Sunsets

This our last full day for this trip. I thought I would end with a couple of sunset pictures. Watching the sun go down is a thing here. People gather on the beach, their lanais, or a hill with a great view and watch and take photographs. I have plenty of photos, but here are a couple more - a great way to end this series of posts.

This has been a great trip and we have been able to share our time with family and friends. Back to Minnesota and the lake. 

Goats

One thing you encounter as you travel the Hawaiian Islands is the frequency with which experts will describe the frequency of various invasive species. This is not a new term for me and I understand that invasive species are an issue in the lakes and fields back home. Perhaps the difference here is the huge areas of land in Hawaii that is not cultivated that makes a difference.

In Kauai, there were many chickens running about and an occasional wild pig that we would see as we drive about. There are a few chickens and pigs here running wild here. We see mongooses everywhere and I was told they are egg eaters and this is hard on the bird population. One species we do see running wild as we drive are wild goats. You see these goats in the thinly vegetated lava fields often with a lookout standing on a taller peak within the lava. Like the pigs on Kauai, these goats are hunted during a designated season. 

New snorkel gear

If you haven't recently visited a beach where snorkeling is a big thing, you may not be aware of the newest thing in snorkeling gear.

These are full-face snorkel masks. You breath naturally so there are not really new skills you need to develop. Cindy had one last year and really liked it so she bought one for pretty much anyone willing to use it (translate - no mask for me). Amazon is a wonderful thing.

Our grandkids have experience in the water and in shallow water with no waves most were able to at least look about and see fish. 

You see a lot of these now. Someone told us last year that the concern with these is that inexperienced users find them so easy to use they sometimes lose track of where they are and find themselves floating into water that may cause them to panic. The kids who are swimmers found these masks easy to use. 

Now, we will have to figure out how to get these things back home.

Poke

From time to time, I have described some unique foods we have come to appreciate and associate with Hawaii. While I have discovered it is possible to find these foods elsewhere, these foods are common here and are available in many establishments.

Poke is something I have eaten several times each week. It is typically made from raw ahi tuna cut into small cubes and served seasoned with soy sauce and various other ingredients. It is commonly served with rice and edamame or a seaweed salad. I really have grown fond of the sea week and it is always my choice.

When we returned from Hawaii last year Cindy noticed an ad for a restaurant serving poke In Minneapolis. I think the fish appeals to the healthy food crowd. I searched to find the restaurant and it turns out Minneapolis has multiple places you can find poke.

Farmers (and crafters') market

We are farmers' market people and we have plenty of opportunities in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Market is gigantic, but unfortunately, produce is not plentiful during the winter and so ....    We go to Hawaii.

The Kauai markets were smaller, but offered unique produce. Hawaii seems to have fewer farmers and more craftspeople. Here are some photos from yesterday's visit.