Ok....we started to day off early....AGAIN! We had to be down in the lobby and ready to go at 5:20 am to head to the airport. For those of you that know me, I'm more likely to be going to bed at 4:30 rather than getting up at 4:30, but I kept reminding myself that I was actually sleeping in as it was already 9:30 in Fargo :) Yeah, that didn't work so swell either, but it sure sounded good! After the shortest plane ride in history (30 minutes from wheels up to touch down), we were off to the Marriott Kauai Beach Resort & Spa. Since it was so early in the day (9:30 am), our rooms weren't ready yet, so we dumped our luggage and climbed aboard our bus to head to Koholina Plantation with our driver Juan (also our guide) and Meile who is from the Kauai Visitors Bureau. What a fun combination those two were.....Meile's laugh is totally adorable (I want to record it on my phone to use as a ring tone) and Juan is just plain funny!

We arrived at the plantation where we met Pepe (the manager of the plantation), Fred (the owner) and Kai & Pete, our guides for our hike. Just as we were getting ready to board the train, a sudden downpour hit, but unlike rain in the Midwest, it only lasted a few minutes and we had a dry day (for the most part) for the rest of our time there. Yay!! We boarded the train for a tour of the plantation, which is pretty good sized. They have the plantation house, which houses the restaurant (which is a farm to plate restaurant....meaning they raise most of their food used in the restaurant right on the plantation), art galleries, as well as a gift shop. We also saw some of the livestock along the way and the orchard. Our first stop was to feed the wild pigs that also live on the plantation. What a hoot that was! There were baby pigs, but they had to fight with the big bully pigs for the pieces of bread that were being fed to them and at least once, one of the big pigs picked the baby up and threw him out of the way!!! Poor little guy! Speaking of livestock, one thing you will see a LOT of on this island are chickens. Not the kind we have here, but very beautiful colored chickens.....so lots of cock-a-doodle-do's to be heard EVERYWHERE!

But I digress. After feeding the pigs, we started our hike. This was probably the best part of the day (so far anyway) as we got to see lots of different flora and fauna and we learned that 95% of what is on the island is not indigenous to Kauai, but has been brought in from somewhere else. How interesting! While on our hike, some of our brave hikers tried some of the berries and other things growing along the path.....not this girl.....I'm trying to be more adventurous, but that's pushing it! Once we completed our hike, we were served an amazing lunch by Pepe, Kai and Ray consisting of a HUGE turkey croissant with chips and salsa as well as fresh veggies. Dessert was mint pineapple with short bread cookies. After that delicious feast, I was ready for a nap, but no such luck! It was off to the orchard!

While making our way back to the train pick up location, we took a walk through the orchard on site. We learned about lots of different fruits on this hike (ok, I did anyway, I'm sure everyone else was much more knowledgeable about this subject than I am, but it was interesting!). We were able to try out fruit if we liked too. We saw papayas, tangerines, red naval oranges, star fruit and pineapples. I also learned that cashews are actually poisonous right off the tree.....you have to boil them before you can eat them.....did you know that??? So, now it was off to join the train again and head back to the train depot. After a quick break and peak at the Hula Stage (which was being set up for a performance for the NCL passengers for that evening), it was on to Koloa Rum Co. for some rum tasting.

This, was my favorite part of the afternoon!!!! We were given fresh rum (which has WAY more kick than aged rum.....holy cow!) to try. First white rum, then dark rum and then a mai tai mix (no alcohol in this and it was used to "cleanse our pallet"!). Now it was time to mix our own Kauai Mai Tai's. First you pour the mai tai mix into the white rum. Then you tilt that mixture and slowly pour the dark rum on the top. You'll now have what looks like a layer of rum floating on top! Then it's "okole maluna"......bottoms up! This was the yummiest drink I've tried so far! But wait, we weren't done yet....we also got to try rum cake (eye's rolled back in my head after that) and rum fudge sauce (I just about melted on the floor it was so good!!!!). What a wonderfully productive afternoon :)

Now it was time to head back to the hotel and get checked in to our room so we could do a site inspection of the Marriott and have our reception. After checking into my room, I decided this should be my second home! It is HUGE! And the bathroom.....OMG! I'm really loving the rainshower head in my shower.....I think I need to buy one for at home.....ahhhhhh! I sat on the balcony to unwind just a bit and enjoyed the view......pool and ocean, thank you very much Marriott!

We all met in the lobby for our final event of the evening. We got a tour of this amazing property as well as the lay of the land as far as where the nearby restaurants and shopping are....just outside the hotel....yay! A little souvenir and Christmas shopping early Saturday and then the pool/beach until it's time to head home....that's my plan! We were also able to see one of the 1-bedroom ocean front suites......all I can say is WOW!!! I need to find me that money tree or a winning lottery ticket! There was a deck that ran the length of two sides of the suite and a whirlpool tub (which after all the hiking and walking today, I could have used!). We finished off the evening with a wonderful reception put on by the Marriott. After eating our fill, Jill, Heather, Aime and I decided to put our toes in the jacuzzi before heading off to bed. I can't wait for tomorrow night to be able to just sit in there for awhile!

So, now you know how today was, hope you enjoyed reading about it as much as enjoyed participating in it! I'm off to bed now so I'm not to sleepy to snorkel tomorrow (I'd hate to fall asleep and drown!)......Aloha :)