Saturday, March 24, 2012

Trip Highlights

Since there were 17 of us (ages 6 mos - 60+) we were able to sample much of the island, and I%26#39;ll try to be brief.



First of all, the Northshore of Kauai was absolutely the place for us. I must admit, that when I awoke on our first morning overlooking Lydgate, I was flooded with remorse; here we had spent thousands of dollars, to be at a place that appeared to be identical (if not inferior) to our favorite haunts in Florida. As we drove north, I ws relieved to find the tropical paradise I had been dreaming of. I confess, i would have been content to never leave that part of the island.



Favorites - Helicopter tour with Blue Hawaiian - the hands-down highlight of our trip. Other tours/activities: surfing lessons in Hanalei Bay, shore kayakking, ziplining and horseback riding from Princeville Ranch. Smith%26#39;s Luau (all 17 of us!)



Favorite self-guided activities: snorkeling Ke%26#39;e Beach, watching the monk seal on Ke%26#39;e, hiking part of the Kilalau trail to the second lookout, the view from the top of Pihea Trail, watching whales breach from the Northshore, sitting on Secret Beach with a bottle of wine and my DH. Massages on the lanai with the sound of the surf in the background.



Not so favorites - Scuba Diving from Poipu (great disappointment), Hiking the Awa .... Trail area in a torrential downpour, as crazy as going offroad in a 4WD during the same storm!!!!



Lodging - one night at Kaha Lani (private condos) - our unit was lovely, our friends%26#39; was badly in need of updating. Seven nights in a vrbo rental in Kilauea - just incredible, without a doubt the most magical place we%26#39;ve ever stayed, all in our party )agreed!!!!!! (pm me if you%26#39;d like more info).



Food - Hukilau Lani, again hands down favorite. BarAcuda - my son didn%26#39;t understand the concept of tapas, he%26#39;s a big eater and wanted more. Over the Falls French toast at the cafe in Hanelei- okay, Bubbas Burgers, family favorite for lunch on the way home from the beaches. Wishing Well shave ice - glad we tried it once, but not a huge favorite. Shrimp Station - yummy, yummy!. Tropical Tacos - good but expensive. Dukes - first night dinner, we all had excellent meals.



Favorite rental car of the 8 rented by our group - Extended Jeep 4-door.



What we didn%26#39;t get to do - NaPali Catamaran, cancelled on us twice due to weather.



New found treat - Chocolate Toffee Macadamia nuts.



All of the other wonderful shopping tips, sights to see, etc., have been mentioned by others.



Thanks fellow TA posters for helping us to plan a wonderful trip.



Trip Highlights


%26lt;%26lt;First of all, the Northshore of Kauai was absolutely the place for us. I must admit, that when I awoke on our first morning overlooking Lydgate, I was flooded with remorse; here we had spent thousands of dollars, to be at a place that appeared to be identical (if not inferior) to our favorite haunts in Florida. As we drove north, I ws relieved to find the tropical paradise I had been dreaming of. I confess, i would have been content to never leave that part of the island.%26gt;%26gt;



Now ya%26#39; know what I%26#39;m talking about. As you leave Kapaa on the way to the NS didn%26#39;t you just feel like all the air was coming out of you and you could finally breath? It%26#39;s like a big sigh! Hard to describe. All of Kauai is beautiful but there is nothing like that drive to the NS.



Trip Highlights


Which VRBO rental in Kilauea?




We stayed at Dali Hale - don%26#39;t know the vrbo number offhand.

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