November 12, 2014 Kauai, Hawaii Part 1

Aloha from Hawaii!  Yes you read that right.  We are on the island of Kauai.  After a six hour flight from San Diego, and a short flight from Honolulu, we arrived on Kauai also known as the

Our first view from the aircraft of Oahu Island and Waikiki Beach

Our first view from the aircraft of Oahu Island and Waikiki Beach

Garden Isle.  Like the other Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is the top of an enormous volcano rising from the ocean floor.  Kauai is the fourth largest island, the northernmost island, the oldest and the first to be free of volcanic activity.  It is 33 miles long and 25 miles wide with a population of around 63,000. It is believed that this island was the first inhabited.  While we were able to drive around most of the perimeter of the island, the interior is mostly inaccessible.  The temperature averages between 69 and 84 degrees year round.  One of the first things we noticed when stepping off the plane was the humidity the likes of which we hadn’t felt since leaving Florida eighteen months ago.  The Hawaiian trade winds help somewhat with making the humidity more tolerable.IMG_20141116_141136-1

With ocean temperatures of between 72 and 80 degrees year round we enjoyed snorkeling at two beaches while on the island.  Kauai is known for roosters and chickens roaming free, so it is common to see them everywhere you go on the island,  even sunbathing with Bill on the beach.

These roosters where everywhere

These roosters where everywhere

We were also awakened every morning by the sound of roosters crowing. While driving to one beach we came upon a blowhole.

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn

Spouting Horn

We stayed at a beautiful condo we booked through Vacation Rentals By Owner.  We enjoyed watching cruise ships coming in from our balcony.  Electricity is very expensive on the island and it is very common to see solar panels on most of the roofs of buildings including our condo.

View from our balcony

View from our balcony

We rented a jeep and set off to explore the island during our five night stay.

One day we drove to the North Shore of the island on Highway 50 to the “End of the Road”.  This part of the island is known for its gorgeous scenery, amazing beaches, dry and wet caves, waterfalls and many one lane bridges where you had to stop and wait your turn to cross.  The  movie ” South Pacific ” was filmed here as well as Elvis Presley’s “Blue Hawaii”.  We also

Left view of Lumahai Beach part of South Pacific movie

Left view of Lumahai Beach part of South Pacific movie

Right view of Lumahai Beach part of South Pacific movie

Right view of Lumahai Beach part of South Pacific movie

stopped at an overlook with taro fields, which is widely grown in Hawaii.  This valley was used during the filming of the movie “Uncommon Valor” starring Gene Hackman.

Hanalei Wildlife Refuse

Hanalei Wildlife Refuse

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

Haena park

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