Kayaking Kaua'i - Day 2

Woke up to find that we were still in paradise.

The boys decided to head into the valley to check out a waterfall, but preggy mandy decided to rest from her big kayaking effort from yesterday.

In the afternoon Andrew and Mandy decided to swim to the nearby beach, while Kevin paddled along side us. The neighbouring beach was deserted with a sheer cliff (probably 1000ft high) at the back of it, and at one end was a huge cave which you could walk through to access the next beach along. We wandered about enjoying the scenery (including a waterfall at the next beach), and then "swam" back (Mandy actually rode most of the way on the back of kevin's kayak).

We prepared yet another gourmet meal, made the neighbouring hikers jealous and met some local hippie chicks who actually played music for us (it's amazing that these woman hike topless, with barefeet, but still manage to carry in a guitar and bongo drum!).

It was a super hot day - and we cooled off and filled up our water bottles under our local waterfall. Just heavenly.

A view down the beach


Andrew enjoying the waterslide up Kalalau valley


Wiggen/Gandalf on the way back from the falls


Wiggen scaring the locals


The sheer cliff at the neighbouring beach


Mandrew swimming


At the cave


Caves made to fit


The 3 Marlenas on the swim back


Mandy catching a ride home


Yet another gourmet meal


Mandrew in Paradise

Kayaking Kaua'i - Day 1

With all of our gear in dry bags we finaly launched our sit-on-top kayaks only 2 days later than planned at 7am. Kaua'i Kayaking had not been the easiest or friendliest company to deal with over the past few days, but we put that behind us, and headed off down the Na Pali coast!!
It was pretty hot (85 F/30 C) and there was still a bit of a swell in the water.

The boys quickly adjusted to using their "J" stroke, which they had claimed to be experts at - this kept us going in a straight line (most of the time), and we kept a fair distance from the cliffs (Pali) to our left, as the swell crashed against them and rebounded back towards us - not dissimilar to the agitation cycle in a washing machine.

It only took us 3 1/2 hours to get to "the beach", forever remembered as paradise - Kalalaua. The scenery kept us distracted as we paddled in the heat, and sometimes cooled off by paddling under a waterfall. This place is incredible.

We arrived at Kalaulau and succesfully surfed in without entertaining the locals (we had been sufficiently warned). The boys went hunting for suitable accomodation, while the pregnant lady lazed on the beach.

We set up camp and chatted with the locals; some permanent resident hippies, but most were exhausted hikers who had just completed the Kalalau trail (most had taken 2 days to hike in, so were very jealous we had made it in 3 1/2 hrs!)

We ate very well and even had a happy hour which we invited the hikers to, after they had finished their freeze dried meals!!! suckers!!

Almost at Kalalau


Wiggen cooling off


Checking out the scenery


Paradise - Kalaulau Beach


Arriving on the beach


Our kayaks with our camping spot in the bush behind them


The "blair witch camp" - preparing a meal (we ate a lot)


Andrew organising the kayaks

Preparing for Kayaking in Kaua'i

A fantastic trip for the 3 marlenas - andrew, mandy and kevin

The night before the departure for kayking - the boys "carb loading" at the Hanelai Bay Resort

The day of departure - which didn't happen because of high surf. Instead the 2 pregnant ones lay on the beach in Ke'e


Yet another day later - we still couldn't leave because of high surf. The boys pointing to the Napali Coast - where we should be.


"Stuck" at the resort - it was tough (especially the pool)

Our House

We were very excited to move into our very own house in Wellington last October, however it's taken us sometime to get unpacked and totally liveable. So finally, here are some photos:

The View that Sold us the House - Looking over Wellington Harbour to the Snow Capped Tararua Mountains


The Bench Seat and Panoramic views from Living Room also looking down stairs to our bedroom) (Scroll to the Right to view it all)


The Dining Room and The Living Room


The Kitchen (just behind living room)



Entry Way


Our Bedroom


The view from our Bedroom


The Ensuite to our Bedroom


The "study" / Spare Room


The Baby's Room (currently used by Jonathan)


The Laundry


The Hallway (which all bedrooms except ours, come off)


The Main Bathroom





Ugly back of house looking in


The Pohutakawa Tree in Full Bloom (looking towards the back of the section)


We are also just a half an hour walk from downtown, 5 minutes to our own (cold water) swimming beach, and 10 minutes to the main beach in town, Oriental Parade. Here is a map where you can see our road, Maida Vale, near the bottom of the map. Mandy works at #13, and Andrew works near #49.

Baby Symphony

Last weekend mandy went to see the "Baby Proms" with Nicole and Ollie. Ollie who's current interest is musical instruments, was completely absorbed in everything he saw. He particularly liked the Tuba and Double Base.

Mandy carrying Ollie for better viewing


Ollie on stage with the Double Bass