Since we had been to Kauai before we had some old favorite spots to visit as well as some new adventures to try. We were also lucky enough to have our friends the Harris's join us at the resort for a few days. Their boys loved Poi pu beach and could play there for hours stabbing waves, boogie boarding and snorkeling. On Tuesday we took them to the North side of the Island for amazing snorkeling at Tunnels. There are a large variety of tropical fish there that are unbothered by the humans gawking at them. Even the turtles were quite friendly and seemed happy to let us swim near them. Scott swam out to the edge of the large reef but headed back in after glimpsing a tiger shark. After snorkeling Scott and I went off to make arrangements to rent our camp gear and the Harris family found Chicken in a Barrel. We ran into them again in Hanalei and enjoyed some happy hour drinks with them while watching the NBA finals from a restaurant with killer views of waterfall laced mountains.
Excellent snorkeling at Tunnels
Wednesday Scott and I ventured off on our own and went up Wiamea Canyon. The day was clear so we were able to look down into the Kalalau Valley and look forward to our adventure there. We hiked the Honopu Ridge trail. Due to trail erosion, the parks department had taken down the sign to the trail which made the route that much less populated and much more overgrown. The fern groves were immense and we got a little scraped up by the foliage. The views at the end of the trail looking down on Honopu Beach were amazing. When we got back Kara invited us over for a delicious dinner.
One of our favorite hikes along the South Shore
Thursday we avoided the tour companies, rented kayaks and headed up the Walia River with the Harris family. Malik wanted to be first up the river and we had to work hard to keep up with him and Scot. The hike through the jungle to the falls was short and the falls were cool and refreshing. Scot and the boys had fun getting blasted by the falls while Kara, Scott and I watched them get pounded from shore. Back in the kayaks we headed up river again to a swimming hole. Everyone jumped off the 10 foot cliff while I took pictures. Scott had to repeat his back flip since Mason missed seeing it and we practically had to drag Malik away because he kept wanting to jump "just one more time".
Friday Scott and I headed over to Kalapaki beach. My tummy was angry so I relaxed on the beach while Scott mastered stand up paddling. Next we ventured over to check out the Nawiliwili Lighthouse. The views were spectacular and since we were at the end of the runway, the planes looked like we could reach out and touch them as they flew over. Just down from there we found a little local boogie boarding beach. Teens browned from the sun leaped into the rough surf and let the waves shoot them out while twisting and flying. Scott provided the entertainment for them by donning his snorkeling gear and heading out to find some fish. Upon returning from his swim one boy asked him if he had seen Tony out there. "Ya kno brah, Tony the Tiger shark". Upon returning from our day's adventures, we went to our local Poipu beach to find that two Hawaiian Monk seals had landed. Over dinner with the Harris family we learned that there are only 1100 Monk seals left and only 200 in the Hawaiian islands. We were lucky to get to see them!
Saturday we said goodbye to the Harris family and Scott and I headed North again. We went to our favorite beach, Hideaways. The trail to get to the beach is steep and slippery but the snorkeling is always worth it. On both of our visits to this beach I have managed to fall down on the trail and both times we've had to wait out a rainstorm but no complaints! We had a lovely picnic, sat out a brief rainstorm and explored the reef some more. Not 5 feet from shore we found a leopard eel and Scott spooked him out of his den for a picture. You'll have to trust me on how awesome the pics were (see Napali Coast adventure). Back at our condo in Wiohai we packed for our big adventure and went to bed early. The next day we'd be heading off the grid.
No comments:
Post a Comment