Posts Tagged ‘Kauai’

Poipu beach in Kauai is (in my well-traveled estimation) the best, most child-friendly beach on the Hawaiian island. Drive a little bit west-northwest of it, taking Poipu Road to Lawai Road, and you’ll get to a really pretty spot — Spouting Horn Park. This is still in the southern quadrant of Kauai, so the surf is calmer and weather less rainy. You can’t walk on the lava rock here, as it’s protected…and slippery and probably dangerous…but a scenic overlook provides great views for Hawaii vacation photographs.

We visited the Spouting Horn Park area after a few hours of lounging, swimming and snorkeling on Poipu Beach. Try to go during high tide, since the spouting effects will be that much more dramatic!

There’s a sort of permanent open-air bazaar right by the Spouting Horn overlook, which we liked too. There are some interesting crafts made by local artists, and tons of el cheapo, imported souvenirs. If, like us, you’ve promised a lot of people souvenirs from your Hawaii vacation, this is as good as any a place from which to stock up. Now, there are thousands of wild chickens running around Kauai: They are descendants of an original few that escaped their coops during Hurricane Iniki in 1992. The roosters here crow all day long, pick fights with each other, and generally amuse children with their antics. The dramatic Spouting Horn views, cheap gifts for friends, and the ever-present wild chickens make this quaint, little part of Kauai worth a stop.

Kauai is the oldest of the Hawaiian islands, and in many senses the wildest. Of the islands most popular with tourists, it’s the least developed – and while Maui and Oahu appeal to those with high-end shopping travel desires, there really are no upscale chain shops (like Coach or Tiffany’s) on this westernmost of the well-traveled Hawaiian islands. What Kauai has, though, is lush old rainforests, stunning canyon hikes, and coastal cliffs to boggle the mind. For the family that likes some adventure in their travels, Kauai is the Hawaiian vacation island of choice.

Last year my family and I hiked in Waimea Canyon during our vacation in Hawaii, and were treated to views second only to the Grand Canyon. This year, we had the Wailua River in mind. Now, Wailua Falls is a very popular end point for many people seeking a nice vacation photo, likely because it’s very easy to get to; we saw this 80-foot waterfall along with a bunch of other tourists who basically got out of their cars and crossed the street. Some adventure! If adventure travel is the name of the game in Kauai, we could do better than that.

There are several kayak outfitters that operate on the Wailua River, some stopping at the Fern Grotto, others going all the way up to where the tributaries become too impenetrable. Wailua Kayak Adventures described its kayak and hike along the Wailua River to the Secret Falls as a pleasurable 5-hour easy adventure…Sounds pretty good. But guess what? That 2-mile kayak trip up Wailua River was against the current, and with one adult/one kid in our kayaks, it ended up being more effort (for the adults) than we’d expected. Following this leg of the journey, our guide led us on a hike up, up, up muddy paths along the river. He discussed some of the native plants and some species considered invasive: These latter had been brought over by Polynesian settlers in the 1400’s as food plants. He showed us a couple of ruins, mossy and overgrown, from the royal Alli’i circa 1450. And all along, there was mud, mud, mud. My kids LOVED the muddiness of this hike, and we all enjoyed the cold, cleansing water of a couple of river crossings,

Then, finally there it was, the Secret Falls — exhilarating! We all cheered. This waterfall is so hard to get to, that there were no piles of photo-taking tourists: You know, the type that jump out of their cars, snap a few photos, then drive off to the next vantage point (or Starbucks). Instead, we and other hearty travelers jumped, hooting and hollering, into the waterfall’s pool to clean off. We splashed around and ducked under the waterfall; at 120 feet, it dwarfs the more easily accessible Wailua Falls. It was a wonderful, rewarding experience.

The other hikers happily chatted on the way back down the muddy hike – yes, a few ended up slipping, but it’s a soft landing – and kayaked back together.  While the Secret Falls is not literally a secret, it takes around 2 1/2 hours of active work to get there.  That level of difficulty makes it feel like a truly special experience for a Hawaii vacation. It’s some adventure! We got what we were looking for, and more.

If I had only one item to bring with me on a trip, it would be my camera (besides clothes of course, I obviously don’t care to get arrested). Days, months, years later I can easily sit for hours flipping though photo books filled with shots from my trips, adventures and fabulous memories. Today I was clicking rather than flipping and thought I’d share some of my favorite Kauai photos from my Hawaii trip this summer, courtesy of the Hawaii Convention & Visitors Bureau.

I stayed at Castle Kaha Lani Resort, an oceanfront property. My third-floor condo had a perfect view of the ocean. In the evenings I sat outside on my patio and enjoyed a glass of pineapple wine from Maui’s Tedeschi Vineyards and in the mornings I crossed the resort’s spread of grass to the beach to watch the sunrise. That’s the first photo. The second photo is Tree Tunnel. There is a little pullout where you can park the car and snap a few photos, but watch out for traffic behind you.

I took the third photo of the surfer while sitting at a stoplight somewhere near Lihue Airport. Forget the memories, I’m ready to go back today.

For more on Kauai visit Kauai Visitors Bureau.

As the train pulls to a stop a group of wild pigs hungrily approach the fence. The passengers unload and pass bread to the hungry little beasts. A young girl wearing a pink Hawaiian dress and a purple lei around her neck giggles as the mama pig sits for the train’s conductor in hopes of receiving a slice.

After reboarding the train the conductor continues his stories about Kauai’s mythology and sugar cane history. Rows of fruit orchards and nut trees pass by as the sun begins to settle in the west.

Pepe my personal guide, arranged by my hosts the Kauai Visitors Bureau, laid the Kauai Plantation Railway himself (that’s him on the right). The labor intensive task was also a labor of love that was well worth the effort, as the railway is one of the highlights of the Kilohana Plantation.

The 1935 manor house is an elegant remembrance of what the sugarcane heyday was like. Today the house still has some of the original Gump’s San Francisco furniture and many of the rooms have been transformed into beautiful boutiques and art galleries. The classy Gaylord’s Restaurant is also part of the home. Outside, guests can roam the colorful, well-manicured lawns or tour the grounds via Clydesdale pulled carriages.

After the 40-minute tour of the Kilohana Plantation guests gather for the Imu Ceremony, the unearthing of the luau pig for the Luau Kalamaku. The guests then make their way over to the open bar for Mai Tais, a refreshing rum and fruit drink synonymous with Hawaii. After a while of mingling the double buffet opens. Fresh fruit, Mahi Mahi, roasted pig, pineapple chicken and numerous other Hawaiian dishes line the tables. I sampled a bit of everything, including the poi, a Hawaiian staple. The first time I tried it I didn’t care for it, but I had heard poi is an acquired taste, so I tried it again and this time found I really liked it.

The couples I sat with chatted about their day of hiking and the great restaurants they had come across. I find luaus to be a great opportunity to meet other travelers and learn about other spots on the island.

Shortly after finishing dessert the amazing theatrical style Polynesian show which depicts the Polynesian migration to Hawaii began. I never took my eyes of the show. The dancers were incredibly beautiful and graceful.

This was one of the most amazing experiences of my trip. If you have plans to visit Kauai I highly suggest you add the Kilohana Plantation to your itinerary. In fact, Pepe is kindly offering our readers a 10% discount - just tell them you read about the train ride here. Thanks, Pepe!

Everyone’s worried about the US economy, and rightfully so, but the travel and tourism industry has been attempting to be proactive regarding potential financial losses. And – good for us – that can only benefit travel lovers.

One of my favorite current travel deals helps travelers stretch their Kauai vacation dollars. Kauai is one of the least developed of the main Hawaii islands (and the least developed of the Hawaii Big 4, which also include Maui, Oahu, and the Big Island). There are some great discount packages to Kauai available right now, which help a tropical vacation fit into travel budgets. Travelers can get vacation packages that include cheap (well…cheaper, to be more precise) airfare, free rental cars, hotel room nights, free meals, and beverage and dining credits. On top of this is a savings of at least $200 per person on a trip to Kauai through American Airlines Vacations, United Vacations, Classic Vacations, Expedia, and more. You can see a detailed listing of all these money saving travel packages at GoHawaii’s website. You’ve got to act fast: some of these deals require you to book by Thursday, July 10.

But what to do in Kauai? Well, with only 4 percent of the island developed, there are more natural wonders on this island than can be taken in during one Hawaii vacation. Hiking, horseback riding, zipline aerial tours, and of course water sports like kayaking and scuba/snorkeling are popular travel activities. Two notable natural wonders of Kauai are the Napali Coast and Waimea Canyon. Golf fans can have a memorable golf vacation here as well; I continue to be very enthused about the award winning courses here. Check out golf travel packages on Kauai that include four of Hawaii’s best golf courses, Princeville, Poipu Bay and Kauai Lagoons golf courses are among the most beautiful fairways and greens you’ll see.

A Hawaii vacation can seem out of reach at first glance, but these air and hotel (and golf co-op) packages generously help our travel budget. As if just the idea of a trip to the South Pacific isn’t incentive enough!

I sat up straight in bed, jarred from a deep sleep, and looked around the Kaha Lani Resort bedroom. What was that noise? There was enough light coming through the windows to tell dawn was approaching. I heard “it” again, now realizing the noise was Mother Nature’s colorful alarm clock. I slowly placed my head back on the pillow, but it crowed once more, this time with a friend.

I cringed and cover my ears.

The Kaua’i roosters, hens and baby chicks are products of Hurricane Iniki’s September 11, 2002 destruction when the caged birds escaped, never to be held captive again. Instead, they were fruitful and multiplied and multiplied and multiplied and now run wild all across the Hawaiian “Garden Island.”

Some people find them annoying while others such as myself find them charming, that was until my early morning wake-up call.

There was no way I was going to be able to fall back to sleep. I wandered to the window overlooking the ocean to see a dull looking sky with a hint of brightness in the distance. The sun had yet to rise. I quickly changed into cropped pants and a navy blue tank top and grabbed my camera. Barefoot, I flew down the three flights of wooden stairs and across a short spread of grass. I climbed down a few boulders and jumped into the sand. A woman dressed in black was situated in the sand, involved in the yoga stance downward facing dog as the ocean’s waved crashed only yards from her feet and hands.

The wet sand felt soft between my toes while telling of the ocean’s recent presence. I realized my feet were the first to walk the beach that morning. Just like every new day, the slate had been wiped clean and new adventures were to begin. The sun slowly crept into the sky, dodging behind clouds, occasionally allowing its reflection to dance on the water. The waves rolling onto the shore were the only sound except for the occasional rooster’s crow. The waves kissed my ankles as a light breeze came off the water. My lips welcomed the light taste of saltwater. Suddenly, my heart was filled with gratitude for the little colorful creature who welcomed me that morning.

Once the sun was well in the sky I found myself looking forward to the day and the next morning’s sunrise and the Kaua’i roosters.

I’ve written about the amazing, award-winning golf courses on Kauai before; now, the Kauai Golf Challenge and Kauai Ultimate Golf Challenge cooperative allow golfers to play on several of the island’s top greens in one day. Those award winners are Princeville’s Prince and Makai courses, Poipu Bay’s golf course, Kauai Lagoon’s Kiele and Mokihana courses, and the Puakea golf course.

A new destination golf course has just been added to the Ultimate Island Green cooperative. The Kiahuna Golf Club, designed by golf course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr., is is a perfect fit with the others. In fact, Robert Trent Jones Jr designed both Princeville and Poipu Bay’s courses, creatively matching the need for challenging games with the desire for scenic vistas. Kiahuna is no exception: The par 70 championship course takes golfers around still-standing relics of ancient Hawaii, adding a sense of history and spirituality to the fairway. Sounds like the Kauai golf cooperative just got even better!

OffbeatTravel.com recently released its list of the top five “underknown” places to visit in 2008. I was pleased to see I’ve been to four of the five “most interesting and quirky towns in the country.” Here they are in alphabetical order:

Dahlonega, Georgia: I traveled to Dahlonega (that’s “Duh-LAWN-eh-gah,” not “DA-low-NAY-gah”), an hour’s north of Atlanta, last spring on a research trip. What a darling town! It was where America’s gold rush began and has a great museum dedicated to that period in time (1828). The historic square has some nice little boutiques, art galleries and restaurants (I really enjoyed the Crimson Moon Cafe). Kids like gold panning and the Kangaroo Conservation Center just outside of town. I was partial to the excellent wineries and the number of hiking trails in the area.

Fort Collins, Colorado: In 2007, Money magazine named this town north of Denver the “Best Place to Live” in America, so I’m not sure how little known it is. I will give Fort Collins props for its five local breweries, pretty Old Town and access to a crazy amount of outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking and kayaking.

Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii: I disagree this little “hippie town” on the North Shore of Kauai is off the beaten path. I think it’s heavily trafficked by tourists to the Emerald Isle — you need to be patient to allow cars to cross the one-lane bridges that lead in and out of town. That said, it is a beautiful part of the island, with scenic Hanalei Bay, many art galleries and the ubiquitous shave ice stands.

Moline, Illinois: This is one part of the country I’ve never traveled to, but according to the OffbeatTravel.com folks, it’s “John Deere Central,” with opportunities for kids of all ages to climb up humongous pieces of farm equipment around town.

Taos, New Mexico: I was last in Taos about 12 years ago. Browsing the galleries, admiring the scenery, visiting the ancient Taos Pueblo and eating lots of yummy Southwestern food are all great memories of my visit to this high-altitude town. I hope to go back sometime soon!

For a lot of folks, a luxury vacation just isn’t a luxury vacation without at least a few rounds of golf. Now, I’m not one of those folks – I mean, I get it, it’s a “sport” and all, but I’m not such a fan that I plan entire trips around the game. I do, however, plan entire trips around relaxing, and if there’s a golf course around to keep the guys occupied, so be it. Want to know a great place to relax amid natural splendor, a place in the tropics that also can boast of first-class golf courses? You want to know about Kauai.

Only 4% of Kauai is developed, and it is in many ways the most remote of Hawaii’s 5 major travel destination islands. While I more strongly recommend Maui for a fun-filled luxury family vacation, Kauai is definitely a golfer’s paradise. There are five golf destination clubs on Kauai, all of which rank among the best golf courses in Hawaii and the entire South Pacific. In fact, four of these courses, part of the Kauai golf co-op, have just landed on Golfweek’s 2008 “America’s Best Courses You Can Play” list.

The best golf courses in Kauai, which are among the best in America, are:

Puakea Golf Course – Robin Nelson designed this course in accordance with the natural state of the island, and he considers it the most fun course to play in Hawaii. This is Kauai’s newest championship 18-hole, par 72 golf course.

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club - Golf course architect Jack Nicklaus split 36 holes into two full 18-hole courses, Kiele and Mokihana. Kauai Lagoons Golf Course ranks in Golf Digest’s “America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses, and Kiele in particular was named a Gold Medal Course by Golf Magazine. This course is integrated into the Kauai Marriott Resort & Beach Club.

Poipu Bay Golf Course – Affiliated with the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa, Poipu Bay was ranked by Golf Digest as one of America’s 75 Greatest Golf Courses. Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Vijay Singh and other luminaries have participated in the PGA Grand Slam professional golf tournament at Poipu.

Princeville Golf Courses - This is consistently rated the number one golf course in Hawaii, making it easily one of the best in America. Princeville’s Prince Course, designed by Robert Trent Jr (as was Poipu Bay above), is the most challenging golf course many of us casual players will ever experience. The full 18 hole course takes players through ravines, waterfalls, jungles, and up to ocean bluff plateaus. The Makai Course, also part of the Princeville golf resort complex, is less challenging (and more my speed – mellow).

You don’t have to love golf to appreciate award-winning golf courses. It’s nice to know, however, that the golf fan in your family will be having a great – or frustrating – time on one of several of the best golf courses in Hawaii while you kayak, snorkel, play on the beach with your children, or even sign those kids up for the resort’s day camp while you get some time in the spa. On Kauai, life is good, and golf is the best.