Flight to Kauai

By: Paul S Cilwa	Occurred: 5/20/2024	Page Views: 454
Hashtags: #Hawaii #Kauai
Today I flew 3,000 miles for my grandson's birthday.
Estimated reading time: 3 minute(s) (659 words)

My daughter, Jenny, and two youngest grandkids (who we call The Littles) flew to Kaua'i yesterday. Today I flew to join them. My ex-husband and still-friend Michael is watching the dogs, cats, and fish while we're gone; and he drove me to the airport at 8:30 AM; my flight left almost 2 hours later.

It took me years, but I finally learned to dress for the Arctic when flying.

So this was new (to me): An international power outlet that, fortunately, I didn't have to figure out.

The USB connector allowed me to charge my phone, though barely. That may have been the fault of the cheap-ass USB-A to USB-C cable I brought though.

Last week, Kauai experienced significant rainfall, prompting widespread weather disruptions. As a result, flights to the island were affected, including my own journey from Phoenix. To avoid the storm system moving eastward, my flight had to go by way of San Francisco. This added an extra two hours to the trip. Despite the inconvenience, the diversion ensured a safer journey by circumventing the severe weather conditions enveloping Kauai at the time. But it sure did make a long flight longer.

But I arrived! And after waiting a good half-hour for my checked luggage, I was soon in an Uber driven by a nice lady who pointed out trees along our way.

Well, I'm always up for tree photos!

And in another half-hour, I was in Koloa and at the AirBNB Jenny had rented.

The apartment isn't huge. Zach, who doesn't arrive until tomorrow, will be sharing a room with me, on an air mattress. But Dominic, who lives to play video games, was already quite at home.

A few feet away from Poipu Beach is Brennecke Beach. Brennecke's Beach Broiler is a beloved dining spot for both locals and visitors. Established in 1983, the restaurant has become an iconic part of the Poipu area, known for its ocean view dining and relaxed, beachside atmosphere. Over the years, Brennecke's has built a reputation for offering a diverse menu featuring fresh seafood, steaks, and other local specialties, as well as daily happy hours and live music several nights a week.

At Poipu Beach in Kauai, it's common for sea turtles to come ashore at night to sleep. This natural behavior attracts many visitors who gather to watch these magnificent creatures. However, signs are prominently displayed, warning people to maintain a respectful distance and not disturb the turtles. Observing these guidelines, visitors ensure the turtles can rest undisturbed, highlighting a shared commitment to wildlife conservation.

I thought the turtles were here to lay eggs, but I was wrong. The behavior of sea turtles coming ashore to sleep differs significantly from their nesting activities. When turtles come ashore to sleep, they typically rest for several hours before returning to the sea. This behavior is observed throughout the year and is mainly for rest and recovery. In contrast, when female turtles come ashore to lay eggs, it is part of their reproductive cycle. Nesting usually occurs during specific seasons and involves the turtle digging a nest in the sand, depositing her eggs, and covering them before returning to the ocean. The nesting process is crucial for the survival of the species and involves significant energy expenditure and time, unlike the relatively brief and routine visits for sleep.

Because our beach faces south, sunsets will occur to our right as we look to the sea. So there won't be any on-the-sea's-horizon sunsets here. But that's okay; sunsets through palm trees are nice, too.