Jan 2010 - Last Minute Trip to Kauai

[DirtyDog]

With Death Valley falling apart due to weather, I faced an ultimatum from Megan: "we ARE going to Kauai or else!". So I toughed it out and "got er done". This is how it went:

Our plan was to spend 4 nights in Poipu at the south end of the island and then 3 nights at the north end the island at Hanalei. Poipu is the sunny, dry part of the island with a lot of great beaches and Hanalei is on the wet, mountainous side of the island. While in Poipu we wanted to see Waimea Canyon but rain and fog turned us back. So it was all beach time.

Our humble accommodations - the Koa Kea hotel:

Hawaiian Monk Seal - our daily beach companion:

 

[DirtyDog]

Amazing:

Less amazing, but still interesting:

Apparently Kauai has a huge population of feral chickens. It's somewhat comical although we were often woken up by Roosters.

 

[DirtyDog]

So that part of the trip was mostly sun, surf, and fine dining, and I'm not going to post photos of me in a Speedo so on to part 2! North Kauai and Hanalei are simply amazing. The beach at Hanalei Bay:

View from our Jungle Cottage (which was very reasonably priced and AWESOME):

 

[DirtyDog]

Our plan for the North Island was hiking. First it's the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali coast. This is one of the most stunning hikes anywhere and it did not disappoint!

Cave near the trailhead:

And away on the hike:

 

[DirtyDog]

 

[DirtyDog]

At about the 2 mile mark, at Hanakapiai Beach, a permit is required to continue on the Kalalau Trail. However, there is an option here to head up the valley on the Hanakapiai Falls trail, another 2 miles or so. More jungle goodness:

 

[DirtyDog]

Hanakapiai Falls:

 

[DirtyDog]

Next up: Hanalei Okolehao Trail

Steep!

View of Hanalei

 

[DirtyDog]

Rest time

Amazing views

 

[DirtyDog]

After about the 2 mile mark, the trail gets steep and narrow - enough that ropes are in place in a few spots:

End of the line for us:

It was a great trip, my first to Hawaii. Can't wait to go back

 

[DirtyDog]

Until next time fellow wanderers:

 

[highz]

If you keep on wandering further west like that, we'll have to start looking east for you.

Enjoyed the photos a lot. It's been a while since I was in Kauai, and your pics brought back pleasant memories. Too bad you didn't get to Waimea Canyon, but looks like it was a good time.

 

[1tonpaulie]

DD awesome pics. Really miss the islands and the warm weather. Of all the islands we loved Kauai the best! Always stayed at poipou, right by brenakies resturant. You have made this winter alot better for me.

Thank you!!!!!

Paul

Sorry for missed spelling.

 

[mtn-high]

Awesome. Kauai is a great place to visit. Very romantic.....

My wife wants to know one thing about the trip....

"how big is the ring?"

LOL

mtn (senior in his 29th year of training)

 

[SunMan]

Nice trip DD...looks like it was good fun. Kauai is a beautiful place.

 

[RJones]

"Toughed it out" Don’t you hate it when the better half makes you do hard duty like that. Great Pics for those of us that are snow bound looking for spring.

 

[DirtyDog]

Thanks for the comments Found this amazing photo of the Napali Coast on Wikipedia:

 

[craig333]

As one of the very few people left on the planet who haven't been to hawaii, all I can say is "edited for content". Is that where they filmed the movie about the serial killer?

 

[DirtyDog]

As one of the very few people left on the planet who haven't been to hawaii, all I can say is "edited for content". Is that where they filmed the movie about the serial killer?


Yeah isn't that funny? We saw that film just before we went.....

 

[Silvertip47]

Looks gorgeous!!! Although I have been to Hawaii I didn't get to see much. Our plane to Vietnam broke down and we spent 4 hours at the airport!!!