Tropical Travels

For my first post on this blog, I thought I'd open with a couple of my favorite places to visit. We've always enjoyed trips to tropical destinations. I think the obsession started during our 20-year stay in the Seattle area. Most people who deal with that gloom on a daily basis feel the urge to escape somewhere sunny, especially in the rainy season (which can last for 12 months)! About a year after we moved to Seattle from the Midwest, we decided to take our first trip to Kauai. That trip started a pattern that has lasted since the late 80's.

We used to stay on the sunny end of Kauai down in Poipu, but after moving to Phoenix two years ago, we've decided the North shore is the place! During a hot Phoenix summer, it's wonderful to escape to a beachy clime that has warm tropical rain everyday at some point (not to mention all the lush greenery).

Tunnels Beach is one of our favorite places on the North shore to snorkel and hang out.

Tunnels by Day

Tunnels in the Evening Light

Bali Hai Sunset

There are several other noteworthy snorkeling beachs on Kauai's North shore. One is Ke'e Beach at the end of the road. When you're out in the water snorkeling here, you catch a great view of the gorgeous Napali coastline!

Napali View from Ke'e Beach

Another great snorkeling beach is Hideaway's in the Princeville Resort area. Parking is hard to come by and the trail down to the beach is extremely steep and slick, but it's worth the effort. You'll see lots of colorful fish and even a few turtles! Outfitters from Hanalei use this beach as their destination on kayaking/snorkeling tours.

Hideaways Beach

Our other favorite tropical destination is Isla Mujeres, a small funky island off the coast of Cancun. We went there the first time on a whim in 2002 when we had Alaska Airlines points to burn and wanted the most bang for our buck. A friend at the gym told me about a funky little island he and his wife had visited in the late 80's that had a wonderful palm lined beach where you could wade out in the shallow water forever! I did some online research and found a room at a brand new small hotel that has just opened -- Hotel Secreto. The price was $75 a night including tax and breakfast. When we arrived and saw the room and view, we definitely knew that this was Heaven! We've returned many times since, usually twice a year. When my husband's too busy with work to go, it's a safe destination where I can travel solo. Here are a few of my favorite pics of Isla!

The Blue Caribe

Local Candy Store

Isla Pelicans

Playa Norte

Beach at Mar y Sol

Lighthouse on Medina