Hey everyone! So I've been in Kauai these past couple of days, but due to some technical difficulties with the blog, I've only had the opportunity to post now.
My family arrived on the island after a very brief flight over from Honolulu. From Lihue Airport, the five of us piled into a rental car and began our journey through the Garden Isle. This first day was mainly spent sightseeing and driving through history as my Grandpa Harry, Kauai born and raised, showed the family where he grew up as a boy.
First stop?
Tip Top Motel & Cafe
When my grandpa was a teenager, he delivered farm produce from his father's farm, making the drive from Kalihikai to Waimea.
"Especially watermelon!" my grandpa declares. "My father's watermelon was famous on the island of Kauai."
A regular stop on his delivery runs was Tip Top Motel & Cafe, owned by a close family friend. According to my Grandpa Harry, the place had a big patio and good food. He often spent the night there and always made sure to fill up on the ono grinds.
"Eat, drink, be happy, sleep," grandpa tells me.
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| I ordered a Hawaii favorite: The Loco Moco (a bed of rice, a juicy hamburger patty, two eggs, and warm gravy to top it all off). |
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| Driving . . . the main scenery? Greenery. |
After our bellies were warm and content, we piled back into the car to visit my grandma's cousin, Uncle Bobby.
We conversed briefly as we exchanged gifts, smiles, and memories. Uncle Bobby, a kindly, generous man, also shared some of his original art pieces with us. A former golfer, Uncle Bobby explains he decided to put down the golf club and instead pick up a paintbrush with his old age.
"How often do you go to art class?" my mom asks.
"I don't go to art class," Uncle Bobby smiles. "I'm self taught."
We were all rather impressed.
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| The ladies, (grandma, mom, and me), decided to go for a bit of shopping. The boys? They decided to take a nap in the car. |