Trip Report: April 18 - 25, 2009

Background Info: It was my husband(DH) and I who traveled. Second trip to Kauai(1st was 2 years ago). We are in our late 20鈥檚. It was a trip for our anniversary and the first time we left our 1 year old son. Also, I did a lot of research so I had a list of places I wanted to eat at/see. The was a vacation so I planned on NOT cooking once even though we had a condo(through timeshare exchange). For full reviews of restaurants and the condo, I will be writing on the respective areaso in tripadvisor.

Saturday- April 18 - Arrived in Lihue at around 1:07. Had to wait for the next plane to come in with my luggage(DH was able to pack only a carry-on). Finally got my luggage, got a Pontaic G6 from Budget for the week was $215, and went to Kauai Beach Villas to see if we could check in early. Room wasn鈥檛 ready so we headed to the Coconut Marketplace and had ice cream from Lapperts. It was okay. Not the best ice cream I鈥檝e had but better than Dreyers. I like Thrify鈥檚 Ice Cream better(or even Coldstone). Then headed to Lydgate Beach just to look around.

Went back around 4 to get the keys to our room. Still wasn鈥檛 ready even though checkin time was at 4. Finally got our keys around 4:25. Lots of people were waiting. We were in condo E6, it was nice. Had ocean view. We would stay here again. Headed to Hukilau Lanai for 5:45 dinner reservations. Our best overall meal for value/taste.

Sunday 鈥?Breakfast at Ono鈥檚 Family Restaurant. It was good. I don鈥檛 even really like Coconut but I loved the coconut syrup more than the maple syrup. Then headed to walmart to get some water and juice. Went to beaches.(Don鈥檛 remember which beaches we visited when). Had Lunch at Keoki鈥檚 Paradise(Best lunch place). Was really good. Back to condo for a nap. Dinner at The Beach House at 6. It was good, we had been there the last time we came.

Monday: Had Breakfast at Joe鈥檚 on the Green. We sat outside and had a nice view of the ocean and the golf course. Then we headed to Waimea Canyon. It was beautiful. From the main lookout we watched the waterfall and saw the clouds fill the canyon as we watched. Some of the road needs repair. Would see it if you can. Never been to the Grand Canyon so I can鈥檛 compare to that. Stopped at Shrimp Station for some garlic shrimp. Really good just wish they would have peeled it. Then we to JoJo鈥檚 Anuenue and it was excellent. Love the cream topping. Went back to condo for another nap(happened almost daily). Then went on the Poipu Sunset Cruise with HoloHolo. Was great. Only 10 of us. Food was very good. Saw some dolphins.

Tuesday 鈥?Friday was days at the beach and eating and naping. Visited Wailua Falls, Opaeka鈥檃 Falls, and Spouting Horn. Very nice and easy to get to. Breakfast also at Kountry Kitchen and Wake-up Caf茅(both good). Lunch at Kalapaki Joes, Puka Dog, Savage Shrimp and Keoki鈥檚 Again. Dinner at Dukes(twice), Hukilau Lanai(again), and Plantation Gardens. Snacks: Malasadas from Kmart Lady, and Shave Ice from Wishing Well.

Ranking of food by type(note, all were good)

Breakfast: Ono鈥檚 Family Restaurant, (2 way tie, Kountry Kitchen and Wake-up Caf茅), Joe鈥檚 at the Green.

Lunch: Keoki鈥檚, Kalapaki Joes, Shrimp Station(liked the garlic shrimp better than Savage), Savage Shrimp, Puka Dog

Dinner: Hukilau Lanai, closely followed by Dukes, Plantation Gardens, The Beach House

Left early Saturday morning to catch flight at 6:44 to Oahu then 8:05 back to LAX.

Other notes: Following the speed limits. The first time we came we never eally saw the speed trap, but boy was that different this time. The were set up right down the road from the Marriott in Lihue and had at least 3 cops with the radar guns and were pulling many cars into the shopping center to write tickets. Then the next day the were set up on the road to Poipu from Lihue. The pull the car in front of us over. We think it must have been for not wearing a seat belt as we were going to same speed. Then one cop was out on the side of the road at 9 pm at night right before the Coconut Marketplace. So follow the speed limit and wear your seatbelt.

Beaches we visted:

Lydgate Beach, Anini Beach, Moloa鈥檃 Beach, Poipu Beach, Shipwreck Beach, Kalihiwai Beach, and the Beach in from of Kauai Beach Villas.

We can鈥檛 wait to go back and bring our son the next time. Any questions, feel free to ask.

Trip Report: April 18 - 25, 2009

Sounds like a wonderful time. We were there a few weeks before you.

Trip Report: April 18 - 25, 2009

Good news bad news.

The good news is I agree with almost all your restaurant suggestions. You were right on with that.

The bad news is pzp might not talk to you because you didn%26#39;t like Lapperts. That place is sacred to she and I. You only get a 9 out possible 10 for trip reports. :)

Thanks for sharing your experience with us all.

Thanks for your trip report....Have to agree Coldstone is the best, store bought Ben %26amp; Jerry..

Glad to see you liked Onos Family for breakfast..

At least you didn%26#39;t leave hungry!!!!

Haha. I really wanted to like Lapperts more!!

Yes!! I sure didn%26#39;t leave hungry. Gain 4 1/2 lbs. But it was worth it.

Jebett- that was funny 9 out of 10!

Amy- thanks for the great report on the restaurants!

Where did you park for Moloa Bay? Did you have a hard time finding parking? Was the beach crowded?

Berthillions/paris has the best ice cream! Always a long line and worth it!

thx for sharing,

Lappert%26#39;s is pretty good!! Koloa is non stop people,

after 4 yrs i%26#39;m got my punch card filled,

can anyone comment on the speed traps. Been coming for 10 yrs and haven%26#39;t seen a cop yet, exc parked at the station at PV. ????? never see anyone goin within 5mph of the speed limit,

Cops in speed zones+tourists= more revenue for county of Kauai.

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

I have noticed over the last couple of weeks here in the Po%26#39;ipu area speed traps (or seat belt traps) set up on Po%26#39;ipu Road around the area of Po%26#39;ipu Shopping Village and also down by Po%26#39;ipu Kai.

On several occasions (including this morning) there was a cop on the side of the road with a radar gun pointed at cars. Saw a few pulled over in the last few days as well.

So be cautious - obey the posted speed limits and make sure you wear your seat belts - and you%26#39;ll be fine!

Malama Pono,

Janet

Yeah, but jebett and I have a major disagreement about who makes the best pancakes. I say Eggberts. She says Oki Diner. She%26#39;s wrong, of course.

huladolz:

Parking was fine when we went to Moloa%26#39;a. There was area to the left that we parked in. We were the only ones there!!! When we left, a movie tour bus had just come by. It%26#39;s really a nice Beach to just sit a relax(not really swim). The waiter(I think his name was Jonathan) at Kalapaki%26#39;s Joes actually recommended it to us as he got married there.