Saturday, October 22, 2011

Is Kauai heaven, Pierce Brosnan Thinks So




In the spring of 2010, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the Wharton’s family reunion in the north shore of the Kauai Island.  The Wharton family only has reunion once every ten years.  But every time, it is in heaven – the Kauai Island.  We stayed in a house that was only three houses away from Pierce Brosnan’s house and resident at the time.  His kids went to the same school with my sister-in-law’s kids who lived across the street.  One day, my husband ran into Pierce on the beach during a stroll and had a picture taken with him.  No, actually my husband was too shy to do anything.  Piece stared straight at him.  My husband almost said that “Pierce, don’t piece me.” 

Kauai offers a little bit something for everyone.  You can either stare at the violent ocean thinking I’m glad that I’m not in it.  Or you can jump straight into a 200 feet waterfall to have some thrill.  I did it with the aid of a rope swing.  Even though my hips got slapped red when I jumped in, it was really rewarding when I swam lazily in the water afterwards watching others jump in one after another, yelling and screaming.  I saw people of all ages leaping into the waterfall as though there were no tomorrow.

Kauai Island is one of a few islands where you can take a water color painting class in fancy hotels like Mariotte and Hyatt and Sheraton.  Taking a painting class in a boring classroom is one thing.  Taking it in the courtyard of the Mariotte surrounded by tropical birds and flowers is really a treat.  My sister-in-law Sarah Riggle, mother of my book cover designer Jake Riggle has created this class along with serveral her artist friends.  I highly recommend it for anyone who is planning a vacation to the Kauai Island.

Kauai Island also has a vibrant theatre community.  Jake's brother Toby Riggle, a talent singer and actor, performed in many shows in Kauai after moving there about seven years ago.  So when I heard that he was going to perform in the local dinner theatre's "South Pacific", I jumped up and down with joy.  It was quite an experience watching "South Pacific" while in South Pacific!

In the evening, when the sky was painted with red, pink and blue, when the cool breeze swept across my cheeks, when the violent tide pounding against the shore, I couldn't help calling out, “Paradise!”  

5 comments:

Connie J Jasperson said...

I have been to Oahu, but not Kauai. What a wonderful vacation!

Kathleen Barker said...

I've never been to Hawaii, Oahu or Kauai, but maybe someday....it does look heavenly!

Lisa Zhang Wharton said...

Should go and visit Kauai, Connie. Even though Kauai is dotted with many movie stars like Pierce Brosnan, Jack Black, Ben Stiller and Bette Midler, Maui is the most beautiful. The Big Island has the live vocano which was far away and hard to see. But the surrending was very interesting to see.
Kate, take a trip there. It's worth it. I have been to many Caribbean islands, too. The Hawaiian Islands have more Asian flavor.

jenny milchman said...

Wow, sounds blissful! I was just dismayed to learn that the Maui writers conference is no more--now how will I get to Hawaii??

Lisa Zhang Wharton said...

FInd a conference in Hawaii and I will go with you.