Just got back from a ten day trip to Kauai. This was my first time to this island and I loved every minute of it!!

We flew from SFO to LIH with ATA (layover in HNL). This will be my LAST time flying ATA. The price was about $250 less per person then United and I question if it was worth it. TINY seats, late both coming and going, and all five us of (in different parts of the plane) had seats that did not recline. Staff on board was very nice however.

We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation at Poipu. This was rented through the owner at vrbo.com. We had a two bedroom, two bath condo with lanai's on both floors. In addition there was a fantastic ocean view and we were right behind a lagoon which meant we had total privacy. This complex was great! We were less than a minute away from the beach and had gas grills across the lagoon which we used for a couple of dinners at home. Staff was fantastic--our phones didn't work for one day (we hardly noticed) and the next day they brought us a letter of apology and a 30 minute gift card! I would highly recommend this complex to anyone looking for a south shore condo.

We ate at Roy's which I LOVED! Everything was fantastic! The chocolate souffle was heaven! We celebrated my birthday there and the waiter brought out a little candle in the souffle. I also really enjoyed Gaylord's. We met up with a couple of friends there and had a fantastic meal! On the North Shore Zelo's was a great place for lunch!! Great service and food.

I was not too impressed with Brick Oven Pizza. I don't know if it was because there was too much hype but it seemed very basic--nothing to write home about ($60 for two large pizzas).

I did go and do the 30 minute flight with Bird of Paradise. Big THANK YOU to gyppielou!!! I had never heard of this before and it was SOOOOO fun! I went up with Gerry and had a blast! I had started to research taking another lesson back home with a local company. This is amazing and the next time I go back I will do a longer trip.

More later......

Thanks for sharing, any comments on the winds on Kauai

Thanks for posting kikahead (hard to take you seriously with that sign on name). See any whales? Tell us more about Gaylord's, I have never been, what type of cuisine? Did you have any lappert's ice cream. Don't dispare if you missed, you have them in San Francisco. I know it sounds silly to mention ice cream but that is fantasctic ice cream, 35% butterfat. Most ice cream is only 17% butterfat.

Kiahuna Plantation sounds beautiful I think you were lucky to get a spot there this time of year.

I love Roy's too but have not been to the Kauai location. Tell us about the stars. The stars in the sky that is, did you see many?

PS I would be happy to save that $250 on your ata flight. I have done the SFO to LIh flight on United. It is nice but I think $1000. is worth the comfort. There are still single isle seats on the united flight. I find that very confining. My sister and I had to be mindful of the 9 year old we took, that we talked to her and moved her from the window to the middle, to the end. We did not have that problem coming from New York to SFO. There were 2 isles and you could get up. I think that is the most frustrating thing with that flight. Staying in your seat for 5 hours is hard on anyone.

Well anyway thanks for your post, always fun to live through the recent travels of others.

What is the "Bird of Paradise" ride you were talking about? We will be going to Kaui for the first time in Oct.

Kay

Oh come on kikahead, you have just whetted our appetite!! More more!
What is Bird of Paradise?

BIG MAHALO!!! Kikahead! thanks for the report!

Welcome back and happy belated birthday! Please come back with more!

Motorised hang gliders, they go up to 9000ft... not for me !

http://www.birdsinparadise.com/

Kikahead,
Did you do the tubing adventure? You had mentioned back in October that you might. We will be going to Kauai in June and this looks like something my ten year old and I might really enjoy!

Beaches:
We spent most of our time at the Sheraton Beach (the part of Poipu in front of our condo). Great swimming and decent snorkeling. We attempted to boogie board there and could not catch a wave to save our lives! A couple of monk seals were sleeping on the beach and that was nice to see. Reef shoes are a must here--there are lots of rocks on the bottom and will kill your feet!!!

We went to the beach in front of Beach House Restaurant and found GREAT snorkeling here. Lots of fish and a lot of large fish which was neat.

On the North shore we swam at some bay--I cannot think of the name! Good swimming there and some nice big waves which were great. Good beach to lie on also (although I covered myself in towels like a mummy).

I did not do the helicopter but the rest of my family did. They did Interisland and loved it.

A great trip and next year we plan to go to the North Shore instead of choosing another island!

-We only had one night that was really windy. It rained for about five minutes and then it was over. Friends of ours that were on the North Shore said that the furniture on their lanai was all blown over. Perfect weather--not a single day of rain (the five minutes in the middle of the night was as bad as it got!!)

-My name rocks!! (It was a childhood nickname). We did not eat at Lamperts since we have them out here. Gaylords was American cuisine and the setup was gorgeous. The tables were all set up around an outdoor area, very nice. Pricing about the same as Roy's. There was a stray cat (since it was outdoors). I fed it a piece of my lamb.

-Thank you Faina !! Great island to spend a birthday in!!

-I had never heard of the motorized hang glider until Gyppielou posted about it a couple of days before we left. Very fun! We only went up about 3500 feet and Gerry took me over the canyon and beach. Cost was $115 for 30 minutes and it is worth every penny! We had him take the photos ($30 for one roll split between two of us) from the wing. I cannot even begin to describe how it feels--it is just amazing!

-We did not do the tubing--next year! There were so many things we didn't get to do: tubing, tour of the coast, snorkel trip by boat, about 1 billion hikes, eat at Bubba's Burgers (the owner was out in SF and stiffed my Dad on his tip so they were vetoed. He might forget about it by next year), eat at Beach House, ATV, meet Kal & Mrs. Kal for drinks, or fishing. Gives us a great reason to go back!!!

topping for jeff1737.

Any one have info on the tubing trip through the cane field irragation canals?? I also have heard that zip lines have been installed as well. We are going back in April and would love to hear about this..