We are finally, finally home. We returned victoriously yesterday morning from Sibling Wedding #2 Epic October Journey, also known as Honeymoon Part Deux, The Search for Curly's Gold.

This time our travels took us to the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. Everything great you have ever heard about Hawaii is absolutely true. I have no idea why I have never been before, and the only reason we even came home at all was for Ernest and Schmedly. We stayed at these adorable "old school" Hawaiian cottages called Koloa Landing Cottages in the village of Koloa, across the street from the beach. The whole island smells amazing, and it's lush, green beauty takes your breath away. Steve and I had an adventure vacation (at least for us) snorkelling and swimming every day, and doing things like a kayak river trip and Catamaran boat tour along the Na Pali coast. The rest of the family hit the island by Thursday and then the wedding festivities began.

We weren't staying at a resort, so we experienced a bit less sticker shock than the usual tourists. The best food deals on the island was the giant Shave Ice we got at Jo Jo's in Waimea for $2, and the bag of fruit and vegtables I bought at Banana Joe's roadside stand for a whopping $2.49. This bag included the most perfectly ripe star fruit I have ever had, and a small bunch of varietal bananas called Apple Bananas. we had a full kitchen at the cottage, and I shopped at the local Big Save every evening for fresh sushi and poke, which was a delicious sashimi fish salad.

The locals were the nicest people I have ever met it all my travels, and that is saying something, since I talk to everybody. I'm going to try and remember to have the Aloha Spirit back here in my regular life, and not let things get to me so much. I think that will last about three days or until I start my next job, but I can try!