Hubs and I just returned from eight days on the lovely island of Kauai, Hawaii. Our visit towards the end of February gave us temperatures in the mid-70’s with a couple of warm, rainy days. Kauai is known as the “garden island,” so travelers should be prepared for a little rain.
First, just for fun…It was pointed out to me that the east side of Kauai, when viewed from above, looks a bit like Chewbacca!
Now on to the important stuff. We stayed up on the north shore, in a condo (VRBO) in Princeville. While there, be sure to visit:
This landmark represents the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian Islands. The unbelievable turquoise waters below the lighthouse point are worth the trip.
Before I went to Kauai, I wasn’t a big fan of fish. Well, if there is any place on earth to change that opinion, it was at the Dolphin. The Dolphin boasts the freshest fish in Hawaii, and the servers were well versed in the characteristics of each type of fish. These folks are also pros at impeccable preparation. The Dolphin operates on a first come, first served basis, but there is a lovely garden where you can enjoy a cocktail and appetizers. The menu has non-fish entrees, but trust me…try the fish!
If you are staying on the north side of the Island, Sunshine Helicopters offers tours which take off from the Princeville airport. Of all the places to take a helicopter tour, Kauai is the place. Because much of this rugged island is inaccessible by road, a helicopter tour gives a unique perspective, along with fun narration from the pilot.
Waimea Canyon by helicopter
A word of caution: We allowed the concierge at the resort to book our flight, and found out upon returning that we’d have saved $200 had we booked it online ourselves. (But wait…we’d have saved $190.00 if we’d attended the Wyndham timeshare spiel….hmm – learn from our mistake!)
We took a tour over to the Na Pali coast on the island, via Blue Dolphin Tours. Not only was the coast absolutely stunning, but the captain and crew aboard this large catamaran were over the top hospitable, offering breakfast, juices, sodas, lunch, and after snorkeling, the bar opened. A wonderful day!
Poipu, Koloa and the Spouting Horn
Be certain to follow highway 520 to the southernmost part of island. En route, you will pass through the Tree Tunnel, made of eucalyptus trees. Old Koloa Town, the island’s first sugar plantation town, is charming and worth the stop. Continuing on to Po’ipu, you will find Po’pu Beach Park and Brennecke’s Beach Broiler. Enjoy one of the best Mai Tais ever built and some ridiculously yummy food!
The Spouting Horn Beach Park is worth a visit. The horn is made from a lava shelf, where water from waves is forced through an opening, squirting water out a blowhole. This particular blowhole is different from others, because air rushes through another hole, making a moaning sound. Some say it’s a dragon…
What Kauai trip would be complete without a beautiful, beach sunset. The stunning Kekaha Beach Park is part of a 15 mile stretch of white sand beach. While this is not a beach for swimming because it is unprotected from the ocean and has strong rip-tides, it is a lovely spot for sunbathing or beach combing – or in our case, watching the sunset:
We’re home now, and our Kauai trip did just what was intended. Get us out of the snowy north until spring was at least visible. My forsythia is starting to bloom outside my window. Guess it worked.
Lynn
An Encore Voyage 