This morning did not go as smoothly as yesterday getting to my destination. I followed Google, get to within 4 miles of my destination, and then ended up back on the main road to turn onto a road that did not exist. I had to call the National Tropical Botanical Gardens...twice. I finally got there. Ended up going the same way I went the first time, but I missed a QUICK turn after a turn. Ugh. I got there 10 minutes late, they had already started, so a nice man drove me to meet them. GPS....FAIL! But I finally met up with the group, it was a pretty garden. I was expecting more flowers, but Allerton did not want color. He wanted texture and to tell a story with landscaping, design, and statues. It was very pretty. Really HOT! Very little wind blew where we were.
One of the pretty gardens. Allerton liked to design "rooms" with plants, water features, and statues.
Here is a beautiful part of the gardens. This is the location of where Pirates of the Caribbean 4 was filmed. Well, part of it. Our guide said that Johnny Depp really took in the Kauai life and culture. Our guide said that Penelope Cruz was flown in daily - come to find out, she was pregnant during the film.
Jurassic Park Trees. It was here where they looked over the tree and saw some dinosaurs. I'll have to go back and watch it to see exactly where that part was. I tried to hug this tree, but it was too big. This is as close as I got.
A view from the drive back. Beautiful! I would not mind having this as my yard!
Since I did not get to see the Spouting Horn with the school group, I saw it after my tour. It is just across the street. The wind was light today = waves were light = not much of a Spouting Horn.
On the other side of the Spouting Horn.
I decided to check out the town over by the Gardens and Spouting Horn. I found this place to eat and there was some shopping too. Nice area. EXPENSIVE! This is in the ritzy part of Hawaii! Lunch was not too bad. The Cheeseburger (their special burger) was not too bad.
I drove back to Kapa'a where my hotel is and kept going. There is a scenic view that in the winter, you can see the whales. One of these days, I will get to Hawaii in the winter to see the whales! No stranding network, but a number to NOAA to call if you see a whale in distress.
I drove back down to the Kilauea Lighthouse. It was closed, but that is ok. I wanted to see the Red-footed Booby Rookery. The Ne Nes we all over. They are such a cute bird. They are the State Bird - descendant from the Canada Goose.
I came back to rain and ate at the restaurant at the hotel - the Bull Shed. It was ok. I got some Potato Skins (more like wedges) and came back to my room to eat. My stomach has had it fill of eating out. I am ready to eat at home...something boring!
It is hard to see, but this is the window in the restaurant. We were so close to the ocean. It felt like we were almost in the ocean. The water would splash up on the windows every once in a while. Yikes! A stiff wind could be dangerous!
Back to the room to eat and pack. It is bitter sweet. I love this Island, but I am ready to go home. Maybe one day they will be one and the same!
