Kal

d'dreamin',
I threw out my Teva's and spit on my Chacos when I got my Keen's!. I hope to have a pair of these for bar lounging this trip over: http://tinyurl.com/ks8to

I'll still be able to open my Kona Fire Rock with my feet!

I don't think we even hiked last trip!
TOTAL relaxation, good grub and great friends.

jammer, it is if you do it enuff! 8-)
The long hikes back up can be considered aerobic.

dcd

Bookmarking big time for our trip in Sept. Thanks for taking the time to post which is another way of saying I'm glad to see you're putting retirement to good use! Dave

daydreamin

Thank you all so much!

jamaltay...let's rethink this! Kal falling off a bar stool could be VERY entertaining, don't you think?? And considered an "activity?"

Kal...you threw out your Teva's and spit on your Chacos???" I Love It!!! My husband suggested we send you and Mrs. Kal (that Saint!) our 2 WalMart beach chairs....the 2 inche jobs, impossible to fall out of (but sadly, VERY hard to get OUT of!)...but at least you won't drown!

jamie99, the Na Aina Kai Botanical Gardens, near Kilauea were really wonderful, well worth a few hours! The 3 hour stroll & ride consisted mainly of riding a 6/8 seater thing...very little strolling. And they're flexible...if you don't want to walk, don't! But it was an impressive place and I do recommend it.

dcd...retirement is the best!!!

More to come...but tomorrow!

iceeu2

daydreamin, mind asking your husband which charter he used for deep sea fishing? I know that is something my dh would enjoy, just don't know who to use.

Is the house you stayed in via your auction win listed for rent?

This is a grand trip report.

Aloha i'2

daydreamin

Mahalo, icee2!

I sent the owners an email (they're there now) and then did a google search and guess what! I found this link for the Ha'ena house: http://www.napaliprop.com/cryer.html I see that it's already booked into June 2007! Thank you for asking because I see we can get the house much more reasonably than what we paid at the auction! Oh well, it was for a good cause!! If you decide to rent it, please let me know how you like it! We loved being in the Ha'ena area.

Regarding the deep sea fishing day, our guys decided the day before to go out so all the charters were booked. Buy someone hooked them up with a fisherman who took them out for the day. They had a great time but I think a professional charter would have been better. Sorry, can't help much on that!

daydreamin

I really apologize for the length of this TR! I can’t seem to stop writing!

Here’s a few other things that might be helpful to those of you traveling to Kauai soon or are starting to plan a trip --

Reference material – highly recommend the Ultimate Kauai Guidebook, Franko’s Dive Map of Kaua and Kauai Trails (by Kathy Morey).. The map is more than just a dive map and provides lots of detail for the north, south and east shores. I purchased all three on amazon.com

Car rental – I’m a frequent Delta flyer and in a monthly newsletter or on their website, can’t remember which, they offered a promotion for Dollar rentals. It sounded good so we used it for both car rentals (we had to rent in two segments because any rental over 30 days requires a lease). When we turned in the first car and got the second at the same rate, the rental agent couldn’t believe what a deal we got! So it does pay to check into those promotions!

The website for the Poipu Sands condo I gave in my lodging segment (http://www.vrbo.com/44038) hasn’t been updated since the remodel. The older pictures still look nice but the remodel included granite counter tops in kitchen and bath and bamboo floor in master.

Foodland discount card – as many of you know and/or have read on this site, the Princeville Foodland prices are sky high but I followed the advise of many of you and signed up for the discount card. We saved hundreds and hundreds of dollars with this card!

Internet Service – dial up service at Hawaiian.net for about $10 a week. Slow, yes but at least connected to home. I have two numbers for it: 808-240-1664 or 808-212-0200 Just an option for those looking to stay in touch with home.

Well, this is the end of my Trip Report! I just want to say Mahalo once again to all for your help when I was planning this trip and to those of you planning your own, I hope this is of some help. For any of you in the early stages of planning and trying to decide between Kauai and the other Hawaiian islands, I just want to say that Kauai is something wonderful. I’ve been to all the islands and for me, Kauai is magical. The aloha spirit is very much alive there and the scenery is drop dead gorgeous. But more than that, I think it’s just very special and unique; especially the north shore, the laid back Hanalei vibes, the one lane bridges and slow pace of Ha’ena. And I better stop there before the K9ers have me barred from this sight!!

Aloha and Mahalo! And I’ll be checking back in to answer questions!
~gt; ><

bluefan

mahalo daydreamin,

your trip report was a marvelous read...seems like your retirement is off to a great start 8-)

iamq

daydreamin?
"something wonderful", "dropdead gorgeous", "laid back vibe", "special and unique", "aloha spirit is alive and well"? Are you sure you were on Kaua'i? Maui maybe, but Kaua'i?

Best wishes to you and your new life in retirement!

-Bill

sueoz

Hi daydreamin,

Loved your report! We will be on Kauai the second week of September and it was great to hear your raves.

We love to hike. Any specific ones you did that you would suggest as don't misses?

Thanks and congrats on retiring. We hope to do it in two years.

Sueoz

daydreamin

Bill...I just knew you would be the first to jump on all those superlatives!! But what can I say, you know it's all true!! You didn't go this year? I seem to recall that maybe you & Martin were going to the Carinbean?? Have you posted a TR? I think that may be our next tropical trip and would really like to know how you liked it.

bluefan....Mahalo! Yes, retirement is off to a great start! Coming back to reality, after paradise, is a bit of a challenge though! O

sueoz...it's hard to recommend hikes, not knowing your age, shape you're in and preferences. For example, we're retired and in pretty good shape for our age, but you may be young and in really good shape and be completely bored with our hikes! Having said that, I can tell you that we really enjoyed some beautiful hikes in the Waimea Canyon area, in Kokee State Park. And there's an easy but very beautiful hike out of Kapa'a -- just take hwy 580 to the end, at the arboritum. Cross the river, drive up an incline to the trailhead. I believe this trail eventually connects to the Powerline Trail out of Hanalei but we didn't go that far. I think it's best to either buy a Kauai hiking book or search online. Whatever hikes you do, I know you'll enjoy the beauty of the area! And please post a Trip Report for those of us stuck back on the mainland! Have a great time!! ><

iamq

Hi dd,

I'm so predictable. No?

You're right. Martin and I went to St. John in the USVI this past June/July and hated it almost as much as we do Kaua'i. Here is the link to my trip report and pics.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...5&tid=34831075

It looks like we are going to try to squeeze a week or ten days of Kaua'i in next summer, who knows though, I might just fall in love with Maui before then.

-Bill

daydreamin

Bill....

Maui....

Et tu?

iamq

dd,

Yep, it's true. I'2 is lobbying to get me thrown out of the Klub because I'm going to be unfaithful to her, Kal doesn't speak to me anymore, and makai won't return my phone calls! Worst of all, they want me to return my decoder ring. Oh, the pain.

-Bill

iceeu2

dd, I think this is the very best hh trip report I have read in a very long time. Maybe it's because you were there for so loooooooong!! Did you eat at the new place on the north shore where Charo's used to be? Don't remember the name of it.

Now, dd, you have earned a seat on the board of the K9's since someone we all used to know and love has not only defected, but I can't see where he has paid his dues.

Mr. bbq, if you will go ahead and send ME your fee of $10,169 right now, your membership can be reinstated once your cash is in my pocketbook. And, you can keep your silly stinkin ring.

Seriously, daydreamin, this is a magnificent report and thanks again for sharing! Btw, how did your Atlanta weekend go? Congratulations on your retirement. You certainly started it off with a bang!

daydreamin

Bill....your St. John's TR was awesome!! And what great pictures! It's incredibly beautiful there too, isn't it!

icee2....on the board?? Wow! That probably REQUIRES a trip to Kauai every year, right?? Do I get a decoder ring too?

Thank you so much for your comments about my TR. It felt too long so I sure appreciate the feedback!

Where was the old Charos? We ate out so much, we probably did eat there but I'm not sure.

Our Atlanta weekend didn't happen. All the hotels ya'll recommended were booked solid that weekend. Turns out it was the same weekend as the NCAA men's basketball tournament there so we went to Charleston instead! We still hope to get to Atlanta one of these years though!

Kal

A few more trips over you'll realize your mistake and see Kauai for the true #ellhole it is. ~gt; ~gt;

Welcome to the Klub. I'd offer you imaqs de-coder ring but we know where he's probably been wearing it.

The old Charo's is up in Haena next door to Hanalei Colony. New restaurant in there. Don't know if it's still open tho.
Auntie M??

iamq

I'2,

Oh. So, it's really all about you getting your stinking money so you can go on a shopping spree when you're on the BIG ISLAND? My heart continues to break.

Thanks dd. I needed some positive reinforcement this morning.

-bill

Barbara5353

DDreamin:
Based on your favorable comments, I've been in touch with the owner of the Poipu Sands condo regarding a potential stay next summer. Was the lack of A/C a problem for you at all?
I usually stay on the east or north side of the island. Have visited Poipu in March and May and found it pretty HOT. I know that the quality of ceiling fans and layout of condo for airflow can make a big difference. What are your thoughts? This trip would be for Grandma (me) and well-behaved 12 year old grandson. Good choice?

daydreamin

Kal....I'll pass on the decoder ring then

Bill...K9 for life, right??

icee2....we didn't eat at the old Charos. We stopped there for lunch one day but they weren't open for lunch. It's a beautiful spot though. Can it be true, icee2?? The Big Island?!?!

Barbara5353...what a fun trip with your grandson! The lack of AC was not a problem at all. As I recall, the unit doesn't get direct sun. Plus there are two windows in the bedroom, a big one in the dining area, all screened with the slats you can keep open for nice ventilation. There's a slider w/screen to the lanai too, although we locked that up at night. And there's two ceiling fans, one in the living room and one in the bedroom. There were actually a couple of nights we got chilly! The tradewinds were blowing very strong our first week there then down to 5-10 mph the second week. And even the second week, we were very comfortable. If you decide on 212, I hope you like it as much as we did! It's situated well for your grandson too....near the pool.

iceeu2

dd, dd, dd........haven't you heard? Our billyboy is headed to Maui really soon. And, I don't blame you for passing on the ring. That's why we let him keep it....even tho I still have not received his K9 dues.

So, do you remember what the name of the restaurant is that you stopped and they were closed for lunch? Is it a Mediterranean restaurant or am I imagining things.......again.

dd, there must be something you have forgotten to tell us about your trip. I really do need another fix.

and, what the little darlin, bbq, failed to tell you is.........out of 17 nights....only 4 will be on the Big Island. Bless his heart, he's ageing.

i'2