Aloha!

Greetings from Kauai! Or, to quote Jason: "Hey, the ants here are different from our ants at home." Despite the huge freakin' spiders, it's quite beautiful. We're staying in Princeville in a condo that looks out on the beach from "South Pacific."

The flight over was fine - I was kind of suprised since United generally gives me a rash. The lady at the car rental counter pronounced Jason's last name right the first try - he says that's the first time it ever happened.

It was rainy for most of yesterday, so we spent it picking up our snorkel gear and getting oriented with the island. There's basically one main road - and you figure out what is where by the mile markers. It was rainy yesterday, which really made it look like Ireland with all the overwhelming green. Of course it was about 40 degrees warmer.

Today we spent the morning snorkeling at 'Anini Beach and Lydgate - both of which were good for newbies like us. Jason tossed aside the floaty life preserver thing during our second session. I still love mine, even if it makes me look like a five year old.

This afternoon we drove east on the one road to see some caves and take some pictures. Got a cool one of Jason half in the light of the cave and half in the dark. I'll post it when we figure out how...we're on dial-up right now and it's kind of driving me batty.

Right now it's raining - I went outside before it started and wondered why I couldn't see many stars. Duh.

Digging up bones

As part of their special travel issue, the L.A. Times magazine did a cover story on Malta last Sunday, written by archaeology mystery author Lyn Hamilton.

A trip to research a mystery and a tax-write off to boot? You go girl.

• Isle of Intrigue

upper class - the only way to fly

i used miles to upgrade to virgin's upper class on the flight home. it makes such an enormous difference to fly in upper... eat what you want, when you want. sleep on a flat surface. watch what you want when you want. you can even stay in the reclined position through landing since all seats have aisle access. well worth the upgrade.