The Garden Isle: Kauai (February 13, 2019-February 15, 2019)
- Bridget Rackley
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
The third island we visited is Hawaii's oldest island, Kauai. It is known as the "Garden Isle." We left Maui and flew inter-island on Hawaiian Airlines, arriving on the island of Kauai at 1:25pm. We stayed at the Sheraton Kauai Resort in a Deluxe Ocean Front Room. This room was very spacious, and I would recommend staying here if you ever get the chance to visit Kauai. The views of Kiahuna Beach were amazing. We also rented a car on this island as well.
In route to the hotel, we drove the Tree Tunnel on Maluhia Road. This tunnel is known as Kauai's Highway to Heaven, and it is flanked by eucalyptus trees that were planted over 150 years ago. We stopped for lunch at a walk-up stand called "Sueoka's." The crab cake sandwich was delicious. This became daddy's favorite spot. Once we checked into the hotel and got settled, mom and I took a drive to Spouting Horn. We also saw the Hawaiian Monk Seal basking in the sun on the beach. You will find these seals are very common to Kauai, even though they are an endangered species.
Something else you will note that is specific to Kauai is the red dirt that is the island's landscape. The red dirt is a result of iron deposits from volcanic lava that has oxidized over millions of years along with the wet and windy climate. Another oddity to Kauai is the abundance of roosters freely running around the island. We were given different accounts of why this is, one being they were blown in from a Hurricane years and years and years ago!
On our first night in Kauai, we had dinner at Hawaii's original bar, "Duke's."
The next day, we drove around the island and stopped at the 80-foot Wailua Falls. This is a hidden gem. The Ninini Point Lighthouse stands 86 feet tall and overlooks Nawili Wili Bay. We made a stop at Poipu Beach and took in the views from the beach. That afternoon, we spent "Happy Hour" at the resort's pool and sipped "Lava Flow" drinks.
The next day, our flight was scheduled to leave the island at 4:08pm, but we know how that turned out! Since we had time to see more of the island, we drove over to Waimea Canyon, which is known as "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific." The canyon is along the western side of the island. It is 3,600 feet deep and 14 miles long. There is a lookout point that provides views into the canyon. There are trails within the canyon, but we just stopped at the lookout.
In the town of Hanapepe, is the Old Swinging Bridge. The bridge spans the Hanapepe River and is a nice, quick stop. We also drove over to Kauai Coffee Company and then to the North Shore to Kilauea Point. The Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse sits out on the point. This area is a known as a wildlife refuge. Kukuiolono Park is a 9-hole golf course but was once an ancient Hawaiian Heiau.
Here are a few links:
And a couple photographs:
"Travel is seeking the lost paradise." ~Unknown
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