Kauai, Research and Development

      Since my last post I've been reading a lot about the upcoming destination. Apparently Kauai is the granny island of Hawaii- its the oldest island of all the islands. It is also the island that is the farthest North, so its like the island that Santa would go to on vacation. Maybe I'll see old St. Nick while I'm there... or maybe I'll just see my dad and mistake him for Santa like everyone else does.
 

My Dad next to the Columbia R.

 Known as the "garden isle" Kauai has large amount of erosion to form high jagged ocean cliffs, and lush jungle growth that spreads over the entire island. There are also several rivers that end in grand waterfalls (which is something that I'm really excited about). In fact, Some parts of the island are so densely wooded that they're only accessible by sea or air.
       I wrote previously about wanting to do some kayaking while I'm in Kauai, so I've been thinking a lot about what kind of kayaking I want to do- coastal or river? I've been leaning toward coastal, but because there are so many beautiful rivers on Kauai, I've started to research river kayaking as well. The Wailua River is at the top of my list. It's located on the East side of the island (we'll be staying on the South shore, but Kauai's only about 30 miles long) and is apparently a tranquil, navigable ride that meanders past lush jungles, and cascading falls.
        The second thing on the agenda is to go on a zip-line tour through some of Kauai's vast valleys. I want to get a
bird's-eye view of some of the beautiful landscape, and I
want to video tape it- for all of you! I hear it's supposed to be

simplified map of Kauai, HI

a very exhilarating experience to glide from one end of a valley to another, so I hope I don't drop my boyfriend's camera in all the excitement. My interest in zip-lining was first peaked by a documentary that I watched called Wild China by the BBC Natural History Unit. The six part series depicted remote villagers in the Yunnan province of southern China zip-lining across giant valleys with goods to sell in their local market. They carried fruits, rice, vegetables- even one very distraught goat! When I found out that I could try the same thing (minus the goat) in the forests of Kauai, I realized that I had to give it a go, so hopefully I'll be able to include a video of this event in the near future.
       However, this journey isn't all about me. Both my parents are going as well, they have some activities on their wish lists too. Traveling is often more fun, safer, and just better all around as something that is done in a group. Some of the best adventures I've ever had have spawned from the minds of my friends and family. Its taught me to be up for anything!
       My mom really wants to go see Waimea Canyon (aka, the Grand Canyon of the Pacific). Located on the West Shore, the canyon is 14 mi long, 1 mi wide, and 3600 feet deep. Its not as enormous as the Grand Canyon on the mainland, but its absolutely coated in tropical growth. This trip to Waimea Canyon not only sounds incredible, but it coincides with one of the things on my wish list- hiking in Kokee State Park. The park is just north of Waimea, so we should have a full day of exploring the forests, when we visit the West Shore.
       Lastly, the final, and most important of the major activities on our extensive schedule is to kick back, relax, and do some snorkeling on Poipu Beach, which if you recall, is within walking distance of our hotel. I've been snorkeling countless times before this trip, having grown up in a beach town. I have also snorkeled in Mexico, Aruba, Costa Rica, and The Grand Cayman Islands. I got the opportunity to interact with stingrays in the Caymans, so hopefully I'll spot some green sea turtles in Hawaii.

I'll be back to write about some local Hawaiian traditions and cuisine before we embark- until then!


   

Inaugural Blog, Hawaii Up Ahead, and Thailand in the Distance

                                                                                    Hi all!

First- allow me to introduce myself. My name is Sam, and I am 21 years of age (Just in case you sank into a zombie-like daze through the "about me" section). This is my first blog... that's right... ever *gasp!* so I imagine that the less naive I become about important blogging matters, the more this blog will change, and it will eventually grow from a baby blog into a big-boy blog, but for now I'm just going to start posting.

       

Oh look ^ its meeeeee!

This blog is going to be all about these things:

• Traveling
• Traveling on a budget
• Traveling as a student or young person
• Traveling as a female
• Traveling as a photographer
• So.... basically its about me trying to travel the world

      I can't promise much. I have but meager resources, funds, and experience, but I have fiery passion and spunk... that counts for something, right? Ok... moving on.

      If one writes a travel blog (or so I've heard) it doesn't necessarily mean they travel constantly (which is too bad, because I would love to be in Asia right now). Like the ordinary citizen I have two jobs (and school until I graduate in May) ---but don't think I would start this endeavor with nothing! I have goals and dreams, and a trip to Hawaii coming up in about 9 days. My family and I* are flying to the beautiful island of Kauai, HI on January 3rd, 2010. We're staying on the island for ten days (including two travel days). We'll be very close to Poipu beach, which I hear is very nice- you  know, white and sandy and whatnot. I'll include some photos so you can use them as desktop wallpaper _insert thumbs-up and wink here_.

       I have high hopes for this trip! I would like to visit Kipu Falls (a nearby swimming hole used by both locals and tourists), go kayaking, take a catamaran tour, go on a zip line trek through the forest, and try some local cuisine. However, as most travelers come to understand, plans often have a way of dissolving and/or evolving once you reach your destination, so we'll see what happens!

       I'll write in more detail about the upcoming trip a bit later, but before I go I want to share my first travel goal with you. I want to go to Thailand- desperately. I want to experience a radically different culture than my own. I want to see, hear and smell the essence of the Eastern hemisphere. I want to travel so far across the globe that I don't even recognize myself anymore. I have saved $105.35 from tips at work (I started saving on Dec 1), I've purchased a travel guide, and I've started my research. I estimate that, including airfare, the trip should cost $3,000+. Yikes!

But I'll save all this for another time, because its almost midnight on Christmas eve.

Later- Sam

*(that's right, I didn't have to save up for this one-which also leads me to my first tip: free things are usually good)