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| Trip Planning | Travel Agent | History of Kauai | Best Things to do! | Photos of Kauai |
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Trip Planning |
Virginia asked me if I wanted to go to Hawaii and spend a week at a time share she had available in the latter part of 2019. This is after our trip to Jordan for my birthday, two weeks in Scotland and a luxurious cruise on the Queen Mary II from Southampton to New York City in May.
She contacted me on March 1st, that she had made a payment to secure the timeshare in Kauai at Banyan Harbor for December 8th, leaving San Fracisco on Sunday. I was there once before but that was 40 years ago and I always wished I had taken a helicopter ride over the tall moutains and waterfalls. I wonder how much it costs now, time will tell!
The photo on the left is Virginia & Chuck in Jordan - Celebrating Chuck's 79th Birthday on February 4th, 2019 - Wadi Rum is the largest wadi (ravine) in Jordan and made eternally famous through the movie Lawrence of Arabia.
The photo on the right is our special cocktail party on the initial sailing of the Queen Mary II, from Southampton to New York City, hosted by a purser! We sailed back to the USA after 18 days in Scotland and England.
For my 80th birthday we plan on sailing from Dubai to Oman on the first leg of the cruise and I will probably have my birthday on the Arabian Sea. We will have to pass through the dangerous straits where the Iranians steal oil tankers! We will sail from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and on to the Indian Ocean! We will also visit India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and end the cruise in Singapore.
Check out our photos from our many trips around the world........
| My Personal Travel Agent - Setting up trips to Morocco, Portugal, Sicily and many other destinations. A top Travel Consultant. |
My travel agent, as usual, suggested the best way to setup the trip when I told her we might be going to Kauai.
Please contact Viviane Tondeur for help in setting up trips and getting the best deals possible.
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History of Kauai |
auai is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of 562.3 square miles (1,456.4 km2), it is the fourth-largest of these islands and the 21st largest island in the United States.K
Known also as the "Garden Isle", Kaua?i lies 105 miles (169 km) across the Kauai Channel, northwest of Oahu. This island is the site of Waimea Canyon State Park.
The United States Census Bureau defines Kauai as census tracts 401 through 409 of Kauai County, Hawaii, which comprises all of the county except for the islands of Kaula, Lehua and Niihau.
The 2010 United States Census population of the island was 67,091. The most populous town was Kapaa.
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Things to do in Kauai |
Relaxing and pristine Kauai (the Garden Island) is the least commercially developed of the Hawaiian islands. Waterfalls, scenic drives and more than 60 beaches dot the landscape.
Some beaches have great snorkeling, others offer child-friendly tidal pools and some are perfect for all kinds of water sports.
Dry-land activities include hiking the Kalalau Trail on the Na Pali coastline, taking a day trip to Waimea Canyon and experiencing life on a sugar plantation at Grove Farm Homestead Museum.
The photo on the right was taken of me on my 62nd birthday in Febrary 04th, 2002, at the crater on the big island, Hawaii. I had lunch there and walked through a lava tube and saw many orchids!
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December Weather on Kauai |
It looks like it will be the rainy season. There are huge storms coming to California from the north west, covering Hawaii and the west coast of the US. We need the rain and it looks like it will be 70 degrees or more so that is always good. Just take sandals and so on.We lucked out, we landed, the sun came out and it rained on the last day at noon for one hour, then sunny again. We were fortunate!
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To Decorate or not to Decorate? | Villa Buntjer |
It is the end of the first week of December and Virginia and I will be leaving on Sunday the eighth, so I wondered if I should at least do some decorations for the holiday season. Well it only takes half an hour or so and though it is a simple decoration, I think it looks good with the view of course!
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Day 1 | Flying to Kauai |
We got a direct flight from San Francisco to Kauai on United Airlines!Morning flight over to Kauai and an afternoon flight back to San Francisco!
Early Morning over San Francisco as we leave the City!
Flying over Kauai and Lihue, Hawaii!
Banyan Harbor - Resort ID: 0266 - 3411 Wilcox Road - Lihue, HI 96766 - USA
Phone: 808/245-7333
Chef Buntjer - Hostess with the mostest, wine from a box!
Day 2
Waimea Canyon - 2019.12.09 Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a large canyon, approximately ten miles (16 km) long and up to 3,000 feet (900 m) deep, located on the western side of Kaua?i in the Hawaiian Islands of the United States. Waimea is Hawaiian for "reddish water", a reference to the erosion of the canyon's red soil. The canyon was formed by a deep incision of the Waimea River arising from the extreme rainfall on the island's central peak, Mount Wai?ale?ale, among the wettest places on earth.
A drive back from the Waimea Canyon and we needed some coffee. The Kauai Coffee Company allows one to try as many coffees as one wants, all for free!
Day 3
'Opaeka'a Falls - Wailua Falls - 2019.12.10 'Opaeka'a is a waterfall located on the 'Opaeka'a Stream in Wailua River State Park on the eastern side of the Hawaiian island of Kauai. It is a 151–foot waterfall that flows over basalt from volcanic eruptions millions of years ago. Below the ridge down into the ravine through which the water falls can be seen the vertical dikes of basalt that cut through the horizontal Koloa lava flows. The name "Opaekaa" means rolling shrimp, "opae" being Hawaiian for "shrimp," and "kaa" for "rolling". The name dates back to days when the native freshwater shrimp Atyoida bisulcata were plentiful in the stream and were seen rolling and tumbling down the falls and into the churning waters at the fall's base.
Visually, this is a spectacular waterfall and is one of the island's few waterfalls that can be seen from the road. It flows year round and therefore is not seasonal. Most of the time it falls in a double cascade but the two sides may become one after a heavy rain. There is a highway overlook which provides a panoramic view of the 40-foot (12 m) wide falls and the valley below. The best time of day to see the falls is in full sunlight when the water sparkles the most. If the day is cloudy the view is less spectacular.
Wailua Falls is a 173 foot waterfall located on the South Fork Wailua River near Lihue (Kauai, Hawaii). The waterfall is prominently featured on the opening credits of the television series Fantasy Island.
There are paths to the bottom of the falls, but it can be muddy and slippery. The "trail" further from the parking lot is less steep than the closer one. In ancient times, Hawaiian men would jump from the top of the falls to prove their manhood. Some people still leap off the top of the falls, though it is dangerous and illegal. In 2016, a man jumped from the falls and was knocked unconscious but narrowly avoided death when someone swam out into the pool to save him. The pool is great for swimming, but there are swift currents close to the waterfall. There is another waterfall nearby named 'Opaeka'a Falls.
The most popular beach on the South Shore is Poipu Beach, which is fronted by Poipu Beach Park, and a few resorts. Poipu Beach was named America’s Best Beach by The Travel Channel, ranking top among the 10 “best” beaches selected nationwide. This beach is a series of golden sand crescents, strung together where beach-goers will find snorkeling, swimming, a natural ocean wading pool, boogie-boarding and surfing. On Kauai’s South Shore you’ll find the spectacular Spouting Horn blowhole, one of the most photographed spots on Kauai. The Poipu surf channels into a natural lava tube here and releases a huge spout of water that can reach as high as 50 feet into the air. You’ll also hear a hiss and a roar that is the basis of a Hawaiian legend.
One legend says that this coastline was once guarded by a giant moo (lizard) named Kaikapu. Everyone was afraid of the moo because it would eat anyone who tried to fish or swim in the area. One day, a young boy named Liko entered the ocean to outwit the lizard. Kaikapu attacked him, but Liko thrust a sharp stick into her mouth, swam under the lava shelf, and escaped through a small hole to the surface. The moo followed Liko and got stuck in the lava tube. To this day, you can hear the lizard’s roar and see her breath spraying from the blowhole.
The Old Sugar Mill of Koloa was part of the first commercially successful sugarcane plantation in Hawai?i, which was founded in Koloa on the island of Kauai in 1835 by Ladd & Company. This was the beginning of what would become Hawaii's largest industry. The building was designated a National Historic Landmark on December 29, 1962. A stone chimney and foundations remain from 1840.
Day 4
Helicoptor Ride Over Kauai - 2019.12.11 Sunshine Helicopters offers helicopter tours of Maui, Molokai, Kauai and Hawaii's Big Island. Over 90% of Hawaii is accessible only by helicopter, so come and see the part of Hawaii that can’t be seen from the ground. Come aboard one of Sunshine Helicopters’ "Black Beauty" state-of-the-art helicopters and enjoy fantastic aerial views of the Hawaiian Islands’ hidden beaches, lush rainforests and mountain ranges. All tours are personally narrated and include complimentary coffee. Book your Sunshine Helicopters aerial tour on Hawaii Discount and enjoy great savings.
Day 5
National Tropical Botanical Garden - Hula - 2019.12.12 McBryde Garden (approx. 200 acres) is a botanical garden located on the south shore of Kauai, Hawaii. It is one of five gardens of the non-profit National Tropical Botanical Garden (NTBG).
The garden is situated above Lawa?i Bay, in a valley transected by the Lawa?i Stream. Queen Emma of Hawaii resided above this valley for a short interval, and a modest house that was perhaps her residence has subsequently been moved to the valley floor and renovated. The valley was purchased by the McBryde family in the late 19th century for a sugarcane plantation. This first garden of the National Tropical Botanical Garden (then Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden) was started in 1970 with the purchase of 171 acres (0.69 km2) by the institution[1] and has since expanded. Initially called Lawa?i Garden, the site was renamed in 2000 as a result of a generous donation from the McBryde descendants.
Today, McBryde Garden serves as a research and conservation garden. It is home to the largest ex situ collection of native Hawaiian flora in the world, as well as extensive plantings of palms, flowering trees, heliconias, orchids and other plants collected from tropical regions. The Garden contains a major Conservation and Horticulture Center, with nursery and micropropagation laboratory, and is adjacent to NTBG's National Headquarters, with a research and education facilities, and the Allerton Garden.
Free Hula Shows
Hula Exhibitions on Kauai
I created a YouTube video of two famous hula dancers who performed for us at the North Shore Visitors Center on Kauai. The first hula is very lively with the use of gourds. The second one is a slow and romantic dance. The man playing the guitar and singing was also very good. I also make a quest appearance at the request of Larry Riveria at his song and dance recital, I danced and he sang! He is 88 and I am 79, the crowd loved us if I do say so myself!
YouTube Video - Hula Dances on Kauai.
Day 6
Kilauea Point - Taro Fields - Kilauea - Nini Light House - 2019.12.13 Kilauea Lighthouse was built in 1913. In 1976, the Coast Guard deactivated the lighthouse and replaced it with an automatic beacon. In 1979, the lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The refuge was established in 1985 to preserve and enhance seabird nesting colonies after the property was transferred from the United States Coast Guard. In 1988, the refuge was expanded to include Crater Hill and Mokolea Point.
Taro Fields
Kilauea Shops
Ninini Point Lighthouse: The 86-foot tall wood and concrete lighthouse overlooks Nawiliwili Bay. Built in 1906, the lighthouse was automated in 1953 and does not require a full time light keeper.
Take Highway 50 toward Lihu'e. Turn right on Rice Street (where Highway 50 becomes Highway 56). Approximately 1 1/2 miles down Rice Street, turn left.
This road leads past the Kiele and Lagoons Golf Courses. Park near Ninini Beach. Follow the trail past the 13th hole of Lagoons Course, past the beach and to Ninini Point.
Day 7
Kauai Museum - Larry and Chuck - Menehune Fishpond - 2019.12.14 This little museum is about a 10 minute drive from the Lihue Airport and worth a visit. The museum has exhibits on the Hawaiian royal families, including artifacts from the clipper ship, Cleopatra that sunk in Hanalei Bay. There are also exhibits about Kauai people and culture, pre-contact. Another building has crowed exhibits about WWII, the missionaries and a room devoted to surfer memorabilia. A nice way to be introduced to Kauai!
Come and hear free live Hawaiian music and enjoy a relaxing evening with the renowned Larry Rivera every Friday at 5 p.m. at Coconut Marketplace in Kapaa. Known as musical legend in Hawaii, Larry Rivera has serenaded many visitors and locals alike with his soothing and soulful voice. A recipient of a lifetime achievement award from the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts, Larry Rivera is a staple in Kauai’s music scene.
I was asked to come on stage and do a hula as Larry sang. He wasn't sure what to do with me as I danced away, hips shaking and doing the hula hands thing. Everyone had a good laugh!
The Menehune Fishpond, near Lihue, Hawaii, on Kauai, is a historic Hawaiian fishpond. Also known as Alekoko Fishpond, it has been listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
Also called Alekoko or Niumalu Pond, it is bounded by a wall 900 feet long at a large bend in Hule?ia River. It has been deemed "the most significant fishpond on Kauai, both in Hawaiian legends and folklore and in the eyes [of] Kauai's people today. It is so old that its construction is attributed to the Menehunes, a mythical people inhabiting Hawaii before the Hawaiians arrived....Additionally, it is the best example of an inland fishpond in the entire state." It was listed on the U.S. National Register in 1973; the listing included one contributing site and one contributing structure.
Created on: 2019.02.23
Updated on: 2019.12.17
