Kauai it is.......

[Flybye]

We made three children cry last night when we made the reservations and booked the flight. Poor kiddos. They went to Maui with us about three years ago, so they know what they are missing. Hubby and I haven't taken a long, nice, trip together for 15 years, so I don't feel TOO bad!

We decided to go to Kauai.

Any suggestions from anyone who has been there?

We, of course, have already contacted the LBS to assure the rental of road bikes and ask if they can help us plot a course or two while we are there. We have our priorities. :D:D:D:D

Where to eat?
What to do?
What not to do?
Where not to eat?

Thanks!

[Velobambina]

Take a surfing lesson.

If I ever get to Hawaii, that's what I'm gonna do, regardless of my advanced age.

[Brandi]

Oh my gosh! I hope you have the time of your life! We leave a week from today for the big island. I have no suggestions cause I have never been there. But wait I do have a suggestion (duh) Get "Kauai revealed" book. It is so good for going to the off beat places. We have one for the big island and it truely takes you to hidden (or used to hiden )places. We saw some really neat places. We had to walk and climb a bit here and there but we found magical places!
http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauai.html you can not go wrong with this book. I got the one I have on ebay for pretty cheap. It was used but who cares.
This guide book led us to places called mermaid ponds, which were so magical they made me cry. Also it lead us to the best ice cream sunday I have ever had too. Please let me know if you get this I would like to know if it is as good as the one we have.
When do you go?

[Veronica]

Get this book

http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html

They won't steer you wrong.

Do a helicopter tour - it's worth the money. Go for the one with no doors.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/kauai-04/napali-coast/slides/napali-5.jpg

From our helicopter tour.
Check out our galleries of Kauai photos - they aren't on our new website so use the links.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/kauai-04/napali-coast/index.html
http://www.tandemhearts.com/kauai-04/fish/index.html
http://www.tandemhearts.com/kauai-04/red-falls/index.html

V.

[Brandi]

Get this book

http://www.wizardpub.com/kauai/kauaerials.html

They won't steer you wrong.

Do a helicopter tour - it's worth the money. Go for the one with no doors.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/kauai-04/napali-coast/slides/napali-5.jpg

From our helicopter tour.
Check out our galleries of Kauai photos - they aren't on our new website so use the links.

http://www.tandemhearts.com/kauai-04/napali-coast/index.html
http://www.tandemhearts.com/kauai-04/fish/index.html
http://www.tandemhearts.com/kauai-04/red-falls/index.html

V.
Umm didn't I just write that? Above?lol.

[Veronica]

Yep - I think we were responding at the same time.

V.

[Brandi]

Yep - I think we were responding at the same time.

V.
Great minds think alike!:p

[Starfish]

Flybye, excellent choice!!! Yay for you!!

And, good for you for giving your kids the gift of parents who are willing to prioritize each other! ;)

[snowtulip]

Kauai is sooo beautiful and has a special place in my heart (DH proposed to me there).

We did the hike along the Na Pali Coast on the Kalalau Trail (beautiful), a bit strenuous at times and long. Beautiful, you don't have to do the whole hike if you don't have time overnight, I'd still recommend going out and back for whatever distance you can.

Also great hiking in Waimea Canyon.

Didn't road ride, but there was great mountain biking (I don't remember the trail names, but LBS sent us in the right direction).

Also, DH really like Aniki Beach (it's protected by a 2 mile long reef), his favorite in Kauai.

It's great you guys are taking time for yourself, ENJOY!!!!:D

[shootingstar]

About 6 yrs. ago, we went to Hawaii towards latter part of May a few years ago and into June. Actually I rejoined my partner after he was returning from his solo cycling tour in New Zealand for 6 months.

About 7 days spent on Kauai. I loved the island. It's not as dominated by condos, highrises. We only stayed in 2 bed 'n breakfasts and a small inn. Rented bikes and did cycle with our belongings around part of the perimeter of island, went to several major botanical gardens ..this is serious floral knockout, plus stopped by beaches.

Took a small group tour up to Mauna (Mount) Kea to see the stars at night at the observatory up there. It's just amazing..Hawaii offers one of the best viewing spots on earth of the constellations... maybe because of its central location, out in the ocean with nothing else around... I had never seen so many stars of shapes and sizes.

Went to Hilo farmer's market to buy our fresh fruit, etc. Papaya at that time of year, ..was only 25 cents each. Needless to say, we gorged on it..and hook yellow mangos are plentiful and cheap.

I took a helicopter ride above its famous coast line.

It really is like a sort of Garden of Eden.

We were surprised that we saw hardly any cyclists, the roads are good quality, etc.

The island inspired me for photos that I turned into gift cards, for a painting that I did..

[Flybye]

Veronica and Brandi - thanks for the simeltaneous suggestion on the book - I have to order a few things from Amazon and I will put that on my list. We will check out the helicopter tour, too. My husband hasn't ever ridden in one. I have, at the age of 11 or 12, a LONG time ago!!

Snowtulip - thanks especially for the beach recommend. I LOVE snorkeling. We are planning on hiking, too. What a great place to get a proposal! I got proposed to in ShopKo parking lot - not quite as scenic :rolleyes: !! Being a relief florist and having worked in the industry since 1988, I love the fact that you say it is a floral mecca!!!

Shooting star - I hadn't even thought about an observatory! That would be a great thing to do one night! We will hit the farmers markets for sure.


Has anyone Kayaked there? How about deep sea fishing? We went deep sea fishing in Maui and I got sea sick and didn't catch a thing. It was really hard to fork over the money at the end of the day to the boatman for that. I really want to catch some huge old monster, though, and would like to try again.

[Veronica]

We kayaked with a tour company, one recommended in the book. It was nice. The provided lunch was good. And it was nice to have guidance in getting through the surf zone since we only kayak when we go on trips. :) We didn't get as close to the whales as I had hoped we would.

V.

[Veronica]

Mauna Kea with the observatories and Hilo are on another island - the Big Island.

V.

[Starfish]

Has anyone Kayaked there?

I kayaked in Kealakekua Bay (Big Island), out to the sea sanctuary at Cook's Monument, to go snorkeling. I was in a tandem kayak with my then-husband, and half way across the bay we saw that there were dolphins in the bay, so I got out of the kayak and snorkeled around. The dolphins swam all around and under me, so I got to see them streaming throught the ocean under water. Then, the sea life viewing at the monument was amazing.

[Brandi]

I kayaked in Kealakekua Bay (Big Island), out to the sea sanctuary at Cook's Monument, to go snorkeling. I was in a tandem kayak with my then-husband, and half way across the bay we saw that there were dolphins in the bay, so I got out of the kayak and snorkeled around. The dolphins swam all around and under me, so I got to see them streaming throught the ocean under water. Then, the sea life viewing at the monument was amazing.
That is an amazing place to snorkle. we have a day trip planned there with our friends when we go back this week. I can't believe it in less then 5 days we willbe on a plane! I am so looking forward to this! Sorry for the drift!
The book we recommended will give you lot's of stuff like kayaking and snorkling. No worries!