Please help with Kauai questions
May 9th, 2002, 05:05 AM
#21
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To Lisa- People rented cars to drive to the sunny side of the island (Hyatt) when it was raining on the north side.
We tried to do this but by the time we got our act together-cars for either rented for the day or for longer. I don't want to discourage you from staying at Princeville b/c it really is beautiful and not to be missed. My family when we go away we want to lay by the pool/beach for 8 hours and swim and relax so that's why we were disappointed. Everything is beautiful about the resort and we loved it except for the weather.
We tried to do this but by the time we got our act together-cars for either rented for the day or for longer. I don't want to discourage you from staying at Princeville b/c it really is beautiful and not to be missed. My family when we go away we want to lay by the pool/beach for 8 hours and swim and relax so that's why we were disappointed. Everything is beautiful about the resort and we loved it except for the weather.
May 9th, 2002, 05:30 AM
#22
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Also important to remember that time of the year is very important. I ususally go to North Shore of Kauai in July and August and do not have weather problems. Last year we did have an unusual number of overcast days. I don't think you want to be on any outer island without a car.
We (just to give you another approach to how you spend your time) get bored hanging out a one beach the entire day. Although I think we did do this for 1-2 days out of 14. What we found fun was to snorkle for a few hours, hike for a few hours either through something organized like the free hikes at N.S lighthouse/bird sanctuary or a hike we found in our guidebooks. Would also put in boat tours, horseback riding, canoeing museum and garden tours.
Next, finish the day with a sunset swim somewhere, dinner out if we were still up to it! We kept our Sunday best in the trunk and switched in public bathrooms if we were on the other side of the island. SO funny to see kids get out of muddy cloths and into restaurant gear in one of those state park bathrooms. Hey were were two hours from home on the West Coast of Kauai. Such great memories of riding home under that amazing blanket of stars on the west and south coast.
Easy to pack up your days without door acitivies for us it was fun to do several things in one day. Having a car at your finger tips was helpful. Another note while many identify the islands with strong sun we welcomed overcast days they made hiking breezy and cool and we were able to go farther with the kids. When we moved the next week to the windwards side of Oahu we had straight sunny days, were badly burned and found ourselves staying at least one day indoors to beat the heat.
We (just to give you another approach to how you spend your time) get bored hanging out a one beach the entire day. Although I think we did do this for 1-2 days out of 14. What we found fun was to snorkle for a few hours, hike for a few hours either through something organized like the free hikes at N.S lighthouse/bird sanctuary or a hike we found in our guidebooks. Would also put in boat tours, horseback riding, canoeing museum and garden tours.
Next, finish the day with a sunset swim somewhere, dinner out if we were still up to it! We kept our Sunday best in the trunk and switched in public bathrooms if we were on the other side of the island. SO funny to see kids get out of muddy cloths and into restaurant gear in one of those state park bathrooms. Hey were were two hours from home on the West Coast of Kauai. Such great memories of riding home under that amazing blanket of stars on the west and south coast.
Easy to pack up your days without door acitivies for us it was fun to do several things in one day. Having a car at your finger tips was helpful. Another note while many identify the islands with strong sun we welcomed overcast days they made hiking breezy and cool and we were able to go farther with the kids. When we moved the next week to the windwards side of Oahu we had straight sunny days, were badly burned and found ourselves staying at least one day indoors to beat the heat.
May 9th, 2002, 04:38 PM
#24
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Wow! Thanks you for your opinions, advice, and comments. A special thanks to Sarah for your very detailed answer.
I think I will split my vacation. I am trying to decide if I want 4 days Poipu and 2 days Princeville, 3 and 2, or 3 and 3. Princeville does sound beautiful, but I don't want to risk spending all of my time there with the iffy weather.
One of the reasons I might do 4 days Hyatt and 2 days Princeville is that I have 2 for 1 certificates from American Airlines. For every night I pay for, I get a night free. Since this becomes a 50% discount, I want to take advantage of it. If I do 3 days and 3 days, I'll only get 2 days free instead of 3.
If there are any specific tours or sights that you feel are not to be misses, it would be wonderful if you would share them.
Thanks again everybody!
I think I will split my vacation. I am trying to decide if I want 4 days Poipu and 2 days Princeville, 3 and 2, or 3 and 3. Princeville does sound beautiful, but I don't want to risk spending all of my time there with the iffy weather.
One of the reasons I might do 4 days Hyatt and 2 days Princeville is that I have 2 for 1 certificates from American Airlines. For every night I pay for, I get a night free. Since this becomes a 50% discount, I want to take advantage of it. If I do 3 days and 3 days, I'll only get 2 days free instead of 3.
If there are any specific tours or sights that you feel are not to be misses, it would be wonderful if you would share them.
Thanks again everybody!
May 9th, 2002, 04:47 PM
#25
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Get the kauai ultimate guide it is brief light reading will fill you in on what to see on island. The authors most tours and services so you are not going on list styles that you might find in more commercial guide books. I think it is worth it to read the entire book and plan your trip accordingly.
May 9th, 2002, 06:42 PM
#26
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We went to Kauai for our Honeymoon last May and stayed In Poipu at the Sheraton. It was nice but once we saw the Hyatt I was upset we didn't stay there! It is beautiful- on our last night we had dinner there at their restaurant called Tidepools- you dine in your own thatched hut on the water It was excellent- food and service was great! I also highly recommend an Italian Restaurant in Lihue (near the Marriott) called Cafe Portofino. It was the Best Italian We have ever had and it is very romantic outside on the deck. All I have heard about Princeville is that is it very nice but, again, on the very rainy north side of the island. One more thing..if you want to do a tour on water then Kauai Sea Tours is the way to go. We had to get up at 5:30 A.M. (the catamaran leaves at 6:15!!) but it was definitely worth it! YOu cruise up to the Na Pali coast and there were dolphins and sea turtles right next to the boat! Also, you can get off and take a motorized raft to shore with the group and you can also snorkel. It's a great day- we got back to the Harbor at about 2:00- Very Fun- they serve lunch- BEER and WINE and the people running it are SO friendly (the captain even let me "drive" the catamaran for a while!) Have FUN!!
May 10th, 2002, 02:15 AM
#27
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Karen, thanks for the tip on The Ultimate Guidebook. I recently bought it and am looking forward to reading it.
Lani, I am definitely looking into Kauai Sea Tours. It sounds like just what I had in mind. Just wish it left a little later though. Is there a specific reason it leaves so early, like better sea life viewing? And, thank you for the restaurant suggestions. I was planning to eat at Tidepools since I had heard it is very romantic. I am glad that you agree.
Lani, I am definitely looking into Kauai Sea Tours. It sounds like just what I had in mind. Just wish it left a little later though. Is there a specific reason it leaves so early, like better sea life viewing? And, thank you for the restaurant suggestions. I was planning to eat at Tidepools since I had heard it is very romantic. I am glad that you agree.
