We're awakened by the numerous roosters who wildly inhabit Kauai. The Princeville area is on the rugged north coast of Kauai and immediately we look around to what appears a Jurassic Park movie set. The area has hosted the filming of Indiana Jones, King Kong, Jurassic Park, etc. and a number of SE Asia setting war /action movies.

The Westin Princeville has a very clean, neatly manicured look and the pool area is simple but very nicely furnished with cabanas, more comfortable chaises than the Marriott, and gas grill outposts around. There is a multi-level water fall feature and koi ponds. I walk around to find pools also at far ends of the plantation style villas and hot tubs overlooking the cliffs. There is no beach here as we are up on a high cliff overlooking the edge of Hanalei Bay and the Na Pali coast.

First day we make the Macadamia Nut Chocolate Pancake mix and have breakfast in a very modern kitchen. Lyn and I mix some mimosas and sit on our patio while the girls hit the pool and the activities list. They have Koi feeding, tribal tattoos, lei making. surfing lessons, scuba lessons.   After surfing lessons, KT, Jen, and I are ready. We jump in the Caddy and head into Hanalei Bay.   This is the most charming place on the planet.. Small surf shacks and taco, coffee, ice cream, jewelry, shoppes line the street and we go right to the public parking areas for beach access. The view is spectacular w/ a hugely wide span of powder tan sand and the Na Pali mountain range to our north. No commercialism...just small beach homes, people bicycling , surfing , boogie boarding. Time seems to have slowed down. We see a mild surf and decide we don't need lessons ( we'd called a local surf champion Titus Kinimaka, but no answer at his surf school), so we find Hanalei Surf Company and rent 3 longboards for 3 days at $50 each. We pull on our rash guards/wet suits and find its not as easy as it looks. After we "get up" 1x each in 90 minutes are exhausted with fighting the waves and drag the boards back to the car. I decide we're doing something wrong in the stand-up or timing and we'll either hire a pro or go to Video Jug or You Tube to take step-by-step pointers.   As a reward for trying so hard, I take the girls to Tropical Taco and we enjoy some Fried Mahi Tacos and Beef Burritos. Not as good as Longboards on Maui....but still hit the spot. Back at the Westin...Ashleigh has enjoyed the activities and Lyn is happily sunning for what has turned out to be a perfect day at 78F.

I take the girls to the Dolphin Fish Market which is 5 minutes away to look a the fresh fish. They have little left and no Mahi, Opah, Ono. Too late. We go to Foodland in the Princeville shopping Mall just down the road and they have Opah, Mahchong, and some NY strip steaks.   I buy them and we prepare ka-bobs at the Westin on their very hi-end stainless grills. The breeze is cool and a light mist begins to fall , so we skip the outdoor tables and eat inside.....very hungry...food is great...and we collapse after a great intro to Kauai.