Hanalei is Hell - iamq on the north shore of Kaua'i and a quickie with MelissaHI and friends in Honolulu.
Aug 13th, 2007, 07:03 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hanalei is Hell - iamq on the north shore of Kaua'i and a quickie with MelissaHI and friends in Honolulu.
Actually, I feel like I'm in Hell right now. Returning from Hawaii is brutal. I hate it. To help ease re-entry I have been working on posting the photographs from the trip. Here they are:
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/bquarre/...60762405145849
We spent 11 nights in Hanalei and then had a quick night in Honolulu.
We flew Hawaiian Airlines from the mainland for the first time, and I must say it was a very pleasant experience. It was nice to be flying in a plane with constant reminders of where we were headed. Okay airline food...free of charge, however they do charge for headphones and rent these video DVD player things. We'll fly them again when not using United points.
Our connecting flights to and from Honolulu and Kaua'i were on go! airlines. They fly small jets that hold 48 or 50 people. It was fine for the 20 minute flight. They depart from the commuter terminal which is a bit further out than the regular interisland terminal. It was only a minor inconvenience and worth the savings over what I would have had to pay on Aloha or Hawaiian.
We rented a car from Budget. I booked through Costco based on some information I read about here and got a good price on a metallic gold (ack!) small Chevrolet which badly needed a tune-up. We normally rent a convertible, but we didn't miss it like we thought we would. I attempted to rent a Mini Cooper convertible for our one day on Oahu, but it was $150 a day. No thanks.
This was our second time renting a place in Hanalei and my first experience renting through vrbo.com. We rented a place called Devaki's Hanalei Vacation Rental. Devaki is a local yoga instructor/massage therapist/ realtor who rents out the first floor of her home as a vacation rental.It was comfortable and clean. Her place is on a flag lot on the corner of of Aku Road and Weke Road. The location is perfect. It is literally a one minute walk across the street to the Hanalei Beach Pavillion and a few minutes walk down Aku to town. It is a large (900 sq. ft.) studio that has a very open and airy feel to it. One side was a wall of windows that partially looked out at the green and lush pali (mountains) of the north shore compltete with waterfalls and swirling cloud formations. It was a great thing to see first thing in the morning when we woke up. There is a large, well equipped kitchen and a nice, large bathroom were pluses. Ceiling fans and decent flow through ventilation made sleeping in the warm evenings without a/c bearable. The one thing missing that would have made it perfect was a lanai. There was a small porch with a lounge chair, but we never used it as it too small for two people to hang out on. Having a decent sized outdoor space with some sort of outlook is IMHO nearly essential. We reserved it last year and were charged $900 a week. I think it is $1050 a week now. We thought the price was very fair. I got a nice e-mail from Devaki today thanking us for staying and offering us a 10% discount the next time we come visit.
More tomorrow...
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/bquarre/...60762405145849
We spent 11 nights in Hanalei and then had a quick night in Honolulu.
We flew Hawaiian Airlines from the mainland for the first time, and I must say it was a very pleasant experience. It was nice to be flying in a plane with constant reminders of where we were headed. Okay airline food...free of charge, however they do charge for headphones and rent these video DVD player things. We'll fly them again when not using United points.
Our connecting flights to and from Honolulu and Kaua'i were on go! airlines. They fly small jets that hold 48 or 50 people. It was fine for the 20 minute flight. They depart from the commuter terminal which is a bit further out than the regular interisland terminal. It was only a minor inconvenience and worth the savings over what I would have had to pay on Aloha or Hawaiian.
We rented a car from Budget. I booked through Costco based on some information I read about here and got a good price on a metallic gold (ack!) small Chevrolet which badly needed a tune-up. We normally rent a convertible, but we didn't miss it like we thought we would. I attempted to rent a Mini Cooper convertible for our one day on Oahu, but it was $150 a day. No thanks.
This was our second time renting a place in Hanalei and my first experience renting through vrbo.com. We rented a place called Devaki's Hanalei Vacation Rental. Devaki is a local yoga instructor/massage therapist/ realtor who rents out the first floor of her home as a vacation rental.It was comfortable and clean. Her place is on a flag lot on the corner of of Aku Road and Weke Road. The location is perfect. It is literally a one minute walk across the street to the Hanalei Beach Pavillion and a few minutes walk down Aku to town. It is a large (900 sq. ft.) studio that has a very open and airy feel to it. One side was a wall of windows that partially looked out at the green and lush pali (mountains) of the north shore compltete with waterfalls and swirling cloud formations. It was a great thing to see first thing in the morning when we woke up. There is a large, well equipped kitchen and a nice, large bathroom were pluses. Ceiling fans and decent flow through ventilation made sleeping in the warm evenings without a/c bearable. The one thing missing that would have made it perfect was a lanai. There was a small porch with a lounge chair, but we never used it as it too small for two people to hang out on. Having a decent sized outdoor space with some sort of outlook is IMHO nearly essential. We reserved it last year and were charged $900 a week. I think it is $1050 a week now. We thought the price was very fair. I got a nice e-mail from Devaki today thanking us for staying and offering us a 10% discount the next time we come visit.
More tomorrow...
Aug 14th, 2007, 12:21 AM
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 213
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi iamq,
Great photos. I will be in Hanalei in 34 days! Actually on your recommendation we decided on the north shore of Kauai - can't wait! We are also spending some time on Oahu beforehand and like you I have been toying with the idea of getting a Mini Cooper convertible for a few days - but I think I'm going to have to pass because the cost, plus all the insurances are too much. Anyway, looking forward to the rest of your report!
Great photos. I will be in Hanalei in 34 days! Actually on your recommendation we decided on the north shore of Kauai - can't wait! We are also spending some time on Oahu beforehand and like you I have been toying with the idea of getting a Mini Cooper convertible for a few days - but I think I'm going to have to pass because the cost, plus all the insurances are too much. Anyway, looking forward to the rest of your report!
Aug 14th, 2007, 01:04 AM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Quickie? Moi?? nanabee. the rumours are true! blondes do have more fun. but is she really a virgin?? (she told us the story of her middle name.)
Bill, you left in time! we don't just have a hurricane coming...there was an earthquake this evening, too!
Bill, you left in time! we don't just have a hurricane coming...there was an earthquake this evening, too!
Aug 14th, 2007, 04:01 AM
#10
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed at the Princeville Hotel and were tickled by the library--glad to see you made better use of it than we did!
Miserable trip so far, eh? Look forward to reading more! Thanks for the pics--you all look so happy and tan.
Miserable trip so far, eh? Look forward to reading more! Thanks for the pics--you all look so happy and tan.
Aug 14th, 2007, 07:07 AM
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Upon arriving on Kauai we made our way to Walmart to stock up on things...then...HAMURA'S! We got six beef and chicken skewers, two orders of fried won-tons, an order of tempura shrimp, two orders of special saimin and a liiikoi pie. We ate the finger foods in the car on our way north and left the saimin and pie for dinner. My salivary glands were in overload mode as we munched and drove, smiling the whole way. We were home!
I love traveling to new places, but there is something wonderful and special about returning to a favorite place and feeling the comforting hug of familiarity. That is how I feel about Kaua'i. We have been to other tropical places on our "go beach" trips, but for me there is nothing like returning to Kaua'i. It is "home".
We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon, so our first stop in Hanalei was the farmer's market to stock up on mangos, papayas, pineapples, apple bananas, limes and flowers. We made it just as the vendors were closing up, so we got some good deals on things and also got the chance to chit-chat with the vendors. That was fun and was a perfect outlet of our now full-blown euphoria about being on island, "We just arrived...blah, blah, blah."
We got to Devaki's, quickly unpacked and in no time were on the beach and then the water "bobbing and schmoozing" in the gentle, undulating swells on Hanalei Bay. Fabulous.
I love traveling to new places, but there is something wonderful and special about returning to a favorite place and feeling the comforting hug of familiarity. That is how I feel about Kaua'i. We have been to other tropical places on our "go beach" trips, but for me there is nothing like returning to Kaua'i. It is "home".
We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon, so our first stop in Hanalei was the farmer's market to stock up on mangos, papayas, pineapples, apple bananas, limes and flowers. We made it just as the vendors were closing up, so we got some good deals on things and also got the chance to chit-chat with the vendors. That was fun and was a perfect outlet of our now full-blown euphoria about being on island, "We just arrived...blah, blah, blah."
We got to Devaki's, quickly unpacked and in no time were on the beach and then the water "bobbing and schmoozing" in the gentle, undulating swells on Hanalei Bay. Fabulous.
Aug 14th, 2007, 07:58 AM
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 8,798
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our daily routine went something like this: Up around 7am, coffee, then I'd go for a walk up and down Weke Road and up and down the beach while Martin would go for his barefoot run along the beach. On my way back home I'd stop by the Village Snack Shop at Ching Young Center for some fresh baked goods, then get a paper. We'd rendesvous back home an hour later or so, get cleaned up, pack a lunch, pack the car and set out for the beach. This simple routine is one of the reasons we love staying in Hanalei so much. Walk here, walk there, get this, get that...easy, simple and relaxing at the same time.
We've been to Kaua'i 4 times and have never felt the urge to do many of the paid excursions that are offered. We might be missing out on something, but that's okay. We prefer to plunk ourselves on the beach, swim, snorkel and snooze. Sound boring to you? Maybe, but these trips are all about relaxing and letting go, not being on some forced march to see and do everything.
We alternated between going to Makua (Tunnels) Beach and Hanalei Bay.
As many of you know Makua Beach is my absolute favorite spot on the island. Martin would go snorkeling while I would walk up and down the beach looking for that perfect shell. Shelling is best around Haena Point heading east. One day I trekked down the beach west all the way to Ke'e. What a great beach walk. The beach is wild, windy and isolated...great for exploring. Makua is the best. I can't for the life of me figure out why Mitzi Gaynor didn't do her shampoo and set here instead of Lumahai. Much prettier and the view of Bali Hai will give you chicken skin.
While Hanalei Bay doesn't have the snorkeling opportunities that Makua does, it does have amazing hard packed sand perfect for walking, calm, clear water perfect for swimming, two miles of mostly uninhabited beach and the most amazing backdrop one could imagine. It doesn't have any shade trees like Makua does, so if that is important, bring an umbrella. One thing Hanalei Bay did have this trip was...baby Hammerhead Sharks swimming in the waters! That's right! One day I was walking along the water's edge and say this rather largish (2 feet long) fish swimming right at the water's edge. I did a few double takes and followed it as it swam down the beach. A shark! It sure looked like a small hammerhead shark to me, but what do I know? Martin saw it and concurred. Oh well... It turns out that two or three of them were spotted swimming in the bay that day. We overheard the lifeguard telling some people not to worry as "the mouths are too small to bite anything of yours". Loved that!
more later...
We've been to Kaua'i 4 times and have never felt the urge to do many of the paid excursions that are offered. We might be missing out on something, but that's okay. We prefer to plunk ourselves on the beach, swim, snorkel and snooze. Sound boring to you? Maybe, but these trips are all about relaxing and letting go, not being on some forced march to see and do everything.
We alternated between going to Makua (Tunnels) Beach and Hanalei Bay.
As many of you know Makua Beach is my absolute favorite spot on the island. Martin would go snorkeling while I would walk up and down the beach looking for that perfect shell. Shelling is best around Haena Point heading east. One day I trekked down the beach west all the way to Ke'e. What a great beach walk. The beach is wild, windy and isolated...great for exploring. Makua is the best. I can't for the life of me figure out why Mitzi Gaynor didn't do her shampoo and set here instead of Lumahai. Much prettier and the view of Bali Hai will give you chicken skin.
While Hanalei Bay doesn't have the snorkeling opportunities that Makua does, it does have amazing hard packed sand perfect for walking, calm, clear water perfect for swimming, two miles of mostly uninhabited beach and the most amazing backdrop one could imagine. It doesn't have any shade trees like Makua does, so if that is important, bring an umbrella. One thing Hanalei Bay did have this trip was...baby Hammerhead Sharks swimming in the waters! That's right! One day I was walking along the water's edge and say this rather largish (2 feet long) fish swimming right at the water's edge. I did a few double takes and followed it as it swam down the beach. A shark! It sure looked like a small hammerhead shark to me, but what do I know? Martin saw it and concurred. Oh well... It turns out that two or three of them were spotted swimming in the bay that day. We overheard the lifeguard telling some people not to worry as "the mouths are too small to bite anything of yours". Loved that!
more later...
Aug 14th, 2007, 08:19 AM
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hey you just upstaged my whale of a tale with shark encounters!!! Looking forward to the Sharkwater documentary, and more tales from the hellhole.
Easy on the hardsell though. Hanalei is really just so so and strangely over rated....blah, blah, blah!!!
Easy on the hardsell though. Hanalei is really just so so and strangely over rated....blah, blah, blah!!!
