We even got moved due to weight balancing on the plane, and they still preserved our empty seat.
That’s probably the last time we get to experience this bit of traveling magic. But it was fun while it lasted.
The plus of leaving in the late afternoon is that you don’t have to hurry to the airport. The minus is that it can be hard to time the last day correctly.
We went to Walmart to buy souvenirs and then hung out at Nawiliwili Park and watched the surfers and SUPs until it was time to go to the airport. There were a few SUPs with hydrofoils.
After that, it was time to return the car, put our luggage through the fruit inspection, and hang out at the gate.
A very retro picture on the wall of Hamura Saimin shows what they are known for.
Delicious noodle bowls.
I also got some passion fruit chiffon pie.
The restaurant interior reminded me of Fuller’s Coffee Shop, especially the U-shaped counter. It was a good last meal in Kauai.
Before we left Waimea for the airport, we stopped at the Russian fort. There was a pretty cat to say hi to, and also this view of the pier we walked to on our first night.
From the back/kitchen door.
On the front porch.
Front porch view.
And one last view of the ocean view.
Our kitchen door looks solid, but it has a fun hidden feature. Matt demonstrates.
This hook is the key.
When you unhook it…
…the panel lowers and you can see through the screen to outside.
A very fun find!
We walked over to Waimea Theater to catch the Batman. Our visit to the theater turned out to be quite the cultural experience.
We bought our tickets online before we went, as requested by the theater. Upon arrival, we waited in line and observed much chatter among the other people in line. People were running into each other and catching up.
When they opened the doors we filed in. Matt had our ticket receipt ready, but no one checked to see if we had paid. There were a few super comfy seats and we grabbed them, not really knowing if we should or not. No one said anything so either we were terrible visitors or they were free game.
Before the movie started, we watched audience members circulating and chatting. Most people seemed to know the other people in the audience, which was a change from how movie theaters work in my world. I would guess the last time I saw so much conviviality at a movie theater was in college in Nevada, Missouri.
After the movie, a larger chunk of audience than usual settled in to wait for through the credits for the final credit sequence. They continued chatting.
It was a very fun experience, especially since we got to walk to and from the theater.
The movie itself was good, if a bit long.
We stopped in Hanalei for lunch and enjoyed our plate lunch as usual.
The Hanalei Valley Lookout was so pretty that three people were painting the landscape.
And I took another picture of a rooster.
I also grabbed a picture of this pretty church. It’s the Wai’oli Hui’ia Church.
It’s in the guidebooks, so it’s not much a secret, but you do have to hike down to it, so that cuts down on people. On the path down:
Good signage.
And here it is! Mostly empty and very pretty, with the lighthouse in the background.
We sat and watched some surfers for a bit.
Aloha! We stopped for mini golf and I did not stop to fix my camera before taking this picture.
Miniature golf places seem to either be old and worn out (yet still enjoyable) or faaaaancy (and enjoyable). This place was in the latter category. It had a ton of plants (the botanical garden part) and really interesting interpretive signs.
We were behind a large group, so there was some hanging out waiting.
The holes were challenging and interesting.
I really liked this graphic. Very nicely done!
More killing time, this time with timer photos.
I had time to grab a picture of this lily. So pretty.
As you can see, I got the most points, and so I won.
Afterward, we got OnoPops and sat in their picnic area. Matt got a green tea variety (he liked it, I didn’t) and I got a Mexican chocolate variety.
