09-06-2007, 06:22 AM
I take it you won't be taking the Superferry over. : )
Prepare to me amazed. Kaua'i is gorgeous. Why, even the airport is gorgeous (check out the hot hula pictures on your way to pick up your luggage!).
I'll just give you my take. I like the water, so my aventures in Kaua'i have been water-oriented. Last time I went I did a "home exchange" via homeexchange.com. We posted our house in Oceanside online and, to our surprise, were contacted by a man in Princeville who wanted to exchange houses for a week. So we were there over Christmas while he stayed at our place. Before that, I stayed at Sealodge, which I loved. These are private condos in Princeville on a bluff overlooking the Anini reef. The condos are not very large, but breathtaking views are possible and it was very quiet and comfortable. A friend and I hiked down from there to Sealodge Beach (in the blue book, be sure and get that) about an hour after sunrise. There wasn't a soul there, and we had an uninhibited good time swimming and snorkeling (water not as clear as on Big Island, but pretty good snorkeling). We stayed several hours and one other couple showed up. We also hung out at Ke'e, which is my favorite beach in the world (although I haven't really seen that many). It might be too crowded for some, but most people are lounging, and not in the water, so not crowded out there, and not crowded at ALL by Southern California standards. There is a beautiful botanical garden along the way to Ke'e. Highly recommended, but didn't visit personally. Poipu --not for me.
Secret Beach, beautiful, but to my mind, treacherous. Anini is good if you are looking for reliably smooth water (Kaua'i surf can get a little choppy). Queen's Bath, again in Princeville, is a popular adventure to a cliff edge lava rock pool. A lot of people there, but to me it was definetely worth the somewhat challenging hike.
My favorite places to eat (and drink) are Duke's and this little place that is now called Calypso's on the North Shore. Very good food there and the mai tais are incredible. The Iniki is very powerful. I did not care for, what's it called?, Bernache's (?) near Poipu. Everyone else loves it.
I most enjoyed my time at the two little beaches below Princeville, Sealodge Beach and, uh, the other one, where there were remarkably few people, perhaps because you have to hike down to them and the trails are not marked.
Lastly, we kayaked up and then down the River. Unforgettable. The blossoms on the water, the tradewinds. Amazing. My advice: avoid the South, go North. Oh, also, if you like poke, go to Fish Express across from the hospital and Walmart (best Walmart in the world, period). The food there is very authentic.
If you want a "culture break" drop into the Talk Story bookstore in Hanapepe. Some quirky folks trying to live the dream and make a go of it with a used bookstore nowhere near their clientele. Salt Pond Beach is nearby. Lots of locals, nice beach.
Prepare to me amazed. Kaua'i is gorgeous. Why, even the airport is gorgeous (check out the hot hula pictures on your way to pick up your luggage!).
I'll just give you my take. I like the water, so my aventures in Kaua'i have been water-oriented. Last time I went I did a "home exchange" via homeexchange.com. We posted our house in Oceanside online and, to our surprise, were contacted by a man in Princeville who wanted to exchange houses for a week. So we were there over Christmas while he stayed at our place. Before that, I stayed at Sealodge, which I loved. These are private condos in Princeville on a bluff overlooking the Anini reef. The condos are not very large, but breathtaking views are possible and it was very quiet and comfortable. A friend and I hiked down from there to Sealodge Beach (in the blue book, be sure and get that) about an hour after sunrise. There wasn't a soul there, and we had an uninhibited good time swimming and snorkeling (water not as clear as on Big Island, but pretty good snorkeling). We stayed several hours and one other couple showed up. We also hung out at Ke'e, which is my favorite beach in the world (although I haven't really seen that many). It might be too crowded for some, but most people are lounging, and not in the water, so not crowded out there, and not crowded at ALL by Southern California standards. There is a beautiful botanical garden along the way to Ke'e. Highly recommended, but didn't visit personally. Poipu --not for me.
Secret Beach, beautiful, but to my mind, treacherous. Anini is good if you are looking for reliably smooth water (Kaua'i surf can get a little choppy). Queen's Bath, again in Princeville, is a popular adventure to a cliff edge lava rock pool. A lot of people there, but to me it was definetely worth the somewhat challenging hike.
My favorite places to eat (and drink) are Duke's and this little place that is now called Calypso's on the North Shore. Very good food there and the mai tais are incredible. The Iniki is very powerful. I did not care for, what's it called?, Bernache's (?) near Poipu. Everyone else loves it.
I most enjoyed my time at the two little beaches below Princeville, Sealodge Beach and, uh, the other one, where there were remarkably few people, perhaps because you have to hike down to them and the trails are not marked.
Lastly, we kayaked up and then down the River. Unforgettable. The blossoms on the water, the tradewinds. Amazing. My advice: avoid the South, go North. Oh, also, if you like poke, go to Fish Express across from the hospital and Walmart (best Walmart in the world, period). The food there is very authentic.
If you want a "culture break" drop into the Talk Story bookstore in Hanapepe. Some quirky folks trying to live the dream and make a go of it with a used bookstore nowhere near their clientele. Salt Pond Beach is nearby. Lots of locals, nice beach.