We’re currently at Poipu Shoreson Kaua’i for the first week of our vacation, and when we got in last night, we’d had a long day traveling, waiting to change planes, and then waiting for luggage (which made it in on a later interisland flight).

It was after hours when we got to the property, but I knew to look in the lighted cabinet for an envelope with our name on it. It took a while to suss out where our unit was and how to get to it, as the property slopes toward the rocky shoreline pretty steeply and the access path to the building we’re in involves hooking around a little. But find it we did, and were mildly disappointed to find that it was a ground floor unit and not recently updated. It was okay, but could have been nicer for the price we were paying. Some people pay a premium for ground floor, as we were literally steps from the pool, but there’s a lack of privacy and if you open up all the louvers in the windows, anyone passing by can look in and see your business, your stuff, and your mess.

So this morning before taking off for a “random tour” of the west end of Kaua’i, we stopped in at the office to check in, and found that we could be moved to the second floor. Which was great, as that means that it’s on almost the same level as the parking lot, via the hooking-around pathway that leads to a ramp to the lot. So for moving baggage in and out, it’s much nicer (although there’s an elevator in this building too).

We’re now in the new unit, which is significantly more nicely appointed, with upgraded kitchen, appliances, and decor. The carpet is actually woven matting, which is kind of hard on my feet, which are sore from wearing new Teva sandals yesterday. But it’s got a better view of the water, and we’ll be much more comfortable.

It’s Unit 203-A, and if you’re ever interested in staying here, we can recommend it. Also, if you’re an avid cook, the cookware and tools I saw in the kitchen are very good quality (Henckel knives, name brand, matching pots in the cupboard). Usually with condo kitchens you get either a good deal and a mixed bag of kitchen stuff, but in the better quality units, you generally get better quality cookery tools.

At this point on the coast, we’re on a very rocky lava cliff, with crashing waves and small blowholes directly below our lanai. Beaches are a few hundred yards in either direction. When we stayed in the area a few years ago, we were at Poipu Kai, which was just fine also, but not on the water. The crashing of the waves is pretty loud, but also lulling. Sunsets are straight off the lanai, too.

We had a nice time driving around today, although a quick stop in Hanapepe, home of Lilo and Stich, left us a little depressed (and hungry, nothing is open on Sundays). But we were directed to the Grinds Cafe back on the highway, which set us up with truly ono grinds (ie. good sandwiches). They had a pretty awe-inspiring bakery case, too.

We’re headed to a restaurant called Plantation Gardens tonight, and then to a local concert at the Kaua’i Community College Performing Arts center to see a guitarist and hula dancer, along with other guests on the program. Should be an enjoyable evening, so will blog more about it later.

Yeah. All we have to worry about for the next week is eating, figuring out stuff to do, and hoping to see whales. I saw one breach from a distance while we were high up on the Waimea Canyon road, and David watched some dolphins this morning when he walked along the front of the property and stopped to talk to someone who was using binoculars.

Yep. Paradise. We has it. Technorati Tags: Kauai, Paradise, whales