Kauai Highlights
Teresa and I spent seven days on Kauai. We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in Poipu. Its located on the south shore of Kauai which is the sunniest spot on the island. We loved the resort. It seemed like every other day there was a free Mai Thai happy hour facing the ocean. The small beach was perfect for sunbathing and swimming. Our room was even more amazing. Situation oceanfront, we ate each breakfast on our balcony. In the evenings, we watched the sunset with a few drinks. We were completely spoiled.
We choose Kauai for its mix of beach and adventure. Anne, our travel agent, schedule a few activities for us. The first was a snorkeling expedition along the Na Pali Coast. We rode in a small craft from Waimea north to Na Pali. We were treated to close encounters with dolphins and turtles. The captain drove the boat into various sea caves. Of course, we saw jaw dropping views of some of the greatest sea cliffs in the world. Eventually, the boat beached and we snorkeled for around an hour. I’d never snorkeled before; I was amazed by the colorful fish. I couldn’t believe how close you could swim to their schools. The entire expedition was a reminder of the beauty and power of nature. Our second handpicked adventure was a safari. The day began with a kayak ride up the Hule’ia River to Kipu Ranch. The private ranch boasts forests, watering holes, rivers, mountains, grassland and even waterfalls. We hiked through the forest, flung ourselves from a rope swing, tore down a zip-line, jumped off waterfalls, saw pigs and peacocks! The day was non-stop, but my favorite parts were the zip-line and waterfall. During the zip-line, I let myself dangle upside down. At Kipu Falls, I leaped 20 feet from the top to the water as many times as possible.
Our days were jammed packed. We’d sleep like rocks and eat like hippos. I have to mention a few favorite meals and beer. The best tasting beer was the Kona Brewing Company Wailua Wheat. It is a refreshing and light wheat with hints of Lilikoi. Grabbing lunch on the go didn’t mean compromising taste. My first favorite lunch was in Poipu at Puka Dog. I first saw these Hawaiian Hot Dogs on No Reservations. I had to have them for myself. A Hawaiian Hot Dog is either a Polish Sausage or Veggie Dog shoved into a cocoon of a bun. You choose from an array of sweet relishes such as the Kauai Special with Mango or Polihale Sunset with Papya. I really loved the Polihale Sunset. My second favorite lunch was in Hanalei at Tropical Taco. You can’t go wrong with a huge and tasty burrito. We had three spectacular dinners and all for different reasons. One night, we order pizza and enjoyed our balcony. We listened to our own music and marveled at the beauty and power of the ocean. Our best tastying dinner was in Hanalei at Postcards Cafe. The cafe is a small and inviting converted cottage with an excellent seafood and natural menu. We rolled in without a reservation and covered in sand. We were a bit dressed down, but the servers didn’t seem to mind. We shared Thai Summer Rolls. For dinner, I enjoyed a delicious Wasabi Crusted Ahi and Teresa ate the Francesca. Unbelievable. Our dinner with the best view was back on the South Shore. We managed to secure a perfect bar seat at The Beach House. The restaurant is completely open-air with great views of the ocean and shore. We ate only appetizers and enjoyed a few Wailua Wheats. The atmosphere was top notch.
Teresa and I found our own adventure and beaches; we hiked the beginning of the Kalalau Trail from Ke’e Beach to Hanakapi’ai Beach on Kauai’s North Shore. Its only a few miles but is a strenous walk through thick forest and wild rock formations. I have much respect for those that attempt the full 11 miles. Hanakapi’ai Beach is a stunning reward for your efforts. A fresh water stream meets the raging surf to form a beautiful spot. After finishing the hike, I was glad to relax on the calmer Ke’e Beach and enjoy the sunset. We even got up close and personal with an endangered Kauai Monk Seal.
One adventure didn’t involve a single beach. We drove Waimea Canyon and visited Waimea and Koke’e State Parks. The drive is steep and winding from Kauai’s West Shore into the Canyon. Both Teresa and I became car sick. We didn’t let our stomachs spoil the impeccable views of Waimea Canyon and the Kalalau Valley.
One of my favorite spots on Kauai was a beach. At the very end of the road on Kauai’s West Shore is Polihale State Park. The rental car took a beating on the long dirt road to the end of the park. It features 17 miles of white sandy beach making it the longest on Kauai. The beach faces west directly into the Pacific; the currents here are strong. I attempted to body surf but quickly changed my mind. As you sunbathe on the beach, the imposing Na Pali Coast keeps close watch. At one point, only four other people shared this entire space with Teresa and I. We’d stay until sunset, but didn’t have a clear enough day to see the sun lower on the water. However, the experience wasn’t disappointing with clouds. Each moment in the park, I felt miles away from anything, completely content and relaxed. I don’t think there is a better spot on Kauai.
