travel

Dining Outside the Home: Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza and Burgers in Poipu, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Merriman’s Gourmet Pizza and Burgers in Poipu, Kauai. Sitting at a table for two on the porch of an old Hawaiian plantation sets the tone for regional “farm to table” dining. The expectation of fresh, locally grown ingredients raises the bar even higher. One look at the menu tells you this is going to be an unique dining experience. Although casual, the portion was generous in the mile-high B.K.E. Burger. The beef was medium, as requested, with shredded Kalua pork on top, layered with caramelized onions and house-made Kim Chee for a kick of spice, and lastly, crowned with an egg over easy. Oh, did I mention aged cheddar cheese and romaine lettuce? I had to walk around the shopping center afterwards just to let my stomach settle. (I finished the entire artisan gourmet burger, then wiped my mouth with the blue-striped cotton napkin.) Oink-a-doodle-moo!

Not Your Ordinary Message on the Beach

Torn from a page in a spiral notebook was a handwritten note in purple ink. It read, 
“Dear Love, You are beautiful. If the shoe fits, wear it. 😇 This is for you straight from Heaven. God Bless You Always! 😇❤️😇”

The jewel-toned sandals were an extraordinary treasure that magically appeared overnight. Could they be left there by an angelic sea nymph? The crescent-shaped bay, although public, seems like a private beach for leisurely walks, sand castle creations, paddle boarding, and sunbathing. Sometimes the water is as calm as a lake; other times the waves are strong enough to make you stumble. The sand is sugar-fine, raked smooth, and gentle on the feet. Once in awhile, sea shells and broken coral appear overnight to remind you the tide changes daily leaving unexpected treasures behind. Like today. The inner child can hardly contain the curiosity and discovery of something left behind after high tide. At the end of the beach where the cliff meets the bank, random driftwood and polished sea shells, added to the mysterious appearance of a thoughtful treasure. Was I the gracious recipient of Cinderella’s beach slippers, you wonder? Not this time. Alas, I don’t wear a size 7. 

Quiet Zone: Do Not Disturb 

“It was like walking through a library,” I mused. Two minutes earlier Gerald and I took a shortcut through a coconut grove of vacationers. We just finished our daily routine of clocking miles along the sandy seashore. Needing shade and a drink of cold water, we made a beeline from the beach to the nearest coconut grove. Under the shade of palm fronds, chair after chair of resort loungers were filled, facing the sea for an up close and personal oceanfront view. Except for one thing. Every chair occupied seemed to accommodate a reading enthusiast. Heads were bowed deep in thought with attention focused on Kindle Fires, paperback novels, cell phones, daily newspapers, and glossy magazines. Not a single person noticed us until I said, “Oh, that breeze feels nice.” Then one clearly annoyed woman tore herself from the book she was reading, threw me a stern look, pursed her lips, and practically raised her index finger to her lips. (Sshh) The message in that steely gaze commanded silence. At that exact moment the feeling hit me. “It’s like walking through a library.” Three steps later Gerald and I set foot on the smooth walkway leading to the spectacular outdoor pool where adults were laughing, children were splashing, and the air was filled with music and glee. We had exited the Quiet Zone. 

Blame it on the VOG

“Don’t worry, it’s the VOG,” chirped Gina, our island friend, as she hugged me tight when we met. I was hesitant to get too close since I had developed a very congested cough that required relief from the drug store shelf. “El Niño reversed the trade winds so we’re getting the volcanic ash from the big island,” she went on to explain. Gerald and I had noticed a white milky haze atop the mountain range a couple days ago. Thinking it was fog, similar to what we experienced on the mainland, we never gave it a second thought during our outdoor water activities. We continued to walk along the beach, relax around the pool, and explore the island. To our dismay, we learned no one is exempt from the clutches of the VOG. Islanders suffer from bouts of respiratory ailments, difficulty breathing, headaches,and sleepless nights whenever the trade winds reverse their course. Although Kauai is 305 miles away from the active volcano, it occasionally falls victim to VOG leaving tourists feeling lethargic wondering if they came into contact with a cold virus. In actuality, it’s the result of a chemical reaction between volcanic ash, smog, and weather conditions. Symptoms improve by drinking plenty of water to clear the body of toxins as well as remaining indoors where air-conditioning is available. So, in conclusion, we blamed it on the VOG. By the weekend relief came, as promised, in the moderate trade winds. 

“Dense vog as seen from Hilo Bay, Hawaiʻi. Vog is a form of air pollution that results when sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles emitted by an erupting volcano react with oxygen and moisture in the presence of sunlight. The word is a portmanteau of the words “volcanic”, “smog”, and “fog”.*

* Hawaii News Today

Mermaid Tears at Glass Beach 

One can search for treasure without ever setting foot offshore if you believe in the legend of Mermaid Tears. Long ago, when pirates ran amuck and terrorized the sea, they ruthlessly pillaged cargo ships. Countless glass jars, perfume vials, wine flagons, and beverage bottles were cast overboard to lighten the load. Over time, the discarded glass became broken, weathered, smooth, and frosted in appearance. The edges were rounded and polished as the glass was tossed between the saltwater waves and the fine sandy beaches. Eventually the sea glass washed up and down the coast by longshore currents and ended up beached. What about the mermaid legend, you ask? Well, every pirate ship has a gangplank. Whenever a captured sailor was forced by a raider to walk the plank, he helplessly plunged into the water below and drowned. As mermaid tears were shed at their untimely fate, they magically turned into polished sea glass in hues of blue, green, amber, and red. Glass Beach, in Hanapepe Bay, is covered with thousands of colorful sea glass pebbles. Because of the rough waves and rocky shore, beach combing is permitted in this remote area, but swimming should be avoided. 

Dining Outside the Home: Sam’s Ocean View in Kapaa, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Sam’s Ocean View in Kapaa, Kauai. Places come and places go, but the location remains the same. Because no building on Kauai can be taller than a coconut palm tree, when one type of business moves away, another is quick to grab that valued and often historical site. That’s exactly what happened with Sam’s Ocean View Restaurant and Bar. Last year’s restaurant is old news. The current owner, Samantha, continues the ambience with her own sense of style and most importantly, the freshest island food. Old school bartenders blend the perfect cocktail to match the stunning view. Cool sea breezes encourage relaxation and conversation while frolicking whales on the horizon make the entire visit truly memorable. 

Elvis Can’t Help Falling in Love

Bon voyage aboard the famous Smith Family Cruise Boat for an exclusive trek up the Wailua River, known as “the only navigable River” in all Hawaii. Our captain boldly proclaims the river’s pure mountain waters pour down from Mt. Wai’ale’ale, well-known as one of the wettest spots in the world. “Pay attention,” he continues, “to the lush lands along the river where the sacred capital of ancient Kauai became home of the island’s ali’i; the birthplace of royalty.” Four generations of Smiths stay committed to the daily tradition of endless love, chanting song, and native dance sharing Kauai’s rich heritage along the way. Hula dancers move to the strings of guitar and ukulele in rhythm-filled emotion. Hypnotic hip swaying and intricate arm movements transcend the trance-induced travelers serenading all into their world. Our two-mile journey upstream is filled with anticipation as the boat navigates around ambitious kayak enthusiasts and canoe outriggers en route to the Secret Falls near the next bend. For us, the destination is more astounding. Finally we dock in a private landing where we make our way on a winding footpath through a serene rainforest filled with exotic plants, towering trees, and tropical flowers native to the island. At the end of the trail the mystery unfolds. In plain sight Nature astounds all who gaze in wonder and awe. A geological act of God was born millions of years ago. And that wonder is Fern Grotto. A natural cave, formed from lava, is an amphitheater completely covered in ferns that are growing UPSIDE DOWN from the roof of the grotto. Truly! At one time, prior to Hurricane Iniki, wedding ceremonies were actually held within the grotto. This location was featured in the movie, “Blue Hawaii”, starring Elvis Presley, making it one of the most romantic and unique wedding sites in the world. Our host proclaims one final word with a smile, “The Hawaiian blessing is Hoi Hou Ke Aloha; Let us fall in love all over again.”

Dining Outside the Home: Bobby V’s Italian Restaurant Pizzeria in Kapaa, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Bobby V’s Italian Restaurant Pizzeria in Kapaa, Kauai. Buongiòrno from the verdant green Italian countryside to the coconut palms of Kauai. The secret recipes may be worthy of the family fortune, but word travels fast when authentic Italian cuisine is served on a tropical island. From marinara pastas to cheesy pizzas to meaty calzones, the tour of Sicily never ends. Enjoy every savory burst of sweet basil, aromatic oregano, nutritious garlic, roasted fennel, and caramelized onion in the regional favorites and finest Italian foods. Dine alfresco in the outdoor garden or the front porch for the ultimate experience. 

WaterMan Versus Raging Sea

“It’s probably Laird Hamilton. No one else would dare go out and surf in waves that high today,” the waitress calmly surmised. We watched as if hypnotized by the lone surfer riding the massive waves of the North Shore. At times the sea acted like a bucking broncho, changing directions with powerful strength. And yet Hamilton, the standup paddling surfer, never succumbed to the superior force of Nature. In fact, upon closer scrutiny, a high-powered jet ski seemed to run parallel perfectly poised at the end of the surf to drop a line. As if on cue, the two connected and the waterman was hauled back out to another monstrous wall of waves. There the process was repeated over and over again. We must have watched the systematic series of actions for almost an hour, completely mesmerized by these well synchronized human machines. No doubt we were witnessing one of the best surfers in the world who made danger look like child’s play. Until you see a man freely standing on a surfboard, it’s impossible to judge the height of these wave banks. Only then do you witness the scale of Man versus Sea. Truth be told, thresholds can reach up to 30 feet making the surf extremely dangerous for inexperienced surfers. The North Shore trek did not disappoint. Beauty was in the eye of the beholder.