....

and we will always cherish these memories!

Thank you NCPC, and specifically Virginia,

 for this WONDERFUL opportunity.

You made our dreams a reality!

We are so grateful.