We arrived in Lihue, Kauai, to a warm island breeze...happiness is!! Hopped into a brand new rental car, a Jetta and mozzied north up the coast! Palm trees, beaches, surfers, I'm in love already! First stop, Kealia Beach, hopped into our cozzies( bathing suites) and baked in the sun! After the over night flight, it was nice just to lie and stretch , and feel the heat warming our bones:) had a quick nap before heading off again...a beautiful drive up the coast, the mountains are absolutely spectacular and make 70% of the island intransversable! Keeping most the 67 000 population around the coast line.
And so it was that we arrived at our first accommodation in Kapaa, at Magic Sunrise...and what a magical place it is. The backyard overlooks a valley, a river weaves through the bottom, the smell of tropical plants, frangipanis, the chirping of the many birds around, floods your senses. The peace and tranquility, tangible. The house is an eclectic mix of everything, an Asian flare with zen like qualities only adds to the sense that you are in somewhat of a magical place! Desiree was there to welcome us and gave us the run down ... A Swiss lady, as eclectic as the house! :)
Breakfast on the outdoor patio, by the pool...yup, I could get use to this! Gusto, ( the resident little dog, ) sat at our feet, waiting for his breakfast to fall.. Lol so cute! We began our excursion by driving and exploring the eastern and northern shores. The drive is unbelievable, the mountains in the background of every view! Elephant ears adorn huge trees, like parasites , Albizia trees with their flat tops bridge the roadway forming a tunnel. Kalihiwai Bay was really nice, a lagoon on one side, fed into the ocean. The black volcanic rock, was great for climbing, spotting black crabs, and I noticed the rocks didn't get hot , for being so black. I thought they would be extremely hot!
On to Anini beach, best snorkelling on the island, very shallow, lots of rocks. I met a couple that were using tweezers to pick out Na Pali shells, minute little shells that are used to make jewelry.
Hanalei Bay Beach was next up, surfers paradise , decent size waves... Tried body surfing, it's been a long time since I have done it, so it took a few tries! Watching the surfers definitely makes you want to try it! Walked around the town of Hanalei, had lunch at Bubba's burgers, before heading off in search of "Secret Beach" . Came across the Kilauea Lighthouse, before finding the unmarked, highly secret beach, a kilometers hike down a steep decline and then it opens up to the most unbelievable beach... The waves crashing on the shore, huge waves, the biggest I have ever seen!!! To dangerous to swim, the rip tides so visible it was scary! Cliff face all along the beach , a group of very, hmmm, earthy people... Smoking, hmmmm, earthly stuff, cavorting in , hmmm, their birthday suites.... Made for a very entertaining site! No wonder the keep it secret! Lol !!!
Had a slower start to the day, then went on a 2.5 km kayak trip up the Wailua River. Then we hiked for a km into jungle full of mango trees, a twisted gnarly tree trunks, Albizia trees, before arriving at a waterfall over 100 m tall. Went for a swim, the water was icy cold, but everyone needs a photo op under the cascading waterfall! Had a picnic lunch, while our guide told us the story of the tribe that once lived in the jungle and all they got up to, before hiking back out and kayaking back down the river. We are going to feel it tomorrow! Out of our group of 6 couples, the Canadians brought home both silver and gold! Lol so competitive!
Had a delicious BBQ rib dinner, met two young girls, Anna and Franzi, from Germany and Sarah from Seattle. So we spent to the evening chatting and swapping details of our trips. Tomorrow will be another beach day, weather permitting!
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