A June trip to Kauai

Old Jun 16th, 2016, 04:19 PM
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Kal
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A June trip to Kauai

Been a long time since I filed a TR but here it goes….

As some of you may know, we kinda like Kauai.
Been going over every year since our 10th wedding anniv in ‘89. The only year we missed was the Hurricane Iniki year.

Over the years we have established our “Kauai Ohana” and thank goodness for the internet we stay close in touch throughout the year to keep abreast of what is going on, good and bad..

A few years back they talked us into coming over for a June visit. Most of our visits have been in Nov/Dec and Jan so we thought why not especially when they told us about this event:
http://www.tasteofhawaii.com/

We went for our first “Taste” about 5 yrs ago and REALLY enjoyed it. Lot of good food, beer, wine, mai tais, chocolates, pastries/cookies etc and always 3-4 good bands playing at any given time.

Another great June event we stumbled upon 2 yrs ago was the Haena to Hanalei 8 Mile Run sponsored by The Hanalei Canoe Club. http://www.hanaleicanoeclub.org/pages/haena_run.php

When we did it 2 yrs ago the weather could not have been mo’ bettah….this year a bit of a different story. Does the word “monsoon” ring a bell?

Sprinkled, rain and the poured about 6 of the 8 miles, mostly at the start. I couldn’t have been more soaked had I swam from Haena to Hanalei.
But the Lovely Mrs Kal and I persevered
She ran it and I walked it. <damn old aged knee>

Rental car: Hotwire $17/day Chevy Malibu thru Alamo.

First 2 nights condo: Wyndham Ka eo kai. Great service but meh…..just one of hundreds of boring condos in P’nille. Good view tho.
We stayed in Princeville for the first nights because the 8 Miler has a 5am-ish check in time and the shuttles start taking people out to Haena at Zero Dark 30. Driving up for our usual base in Kapaa is waaaay too dark! Yeah...I said it...it’s too dark on Kauai.

4 nights at the Courtyard Marriott in Kapaa. 4th floor room, view of the “ugly Coconut Coast”.
Nice restaurant, bar, pool but not a very swimmable beach at all.

We usually stay at The Islander on the Beach just a few hundred yards from the Courtyard. We’ve been staying there EVERY trip since ‘89 so when they gave me a “special returnee rate” for our usual room and we found out it was basically a AAA rack rate, we were VERY disappointed.
I did let them know about it especially since we normally book our regular Dec/Jan trip in June.

The GM called us and apologized for the miscommunication and offered us a very good rate. We had already booked the C’yard but told her if she gave us that rate for our 17 days in Jan we’d book it done. Done deal.
We could have cancelled the C'yard but it's the principle of the thing, yah?

Cruising around:
Wake Up Cafe in Hanalei still serves a great b’fast.
Tahiti Nui’s Julia is still a gracious bartender and serves pretty cold beer. We scored the Clooney/Bridges seats again.
Tiki Iniki a nice little bar/resto in the P’ville Center.
Bouchon’s. Very good calamari appetizer and very fresh fish.
Oly Cafe also still serving a great breakfast/view and Bloody Mary!
Bullshed still great steaks/sea foods and ocean spray views.
Kauai Brewing Co in Port Allen still make some fine brews.
Polihale still beautiful and the road is still bouncey bouncey.
St. Theresa's Church in Kekaha is beautiful especially when the sun starts to set.
Foodland in P’ville has nice choices in prepped and easily prepped foods.
Lava Lava-a bit expensive but GREAT pupus and the setting a gorgeous. Live music most of the time.
The Beach Hut in Nawiliwili is always a great place for a getaway day breakfast.

Flew Hawaiian Air from SMF to LIH via HON. Scored the Exit Rows both ways.
But their planes are always s-o-o-o-o-o Ch-Ch-Ch-chilly. Always great service.

Only 201 more days until we return to that hellhole.
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Old Jun 16th, 2016, 04:45 PM
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I think you mean vile hellhole. ;-)
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Old Jun 16th, 2016, 06:20 PM
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"LIKE"
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Old Jun 16th, 2016, 07:43 PM
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Kal
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BEYOND vile hellhole, Scoots.

Continuing research by me and my assistant is needed.

MichelleY....book your trip in Jan and we'll be your guides.
;-)
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Old Jun 16th, 2016, 07:48 PM
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BTW...We ate at Streets Burger in Jan and then at "The Taste".
Very good stuff. Plus the restaurant has like 20+ craft beers.

Also VERY impressed with Tiki Tacos at The Taste. We'll go back this Jan.
Passion Bakery, too
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Old Jun 16th, 2016, 08:01 PM
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Kal - I think I am going to bite the bullet and get my knee replaced in January. It would be so much fun with you guys!
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Old Jun 17th, 2016, 10:59 AM
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What great fun! I can't wait until I return to Kauai, whenever that is!
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Old Jun 17th, 2016, 12:43 PM
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Thanks, Kal.
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Old Jun 18th, 2016, 07:46 AM
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Kal
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Mahalo....we were thinking of you and Enz when we drove over to Pt Allen and Salt Pond.
Still saddened.
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Old Jun 23rd, 2016, 08:46 AM
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Once again, some great tips, Kal....thanks!
Our plan is to return to Hawaii this winter... Kauai is calling!
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Old Jun 23rd, 2016, 12:21 PM
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Kal,

I am w/ envy! Loved your report! Can't wait to be back on Kauai but can't complain...I'm leaving for London tomorrow!

DH & I are going w/ my Dad. We have been promising my Dad we would go on this dream trip for the last 3 years and we finally made it happen! We have to skip Kauai but these next 10 days will be priceless!

Louistraveler will be back on Kauai in 2017...336 days, already counting...!

Trip report when I'm back on the Europe board if anyone is interested!
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Old Jun 24th, 2016, 01:50 PM
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Louistraveler5: I trust you'll have an amazing trip. I surprised my Dad with a trip to London for his 80th birthday and it was fantastic.

Kal: I kept looking for you on Kauai. I stopped every person with a margarita and asked, "Are you Kal?" I don't know why I got such funny looks. ;-)
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Old Jun 26th, 2016, 07:59 AM
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Kal
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Alohaaaaaa

I forgot to add The First Saturday Art Walk in "Downtown Kapaa".
We missed it this time due to us getting up at 4:00am to be at Hanalei Pier by 5am for the 8 miler. OY! I think we saw 8pm before clicking the TV off.

we've been before and it's a pretty good time. Parking is a big hassle tho. Mrs Kal scored some decent chotskies.

@ Kanunu....we'll be back around Jan 4th and 17 days. We love the "harsh Winters" on Kauai. We were having great weather at home 2 trips ago and some friends actually said "Aren't you sad you spent that money to go over there when we're having such great winter weather here". LOL
OH HELL NOOOOOOOO I just sent them pix of the view from our lanai where you could spit in the ocean.

@ L'traveler. I want to go back to London so bad but it's the only thing Mrs Kal and I disagree on (well maybe ONE of the things) is she didn't like London! WTH!?!?!
Glad to hear the reason for your trip tho. Looking forward to your TR.

@ songdoc...Margaritas?? That was your problem. I'm a Bloody Mary Man!
I was looking for you, too. I slowed down by every walker up in P'ville/Hanalei who was carrying some parchment and a quill, stroking his chin wondering if Ono Cafe's mac/nut pancakes could be as good as Kountry Kitchen's. :-?

173 mo' days.
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Old Jun 28th, 2016, 08:42 PM
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2017 we are going back! It has been 2 years and I am ready for Kauai. Last year we did a short trip to the BI and I enjoy it but it is NOT Kauai..... Will keep some of your recommendations. Thanks for the tips Songdoc. We probably will be staying North Shore then . I can't believe how overpriced Poipu has become.
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 01:27 PM
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Alohaaaa Shar.

We have 2 friends over there now texting us pix. Ahhhhhh.....188ish mo days....
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Old Jun 29th, 2016, 06:01 PM
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Dang!

<I was looking for you, too. I slowed down by every walker up in P'ville/Hanalei who was carrying some parchment and a quill, stroking his chin wondering if Ono Cafe's mac/nut pancakes could be as good as Kountry Kitchen's.>

hehehe.
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Old Jul 2nd, 2016, 07:48 PM
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Speaking of Bloody Marys, have there been enough requests from Canadians in Kauai, that Caesars are available anywhere?
They are like a Bloody Mary, but with Clamato instead of tomato juice, and a few other items.... quite popular in curling clubs and elsewhere, in 'The Frozen North'.
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Old Jul 6th, 2016, 01:00 PM
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Kal
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@ songdoc....

@ Kanunu....Hmmmmmmmmm Very interesting drink! I must try it!

A lot of Canadians stay at The Islander. They got me back into hockey when we were at The Sand Bar. GO PENGUINS!
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Old Jul 20th, 2016, 08:23 PM
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Kal, you are the Kauai KING! I'm booked at the Islander for the first two nights and then the last night for my trip in April 17. Taking copious notes. Can't wait!!!
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Old Jul 21st, 2016, 08:47 AM
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Dying for a Oly Cafe's Bloody Mary as we watch the Sleeping Giant snooze away.
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