Kauai Trip Recap

I went to Kauai for my 30th birthday! BY MYSELF.

The first place I stayed at was right next door to where they filmed parts of Tropic Thunder! The first few days I hung out on the east side, going to up to a few waterfalls, walking on the beach, generally just hanging out!

next I moved to the north shore, I stayed at the Westin in Princeville which was SOOOO NICE. It was brand new, and I used my travel agent cred to get a great tour. They would have given me an upgrade but I didn't need a bigger room since it was just me (but this comes back around later!) 

I loved the north shore. it was so beautiful and lush, and the beaches were amazing! Not so great for swimming in the middle of winter, but beautiful. I drove around, trying to stop at as many little beaches as I could. Haena Beach was my favorite, with the dry cave across the street. And I bought the most amazing cookies from a vendor that I wish had lasted forever. I made it all the way to the end of the road, to Ke'e beach, and managed to get parking (TINY parking lot, so this was kinda amazing.) A huge storm was coming in, so the waves were huge!

 

then i moved down to the Sheraton in Poipu for 5 days, and got an upgrade to oceanfront, thanks to my contact at the Westin in Princeville! Yaay! I popped back over to the East side of the island to see Smith's Luau (just the show, saved a lot of $$ that way) and then lounged around the hotel in Poipu for 2 days due to nasty weather. But hey - watching TV in bed is still vacation if you ask me!! I even went down and sat in the hot tub in the rain. I had it all to myself - it was magical.

 

Once things cleared up, I took the day to drive up Waimea canyon (GORGEOUS!!). It rained on and off, but the sun was out most of the day. I got some amazing photos - imagine the grand canyon with waterfalls! I drove through Waimea town and Hanapepe, and tried to go to Polihale beach, but the road was washed out.

 

On one of the days, I did a helicopter flight around the island, and the helicopter had NO DOORS! it was so thrilling, and great for picture taking. it was a little cloudy on parts of the island, but clear and gorgeous in all the places that mattered.

 

I also did a NaPali cruise, which was great, beautiful views, and i saw dolphins and whales! I got totally sea sick on the way back, but it was worth it - one of the most spectacular things I've ever seen. I'm lucky i got the see it from the ocean and from the air!

So the trip was fantastic and amazing, and i really didn't want to come home! Next on the list is Maui... someday!