If you had told me I would one day I would enjoy being on a Hawaiian Island I probably laughed at you and told you I would rather go to Japan. While going to Japan IS MY dream destination I am here to admit that I have learned my false ways and found that I actually enjoy one of the Hawaiian Islands. No I'm not talking The Big Island, Maui, or even Oahu, I'm speaking of Kauai.
Being only 1/3 developed and one of the wettest places in the world, Kauai has become the perfect getaway. Maybe it's the fact that I have met some of the most amazingly grounded people, experienced some wild adventures by land and sea, or seeing some of the most amazing nature. However the real reason stems more from Bryce and his love for the island which in turn translates to a true experience not based around tourism and money spending. Over the past 2 years I have had the opportunity to be on island 4 times. During these times I have taken countless images with my iPhone, digital and film cameras. Other than my Instagram feed these images go unshared and put away for only my eyes. I asked myself why this is the case on last weeks trip back there. I came to the decision that I had a fear of sharing my special place in it's fullest and having it become un-special by so many people having seen it. I pretty much slapped myself for this thought! It's especially ludicrous when my daily job has me asking muses to share their lives and souls with me that I then go and publish on the inter webs. So I stopped that thought process and am throwing caution to the wind and present to you Bryce and I's last two weeks in Kauai. -AG
(Images taken by myself unless found with a * underneath. Noted images were taken by Bryce.)
During the last 20 minutes in air this grandmas started what I call, "pre landing stretches." She was real good at it.
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When we go in January we spend the nights on our friends yard under this amazing hotel. So much awesomeness!
Pete & Mary are two of the best people out there! SO kind to let us crash on their grounds and be part of their world.
When traveling with surf boards you wrap them with clothes and costumes that are needed on the island.
During this trip we were asked to find thrift store wedding attire and bring for a costume birthday party we would be part of. This meant we all had to try things on the first night on island and have our own pre-party party.
And when on vacation it's always permitted to eat Kauai chicken nachos. The plate pretty much looked like this when I was full. It was so intense!
Can't tell you how much I love my new Equinox surf board. (man my arms have shrunken from 2 years ago)
Thanks to the high spirited Finley, daughter of Pete and Mary, we managed an impromptu dress up photo session.
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We chased the moon light.
We stayed the night at Casey and Max's new place, yes that Casey and Max. Max has some of the most random and awesome collections of little things around the house, this one just happens to be found in the bathroom and had me cracking up.
taking care of a small business back home is much easier when you have modern technology, even on a tiny island in the Pacific.
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While there we helped set up our friend Tracey's 40th Birthday Party that just so happened to be wedding themed, which I also was asked to photograph. (those images to come)
There's nothing more than looking out into the world of vast awesomeness and chances to know that we can do anything we want. There is adventure out there to be had!
Checking to see if the banana trees had any fruit to yield us… not this time.
I managed to get asked to cut fruits and veggies a few times. I feel I've perfected this craft now.
I have realized there are a good amount of images of my surf board or me carrying it but not one of me using it. Being a photographer sometimes means you forget to have your photo taken. Guess I'll just have to go back to Kauai and have photos of me surfing. DARN :)
Nobody put's baby in the sand… (I had to got there)
The last set of photo's and videos are from the final day/night on Kauai. A large swell, reported to be the largest in 30 years came through. This meant that the final night we slept in a tent where winds were reported to be nearly 32 miles per hour. Bryce and I felt we needed to ride this out just in case we ever decide to climb a tall mountain and have to sleep through wind again. During the day there were waves that wet supposed to be as tall as 45ft in some areas of the island. We don't know if that ever came to pass but it made leaving the island much easier...
Everyone needs a windblown selfie.
Thanks for checking out our most resent Kauai adventure. Feel free to "share" this post :)