Ode to Al

I'm a lucky gal. What can I say? Albert is the best husband any girl can hope to have. Gag all you want, but it's true. We've been married for two years already. We have been warned that at some point in time, the honeymoon ends. Luckily, we haven't hit that point yet. Our secret, you ask? Well... for one, we're pretty busy so the time have together never gets dull. Another thing is that we just love hanging out together - co-dependence in others' eyes perhaps but pure joy in ours. We love the same foods (ranging from Afghani to Korean to Foster's Freeze). We love the same kinds of books (except for Albert's current obsession with the capture of Osama bin Laden and the war on terror). We love the same TV shows. We also like to bike and swim together... which has led us to compete in triathlons. This year, I'm sitting out because of the future triathlete I'm carrying, but next year I'll be back.

Fresh before the Tri
Originally uploaded by amiura.

Today is Albert's birthday. The big 3-2! We celebrated in a number of ways but the most important is that Albert competed in the Santa Cruz Sentinel triathlon. This is an Olympic length triathlon so only the hard core need apply. And the hard core did apply. Here we have Albert with some of our friends including Bob, Katrina, and Mark. Katrina and Mark were particularly brave since they had just returned from their trip to Europe a couple of days before and were clearly still jetlagged. A 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike and a 10k run lay ahead for these athletes. I can't recommend this triathlon, however, because they don't provide anything except for water along the way AND they ran out of the needed water at the end. Poor Albert bonked at the end after having only 1 gel after his swim. To put this into perspective, I had at least 3 gels and countless bottles and cups of Gatorade when I did the Pacific Grove Triathlon.

Al starts his run
Originally uploaded by amiura.

Also, the Santa Cruz Sentinel Tri gave out really ugly t-shirts (tie die) that we promptly put into the Goodwill pile. Still, Julie and I ran around trying to capture the key moments in the tri. We had our trusty camping chairs and signs to root on our husbands. All in all, I was so impressed with everyone's performance. Bob obviously did quite well because he has turned himself into the Korean equivalent of Bruce Jenner. The man is a workout fiend. Albert has improved his time significantly from last year with a harder course! That in itself was a fantastic birthday present and well worth the 4:30AM wake up to get to the race on time.

If there is one thing I can say for sure, Albert and I share great friends. We have the kinds of friends that are virtual family. They are shoulders to lean on as well as the friends you want to have around just to celebrate another year passing.

Happy B-day Salute
I had asked Al if he wanted to do anything for his birthday and he had said he didn't... mostly because I asked him after he had done one of his epic 50 mile bike rides. Still, his friends Ian, Ped and Greg still managed to put together a bbq that would make any grown man smile complete with sausages, steaks, some veggies and 2 birthday cakes. By the way, the ugly t-shirts are on full display here on Bob and Al.

Happy Birthday Albert! May the 33rd year of your life be as wonderful as the 32nd!

The things we do in the sun

Albert and I love Kauai not only for the food but also for the fantastic activities we've enjoyed there. Everything we do there leads to a deep and dark tan that leaves us looking... well, Polynesian. It generally takes us about 2 days before people ask us if we are locals. We love that. Getting back to the things we love to do in Hawaii, it boils down to a few things: snorkeling, golf, surfing, and hiking. Unfortunately, we didn't do much hiking on this last trip because I am more at a waddling stage of pregnancy which is not conducive to climbing down steep inclines. So what did we do?

Captain Andy's Sailing Adventure
Telephone: 335-6833
Cost: $130
Logistics: 5.5 hour trip leaving Port Allen around 6AM. Lunch and breakfast provided.

If there is one definitive guide to any of the islands in Hawaii, it appears to be the blue book you see most tourists lugging around. In general, we have loved this guide and have bought it for every island we have visited. But now that we are Kauai "experts" we feel that there are a few revisions we would seek to add. The first is the Smith Family Luau which we comment on in our restaurants posting below. This came highly recommended in the book.

Napali Coast aboard Captain Andy's
Originally uploaded by amiura.

The second was a negative review they had of Captain Andy's snorkeling trip. I've done three snorkeling trips in Kauai and this was actually a very well run trip. We had few complaints. Sure, the snorkeling left a lot to be desired but the other boat trips weren't that great for the snorkeling either. We got a great view of the Napali Coast, the boat was smooth since it was a catamaran and Albert got to jump off of the side of the boat. Not to mention, this was one of the few boats that would take a six month pregnant lady out to the Napali Coast.

This is where we ended up snorkeling towards the end of the trip. They were pretty strict about the boundaries where we could snorkel and the coral was too deep to really see a lot of fish. The aggressive fish that you see pouncing at the bread they threw into the water near me know that when the boats arrive, food is also nearby so they gather. Unfortunately, it's not the pretty fish that gather. Also, the turtles that were there in the morning were gone by the time we came back for snorkeling.

The real highlight of the snorkeling trip were all of the dolphins we got to see. They followed along the catamaran as we travelled up towards the Napali Coast. It was an incredible sight to see. We even saw baby dolphins that were trying to still get the hang of riding the waves.

Kukuiolono Golf Course
Where: On Papalina Road off of Highway 50 in Kalaheo
Cost: $8 per day and $7 for cart rentals and and another $7 for the most dinged up golf clubs you'll ever find
Logisitics: This place only has 9 holes but we thought that was plenty

We are complete hacks when it comes to golf. We started taking lessons 3 months ago. We both don't own our own clubs but we think it's fun. This golf course was the perfect place for us. It doesn't have quite the beautifully manicured lawns I'm sure you find elsewhere but the views are just as nice and the locals who come out to play are a lot of fun.

Ann goes for the winning shot
Originally uploaded by amiura.

Inevitably, you end up playing with a couple of other locals who you can chat with while you get in your golf game. Also, when you're talking $8 for golf fees and not $170 like at the Kiele Course, it leaves you with $162 of extra lava flows you can consume throughout the course of the trip. Here I am channeling my inner Michelle Wie except that I'm 7 inches shorter. We discovered that Albert has mad skills when it comes to putting and my strength is in chipping... which is why I look so nervous to putt. Golfing here was so relaxing and fun we ended up doing it 3 times!


Surfing
Now I did mention that we did some surfing. In truth, it was Albert doing the surfing this time since I have experienced a shift in my center of mass. Albert doesn't want me sharing these videos because they mostly consist of far away shots of someone paddling and then me making snide comments. However, I will mention that the area by the Sheraton Poipu is great for beginner surfers. It's where all of the schools are. If you don't want to pay money to have some surfer dude push you so you can easily catch a wave, you can always rent a surf board from one of these schools for around $10 and go at it by yourself.

Pork Lau Lau hear my cry

Ever since I can remember, I have planned most of my vacations solely around food. I remember planning an entire itinerary to Japan based on where I wanted to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. Albert has only served to reinforce this obsession. Fortunately for you, we not only love to eat, we love to share the wealth of knowledge we accumulate along the way.

Before we begin, we ought to share with you our rather simple rating system. For those of you who really just want to know if we liked it or not, just look at my face. Any questions? For the nuances, check out our comments.


Here are the highlights and lowlights of our trip to Kauai:

Plantation Gardens

Cuisine: Hawaiian
Hours: Daily 5:30-10pm dinner (open at 4pm for pupu, pizza, and cocktails)
Website: http://www.pgrestaurant.com/
Address: 2253 Poipu Road across the road from the Kiahuna Shopping Center in Poipu
Telephone: 808.742.2121

What we ate:
Dungeness Crab Rangoon
Garden Isle Bouillabaisse with Mahi Mahi, Prawns, Bay Scallops, Mussels, Potatoes, and a Kamuela Tomato-Saffron Broth
Kiawe Grilled New York Strip Steak with Goat Cheese Potato Gratin, Broccolini, Caramelized Maui Onion and Shiitake Mushroom Jus
Virgin Lava Flows

Second Meal:
Kiawe Grilled Tiger Prawns with Coconut Infused Thai Black Sticky Rice, Baby Bok Choy, Mango Salsa and Thai Red Bird Chili-Garlic Beurre Blanc
Seafood Lau Lau with Mahi Mahi, Shrimp, Jumbo Scallops wrapped in a Ti Leaf
Local Lilikoi Cheesecake
Iced Tea
Mango Smoothie

IMG_0036
Originally uploaded by amiura.

Our friend Geoff gave us this recommendation and a good one it was. We liked it so much we went back again - a hallmark of a good restaurant we find while on vacation. My personal favorite was the Bouillabaisse and the Seafood Lau Lau. If you're a dessert person, the Lilikoi Cheeseke was divine. The food was so good, Albert couldn't wait for the first photo and insisted on taking a bite of his steak.





Koloa Fish Market

Cuisine: Fresh Fish, Plate Lunches
Address: 5482 Koloa Rd., Koloa, Kauai, HI 96756
Average Price: $7-9
Telephone: 808.742.6199

What we ate:
Kalua Pig and Pork Lau Lau Deluxe Plate Lunch
Ahi Poke

I love Pork Lau Lau and this place knows how to do Pork Lau Lau. It's crowded with locals around lunch time which means it's not only good, it's cheap. I think it's a close call between thi place and Fish Express but if you're staying in Poipu, Koloa Fish Market is really close by.

At the risk of obliterating any credibility we have built up to this point, we need to point out one of our Hawaii favorites:
McDonald's

Believe us when we tell you that you need to try their pies. They deep fry them the way they should be served on the mainland. They also have creative fillings. In Oahu in January we had Taro Pie which was unbelievably delicious. We went to almost every McDonald's in Kauai to inquire about this elusive Taro Pie with no success but did discover the Red Bean Pie which is a close second to its Taro Pie cousin.

Hanalei Gourmet

Cuisine: Sandwiches, Burgers, Salads
Address:5-5161 Kuhio Hwy
Location: In downtown Hanalei close to the Bubba's Burgers
Phone:808.826.2524
Hours: Open Daily 8a.m. - 10p.m.
Website: http://hanaleigourmet.net/
Average Price: $7-10

What we ate:
Fish and Chips (Mahi Mahi)
Chicken Salad Sandwich
Oregon Bay Shrimp Sandwich

We came back here twice because we liked the food so much. Prices are reasonable expecially for lunch and you can have something other than a burger. Albert liked my Chicken Salad Sandwich so much that the second time around he got it. Then he woefully looked at my delicious Oregon Bay Shrim Sandwich which I quickly scarfed down - just to guard my territory.

Smith Family Luau

Address: Wailua Marina State Park
Location: Near the Wailua River outlet in Kapaa
Telephone: 808.821.6895
Hours: Imu ceremony starts at 6. You can tour the gardens before hand (only 20 minutes required)
Price Range: $60

The more we think about this luau, the more we hate it. They lost all credibility when they decided to add "dances" from "our beautiful and humble Japanese friends" - mostly 5 girls walking around stage in cheap fake kimonos opening and closing fans. If you want to talk food, we had to wait for probably half an hour before we even got to the buffet line. This place attracts tour buses which means that it's way too crowded, lacks any semblance of intimacy, and is totally cheesed out. If you want cheesy in a good way, go to the Princeville Luau. We were there for our honeymoon and I got to see Albert on stage shaking his thang...

Shooting Sand at Queen's Bath

Some people ask me if I prefer having a son to a daughter. On most occasions, I say that I would be excited about having either. But... there are moments where I look to the heavens and thank my lucky stars that I am having a daughter. Albert and I went up to the north shore of Kauai and encountered 4 boys who were literally diving off cliffs, not into a safe pond or lake, but into the raging waters of the ocean as the waves slammed into the sharp lava rocks. These kids would try to goad the more timid (and smarter) kids into doing these same insane acts. What is it about testosterone? At such a moment, Albert turns to me and says, "See? This is why I'd love to have a son some day." Hmmmmm....

And this kid's famous last words: "Shoot Sand!"

Not to be outdone by some 12 year olds, Albert was easily convinced to swim through an underwater tunnel closer to where I was snorkeling in an area called Queen's Bath. The kids helpfully noted that Albert would not get stuck because "they had seen someone fatter than him make it through".