Kauai, Hawaii

HAWAIIAN VACATION!
After a year of dreaming about adventures on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, Melinda and I were graciously gifted the use of a family friend's timeshare and we seized the opportunity. The"Cliffs" condo resort we stayed at was located in the town of Princeville, located on the north shore known for lighter tourist activity and and rugged natural beauty (a great combination for us!), offering an ideal home base for our numerous adventures. The week flew by, but Melinda and I accomplished a nice balance of rest and adventure and had a wonderful time making memories together. Below is a summary of our adventures:


NORTH SHORE

Hanakapiai Beach/Falls (Kalalau Trail)
This 4 mile (one way) hike is the first section of the famous Kalalau Trail along the Na Pali Coast, available to day-hikers looking to experience the scenery without committing to camping. We enjoyed our first experience with the rugged and lush north shore cliffs and tropical plants on our way to the beach, then turned inland for a refreshing dip in the cold freshwater pool below the falls.

Big view and a tiny Melinda.

Ocean views. Hanakapiai beach is at the base of the cliffs to the left.

Hanakapiai Beach.

Numerous sea caves to explore.

Rough and beautiful surf.

Hanakapiai Beach, and a freshwater pool filled by the falls above.

Hanakapiai Falls! We both swam in the large pool at the base to cool off.

These falls are over 300 feet tall!

Nice views on the return trip as well.

Looking back. One last view of Hanakapiai Beach and the rugged coastline.

Hanalei Bay
We frequently visited the beachy town of Hanalei to browse the local shops and take in the fresh island cuisine (poke, shave ice). It is also home to a picturesque bay, enjoyed by water-seekers of all kinds. We did not swim here, but enjoyed a few long walks along the sandy beach and to the pier.

Hanalei Pier.

Morning walk on Hanalei Beach.

Hanalei Bay near sunset.

Queen's Bath
Located off the coast just north of our resort, the Queen's Bath is one of many natural pools formed by cooled lava rock and filled/refreshed by daily tides. We spent a morning here swimming, cliff jumping, and exploring the black rocky shore.

Rugged rocky terrain.

Melinda overlooking the numerous "bathers" while drying off from her cliff jump.

Pali Ke Kua ("Hideaway") Beach 
A lesser known beach along the north shore, "Hideaway" is known for its peaceful environment (many tourists are deterred from visiting due to a sketchy downclimb on washed-out mud required to reach it) and excellent snorkeling due to the numerous reefs. We spent an afternoon here snorkeling and lounging in our beach chairs.

Beautiful and secluded. Note the extensive reef right off the beach!

Makua ("Tunnels") Beach
Another section of beach known for exceptional snorkeling due to the surrounding natural reef, "Tunnels" is accessed by walking about a mile down the long Makua beach from the popular Ha'ena Beach Park. We spent a morning here, exploring bright reefs and chasing a rainbow of tropical fish of all shapes and sizes.

Tunnels Beach, taken while coming up for air from my snorkeling endeavors. 

EAST SHORE

Wailua River/Uluwehi ("Secret") Falls
Looking to give our legs a rest after a few days of strenuous hiking, we rented a kayak and traveled inland on the Wailua River. This offered another unique perspective on the island and (thanks to Melinda's constant "cool-down" splashes) a refreshing way to stay cool on an especially hot sunny day. Lots of singing and laughter was had as we navigated our double kayak up the river. We also decided to try a short hike, starting along the bank a few miles up the river, after reading about the route to the scenic "secret falls." Melinda said this was her most enjoyable day of our vacation.

Wailua River from lookout above. We had to dodge a few of the large tour boats seen to the left.

Melinda getting her paddle on.

Perhaps not as "secret" as advertised.

Secret Falls and Mindy blissfully floating in the pool below.

Wailua Falls
A beautiful twin-waterfall viewed from the highway. We stopped to check it out on our way to the airport on our final day.

Difficult to get close, but still worth the stop.

Anini Beach
Anini Beach is apparently popular with locals and tourists due to the leisurely calm/shallow waters and protection from a wide-spanning reef. Melinda and I decided to check it out after learning from another couple at the resort that they had spotted a sea turtle there the previous day. I spent hours snorkeling without seeing much more than a few small fish until coming across somewhat of an aquatic unicorn...

Melinda's view from her suntanning station.

Turtle! Check out the video below.

"Coconut Coast" Pathway
As an alternative way to explore the island, Melinda decided to rent bicycles from a small bicycle rental shop near the 8-mile paved pathway along the "Coconut Coast" east shore. We spent about an hour riding by numerous beaches and stopping to appreciate the vastness of the ocean beyond. I forgot my camera at home but Melinda graciously let me take a couple (dozen) pictures from her phone to document the adventure.

Leading the way at "Mindy Speed"

Numerous scenic beaches along the relatively short distance.

Action shot!

WEST SHORE

Awa'awapuhi Trail
After seeing the Na Pali Coast from the Kalalau trail, we decided to get a different perspective on the region by hiking along this ridge, far above the north shore, accessed from Koke'e State Park on the west side of the island. While 99% of the trail was through primarily viewless forest, spectacular views from the final lookout were well worth the trip.

Different perspective of the Na Pali coast. 

Emerging from the ridiculously tall jungle grass.

Double rainbow!

Tip of Awa'awapuhi ridge, incredible cliffs all around.

Worth every step!

Waimea Canyon
Often referred to as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," Waimea Canyon in Kauai's western region is a massive canyon of red, brown, and green hues carved through the island rock. We did a short hike to a lookout in the area, but found that the multiple lookout points along the highway offered arguably better views.

First views in the morning fog.

Every angle unique and impressive.

Stark contrast from the lush jungle just an hour up the road.

SOUTH SHORE

Poipu Beach Park
Having checked off all the things on our holiday "wish list," Melinda and I decided to check out early and spend our final day on the island visiting as many "tourist traps" as possible simply for the fun of a scavenger hunt around the island. After many less-than-stimulating sights, the Poipu area on the south shore proved to be an interesting area worth exploring. We were limited in time but managed to see some interesting sights before returning our rental vehicle and beginning our journey home.

Exploring the cliffs of "Shipwreck Cove"

"Spouting Horn" geyser.

Chickens!
The official bird (and alarm clock) of Kauai! There were thousands of these guys everywhere we went.