Allerton Gardens and Aloha to Kauai

10 years ago, we went on a tour at the Allerton National Tropical Botanical Gardens, near Poipu. I thought it was good then, but this time it was great. Our tour guide was perfect. She was knowledgeable and thorough, and had a way of leading us around and yet sort of trailing off sometimes, a bit like Luna Lovegood from Harry Potter might if she were real and a botanist.

Sis made a cute lil' green bug friend.

I loved this...Miracle Berry from Africa. You eat it first and it makes sour things taste sweet. I read all about it later and apparently it was going to be commercialized here in the states but then there were some sordid doings between the sugar industry and the FDA and it never happened. I found out that you can buy 15 of them on Amazon and have them overnight shipped for $40. I'm not crazy enough to do that but I do wish everyone could try one.

Lots of little water features in the many garden "rooms".

Lots of giant plants.

Mom and Sis sitting on the roots of one of the fig trees from Jurassic Park. There are films being made in the garden all the time, most recently Pirates of the Caribbean 4. Our tour guide told us she'd had a dream about Johnny Depp looking deep into her eyes and saying "It's really cool how you're trying to save native plants." I loved that.

A bad picture of the "famous" beefsteak heliconia.

Mom found a bench that she really liked.

A view of the beach right in front of the garden. There were four protected sea turtle nests on it...and just a little way away, Chase Manhattan Bank was filming a commercial.

Today was our last day. We headed to two favorite spots: Kilauea Bakery and then Ke'e beach. I didn't take many pictures today, but I did get a shot of Lily on the way home, trying to keep her eyes wide open to stay awake. It didn't work.


My sis took a few pictures of the house and grounds where we're staying. It really has been peaceful, very jungle-y, and beautiful. We have lots of chicken residents, a family of black pigs foraging around, and we've had our fill of bananas, avocados, oranges, and limes.

This awapuhi plant is planted thoughtfully near the outdoor shower. You just gently squeeze, and then, boom, no need for soap or shampoo.

The lanai. Scene of lots of hanging out, grilling, playing, and a family of feral cats begging for food.

Plumeria tree.


Here's a little video my sister made of one of our favorite plants in the yard. It's invasive, thorny, and gardeners don't really like it, but it's pretty cool.

The house. Officially named Skipper's Beach Cabana. Lots of fun. Thanks for reading along and aloha!