Kauai Day 11 - Catamaran cruise

Today we got up super early so we could get to Port Allen by 7:15a for a day long cruise on the Southern Star down the NaPali Coast. The catamaran was amazing. Captain Kawika and his crew (Pat, Claire and Calvin) met us onboard with pineapples and cinnamon buns for breakfast. The Southern Star is basically brand new (about 3 years old) and for the first 2 years was used exclusively for private charters. For about the last 6 months they have used it as a regular boat in their line up. It's worth about 2 million dollars, the Captain said. Right out of the harbour, we spotted our first dolphin. As we headed down the Waimea coast, we stopped to watch some "spinning" dolphins, who would jump out of the water and spin 3 or 4 times in the air before hitting the water again. The next pod we ran into here bottle nosed dolphins and they swam with the boat for quite a long time. Kathleen, Nathan, Michae and I were sitting on the trampolines at the front of the boat and so we had an excellent spot to watch all the activity.  As we turned the corner to head down the NaPali coast, the water became more choppy and the sea sickness started :( It affected lots of us (I only got queasy, though...no puking from me). We stopped for a bit of snorkelling which wasn't that great. We have seen more fish at other places. After snorkelling, they provided lunch - but I didn't eat anything as I was sure that if I did, I'd see it again really soon over the side of the boat. Once we got back under way, I stood at the front of the boat (kind of like in the Titanic "I'm kin of the world" scene) and felt better as the wind and the sea spray hit my face. We saw a few sea turtles on the way back :) The coastline is so beautiful, and really unlike anything I have ever seen. The earth is an amazing place. God's design is awe inspiring. I really can't find words to describe the beauty of this place. I love being here in this beautiful place with my family - it really is paradise!