Monday, November 12, 2007

Paradise found, if only for a week.

Sigh,

It has been one hell of a year !

Normally when I take a holiday , it is more of an ‘ exploratory adventure’ to some far off exotic distant land but after having major lung reduction surgery a few months ago my surgeon highly recommended that I not venture too far off the ‘first world medical path’.
So instead of travelling back to Indonesia this winter I visited the island of Kauai with my friend Liam .
We stayed at the Grand Hyatt Resort for 6 days and loved every relaxing and rejuvenating minute.

Here are a few photos taken at the Grand Hyatt Resort and the Tropical Botanical Garden.

This is the salt water lagoon with its sandy breach entrance.


The salt water lagoon merges with the ocean beyond.


A view of the grand lobby and its waterfall cascading down towards the beach.
The rock alcove in the foreground is a ceremonial place to lay your leis when you leave the resort.


Another view of the waterfall , with a gray crane shooting me his moon.


An early morning sunrise walk down to one of the lower chlorinated pool/ lagoons.


One of my favorite swim spots


Lots of wooden bridges traverse over the swimming lagoons.


A favorite evening swimming spot.


The extemely fun water slide.


Another favorite morning and evening walking path.
The thatched hut in the photo is the TidePools restaurant.


This is that gray crane who had his butt towards the camera in one of the upper shots.
There were lots of wonderful birds at the Hyatt, ... both wild and tame.



Several swans swim in the koi ponds.
This pond is located adjacent to the morning breakfast terrace.


Another view with the swan and a variagated Furcrea in the background




Four colorful MaCaw birds entertained the resort guest in the main entrance lobby.
This is the red head bird.


This bird flew in on the ocean breeze and decided he liked the lava rock bridge post as a good ‘hanging out spot’.


We did pry ourselves away from the beach and resort for several outtings.
On one trip we took a tour of the National Tropical Botanical Garden.

This is one of the sculptures in the Allerton Garden. It stands at the head of a very curvaceous rill



The rill


A Hibiscus in the garden


Torch Gingers - they stand about 4.5 feet above the ground


Giant Bromeliads -Alcantarea imperialis - One of my favorites !


Another beautiful bromeliad , orchids and a cycad


Palm berries - oooo la la !


I have no idea what this fruiting plant is. Don’t know if it is edible or not , but isn’t it just exotically seductive ? !


I am not sure of this Bromeliad species , but I think it is a Portea.
I bet Christopher from the blog “ Outside Clyde” would know.


This palm name slips my memory. Could it be something called a Lucula ??