A homeschool consulting client, who became a very dear friend, invited us to visit their family in Hawai'i for Christmas, gifting us airfare and lodging. Here are my notes and our favorite activities from this once-in-a-lifetime trip!
Ms. Renee's Top Five Free Things to Do in Kōloa (South Shore)
1) Makauwahi Cave Reserve & Tortoise Sanctuary
http://www.cavereserve.org/resources/documents/caveBrochure2022.pdf
- great for... geography, geology, archaeology, fossils, native plants, animal sightings, culture of ancient Hawai'i, hiking, beach time
I recommend getting a tour with Jerry if you can! He's amazing!
2) Poʻipū Beach Park
see Hawaiian monk seals and green sea turtles as they come ashore to nap
- great for... animal sightings, beach time
3) Spouting Horn
this is a quick stop but so very cool!
- great for... geography, geology, culture of ancient Hawai'i
4) Old Sugar Mill of Kōloa
the Sugar Monument has detailed information, part of Old Kōloa Town
- great for... history of the sugarcane plantations (1835)
5) Kāneiolouma
https://www.kaneiolouma.org/assets/docs/Sign5-Kaneiolouma-History.pdf
- great for... history, archaeology, culture of ancient Hawai'i
Recommended Splurge - South Shore
-
Kauai'i Plantation Railway Train & Lunch Tour
Lihue
$88.50 / adult
Recommended Splurge - East Side
-
Kaua'i Sugarloaf Pineapple Farm Tour
Moloa'a
$85.00 / adult
They had some family-related things come up so we weren't able to visit the North Shore, but we had a wonderful time regardless! Most of the time, we relaxed, celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas, and just spent time together.
I will have fond memories of long conversations, relaxing snuggle time, games (Twister, Slamwich, Kids Create Absurdity, and lots of checkers), watching the kids run around the yard and play together (tetherball, soccer, the swing on the banyan tree, splashing in the pool), and Zac learning to swim (!!!!) with Ms. Heather at Poipu Beach Athletic Club.
Zac and I also had a wonderful and restful time during our quarantine period at the phenomenally beautiful Kōloa Landing Resort. Thank you forever to Ms. Liz and her family for giving us this wonderful Christmas gift!!!
Sat, Dec 17
- 17 hours of travel time (yikes!)
1 am local time to 6 pm local time
note to self: Zac's favorite things for the airplane were the Haba game Stapelei, an origami kit, and Grapefruit & Prickly Pear Gum
a tiny airport with hallways and baggage claim open to the fresh air!
the hotel lobby, corridor to our room, and entire restaurant are also open to the fresh air! it's so beautiful there is no need for walls here
purple orchid lei when we arrived
driving through the eucalyputus tree tunnel
checking into Kōloa Landing Resort
fun fact: did you know that gas is $5.56 a gallon here and the average cost of a house is a million dollars?
Sun Dec 18
- being wakened by a rooster (chickens run around wild here)
french toast with lilikoi cream cheese
a downpour of warm tropical rain
luckily, they had umbrellas we could borrow!
exploring the resort grounds, finding the play area (soccer field, volleyball field, putting green), splash-putting in the pouring rain
taking a nap during a big thunderstorm
Zac stumping me in homemade Rhyme Out
- to walk in a shaky manner
something you drink from
crabs do it
wobble, bottle, scuttle!
relaxing and doing nothing
walking down to the ocean after dinner to watch the beautiful sunset
Mon Dec 19
- sugar cane scavenger hunt
Hawaiian flatbread with guave bbq kalua pork
trying shave ice for the first time
relaxing in the Lagoon Pool and listening to someone play the ukelele
exploring the Main Pool (2022 "Best Pool in America")
https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-hotel-pool/
first swim class with Miss Heather!
enjoying a trio of desserts at the restaurant - lilikoi cheesecake, strawberry panna cotta, lava cake
Tue Dec 20
- leaving the hotel and settling into our dear friend's ʻohana
food trucks in Old Kōloa Town
Old Sugar Mill chimney and ruins
National Historic Landmark
Wed Dec 21
- swim class
watch the honu (Hawaiian green sea turtles) come up onto the sand at Poʻipū Beach Park at sunset
Thu Dec 22
-
Kaua’i Sugarloaf Pineapple Farm Tour
sugar cane juice at the Moloa'a Sunrise Juice Bar
What Does Johnny Have in His Pocket? at dinner
Fri Dec 23
- swim class
checkers, rope swing under the banyan tree
large family gathering for Hanukkah dinner
Sat Dec 24
- swim class
wrapping gifts
watching White Christmas
Sun Dec 25
- having breakfast, opening gifts, taking a walk
playing Slamwich
Mon Dec 26
- swim class
Haupia Ice Cream at Papalani Gelato
Tue Dec 27
- swim class
hang out at Poʻipū Beach Park, watch the surfers, play in the sand, see a Hawaiian monk seal
animal game at dinner
Wed Dec 28
-
Makauwahi Cave & Tortoise Sanctuary
swim class
Thu Dec 29
- Kauai'i Plantation Railway Train & Lunch Tour
lunch at The Plantation House by Gaylords
walk around - boutique, art gallery, caramel shoppe, clayworks
tour of Alakaʻi O Kauaʻi Charter School
Fri Dec 30
- Kaua'i Museum guided tour
playing Marco Polo in the pool
last swim class!
This post contains affiliate links to materials I truly use for homeschooling. Qualifying purchases provide me with revenue. Thank you for your support!
Immersive Experience
Immersive Experience
Immersive Experience
No comments:
Post a Comment