Kauai: The Sun Shines on the Last Day

The bungalow we stayed in was typical Hawaiian in that it had no AC and so the windows were open at all times. Thus, the sun came shining in early and the roosters and other birds were early alarm clocks. The kids (and Patrick too) had been falling asleep every evening quite early, exhausted from the day and so I had the evenings to myself and didn't mind waking with the sun to enjoy the ever changing view from the balcony. The last day, however, I woke to see something I'd never seen in the previous days. I saw the mountains not covered in clouds! Don't get me wrong, the clouds make for some pretty scenery but this new, unobstructed view was breathtaking. And minute by minute, the mountains transformed with the rising sun, highlighting different parts of the landscape.

We had not seen such a sunny day since we arrived and so I woke everyone up to get a move on the last and brightest day.

We headed straight back to Tunnels beach. We were basically the first ones there.

Everyone was all smiles at Tunnels- the favorite of all the beaches.

The views were spectacular in every direction.

The waves were much larger than earlier in the week and the rip tide was doing something crazy so we weren't able to snorkel this day.

As the waves were coming in, there were waves bouncing back out to sea and then crashing into each other.

But that didn't stop a monk seal from swimming in to nap on the warm sand.

The kids and Patrick went to work on another sand castle.

And it was was warm enough (the high hit 80 that day) for a swim!

We stayed as long as we could until we couldn't postpone lunch any longer. 

It was such a perfect day we didn't want to leave.

We ate lunch and stopped back by Wishing Well one last time for our favorite Pina Colada shave ice with macadamia nut ice cream. Can't be beat!

Then we went back to Hanalei Bay for the rest of the day to boogie board.

The waves were ideal for boogie boarding and we all (including myself) were riding the waves for hours.

We stayed until the sun started to set. No one wanted to go.

What a great day to conclude our trip. As our family is getting older, these experiences are even more enjoyable sharing them with the kids. They have such an appreciation for adventure and enthusiasm that turns moments into memories.