travel

Put the Chips Away, SPAM SNACKS are Here!

Move over Beef Jerky and Slim Jim, you’ve got competition. There’s a new sheriff in town and his name is SPAM SNACKS! You may recall a recent post of mine entitled: “The Mystery of Spam”.* While visiting the island of Kauai, I discovered the Hawaiian obsession with the popular canned meat, Spam. I was so intrigued by it that I had to learn more. Islanders shared it’s versatility in recipes, it’s multitude of flavors, it’s gluten-free health benefits, and it’s prevalence as a household staple. Needless to say, I indulged. Yesterday I received a small package in the mail, postmarked Hawaii, from my dear friend, Noreen. Inside was the biggest surprise of all, a packet SPAM SNACKS! She discovered this new on-the-go snack item at the local convenience store there and immediately thought of me. (I hope you popped open a bag for yourself, Noreen!). Without further delay, Gerald and I tore into the bag and reveled in the chewy taste of real bacon. The bite-sized portions are a delicious alternative to devouring a bag of potato chips. Trust me. Now if only Hormel Foods could just figure out how to incorporate the salty taste of Spam into a snack that would satisfy a sweet tooth as well. Hmmmm. What’s next, Chocolate-Covered Spam Snacks?!
*Follow the link for “The Mystery of Spam”.

http://Snapshotsincursive.com/2016/02/06

Dining Outside the Home: Mediterranean Gourmet in Ha’ena, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Mediterranean Gourmet in Ha’ena, Kauai. This spectacular restaurant, with an endless view of the ocean, sits on Kauai’s North Shore. It’s claim-to-fame, and current property owner, is none other than the 1970s Latin Bombshell known by only one name: Charo. You may remember her younger days by her curvy body and seductive laugh every time she shook her shoulders and purred, “Cuchi-cuchi!” Charo was a gifted singer, exotic dancer, and talented guitarist who appeared on Johnny Carson countless times as well as “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In”. She also guest-starred on the “Love Boat” series. Although her signature restaurant is no longer operating, The Mediterranean Gourmet has now become a hotspot where Charo’s tradition of Hula Dance performances continue weekly. The menu specializes in Lebanese entrées, the ambience remains, and the fact that Charo lives near enough to stop by keeps the charisma alive. 

Lights. Camera. Action!

A grey-striped cat, feral in nature, viciously chewed on the corner of a rolled up newspaper bundle laying on the ground next to a fishing pole. A pair of agitated red-combed roosters strutted back and forth awaiting their turn should the feline get discouraged or frightened and dart off. The seasoned fisherman on the wooden pier had his sun-burned face focused elsewhere with two lines already submerged in the sea water below. Ahukini Landing seems to be a hidden gem from the visiting tourists. Unless…you meet an islander who shares the secrets of its allure. At first glance it appears to be just another scenic spot to gaze upon the powerful aquamarine waves as they splash against the jagged shore. This is Hanama’ula Bay where disciplined fishermen and women understand the fierce strength by standing safely beyond the ocean’s mighty grasp while reeling in the catch of the day. Warning signs are clearly posted along the short breakwater drawing attention to High Surf, Slippery Rocks, Sudden Drop Off, and Waves Break on Ledge. Glancing toward the massive concrete and broken beamed structure draws the attention of something magnificent now abandoned in a graveyard of ruins. The architectural skeleton, home for a band of scurrying crabs, tells no tales. It seems, once upon a time in 1920, this extinct dinosaur became the first port where inter-island boats and freighters could tie up directly. It was the beating heart of the island for supplies and visiting tourists. Eventually bigger ships needed more room, thus Nawiliwili Harbor was built down the coast near the lighthouse. Things were dismantled down to bare bones leaving the dilapidated overgrown site a secret hideaway for avid fishermen, adventurous divers, and an occasional film director.*
* “Donovan’s Reef”, starring John Wayne, was filmed on this pier at Ahukini Landing.  

Dining Outside the Home: Unko’s Kitchen in Hanapepe, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Unko’s Kitchen in Hanapepe, Kauai. “Ohana”, in Hawaiian, translates to “Family”. And Unko’s Kitchen is the epitome of family. From the time-honored recipes to the helpful wait staff, everyone serves according to their talents and gifts. After all, this is their legacy. Open weekends only at mealtimes, means you make a date and don’t be late. The Kalua Taco Salad is a heaping plate of Hawaiian-seasoned slow-cooked pork served in a crunchy flour tortilla bowl filled with fresh greens, spicy salsa, shredded cheese, black olives, and sour cream. The menu features catering favorites in generous portions for carry out and “Ohana” gatherings. Life is Good. 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Mariachi’s Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Lihue, Kauai. As the sun dips slowly behind the shadowy mountain range, the view of Kalipaki Bay from this open-air restaurant is picture perfect. Window boxes and hanging baskets border the ledge with a color wheel of annuals. The sound of sizzling fajitas and acoustic guitar envelope the night as conversation becomes relaxed and margaritas flow. Age old recipes from all over Mexico plus family tradition combine to offer a diverse menu with authentic specialties. Olé!

Island Schedules are Maintained 

The schedule said cruise ships arrive shortly after dawn twice a week. That gave us reason enough to be an early-riser and catch a glimpse of the sun peeking over the horizon before the ship passed by the cliff. Since we set the timer on the coffeemaker to rouse the senses with a vanilla macadamia nut blend, Gerald ran down to the neighborhood bakery and grabbed a couple of oven-fresh cinnamon rolls as well. Minutes later, donning walking shoes and a light windbreaker, we joined others on the footpath to the point of Nawiliwili Harbor. We watched as the stars disappeared and the sky turned from black and grey to peach and orange. Amethyst waters faded into random shades of blue while earnest fishermen settled into their surroundings. Overhead the fluffy cloud bank drifted away revealing a bright yellow globe on the horizon. As if on cue, the waves began to clap in applause when the “Pride of America” burst through the open waters navigating the channel between the mountains and the bay, masterfully assisted by a marina tugboat. With the grace and elegance of a seasoned ballerina, she breezed on through to her island home in the port. 

Spouting Off For All to See

At the traffic circle in the road, an arrow pointed in one direction guiding curiosity-seekers to Spouting Horn. The scenic byway south of Poipu hugged the coastline for a short distance, passing impressive condo developments, sandy beaches, botanical gardens, and a golf course. Near the end of the road, Nature takes center stage, fueled by Hawaiian legend. Before the car door is slammed, the sound of crashing waves and heavy surf are heard. People are congregating along a chain link fence with digital cameras, cell phones, and selfie-sticks in hand. Beyond their shoulders is a water plume that could be nicknamed “Old Faithful #2” by the oohs and aahs ringing upward on the mist. If one snapshot isn’t enough, wait a minute for the next big swell. Take another photo; they’re free. When ocean salt water crashes into impenetrable lava rock, the natural blowhole produces a roaring sound with a hissing geyser that has been known to shoot 100 feet into the air. Awestruck like the others, snapshot after snapshot was taken. Down below, a tour boat could be seen drifting in on the tide for an up-close-and-personal experience worth writing home about. It seemed conditions were perfect for spouting off for all to see. The legend continues:
“Ancient Hawaiians believed this coastline was once guarded by a giant moo (lizard) named Kaikapu. Everyone was afraid of the moo because it would eat anyone who tried to fish or swim in the area. One day, a young boy named Liko entered the ocean to outwit the lizard. Kaikapu attacked him, but Liko thrust a sharp stick into her mouth, swam under the lava shelf, and escaped through a small hole to the surface. The moo followed Liko and got stuck in the lava tube. To this day, you can hear the lizard’s roar and see her breath spraying from the blowhole.” *

*Reference m.gohawaii.com 

Dining Outside the Home: La Spezia in Kōloa, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: La Spezia in Kōloa, Kauai. As you walk up the wooden steps of the quaint corner café, the faint aroma of savory herbs, sweet pastries, and cured gourmet meats entice you at the door. Before you ever turn the knob to go inside, a handwritten sign is stationed there with words printed in colorful chalk: “CIAO! Please wait to be seated.” Wooden benches line both sides of the porch. A Sunday Brunch of scramblers, Benedicts, and pancakes is popular so the café is bustling with excitement. Conversations linger over the Bloody Mary Bar where morning cocktails get personalized to taste. A carafe of tomato juice is surrounded by glass jars of celery sticks, kalamata olives, dill pickles, jalapeño peppers, and even caper berries. Fresh horseradish, Worcestershire sauce, red hot tabasco, and other condiments follow up nicely. No complaints here. The challenge arises when choosing between the Traditional Eggs Benedict and the Italian Benito Benedict. Grazie, grazie molto!

Dining Outside the Home: Deli and Bread Connection in Lihue, Kauai 

Dining Outside the Home: Deli and Bread Connection in Lihue, Kauai. Like a shark attack on the ocean, the Lobster Roll is a mouthful. Chunks of sweet lobster tail, sautéed mushrooms, red onions, and bubbly Swiss cheese are melted together inside the freshly baked specialty bread. The onsite bakery not only features chunky soups and mile-high sandwiches, it is a favorite for oriental sweet breads and poi rolls. Follow your nose and get there early. Seating is limited and the daily batch of bakery breads quickly disappear.