June 3rd, Day 6 in Kauai

Thursday morning we drove to Tunnels beach for snorkeling. The beach is at the end of a road that is very narrow. This beach had such deep sand that it was HARD work just to take two steps. We all had a hard workout walking from the parking area to the beach and then to the ocean. The beach has huge coral reefs that jut up to the sand and it is difficult to get to the snorkeling area. Unbeknownst to us, we walked across some of the coral and believe me it was SHARP! The kids saw eels and lots of other fish. Poor Jocelyn was carrying Cannon on her back over to the beach when they were finished snorkeling and she caught her foot on the coral. BOOM! She fell face first trying to save Cannon from being hurt. In the process, her toenail was torn off of her toe. PAIN! She was still retrieving sand from the tiny piece of nail that was left 2 weeks after we got home. What a wonderful aunt to sacrifice herself so Cannon wouldn't get hurt.

We also had another little episode. Grandma Char stayed back at the condo and watched Creed. Creed was asleep when we left for the beach and he was in his pack and play upstairs. Grandma listened for him and heard him making little cries. In the commotion to leave, Greg had taken the key to their condo and it was in the van. Poor Grandma was pretty hysterical that she couldn't get to Creed. We know Heavenly Father was listening to her prayers. A resort repairman, who had a master key, was walking right by the condo. Grandma, crying, asked him to unlock the condo for her so she could get Creed. Poor Grandma had a very nasty scare. She was still upset by the time we got home. Creed didn't even know there was a problem. Great-grandma Char is the best!

Jocelyn is getting ready to snorkel in the car

Laurel, Paisley, and Grandpa found some shade to watch from

"Mommy, don't make me walk on that sand again."

Grandma and Paisley both look hot and sweaty

Some of us left the beach and went back to the condos. One group was going to take a catamaran sunset cruise that afternoon and evening. We drove to Hannelei and a pickup truck took us to the beach where we went in a very small outboard boat to the catamaran which was anchored further out in the bay. Jocelyn and I were in the first group to board and we decided we couldn't see any visible bathroom and this was going to be a 3 or 4 hour activity. While the rest of the cruisers were coming to the boat, we asked about using the bathroom. The shipmate pulled open a square lid that had steep, steep stairs that went down to the bottom of the boat. There in the dark was an open toilet that was much like an outhouse. Jocelyn and I both braved the stairs and decided to use the bathroom. I don't need to describe anything else but to quote the shipmate. "I have never seen two people go in that small bathroom together." When they offered the sodas, lemonade, and water, Jocelyn and I both passed. We remembered the yucky bathroom on the boat. We didn't see anyone else use it on the cruise either.

Our guide, Larry, was friendly, knowledgeable, funny, and very good at his job. He and his dad, Captain Sundown, were the owners of the catamaran.

Todd, Megan, Johnny and Britt settled in on the netting before we set sail

The whole group before the cruise began

We settled in the front for a great view

The catamaran dipping soothed grandma and she sneaked in a little snooze

The Napoli Coast cannot be accessed by a road. It is a beautiful and rugged coastline that must be hiked, flown to by helicopter, or taking a small boat to enjoy the beaches and scenery up close. We saw very few people along the way.

Believe it or not, it was getting a little chilly as the sun started to set

Grandma and I resorted to towels for warmth and Johnny sacrificed his hoodie for me too

See how dark it is?

A funny side note......We weren't able to take our shoes on the catamaran and they were left in a bucket in the back of the truck that took us back and forth to our cars. I went in the first group since I was a driver. Larry stayed on the catamaran and started the cleanup for the sunrise cruise. Captain Sundown dropped the rest of our group on the beach in the TOTAL DARK! They didn't have a flashlight or any light. They stumbled on the sand with John stubbing his toe hard on a log walking up the beach.  They were happy when I arrived with the van and headlights.

We were trying to eat as much of our food as we could so that we wouldn't have to leave too much behind. At least we were able to give what we didn't eat to a very nice lady who was cleaning the condos when we left on Saturday.

It was so nice to arrive back at the condo and find yummy tacos, beans, pineapple, and salad waiting for us to eat. Emily and Laurel had everything ready and delicious. Of course, we couldn't call it a night without a game or two of May I and Pinochle. Colton was so cute to sit with us and watch us play cards. We enjoyed another happy day together in Kauai.