Kauai 2023

A little bit of Kauai in NC!

Food of Kauai continued....

Food of Kauai

Flora and fauna of Kauai 🌸 🐓

Day #7 (Cont) - Luau Night! First we toured the grounds, then they dug up the pig from the Imu (underground cooking pit), then ate dinner to music and dancing, and finished the night with the show.

Day #7 - Our condo sits high on a cliff overlooking the ocean. A very steep and treacherous path takes you down to the sea. It’s not for the faint of heart, but so worth it. A sea cave is at the bottom and it’s called Turtle Cave because Hawaiian green sea turtles sleep there between tides. There were 5 in the cave this morning! We then snorkeled the underwater tunnels. I’ll add the photos once we get home and can download the GoPro, but this is the Cliff and area below.

More Day #6 Kayaking Haneli River

Day #6 Kayaking the Haneli River

Day #6 - Snorkeling at Tunnels Beach at Haena State Park (John took GoPro…will post later) - FYI, Tunnels is where Bethany Hamilton (Soul Surfer) was attacked by tiger shark

Lunch and photos around Hanalei Village (our favorite town…such a great vibe)

Kayaking in the Hanalei River (most photos taken by my cousin…she will post)

Roosters of Kauai Island!!
Pictures don’t give credit to their Beauty

Supper... pork belly bowl and mandoo!

Day #5 (Final post of the day):
Drove from western most point and stopped at several points of interest:
1) Capt James Cook statute (discovered Hawaiian islands)
2) Fort Elizabeth/statute of King Kaumualii
3) Salt Pond Park
4) Town of Hanapepe (town of Lilo & Stitch), also has swinging bridge
5) Sea Glass Beach
6) Spouting Horn Park in Poipu
7) Tree Tunnel (100 yr old eucalyptus trees)

Day #5 (Cont) - Drove out of the park, stopped at a fresh fruit stand, went to the NEX at PMRF (Pacific Missile Range Facility), drove to the the most western point of Kauai.

Day #5 (Cont) - Koke’e State Park and Waimea Canyon State Park

Day #5 Kauai Coffee Estate (3100 acres with 4 million trees, largest in US). The coffee is delicious and the grounds are beautiful.

Day #4 was a day full of water fun. Went to Hideaway Beach and Nurses Beach and snorkeled and swam all day. Swam with numerous turtles, saw tropical fish, moray eel, sea cucumbers and sea slugs. The trails to some of the beach spots are dangerous, but make it worth it. Finished the day with a beautiful full rainbow over our condo. 🌈

A few more random photos from Day #3…chickens (they are everywhere and got loose/scattered from the last hurricane years ago), a small post office (boxes outside), a burnt up vehicle by the beach (seems to be just left there; an interesting contrast to the beauty behind it), dog available for adoption (we actually saw a few of these as vacationers can pick them up for a special day away from the shelter) and art in Princeville village.

Lydgate Beach Park
Opaekaa Falls (one of the Jurassic Park falls)
Monastery (Rudraksha trees with blue fruit)
Keahua Arboretum (Rainbow eucalyptus)
Kahili Beach (the wood comes from a nearby river)

Our pilot, Tianna, was fabulous! Highly recommend doors off.

Last few of helicopter ride!

Continuation of helicopter ride!

Day #3 - Helicopter ride! No words to describe how stunning this was! (Post #1)

Full moon over Kauai , night sky. Spectacular!

July 1st night sky with a full moon

Middle of the trail!!

The end of the Trail!! Told us it was 2.3 miles one way!! Someone lied!!

The fun part of the Kalalau Trail.

The beginning of the Trail!!

Polynesian wild hogs are a problem in Kauai and a favorite hunting target. Check out this home with all of the skulls they’ve accumulated and nailed to the railing of the home. 🐗

2nd morning! Fresh fruit for breakfast banana, coconut, and papaya! Now for our adventure!