Monk Island

So it had been nearly a week and we decided we needed another mini trip. So we did a minimal amount of research and booked a trip to Kauai. Per our usual we packed our things, headed to work, saved a couple lives, and caught the first bus to the airport. We were going to make sure we didn't miss any flights this trip so we got there with plenty of time to spare. Even from the air to Kauai was going to be beautiful, what we didn't know if what the week had in store for us.

First task, get a car. One car place said they had no cars left, but were not sure they rent to the blood shot eyed homeless. Another told us to book through expedia. Finally, our little conscious reminded us that we know someone in the rental car business: Shawn. A few phone calls were made and we were sitting pretty in a bright  red Jeep for half out!

So we buckled up and drove to straight to the "grand canyon of the pacific"-Mark Twain AKA Waimea Canyon. We were saving our legs for the big hike tomorrow so we just did some mild walking to the lookouts. We did one loop because our guide book from Big Boy said: "Fit or flabby, can and should enjoy the Iliau nature trail a 0.3 mile loop". So we listened to our travel bible and did the loop. From there we made some pull offs and climbed our own trail to get a better glimpse of the canyon, what we like living on the edge...literally.

As we were driving back , people were pulling off the side of the road left and right so we decided to see what the fuss was all about. We still don't know what the fuss was alllll about but what we do know is there was a valley fire with a helicopter dumping big buckets of water on it. Free entertainment for about 5 minutes.

Then it was off to the local Wal-Mart to collect what little things we would be taking on our hike. No matter where you go you always feel home at Wal-Mart, so we found some ridiculous hats and joined the crowds. Once we found enough stuff to keep us alive we headed to the cheapest hotel on the island recommended by Jenn's cousin Paul (former native) and crashed.

 Early in the morning, risin to the street light me up a cigarette and strap shows on my feet...JK. Here we go got our shoes tide tight and our bags filled up. On the drive over we weren't sure if it was the nerves or the strong ass coffee from the hotel lobby but we realized at the same moment we were going to have a problem. We tried to take care of it before the hike but gave up hope and started walking. Numerous people had given us looks and wanted to make sure we told people where we were going. Yes, yes, yes we were going to be fine.

The hike itself was gorgeous. In the 11 miles we passed through 5 valleys, about 8 streams or rivers, and lookouts up and down the coast to die for. Mile 6.5-8 was "the most dangerous" part of the hike AKA crawlers ledge with its sheer cliff edges, graveled dirt paths, whistling wind, and numerous switchbacks. We fell a couple times but continued to tell ourselves to fall left as to avoid plunging into the water below.

When we finally reached the sign for Kalalau Beach we were tired, dirty, and ecstatic..little need we know we still had 2 miles to go. What a tease! The next sign we came to led us up to the valley or out to the beach, we just sat on a rock and stared at the sign until people interrupted our daydreams and welcomed us to this whole new world. Back to reality we went to the river to purify our water. We noticed a little up stream people were washing their dishes but we had to take our chances we were thirsty.

When this tedious task was done we headed to the beach where we greeted by two seals sun bathing.

Then we found some shade and sat down to rest our aching muscles. It wasn't long until we made some new friends. Apparently sitting under the ledge is a big no-no due to the spirits above the cliff who throw rocks down at you. We were too tired to care and our new friends, Rex and Ariel, were too intrigued by our lives to take their own advice so we all sat there under the ledge and got to know each other. It didn't take long for them to invite us to dinner, but the only catch was we were supposed to shower in the waterfall.

 After Ariel did a quick sniff check under the pits we were free to bypass the shower, the things we get ourselves into. Dinner wasn't to be served until dark so we played around in the caves, water, and sand until sunset.

Dinner was more than we bargained for. The guest included:

US, Rex, Ariel, Kimo, Mike, and the newly engaged couple, a foreigner snuck her way in and then disappeared after dinner.

It was their last night so we hit the jackpot with food:

Appetizer
Fresh cabbage salad

Pre course taste testers
Chilli Mac from bag (which is a new obsession)
Vegetable soup form a bag

Main course
Corned beef and onion mash
Purple and White potatoes
Beef teriyaki and rice from a bag (again these are going to be our new daily meals)


Drinks
Fresh fruit and Rum

Dessert
Spicy cabbage and Hairy Anchovies

Might not sound good to you but from what we were planning to eat this was gourmet!

After dinner was the entertainment with christmas lights, a guitar t-shirt with an amp that went to 11 NOT 10, and punching balloons. The fatigue was starting to set in so we wandered down to our sleeping quarters on the ginormous white sand beach which was all to ourselves. Before we could sleep we were serenaded and lulled to sleep with drunken snorers, the beach was so big who would have thought to plop down right next to us!

Although sleeping on a beach seems luxurious, peaceful and amazing...it is not. We tried out about 4 different spots on the beach throughout the night and they were all the same. In the morning thankfully Jenn woke up to the boat and shook Sara alive who was half faced coated in sand. We had to run around to collect our shoes then run to the ocean and dive in to catch the only fishing boat out. If we didn't make it it would be a long 11 miles back the way we came. Once safely on the fishing boat we were given a tour of the coast, saw hidden waterfalls, and even got to drive into a cave. From what we learned this was dangerous and the fisherman had "balls of steal".

The adventure wasn't over there we had to hitchhike back to the car, which is harder than you would think when you look like a drown rat. Thank fully a local took us in her pick up truck, we almost lost Sara but she made it back in. Our tshirt playing guitar friend Kimo had good eyes and took us the rest of the way back to our car. Finally, we were on the road to a much needed shower! With all our clothes being soaking wet from their earlier swim in the ocean we had to hang them out to dry off the balcony. We knew this looked a little white trash and tacky but by no means was the hotel 5 stars so we thought it was ok. Early the next morning the front desk called to say "girls, can you take those clothes...it just doesn't look good". hahaha.

So we took our clothes down, showered and made plans to leave the hotel without being seen. First stop was to feed our starvation from the hike so we found a local taco truck and dug into some of the best mexican food we have had since California. Then we immediately headed to the closest beach to take a food coma nap. Sara's friend Tracy was newly married and happened to be honeymooning on the island. For some reason they took time away from their luxurious accommodation to come eat dinner with us fools on our side of town. We had a the best MaiTais EVER and shared some of our stories and heard some of theirs. Overall, Tracy and Andy gave us a little taste of Ohio so it was good seeing them!

Our stand in dad for the week made his daily call and gave us some good pointers for the days itinerary. So we saddled up and went beach hopping. The first beach was a very bumpy dirt road and we thought the Jeep could handle it. Sara took off roading to a whole new extreme and accidentally hit a fence, wish we would have gotten a picture. The other beaches were all so pretty but the days easy going atmosphere changed for the worse when we entered the "Queens's Bath".

A tally board at the beginning clearly marks how many people have died here, so we laughed and took note at where the rescue saving devices are. Things were calm and it was gorgeous, but when one wave pulled Jenn in and another pelted Sara in the face things got crazy. Sara turned to see where Jenn was and all that was there was white foam and bubbles and 2 and 3 more big waves pounded over the area. With what seemed like 10 minutes going by there was still no Jenn. Sara was panicking until around the corner she heard her name and finally caught glimpse of Jenn. When she finally got out of the water she sustained minor injuries to her foot and shoulder, but the mental ramifications were haunting. We realized we have twin powers and knows how the other feels and thinks especially in time of crisis. In all seriousness this incident made us take a long hard look at our life and be thankful for all actual stupid things we have done and lived through.

We needed a beer to calm our nerves so we headed to a pub to meet one of Paul's friends who happens to work on a chocolate farm. Dustin, the chocolatier had to go feed the goats so we could only stay for a little bit. Dustin invited us on a private chocolate tour and we jumped on it. 4000 mosquito bites later we learned all we needed to know about chocolate and decided it was time to go.

As we sat at breakfast we reminisced about the past couple days and realized what a good trip it had been. With a near death experience we took a deeper look at all we have gotten to do and accomplish in the past two years. This marked trip number 38 from February 2011, damn we are two lucky bitches...