I was contacted by another traveller for more information about 
our stay on this trip. Here is the email that I he sent and my replies.

Date: Sun, 5 Apr 2009 13:01:08 -0400

> I am going to Kauai in a couple of weeks and I found your
> web site by searching for the house we are staying at, which
> is the same one you stayed at in 2008. What did you think of
> it? I know it's not luxurious with a pool and a view, but
> did you find it acceptable? Is there anything I should know
> about or be prepared for (positive or negative) or need to
> bring with me? In particular, is there much road noise being
> so close to the road?

It was a beautiful house. I'd gladly stay there again if we needed 
that much space. As it was, we had 6 adults and 2 small children.
My brother, his wife and kids stayed together in the master suite.
My wife and I had the larger back bedroom with the large bed.
My parents had the smaller bedroom with the split beds. 

The big thing to keep in mind is that most houses out there have no A/C.
This one is that way. There are plenty of windows to open for breezes
and the house never felt hot or stuffy. The downside is, Kauai has
chickens. They wake up at 5am. So do you, with the windows open and the
chickens crowing! We got used to it, that it wasn't a big problem.
Just an adjustment. There are also small lizards that come out at night.
They mostly stay out of the house, but one or two came in to join us.

I don't remember any problem with noise from the cars. Yes, there'd be a
car going by every few minutes. They drive pretty slowly and generally
were respectful of the neighborhood that they were passing through.

> How was Anini Beach? Were your shots taken right by the
> house n the eastern shore or did you venture west? Did
> you find it safe in the evenings? I have read about some
> problems with speeders, loud music, drug addicts/dealers,
> and homeless at the campground. Is the house far enough away
> from all that so it isn't an issue?

The house is just off the point on the eastern end. I hiked out to that
point a couple mornings to look for sunrises. One evening I hiked west
to look for sunsets. It's a good 5-10 minute walk on the beach before
you reach the campground and park area. It was loud and roudy down
there, especially in the evening when I passed though. Even so, I
didn't feel unsafe walking through by myself with my camera gear in
tow. The crowds stuck to the park. Once in a while someone would walk
east near the house but they were the friendly hiker types and never
caused any trouble. 

The beach by the house is great. Mostly the water is very shallow and
there is no surf to speak of. It's all protected reef. All of the
underwater photos I took were right there by the house, often in 2-4
feet of water. 

> Finally, you have some great pictures! In particular, I was
> curious which beaches produced the pictures of the larger
> schooling fish. I'd like to do some snorkeling if the weather
> permits and it seems like there were more fish on reefs other
> than at Anini, but you don't list them. Any recommendations?

I didn't go diving except right there by the house. Too many other
things to do and too little time. :-) My family stayed 3 days longer
than my wife and I did, so I'm not really sure where they went for the
last page of photos.

> Thank you very much! You took some great photos that really
> whet my appetite for Kauai!

My parents picked up this book before the trip and it was 
really great for advice on what to see and do out there:

The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, by Andrew Doughty
www.wizardpub.com

That's the best place I can think of for diving and beach advice. 
We used the book a lot on the trip, and I even bought myself a copy 
*after* the trip for reference. 

Have a wonderful time. The island is really beautiful. 

Charles