We are back from Kauai and very depressed to have left. It was a blast and we can't wait to go back.

Highlights:
Helicopter tour- Heli-Usa
We only did this because we didn't want to drive to Lihue where the other helicopter companies were. Not bad at all. Our pilot was great and very knowledgeable about the history of the island.

Catamaran tour:
Didn't happen because of the tides. Na Pali Catamaran tours the one near Bubbas burgers was who we went with. Captain Gary was very nice and we were disappointed we didn't get to meet him.


Beaches- Ke'E, Tunnels, secret beach at Princeville Resort and Anini
We kept looking for the secret beach near the lighthouse but to no avail. We did find the other secret beach in the residential side of Princeville, but we heard it was very dangerous since there was no sand area due to the currents.
Anini - good for snorkeling
Ke'E- my favorite beach with the roosters. Arrive early.
Tunnells- We just looked at the surfers, we were too wimp to go in the water.

Kilauea Lighthouse
I highly recommend this. So freakin beautiful with all the albatross lined up on the bluff.

Garden Tour
We went to the one in Kilauea. The Guava tour looked interesting too but we didn't have time. Try to bargain for a "cart" tour if you are with elderly or just plain lazy to walk around.

Hiking- Kalaulau Trail
We were half ass and did only 2 of the 12 mile hike. Not bad for someone for someone wearing non-hiking shoes. Do not go if it had been raining. The rocks are very slippery. We also checked out the caves in Haena state park. Watch out for the lepto signs if you guys kayak or go in the caves.
Legend has it that there is a mo'o there. Kinda exciting.

DINING
Since we were in a vacation rental we dined in most of the time. We attended the weekend farmers market and dined on surf and turf and tropical fruits. Maui onion ring potato chips are good. It was disappointing how there were hardly any mangoes during our stay. We went to a fruit joint called Mango Mamas- no mangos. Interesting.
We did however eat at:
Bali Hai- happy hour during sunset. Overpriced and not good at all. Go for the view and expensive mai tais.

Princeville Golf Club restaurant-
This is the one on Kuhio near the dam, not the one in the actual resort near the beach. This place was not bad at all. Good breakfast and sushi happy hours.

CJ's
This was quite good despite the other fodor reviews. This was where we had our final dinner. I highly recommend.

The Shaved ice place near Bubbas across Ching Young
$6 milkshakes was very popular. Someone please explain the shaved ice flavor of brocolli and brussel sprouts.

Kilauea bakery and pizza place
This place was overrated. Being from Southern California it was like being at the Grove. I would not pay for a $30 large pizza. You're better off at Tiki man Pizza if you ask me.
Why it's world reknown someone please explain.

Polynesian Cafe- gourmet on paperplate
We had our first meal here. The ahi tuna sandwich was very good. They also have an exotic brownie called the habanero brownie.

And last but not least
Village Snack bar & Bakery
It's quite pathetic how each of our days in Kauai revolved around this local eatery. The place closed at 3:30 pm. They have the best pies (macadamia and coconut). We never got to try the banana cream pie because it was always sold out. Apparently tipper gore is
a fan of this place as well. Not pretty at all but very family like and friendly. We had the fried chicken plate, loco mocos, as well as the other breakfast plates. The ladies who work there even knew us already, it was quite embarassing.

Lodging:
Vacation rental in Princeville via vrbo. Email me for recommendations to a 3br with an ocean view. Great house for whale watching and bird watching. We also had a baby albatross in the front yard that I almost had animal control pick up. Good thing the owners called to ask how it was doing.

part ii


Overall, we would gladly go back to the north beach anytime! It was kinda disappointing how there were drowning incidents when we were there and we kinda were afraid of the beaches from then on. Just remember to exercise caution while swimming in the ocean.
There were plenty of stray cats all over Kauai. I pet them plenty, and am now nursing my handful of flea bites.

Mahalo!

fides, great report......mahalo..

Do you mind just posting the link and review here for your vacation rental? Have no email addy for you.

i'2

Thanks for the trip report. Did you say fleas? Yikes another type of bug to be worried about on Kaua'i!

What was the name of the garden in Kilauea you visited?

-Bill

Re: The garden in Kilauea is Na `Aina Kai...privately owned, but open for tours.

Re: mangoes. Just like any other fruit, they've got their season. Here in the islands, it's summer...and I'm always ready, willing and able to over-indulge! Can't grow them very well on the northshore, but the mango trees on the westside have their fruit now...s-l-o-w-l-y turning rosy and ready to eat. Yummmmmmmmmmm!

Oops...forgot to give link to the gardens:
http://www.naainakai.org/

Not really _in_ Kilauea...but on the highway, just south of town (near mile marker 22).

The rental website can be found at http://www.800hawaii.com/dragon/.

Thanks Auntie marie for the garden tour info. I loved the teak trees there as well as the gift shop.

auntie or fides,

Is that the garden that was started by Charles Schultz's wife?

-Bill

Too funny how folks keep repeating the "Charles Schulz" thing...

They were long, long divorced -- and she was long, long remarried -- when she and her husband began their great adventure creating Na `Aina Kai.

Maybe that's why she divorced him. She got tired of being referred to as "Charles Schultz's wife". Thanks auntie.

-Bill

Hi,
I am wondering if you could share your vrbo rental in Princeville. Most likely it will be taken b/c we are just going in a couple of weeks, but would love to at least try...
thanks!