i2...no, no, no, you must remain - it's YOU! And who knows, maybe you WILL return sooner than you think! You know, even though we have the airline tickets weeks 1, 4 & 5 locked in, this trip has not seemed at all real until I posted this message yesterday. Now thanks to you all, it is

After reading all your trip reports, is information overload normal? Just the restaurants alone! I can probably expect at least a 15 pound weight gain, right? See, doesn't that make you feel a little better? Even paradise, I mean that hell hole, has it's down side!!

HANALEI MOON
© 1974
Lyrics & Music: Robert Nelson

When you see
Hanalei by moonlight
You will be
In heaven by the sea

Every breeze
Every wave will whisper
"You are mine,
Don't ever go away"

Hanalei
Hanalei moon
Is lighting beloved Kauai

Hanalei
Hanalei moon
Aloha no wau ia 'oe

i2,

+ =

How's that for acknowledging your presence? You'll have mail.....

daydreamin,

Yes, information overload (I think it's called obsessing) comes with the territory, at least for me it does. I can get myself worked up into such a frenzy over such dumps like Kauai, Australia, Italy,Puerto Vallarta, Paris and the Cariibbean it is amazing. I LOVE IT!

-Bill

kamahinaohoku...thank you for Hanalei Moon lyrics! Beautiful! And my family thanks you too because now they don't have to listen to "Puff the Magic Dragon!"

Bill...another obsessor! There's never too much information, right? And the dumpier the place, the more we obsess!

Question for you Bill. You mentioned the Kilauea area. Are there restaurants and shops within walking distance of rentals and B&Bs or would the closest be Princeville and Hanalei?

Mahalo!

daydreamin,

In Kilauea there is a market where we've gotten yummy sandwiches, a great pizza place/bakery, and a couple of restaurants. I think there is also a fish market. That area is pretty spread out and far flung, so I'm not sure if there are rentals within walking distance of the businesses or not. We went to see Fareheit 911 at the little gym/theater there two years ago. What a trip. It's a very laid back place. Lots of dreadlocks and pakalolo. Princeville is about 10 minutes and Hanalei about 10-15 minutes further. You're also not that far from Kapa'a which has a lot of really awful places to eat. If your budget allows for it, check out the secret beach cottages in Kilauea(www.secretbeachkauai.com). Never been, but its on my to-do list for sure.

-Bill

daydreamin
I don't know just how to break this to you since I don't know you, but.... these so called friends of yours aren't being entirely truthful. They are just trying to make you feel good with your dilemma. Actually, based on my vast experience and all the advice I have read on this board, you will not be able to stand more than one week on this tiny little island with nothing to do. SO.....I do provide a service....you know like they save seats at the Academy Awards while some star goes to the little girls room!!! Well, I would be willing to subject my self to the boredom of staying the extra five weeks if you want???? Let me know. Or else I will have to just make do with our two weeks next month. But I would like to help give you the real scoop.

jg,

Welcome to the Klub. You're in.

-Bill

Stay on the east coast. Lae nani condos are very nice. They are walking distance to the Coconut Market Place, Lydgate beach park and some eateries. Also dont miss SMITHS Luau, it is entertaining and yummy.

jq, you really think even you can stand 2 weeks in the month of October in that forsaken land?

Yep, I would say you will be holding an important office in the Klub very soon.

daydreamin....the more I think of it..I would stay one of weeks 2&3 on the North Shore and then move on down to Kapaa/Lihue area for one of the weeks.

amp; i'2

Bill,
It's JQ !!! Dumb site won't let me change to Caps so you can read it without reregistering. Know a way?
Back to business!!! Is being a member of the "klub" a good thing? I don't want to start bragging about my membership and then found out I should be hiding!! And besides, I don't know any of the special posting mumbo jumbo with all the special keys, etc! That doesn't disqualify me does it.
I just want to pick all your brains clean and maximize my miserable time there. I don't know how many people say what are you going to do there for two weeks, and I just smile. I would share my experiences of our past trips, but they are so long ago, many of you probably weren't born yet!!! I find that a lot lately. Does that mean I'm getting old. Good thing I work for the state seniors dept. Last time I was there, I was teaching Charo how to dance!!!

JQ - you're not old...you're just ripening to perfection =D> Many years ago I had a client (tourist) in Honolulu who told me that the last time he'd been in Honolulu was as a teenager in 1906! He was in the navy and on a sailing vessel that was taking Teddy Roosevelt's daughter on a goodwill trip to Japan. Now THAT'S OLD. (He was 96 at the time I met him.) It was fascinating to talk about all the differences between then and now.

The first time I visited Kauai (aka that damned hell hole...) was 30 years ago. And I still remember it like it was yesterday. Subsequent visits have been equally as memorable. I've been to 37 countries, visited 35 states, and yet it's still my favorite place in all the world.

daydreamin - you're most welcome for the lyrics. I was trying to find a site where you could listen to it, but no luck. I think I'll go back to daydreaming about 8-)

jq -- another generous Fodorite! What a kind service to offer! I'll tell you what...if after that first week, I find I just can't take that miserable hell hole anymore, I'll call on ALL ya'll -- jq, Bill, i2, kamahinaohoku & gyppielou & any other "Klubbers" you recommend to come help me out. LOL - can you imagine this group together!

Bill...Secret Beach cottages look perfect in every way but one & I bet they don't dicker on the price! I'll save it for the day the lottery finally comes through!

i2... is back! Yay! Your idea of splitting those 2 weeks between the north shore & Kapaa is my preference too. My husband wants to find a place & stay put for the 2 weeks. We're still "negotiating" but I think we're getting close. Stay tuned!

jinxiejo--Thanks! I'll check out Lae Nani. Is Lygate Beach swimmable? I already have Smith's Luau on our definite to-do list! It sounds very yummy!

kamahinaohoku--I found "Hanalei Bay" on an old CD!! I am driving my poor family crazy over this trip, especially the nonstop Hawaiian music! Well, that plus obsessive planning!

Mahalo, EVERYONE!
~gt;

A note to all klubbers and other Kauai krazies:

And, y'all thought I drove you nuts with questions upon endless questions!

daydreamin is already campaigning for president of the Klub!amp;

That's fine since we all know the President buys the pupus and libations...

You think I'm asking a lot of questions now!?! Hah! Just wait--you have 8 more months of me! And I would love to buy you all the pupus & drinks you want but I'm afraid this crowd might just break the bank!

We are so getting ahead of ourselves everyone.......no one really enters the circle of trust without the blessings from Kal............KAL?????????????Where are you???????? I'm looking at you!!!!!!!!

Goodluck daydreamin....5 weeks is one thing, joining this scary group....GOTTO have Kal's blessin's

So??? Kal????????

Sorry jq! I hate it when people call me jamq or iamg.

Here's my visual of Kal giving daydreamin his blessing:

Kal enters an ornate room drapped in long flowing robes in gold with little purple sashes and various ornaments hanging off his person. No one notices that he is wearing his Keen's as the robes are VERY long. Incense is burning and he is swinging something with a burning substance in it back and forth. The odor is more than vaguely familiar. He is holding a gold staff with a large jeweled orb on the end. On his head is a large cone shaped hat.(A good place to hide a bottle of wine) Daydreamin is kneeling before him. Ah cr_p, I got to go. Late for a meeting! Can someone else finish this? You get the idea?

-Bill

well..i didn't think i'd be back to this fodor's site after our trip..but alas, here we are back from another miserable rainy trip. I will post a trip report, but i do hesitate to, you know, because the island needs our tourist dollars. sigh..so depressed from all that wretched relaxation.

i have some pictoral evidence of the dreadful place,
but don't really have the extra bandwidth on our personal site. Does anyone know of any free sites for sharing pix. I know most charge a fee..but as i have a very limited need for this service..

sea wahine....please please give us our fix now! We must see photos!

The easiest for me to use is worldisround.com....my friend iamq used yahoo...and others use kodak, I think.

Someone please finish iamq's story...just where the hey is Kal anyway?

amp; i'2