Kauai Trip 2007 - Day 2

April 26, 2007 - Shylene's 24th Happy Birthday

It rained last night - but we woke up to a beautiful sunny morning.

Breakfast was vege sausage links, bagels w/ tofutti cream cheese, cereal, hashbrowns, and this so yummy vege chicken porridge that Tuti brought.

Today was our Scuba diving day with Seasport Divers. We were all looking forward to this venture. Tuti even though she's not certified yet went scuba diving up to 30 feet. We were so proud of her - a non-swimmer went diving! Clothed in our rashguards we geared up our soft gear and headed toward Poipu.


Spouting Horn

Since we had a bit of time before Marcello & Tuti's pool session we went to the Spouting Horn.

"On Kauai's south shore is the spectacular Spouting Horn. The Poipu surf channels into a natural lava tube here and releases a spout of water up to 50 feet high. You'll also hear a hiss and an eerie groan" before it spouts up. (gohawaii.com)

We souvenir shopped a bit and as we were on our way to Seasport Divers we stopped by a little beach where a Hawaiian Monk Seal was on the beach sunning itself. We took a few pictures. The waves kept hitting its head - I guess it was annoyed because it finally moved further up the beach.

"The HMS is the most endangered marine mammal located entirely within U.S. waters. There is

about 1,000 alive today. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, sealers, shipwrecked crews, feather hunters and guano diggers killed or so disturbed Hawaiian Monk Seals that their numbers greatly diminished." (http://www.kauaimonkseal.com/AboutTheSeals.html)

SCUBA Diving with Seasport Divers in Poipu

12:45 pm - we gear up in our 3mm wetsuits (vs. 7mm for diving in So.Cal.), hop into the vans and head for the boat. There were 3 groups diving. 2 groups of certified divers and 1 group of non-certified divers. We dove 2 times with depths between 40-60 feet (for certified divers).

The dives were so great, but the boat ride was awful. It was great being in the water - the waves were just too much. To put it nicely, a lot of people's breakfast did not stay in our stomachs.

However, the diving experience we walked away with was so surreal!

1st dive - Stonehouse

Depth: 56-59 feet
Bottom Time: 42-43 minutes
Visibility: 50 feet

2nd dive - Sheraton Caverns

Depth: 62-63 feet
Bottom Time: 37-40 minutes
Visibility: 50 feet

This was the best dive out of the two. We went through these old lava tubes - the almost had the feel of going through a cave. We had to be careful not to hit our heads! Here we saw hawaiian green turtles (which are protected and even against the law to touch it!) The turtles were so big! Adults of this species commonly reach 100 cm in carapace length and 150 kg in mass. (turtles.org)

In both dives, we saw many fish and coral life. Some fish that we saw are endemic - meaning they can only be found in hawaiian waters. We even saw an octopus that was hidden in the rocks - protecting her eggs. Looking at everything was pretty cool. One thing I want to work on is being able to ID the fish right away and maybe know some tidbits - I think I'd be able to appreciate it even more.

One word to describe our diving experience: SURREAL!

Descending and equalizing our ears were so much better. Richard (our scuba diving instructor in Cali) explained that we were probably less sick and warmer water allows you to relax in general & relax your muscles - which makes equalizing a lot easier. We had about 50 feet of visibility - and I totally felt like I was dreaming. Seeing everyone diving and exploring, looking at the sea life & creatures - was simply amazing. I could hardly believe that I was surrounded by God's creation - the creatures that most people don't usually get to see first-hand.

It was simply an AMAZING and AWESOME experience.

The DVD of our dives was very nice. It highlighted us diving off the boat, the sea creatures we saw, going through the lava tubes, etc. We're working on getting it formatted so we can view it on this blog. But don't worry it's coming soon!

Next time we come to Kauai we want to do the all-day dive trip off the Forbidden Island of Ni'ihau. "You’re likely to see Hawaiian Spinner Dolphins, large schools of Milletseed and Pyramid butterfly fish, the rare Bandit angelfish, Spotted Eagle Rays, Manta rays, Octopus, Lobster, the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal, Galapagos Sharks, White Tip and Grey Reef sharks all call Ni’ihau home." (

http://www.seasportdivers.com/ForbiddenIsland.php) Yes, sharks! We have this DVD of highlights from dives off of Ni'hau and in one seen the divers were surrounded by say 20+ sharks!

More about Ni'ihau http://www.aloha-hawaii.com/hawaii/niihau

After cleaning up and napping a bit we headed towards the eastern side of Kauai for some dinner to celebrate Shy's birthday and a beautiful day of Scuba diving.

The east side of Kauai is also called the Coconut Coast for the many coconut trees that grow there. We took a wrong turn for our restaurant and ended up at the beach where we saw, guess what, coconut trees! The inquisitive Steven of course wanted some coconuts! We didn't know if the property we were on was public or private so he went asking around. Steve found this couple who take care of one of the properties and the man was so kind to get some coconuts for us. The juice was even sweeter, the meat wasn't soft like the buko in the PI. The texture was like the grated coconuts we buy in the stores. So yummy!

Dinner was at the Blossoming Lotus - a vegan restaurant of fusion cuisine

Middle Eastern Mezze
Homemade toasted spelt pita bread, mixed olives, creamy baba ganoush and tantalizing tabbouleh.

Kaya's Cosmic Cornbread
Southwest spelt cornbread served with homemade apple butter.

Rockin' Moroccan Seared Tofu
Moroccan spiced & seared tofu, gingered adzuki bean couscous, braised alii oyster mushrooms and sauteed greens served with a truffled, preserved lemon creme.

Senorita Bombia's Enchilada Casserole
Spanish marinated & baked tempeh, beans, rice, chili sauce & cashew cheeze layered between corn tortillas, topped with carob mole, salsa and sour cream.

Luscious Live Fruit Parfait
Organic mixed fruit, our homemade live granola and decadent live macnut creme

Birthday cake from the restaurant - Carrot Cake!!

What a wonderful, fun, and blessed day!!

Kauai Trip 2007 - Day 1

Today we traveled to the island of Kaua'i.

April 25, 2007 = Shylene & Steve's 10 month Wedding Anniversary. Tuti & Marcello's 2 month Wedding Anniversary

Last night we had a late evening taking care of packing, SCUBA stuff, driving to LA, visiting our parents, and finally settling in at Steve's mom's house. We woke up very early for our flight out of LAX. We met Tuti & Marcello at the airport.

We were all excited!

After a 5-6 hour plane trip we landed in Honolulu, Oahu. We were able to take an earlier flight out to Lihue, Kauai (which was better so we could settle in). We had intended to stay on Oahu for about 5 hours to visit Pearl Harbor or Waikiki - but we were just going to go there on our layover back to LA.

As we're descending on Lihue - we looked outside of airplane windows and we were in such awe. Kauai was so green and beautiful. It wasn't so busy and congested like Oahu. We all knew that we were in for a blessed & wonderful vacation.

We got our rental car - instead of a Toyota Corolla we get some other car (i forgot the name). It was bigger at the same price (the car company didn't have the corollas).

Next on our agenda was to drive to Kahili Mountain Park where we'd be staying. Located on the property also was Kahili Adventist School- it is "nestled at the base of the majestic Kahili mountain on 197 acres of land."

Our beautiful cabin was the largest one there - a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, with a living room, dining area, full kitchen, and a porch that overlooked a lovely backyard. (the price per night was such a bargain as well!!)

Driving up to Kahili reminded us so much of the Philippines. There were dirt roads with greenery all around us. It was a quiet and peaceful area. After we unpacked and settled the boys (Steve & Marcello) found some enjoyment in trying to knock down some coconuts. While watching them, Shy was attacked by mosquitoes!! - 2 bites in one shot. I was so scared that I would be miserable the whole trip. During my senior trip to Oahu I had about 7 mosquito bites that swelled so much! But I put Katinko on the bites right away and made sure not to scratch them. (fortunately those were the only bites I got the whole trip). Well we watched the guys get the coconuts some more and they were actually successful each with one coconut! The juice was so yummy & sweet. However, there wasn't much coconut meat.

We wanted to get some groceries for our meals we would cook throughout the week - but before we left we drove around to explore. We ended up around the staff housing. We knew that one of our friends Chrstine was a teacher at the Elementary and her husband, Brandon, was a friend of Tuti & Marcello. Low and behold the last house at the end of the road ended up being their's! Tuti thought she saw Brandon poke his head out & Steve had a feeling that the truck might've been their's. So we get out of the car and check it out. We had a nice visit with them and admired their wonderful backyard. They had such awesome views of the mountains/valleys. After finding out that the guys were knocking down some coconuts he told us that there were some more trees by the pond - so of course before going to the market we stopped by the pond!

Hilo Hatie (a retail source of Hawaiian and Island Lifestyle products), Walmart, the grocery store were the stops we made. Surprisingly the market had lots of vegan options like: tofutti cream cheese, soy milk, soy icecream, & vege meat products.

After a dinner of chicketts, rice, & other goodies we went to bed looking forward to a fun-filled day of SCUBA Diving!!!

Shy and Steve's Story...

KAUAI!!
The Garden Isle

The Trip: April 25 to April 30, 2007

Happy 24th Birthday to My Hubby!

FOR MY

Husband

YOU'RE EVERYTHING TO ME

Yours is the smile I always look for

at the end of a long, hard day.

Yours is the shoulder I lean on

during those times

when life's daily challenges

seem to be almost overwhelming.

Yours is the hand I reach for

when I need the gentle reassurance

that only you can give.

Yours is the laughter I love to hear,

the gentle laughter that reminds me

not to take life too seriously...

Yours is the touch I long for.

Yours is the love I live for.

Yours are the dreams I want so much

to make come true.

You're everything to me.

Happy Birthday

(this is what was written on the hallmark card)

Esther for the Endtimes

A great sermon series!!

#1 - Queen of Grace

#2 - Intercessor

#3 - Redeeming the Time

#4 - Haman's Gallows

#5 - Standing for Life

The Twelve Gifts in Marriage

1. May you look for what is good in each other
2. May you respect each other's differences
3. May you make time each day for moments of play.
4. Every day, may you be grateful.
5. May you show that you care when you come and go.
6. May you choose to love even when you feel unloving.
7. May you touch tenderly, speak kindly, and listen with attention.
8. May you be quick to say "I'm sorry" as well as "I forgive."
9. May life's sorrows bring you closer together.
10. May troubles strengthen your commitment.
11. Again and again, may you renew your dreams.
12. And may you share your love with the world.

You've got to try this restaurant!

PoWer Plant

THE BEST VEGAN RESTAURANT IN THE WORLD

How did we find "The Best Vegan Restaurant in the World??" Well, after having a not-so-good breakfast at a popular restaurant they went to the Atlanta Zoo and were then driving around looking for a vegan restaurant. Unable to find the intended restaurant they stumble upon this eatery at the corner of Edgewood and Boulevard in Atlanta, GA. They see the above sign and decided to take a look inside. Walking inside they saw bright bare walls and colorful & silver tables/chairs. No one was inside... until someone walks out of the kitchen and hosts them. From the reports (since Shy was still in So.Cal.) I was told that it truly was the best vegan restaurant in the world - topping even Cali's Vege Wok, Native Foods, Oreans, & yes Happy Family. Now, after I heard that Steve, Gomez, Peter, & Irene all had unanimously agreed that Power Plant had topped the charts in vegan restaurants - I was truly amazed. Of course when I flew to Georgia I simply had to try this new found gem. Sharon & I got our chance later on that week. We (Gomez, Peter, Joel, Sharon, Steve & Shy) first went to the Georgia Aquarium (such grandious & amazing exhibits!!) Throughout the day we of coruse were looking forward to our lunch. Some in our group even skipped breakfast to make room for Power Plant. We hoped that Power Plant wasn't too hyped up that the food wouldn't stand up all of the hoopla. However it truly lived up to the good reports and superceded our expectations. It was such good soul food!! They've only been open four months. We told the chef that it was a must to franchise in LA. Enjoy the pictures!!

Char grilled Skewers: Curry-Coconut Shicken Satay

BBQ First Lady - or BBQ "Spare Ribs" smothered in peach barbecue sauce with herb mashed potatoes and roasted garlic asparagus

I could say that they were all my favorites - but the BBQ first lady was totally up there in the faves. Good balance of sweet & savory. I wished I ordered it for takeout.

Funky Soul Shicken - Crispy southern fried soy chicken with herb mashed potatoes and onion gravy with collard greens.

We sample tasted each other's foods and this one was up there in taste. It's not too heavy and it is so delicious - flavored so well. Herb mashed potatoes were yummy also.

Kickin! Kuesadillas - Grilled Flour Tortilla Filled with melted cheese, green onions, sun-dried tomatoes, sauteed peppers, and chiles. Garnished with guacamole, salsa, and vegan sour cream with: shrimp, chicken, or beef.

Southern Fried Swish Sandwich - Crispy veggie fish filet on coco bread with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and tarter sauce.

The tarter sauce is very good and so tasty even with the Shicken dishes.

Side Dishes

Roasted garlic asparagus

Fried Okra

Vegetable Fried Rice

Check out Sharon's Funky Soul Shicken!

Steve & Shy right before we eat our so yummy food!

BeFoRe - with plates full

AfTeR - with plates empty

Well, since we had some people come back a second time the chef appreciated it and we got to be "guinea pigs" for a couple new recipes they were trialing on..... CAKES!!! yay dessert! The two pictured below are a lemon cake & a red velvet almond cake. Both were so delicious and very rich. Who's getting married next? These flavors would make such good wedding cakes (we assured Joel though that the wedding cake he made for us was definitely good!! The cakes at powerplant were good yes but soO rich.) The chef told us to warn him the next time we come and he'll pull out the red carpet.. heehee!

Other mouth-watering items on the menu:

Thai Rice Wraps - curry coconut chicken strips, mung bean sprouts, and spicy noodles wrapped in tapioca paper served with 3 delicous sauces - Peanut, Sweet Red Chili and Tamarind-Cashew

Vegetable Tempura - Asparagus, eggplant, sweet potatoes, portabella mushrooms, onion straws and peppers fried in a tempura batter.

Avocado Fed rolls - chunks of Fresh Avocado, Sun-dried tomato, Red Onion, and Cilantro deep fried in a crisp chinese wrapper served witha tamarind-cashew dipping sauce

Lemon-Dill SwordSwish - Seared soy swordfish in a lemon-dill caper garlic sauce over saffron rice with asparagus.

Sesame Shicken - Golden crispy soy chicken and fresh veggies rolled into a sweet and spicy brown sauce over brown rice.

Blackened Tofu - Tofu marinated in oil and Cajun blackening seasonings served with cream style corn and fried okra.

Swish Tacos - Three soft flour tortillas filled with "fresh-out-the-ocean" nori-fish, vegan cheese, spicy avocado cream, rice, and a spicy citrus salsa.

Mex-Tex Burger - Sauteed mushrooms and onions, guacamole, and salsa with bacon bits on top of our classic burger.

Best Cheesecake in the World (unfortunately they didn't have any for us to eat)

Pretty Pies & Vegan Cakes