Final Hawaii Post

Miscellaneous post of some of my favorite moments on Kauai.



Having coffee at Java Kai became a 6AM routine for us.
As much as you can get a routine going in nine days.

(For some reason we just couldn't sleep in while on vacation. Probably the excitement of being there.)





We used a couple of leisure hours there, drinking our coffee (I miss my Maui Mochas), having a muffin, writing our postcards, updating my vacation journal, planning our day, and watching/listening to the locals wander in for their share of caffeine.









The most amusing part was the morning that reached a low of 67˚F. You could certainly tell the locals from the tourists that morning. Kim and I were in shorts and t-shirts, the locals came in wearing long pants and jackets!









Caffe Coco.



I loved this little restaurant. Besides having great and filling food, the atmosphere was just delightful. The majority of restaurant seating on Kauai is outdoors. (Duh! Took me a while to adjust to this concept.) At Caffe Coco this includes mis-matched tables and chairs, a pebble floor, bamboo and banana plants growing inside the restaurant (because it's outside), little strings of lights everywhere at night and a live band.



































All the great food within walking distance of our hotel, including the Hukilau Lanai, (six-course food and wine pairing menu for $40) and Trees Lounge, (wonderful samosas and Key Lime crème brûlée).




























Our ONE day at the beach.

We realized that it was important to at least spend one day doing absolutely nothing.
Yeah, I know, we were in Hawaii for crying out loud. But neither Kim nor I are big "water" people and there is so much to see and do on Kauai.

We walked a couple of blocks from our hotel to this beach. Had it practically to ourselves all day. Except for the monk seal that came ashore near us and the huge sea turtle we could see swimming just off shore.




Kim rented a boogie board for the day. I braved the ocean occasionally without assistance.

Our lunch; beer and potato chips.

We even found a small shade tree to keep the sun off us.































These adorable birds. Red-crested cardinals (or Brazilian cardinals.) They were flitting all over the place. About the size of a sparrow.


























Snowmen (women?) in grass skirts.
















Santa's sleigh being pulled by chickens.



















Our consolation Sunset Dinner cruise. (Our snorkel trip was canceled due to high waves.)




Kim says he enjoyed the cruise; seeing a whale tail, dolphins, sea turtles, and a gorgeous sunset.

I had to take his word for it. All I saw was the inside of a barf bucket.

For 3 1/2 hours.



























Watching the sunset on the beach at our hotel. This became almost a nightly occurrence; grabbing a beer and a pool chair, sitting on the beach after a day of sightseeing. Relaxing while the sun went down. Most nights this included surfers on the ocean.



























Our final day; hiking along the Kuilau Trail. Included some great views, very quiet, saw just two other people.





Also seeing this group of girls dance on our last day. Adorable. Free.

And did I mention adorable?



























Very enjoyable trip. I'd do it again. The guidebook was a great resource for planning ahead.

Na Pali Coast

My favorite sightseeing on Kauai was the Na Pali coast. This is an eleven mile stretch of the coast that is accessible only by hiking or boating.

Lucky for us we arrived at the trail head early (8AM) in the day and avoided some of the other tourists.

























The trail was a slippery, muddy mess. We were glad we had paid attention when our guide book suggested bringing a spare pair of worn shoes just for such an occasion, as Kauai's red dirt stains everything it touches.
We watched some people attempting to step from rock to rock in order to keep their nice clean shoes out of the mud. I'm sure they eventually gave up.













































From these photos you can see why this is such a popular hike.
Around every corner is another gorgeous view.















This is the first small stream we crossed on the way to Hanakapi'ai Beach. The main stream was running much, much higher when we reached it.





















































































Our original plan was to hike the two miles to Hanakapi'ai Beach then turn inland and hike two miles to Hanakapi'ai Falls. Our plan was foiled from the first, because as we set off the park ranger informed us; "there will be no fording of the stream please, as it is running too high." When we reached the stream we understood. Crossing it usually involves water that comes up to one's knees. We watched as one couple forded it with water up to their thighs. The hike to the falls involves crossing this stream many times over.

According to our guidebook; "If the stream looks high and is running swiftly, turn back; the trail up ahead is narrow and dangerous during periods of high water."

*Sigh*. The falls would have been soooo worth the hike.

But we took their advice and turned back once we reached the beach.

You can see from these photos just how furious the ocean was that day. In fact, while we were on Kauai they received some of their largest waves in years.











































Those pictures were taken right at Hanakapi'ai Beach where this somber sign is posted.












With those magnificent views the Na Pali coast was a winner. Even with the muddy, slippery and rather dangerous trail I would definitely revisit this area and optimistically complete the hike to the falls.

Waimea Canyon

Continuing with vacation highlights....

Waimea Canyon is a recommended "don't miss" sight on Kauai. And for good reason. I'm glad we paid attention to the guidebook and made the drive up for the view.





This was the one and only place I wish I'd worn long pants and had a sweatshirt while on Kauai. In just the short eleven mile drive we were in cold, foggy, chilly weather.

But the view was well worth a bit of shivering.




















The canyon is 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3,500-feet deep.









We were glad we continued on past the lodge/museum as the upper viewpoints provided a unique view of the Na Pali coast.
(I'm smiling in this picture but it's forced. I have a real fear of heights and we were right on the edge of a cliff. A kind tourist took our picture and was joking that he hoped Kim had behaved himself so I didn't feel the need to push him off the cliff.)




Just look at that coastline. It's really something, isn't it?
Next post I'll show our hike along that trail.




We hiked down into the canyon just a bit. Hiking to the bottom is an option, as is camping out.





One of Kim's panoramas; (He's got this cool option on his new camera.)



It's difficult to stop staring when presented with such a sight.
I'm embarrassed to admit I've never yet been to the Grand Canyon. But this sight helps me appreciate the attraction.

Kauai Garden #2

The second garden we visited on Kauai was the National Tropical Botanical Garden located on the south side of the island.
(You can see the first garden here.)




This garden varied quite a bit from the Na'Aina Kai Botanical Garden. (For one thing there were no statues.)

There are two separate gardens here. We chose to take the self-guided tour through the McBryde Garden.

The display garden was lovely enough to start...




....but the view got better and better. Just look at that giant banana plant!





























Here is one of the many Monkey Pod trees that grow on Kauai.
From How Stuff Works:
"A monkeypod tree can grow to a large size, reaching heights of 50 to 80 feet (15 to 24 meters), with a broad crown or canopy resembling an umbrella. The canopy is what makes this tree special. It typically grows about 100 feet (30 meters) in diameter, but can go as big as 200 feet (61 meters) if the tree is very old. The canopy grows biggest when the tree can grow in an open space, where it has the freedom to spread out. Because the canopy on a monkeypod tree can grow so wide, it makes a great shade tree."

They certainly would make a great shade tree but I don't think I'd want to plant one in my yard. Just look at the size of these trees!





Kim and I enjoyed wandering through this garden at our own pace. The tram driver informed us he would return every hour and we could take all the time we needed.

We certainly felt as if we had entered a tropical paradise.








































Just look at the orchid-like flowers with which this shrub is loaded.
















































Cocoa plant.























Orchids seem to appear everywhere.


















Even the scenery on the way to the garden was beautiful.





A real winner. We loved this garden. I wish we could have viewed the Allerton Garden also. Perhaps there will be a next time on Kauai for us.