Dear Bear







Today Dad and I went horseback riding at the Princeville Rance on the north shore of Kauai. I’ve never been on a horse before, or near one really, so I was very excited! After everyone decided they didn’t want to go to Tagaitai in the Philippines to ride ponies, I was rather disappointed at missing my chance. When we went so many years ago, I got too scared (I was about eight), so I didn’t try it when Dad and Frank went.

However, I’m very glad that Dad decided to go with me this time around!

Oh yeah, I forgot. We were signing release papers or something and one of the ranch hands said, “So, are you two on your honeymoon?”

Oh my goodness.

I stared at her for a second while Dad choked on laughter, and then I said slowly, in a rather horrified voice (because I was feeling quite horrified), “No. He’s my dad.” Pointblank in a dead voice.

Dad laughed and the other ranch hand laughed. The other hand said, “Haha! Did you see the look on her face?” And then she mimicked me and I thought, Yes, that’s a very fitting expression.

Anyway.

My horse’s name was Bear! It was really just meant to be I think. When our guide lead me over to Bear, told me his name, and then told me to mount up, I thought: Bear Grylls and Grizzly Bears! Bears are my favorite animals, and I also <3 Bear Grylls from Man vs. Wild! Bear was brown with a black mane with brown highlights, and he was built pretty big–larger than Dad’s horse, and looked tough…also had a bit of an attitude. I was essentially just a passenger and he the driver as he didn’t really follow my orders, but that was just fine because I liked him quite a lot.

Dad’s horse’s name was Walker and he was a black/gray and white speckled horsey who was very calm and sweet.

Bear and Walker were friends and nuzzled one another’s faces when we took pictures by the cliff.

Bear also had to pee a lot. I didn’t realize he was doing so the first time because we were listening to Robin’s (Robin was our guide) instructions, but I heard a faint hissing sound and when I looked down, there was a huge puddle under Bear. What a silly horse!

Robin told us a lot about the Kauai mountains, showed us where parts of Jurassic Park were filmed, told us Michael Crichton lives nearby (COOL–I just read Next ; he’s one of my favorites because he writes about science and has scientific explanations :oD ), and told us about some of the families who own a bunch of the property in Kauai. Some of these people bought some properties just so people could not build on them so as to preserve the land. Very decent, no?

Robin also picked us strawberry guavas, small, cherry-sized guavas with lots of seeds that were very tasty and yummy.

Now we’re going snorkeling in Tunnels Beach on the north shore where sea turtles are apparently prevalent. Yay! Very excited :o)

+++

Sea Turtles

So there were many turtles indeed at Tunnels Beach. They seem like such peaceful creatures. I think I would like to be a turtle. Plus, they’re pretty and rather graceful as they swim and munch.

The first school of fish I saw were right on the surface of the water and they were tiny and silver. Very skittish too. There were also a ton in rather large groups eating from the coral reefs, and some little plant/coral thing littered the reefs and looked like brains. We also saw a bunch of fish that looked like baby barracudas, and we also saw some needle-looking fish with sharp tails and rounded noses.

I loved the turtles so much though.

We plan to go back tomorrow to snorkel some more, swim, and picnic.

+++

Kayaking

I forgot to mention that on Saturday we went kayaking to the bay. It’s so gorgeous. Frank and I paired up and Mom and Dad paired up. W kayaked to the bay, waded, took pictures, enjoyed the view, and then kayaked back. Frankie and I were very much in sync.

I love kayaking so much. I wanted to go for longer, but Frank doesn’t like doing stuff and the parents got tired. I wanted to do the long kayak trip to the Fern Grotto, but again, the parents were tired just thinking about it. Ah well.

Tonight we’re grilling steaks by the pool :o)

Instead of the Fern Grotto kayak trip, we may take a boat over there instead. The last time we did that, Frank and I were so small that I don’t remember it really.

.

Aloha!