I have to be honest with something right off the bat about this island in the spirit of full disclosure.  I feel that it has positively sucked me in and is not willing to let me go.  The best way I can explain this is my concept of time.  Go ahead, ask me what time it is.  I don’t know.  I haven’t worn a watch since I got here and for those of you who know me well, you understand just how exceptional this is.  We’ve gone where we wanted, ate when we wanted, and pretty much did everything else with little regard for standard measures of time.  I think this is a small part of “living aloha”.  I have been perfectly content to just let things happen.  If you come here, abandon all plans for meals, activities, etc., and just see where the day takes you-except for the Na Pali Coast tour, book that early…

When we got back to the groms last night (Lucy and Ethel), I inquired as to their interest in renting a couple of boards and going back out again.  They were on board (ugh, bad pun, but had too).  We visited our friends at Hawaiian Surfing Adventures again, rented three boards, two rash guards, and bought three t-shirts.  With the discount we got for being returning students, the total was less than eighty bucks.  Once we arrived at the same beach where our lessons were on Monday, Waioli Beach Park, we ran into our friend Chas of surfing lesson fame.  It’s one of the cool things about this end of the island, after only a few days you start seeing familiar faces.  We talked with him for a bit and then I took the girls out.  They had clearly learned their lessons well on Monday for they were up and surfing all morning.  We surfed, we played in the water, we munched.  The boss sat on the beach and read (it was her birthday, so free pass).  All in all it was a great morning.  Too soon, it was over and we had to grab some lunch.  The girls all ate at L and L BBQ.  This restaurant came highly suggested by Chas, but since it was most assuredly not gluten free, I went back to Chicken in a Barrel, which was every bit as tasty as earlier this week.

We got back to Bali Hai, showered, and rested before leaving around 3 to take our jeep back to Lihue.  Another wonderful thing about this island is even driving to return a rental car is spectacular.  The views heading from the north shore towards Lihue were amazing.  Business handled, we made a quick detour to check out a waterfall from the road and then we arrived at the Smith’s Family Garden Luau.  I am fully aware that a luau is about the single most touristy thing one can do in Hawaii, but I also think you almost have to do at least one in your life.  Since my parents were going to be on the island on the 8th, they joined us for the party.  My mom even made the boss a lei on her cruise (nice touch, ma).  At Smith’s, they first take you on a tram ride around their gardens.  Lots of flora to be see and even some fauna.  The coolest sight was a peacock on full display giving us his best shimmy.  After the imu ceremony, we headed in to the pavilion to eat.  I had sent the management an email earlier mentioning my celiac and to see what my options were and they were many.  I had my full run of the salads, the pork, and the fruit.  When I got back to my seat, there was a plate of white rice, chicken, and fish waiting.  I ate way too much, but then so did everyone.  Also, there was an open bar.  The mai tais were weak and my favorite drink was the rum with guava.  I spoke with the manager, thanked him for his help and he explained that over the last few years they’ve gotten used to this.  I did notice that out of about 800 folks, I was the only one served a special meal.  Wonder what that makes me????

After dinner, we walked the short distance to the theater for the show.  In a real simple description, it was an homage to all those nations and cultures that have made Hawaii what it is.  My favorite was the Tahitian dancers (think hip shaking, now think faster).  The girls agreed that they liked the fire dancer the best and the boss scared me when she said she was going to go home and practice the flaming ball routine.  I fear for her safety and mine.  The show lasts about an hour and is crazy kitschy.  Like I said above, I still think it is something everyone should do-once.  Having done it, I don’t know that I’d go back unless I was with first timers.  Aside from the dancing, I did enjoy the percussion playing and I found the rhythms to not be that dissimilar from things we did in college.  My biggest let down of the entire night was the finale.  I was expecting this, thanks Elvis, but I got something less than that.  I was always taught that a finale should leave the crowd wanting more.  All I wanted to was find a bathroom.  Still, of all of the options for a luau, I feel that the Smith Family gives you a good time at a reasonable price, so go for it, and enjoy.

That’s it for Thursday on Kauai.  It went by way, way too fast.  I