Finally, Day 6. The last day and it is actually also my birthday. I woke up and received voicemails, text messages, and Facebook messages from friends and family back home. That was a great start to our day. We’re scheduled to check out by noon, however, we don’t fly until late tonight, 10pm Hawaii time. So what to do with all that time…..and mind you, all the rain that California needed is here in Hawai’i.

EGGBERT’s – Nancy took me here for breakfast. We went here 8 years ago during our honeymoon, and remembered loving the food that we ate. We ordered Banana Mac-Nut pancakes, and pork chops and eggs with white rice. Being the Filipino that I am, I asked for vinegar so I can dip the pork chop and eat it with my rice.

NORTH SHORE, ABOUT FACE – I told myself that I want to try and go up to the North Shore one more time. Heck, we have 12 hours to kill. But because it was raining, we took a turn back and decided to just hang around the area.

WAILUA FALLS – not far from the resort is Wailua Falls. Remember, it was pouring rain, yet tourists like us and many others braved the 4 mile drive up to Wailua. I remember 8 years ago, we went to Wailua Falls, watched it from the Scenic Lookout, and braved the trail to go down the falls. Today was different. I noticed barricades – not sure if there’s a trail anymore for tourists. Once we arrived at the lookout, we heard the water gushing down. But it’s not the clean white water or how else can I describe it? But it was more on the brown looking type of water. I figured it must be from all the rain. It sure looked different the other day when we saw Opaekaa Falls.

MARK’S PLACE – this is where we went for lunch. Again, it’s off the beaten path and I wanted to savor our very last moments in Kaua’I by eating more local food. It’s off of Puhi Road, not too far from Costco. Mark’s Place is in the industrial area. We tried going there over the weekend, but they are closed. And on the weekdays, it’s only open from 10-2pm. Tight window of eating opportunity. So what did I order? Ahi Poke Kimchee Tako Donburi – wow that’s a mouthful. It’s actually a salad. So here I am expecting tuna with mixed greens. Instead, I struck it gold. It was raw tuna, with octopus, seaweed, with pickled cucumbers sitting on top of the sweetest sushi rice. Bingo! Eureka! Sprinkled around it were little salmon or fish eggs. It was delish. It was 1 of the today’s specials. They must’ve know it was my birthday! Hehehe While paying I notice a dessert looking thing – so I ordered it – a Peach with Cream Bavarian. It was sooo good. Picture an angel cake or pound cake and on top of it is white cream with chunks of peaches. All that was missing is a candle. Happy birthday to me! To Mark's Place - I'll be back!

I’M SWIMMING IN THE RAIN, AGAIN – I don’t recall the last time I showered in the rain. I don’t think I know any one who loves the idea of getting drenched by the rain. While Nancy and Caitlin decided to do some last minute shopping, I chose to stay in the resort and swim. I joined a few guests in the Jacuzzi. This is one thing I love about traveling – meeting people. Last night, we met folks from San Jose and Phoenix. Today, I had a great conversation with people from Kentucky, Daytona Beach, and a great couple, Todd and Michelle, from Illinois. We talked for the longest time about our kids and the Hawai’I trip. They kept quizzing me about places to eat, and for tonight, I hope they enjoyed their meal at The Buill Shed (that’s where we ate last night).

KITE SURFER and WINDSURFER – from where the Jacuzzi was situated, we can all see the ocean, and choppy waves. There were also the kite surfer and wind surfer. I must have stayed in the pool/Jaccuzzi area for nearly 2 hours, and those surfers were there for that duration. What a great show!

NOODLES FOR LONG LIFE – it is a tradition that on our birthdays, we have to eat anything that symbolizes long life – it can be a pasta or any type of noodle. Nancy asked me where I want to eat and we didn’t really have the luxury to go far so we chose whatever was nearby. We went to Mema (a Thai/Chinese restaurant across from Kintaro Japanese Steakhouse). I was not expecting a lot. All I wanted to do was order some oriental noodle dish so I can live, live, and live. I said “Thai-Chinese? Make up your mind? Are you a Thai or a Chinese Restaurant? But I decided, I’d give it a try. I went with regular Thai faves, a Chicken Pad Thai and Tom Kha Kai which is a Spicy Chicken Coconut Soup. There’s only 1 restaurant that wows me when it comes to Chicken Soup and Pad Thai and that is the Original Thai BBQ Resturant in Los Angeles. Mema’s version surprisingly floored me. Both dishes were tasty. The soup was especially chunky, and one major thing I noticed, the richness of the Coconut soup itself – maybe it was from real fresh coconut? I will never know. Mema – I shall return!

BRINGING ONE and LEAVING TWO – We have 3 kids, we only brought 1 of them, Caitlin, the other 2 are in school and will miss too many days. We’re glad Caitlin was with us. Ethan (7) and Madison (5) are so involved with school, and sports activities, and we seem to devote much of our time with them after school. This trip allowed us to focus on Caitlin. It was all about Caitlin and I’m sure she enjoyed all the attention from Mom and Dad. It’s funny – Ethan and Madison would call us during this trip, and they’d ask for Caitlin. They miss her dearly, and I’m sure Caitlin feels the same way.

TASTY TRAVELS SIGNING OFF – For now, this is all from Tasty Travels. Our next trip, the really “planned” vacation is coming up in 2 days….yes 2 days. We’re going to Mexico. So from ALOHA, soon we will be saying HOLA!

Good night and Mahalo for joining this journey with me and my family.