Well, we spent 2 weeks (5/8-5/22) in Kauai. I know...Why there? Lots of Chickens, cats, Rain, no where to eat...yada yada.
I can honestly say, in the 6 times I have been there, the weather could not have been more perfect!! I actually missed the rain..you know with rain you get waterfalls! So, the ususal waterfalls from the mountain were missing, but I did ok with the Sunshine. Two weeks is alot to report on, but I will give you a few highlights.
#1 HIGHLIGHT
I met iceeu2 and RNCheryl and their spouses. Both couples were extremely nice and although I spent a little more time with i'2, I wish we had a little more time.
Keep in mind I have an (almost) 3 year old with me, so we were limted to our activities and ate in a little more than ususal.
We hit alot of the usual spots for dining and have no real complaints. CJ's, Hanalei Gourmet, Tahiti Nui (for Pizza and drinks), Dolphin, Kalyspo. The Nui was busy the night we were in there, so pizza took a little long, other than that service was great everywhere else, including Kalypso. Excellent meal at the Lighthouse Bistro and at Plantation Gardens in Poipu. Java Kai was great for breakfast. Chevron was just ok in my opinion. Alot of food for the price, but a little too greasy. OF COURSE, TOO MANY TRIPS TO TROPICAL DREAMS. That ice cream has to be the best ever! Kona coffee with brownie..ummm mouth watering. Getting ice cream and going down the street towards the lighthouse to watch the sunset...can't think of a more perfect evening. Unless I had a Longboard lager too!
Speaking of drinks...Westin had a nice happy hour at the pool bar. $5 drinks, $2 draught beers.
My husband is a golfer and did get some golfing in. He thought the Prince course could have been in better shape. Did Kiahuna, Wailua, and Kukuiolono Golf Course--($9 for 9 holes..with cart $14). He was happy with them all. Wailua he golfed with a man who was practicing for the US Open qualifier that was held on May 23. (Austrailian pro).
DH did take my son on Sunshine Helicopters out of Princeville. Ride was great. DS did great. We booked ourselves, and when we called, the reservation line is in Maui. We were quoted one price and upon arrival given another. After some phone calls, etc a price was agreed upon. Not the way you want to start an excursion.
I did the Zip Line from the Princeville Ranch. I have done it before and still enjoyed it. I think it was a little boring this time because everyhing was dry. Usually you zip line over
streams, this time those were missing. Great guides and fun time though.
Has some friends join us for a bit and wanted to show them the Kaualau trail. We didn't plan to hike to the beach..so only went in for a little bit. Trail has eroded quite a bit since
I was last on it. Made it difficult holding a 30 lb. toddler! The Negative to this is...somehow I had my money stolen. I put my purse in the car trunk and although we
thought we locked the car..now we aren't sure. The burglar got into the trunk and took only my cash from the wallet. So, heed the visitor warnings. Leave money out of rental cars.
The lighthouse was great as usual. Lots of birds nesting. Didn't see any whales although some were spotted that week.
We chose the Luau at Kilohana. Mostly because of the included train ride. My son loved that! Luau has round tables..a little more intimate feel. Food was great and dancers very good too. I would recommend. (have not tried Smith's yet though)
Queens' bath was nice. We did not go into water. Trail was not bad.
I am sure I have left alot out of this report...but all I can say is Kauai did not disappoint me. It's a beautiful place and continues to WOW me.
Anyone interested in pics...my DH takes way too many!!
http://www1.snapfish.com/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=562485012/a=98516919_98516919/otsc=SHR/otsi=SALBlink/COBRAND_NAME=snapfish/
Northshore Kauai report
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Thanks for the report!! Glad you had a great trip.
Did you stay at the Westin? Were you happy with the choice? How was the pool there?
Which beaches did you visit? Did your son have a favorite?
I'm jealous that you were able to spend two whole weeks! I bet it is rough being home.
Your pics are good too!!
We stayed at Bali Hai villas. We went to all kinds of beaches. Annini, hanelai, lydgate, secret, ke'e, the others I don't even know the names. The water was so calm the fist
week I couldn't believe it. Annini and Lydgate were great for my little guy. Very safe I thought.
I'm jealous of the two weeks, too! Looks like you had a great time, introducing your son to the beauty of Kauai. Did you sneak into the Hyatt? Some of the photos look like their lagoon pool. (SShhh...I won't tell on YOU if you don't tell on ME)
WOW! Never too many pictures. You captured the spirit of that magical island.
Glad to meet you, my friend.
What? NO RAIN!?
I'm jonesing for a hell-hole fix. Thanks for the trip report.
From where did all the blasted cats come? I don't remember seeing so many as we did this time. They were everywhere.
CATS? I'm allergic to cats! ANOTHER reason not to go to Kauai!
Toldyah Tropical Dreams was purdy good. Did he talk your ear off?
Nice pix too. Great idea on writing the name and year in the sand! He will look back and laff.
Kal--boy can that guy talk. He's part of the fun going there though. Just pick a hot topic and watch him go.
I had toasted coconut and the real icee had chocolate coconut macadamia nut! What did everyone else eat there? That is probably the best ice cream I have ever had in my life. We did try a scoop a few days later from Lappert's and it does not even begin to compare to Tropical Dreams.
I had tthe choc coconut macadamia nut too, the
kona coffee brownie and cherry vanilla with dark chocolate.
(I told you we went too many times!)
DH did try the soft serve lighthouse sundae..why bother?? It's dairy free, sugar free, etc.... Not bad, but if I am getting ice cream I am going for the good stuff!
Thanks for the report. Glad you had great trip with the little guy! (and the big guy!)
g...He is so funny and very friendly.
He had us taste almost every one of the ice creams.
Good product. I think the person who started the franchise is on the BI and was a dessert chef for Wolfgang Puck at one time.
I got home and tore up my Lapperts card.
Kal-I asked for 2 different flavors in a cup...No go.
Can't do more than one, that's their policy. Too funny.
We heard the Wolfgang Puck story too. Barbara, I think is her name. Now we just have to get it to the mainland.
Although our waist lines might be glad it's not here
We also got the Wolfgang Puck story! Did you all get the MCI Worldcom story?
Can't believe I missed Tropical Dreams during my north shore sojourn last month. The good news, however, is that I've already booked a return for early November. I will need to sample several flavors to make sure it is actually better than Lapperts. (I did visit the original Lapperts in Hanapepe during the west shore part of my trip)
We like the north shore of Cow-Why the best and just took advantage of a package deal that we couldn't resist even though it was only for 5 days. Most of the time we cruised the beaches that we love: Hanalei, Anini, Anahola and Larsens and Kealia. We didn't bother to take our boards and rented them in Hanalei. JavaKai a must for a good afternoon buzz. Weather was nice in May. Check out www.trailblazerhawaii.com archives for photos if you haven't seen Kauai or any of Hawaii for that matter.
hey, gmac - great trip report!! We are thinking of going in August and will be on the east shore for about ~5 days. I have a little boy who will be 3 in September and am looking for activities that he will enjoy as well..looks like the helicopter ride is a great option. How about horse-back ride? Is there anything else you specifically recommend with the little guy? Of course, beaches & Tropical Dreams are a given... would love to hear your opinion.
Hi gmac - thanks for sharing. How did your toddler do with the time difference (as far as sleeping, etc)? I have a 2 1/2 year old and worry about that for if we take him to Hawaii anytime soon (we live in Texas).
Wow, CajunStorm. I was about to ask the same question. I have 22 month old..and not sure what do to with him other than playing at the beach. I am thinking of bluehawaiian heli ride with him...any advices? suggestions? thanks
Aloha from Kaua'i!
"From where did all the blasted cats come? I don't remember seeing so many as we did this time. They were everywhere."
From ignorant and cruel people treating their animals like opala (garbage) and dumping them someplace thinking since they are cats they can survive anywhere - they can't - they breed and multiply and get sick and get run over and tortured by other cruel people.
Thank heavens for small groups like Feral Cat coalition - that takes these cats and have them spayed and neutered in conjunction with our Kaua'i Humane Society and then released back to their feral cat colony - they cannot reproduce and they are fed by volunteers who also take care of their health needs with the help of the Humane Society.
If people would value the lives of their pets - we wouldn't have a problem with the "blasted cats".