Pacific Odyssey - Leg 7

It feels wonderful to be here; Kauai is a more relaxed island than Oahu for us.  The dock is big, quiet, private, but yet close to a beach and ice cream/drink store.  The security guards remind us of the many friendly guards we´ve had throughout this voyage . . . Fiji, Madang, Chuuk, Guam, China.  We have made many good friends with these people who watched over us, I think we added a bit of sunshine to their day; they were always happy to see us and exchange a word or two.  Here we´ve met Robert and Primrose, two very beautiful people who have befriended the Grace and her crew; it feels great.  Trainees and crew have taken advantage of their first day here with most of them leaving the boat and renting cars, scooters, or going by foot to the beach; many are still out.  Gillian, Rona, Emily, Jose, and Antony rented a car and drove around the eastern coast to the top end of the island, snorkeling in Ke´e Bay near Hanalei and seeing a sea turtle.  They visited Hanalei, a smaller and older town with interesting shops and cafes. Steve rented a car with Chris E., Chris P., Lisa M., Selena, and James and drove in the opposite direction, west, to Waimea Canyon and Koke´e State Park.  This is an incredibly stunning drive inland to lush vegetation and red-copper dirt cliffs.  They did some walking to a waterfall and then returned towards Lihue where they found another waterfall that they could swim in.  They said they had a fantastic day.  The remaining trainees are still out; I´ll find out tomorrow at breakfast how they spent their day. Jordan T. brought a skateboard on board and is sharing it generously with the 3 Anderson boys; they are taking turns on the dock, and enjoying it immensely.  The security guards smile when they see the boys out practicing their basic skills or new tricks.  There was a smaller group at supper tonight.  At breakfast a sheet gets put out by Katie or Gillian, the cooks, and those eating supper on the ship, put their name on the list.  This helps them know how many people to cook for. I enjoy returning to the ship for supper and listening to everyone´s stories of their day.  A smaller group can be cozier, we all sit around together on deck eating and chatting. Afterwards, anyone who ate does dishes, usually accompanied by music off someone´s ipod and via Chris´ speakers.  The weather was beautiful; some of us went to the nearby beach, playing in the surf, making sand castles, and boogie boarding. We had a chance to have a quick, but lovely swim in the Merriot Pool . . . how luxurious.  Tonight a group of trainees went for ice cream and shower, taking Noah and Jacob. Simon was invited by Adam, Raven, and Elske for an evening out, and treated to ice cream, traveling in Adam´s rent-a-wreck vehicle, and listening to Disney tunes. It took a bit of convincing to get him to leave ´mama,´ but in the end he went, and loved it. The deck is littered with bedding; crew and trainees have either fallen asleep or are reserving their sleeping spots.  It is a beautiful night; we are appreciating and enjoying every day. Until tomorrow, good-night, Bonice.