I used this forum a lot to learn about Kauai so I thought I would post my trip. I will try and be brief but I will answer any questions you might have in more detail.
Day 1
Landed in the afternoon and got our rental suv from Dollar. Drove to our condo in Princeville, stayed in the Villas of Kamaali near the Princeville Makai Golf Course. Place was fantastic, everything you need or want in a residence. This place had great views of the mountains, very quiet and peaceful, we really felt at home. Went to the Princeville Hotel to eat, end up in the Library having sushi at the bar watching the sunset over Hanalei Bay. Sunset and view were spectacular.
Day 2
Got up early and drove to the end of the road at Ke%26#39;e beach, checked out the otherbeaches on the way back. Stopped back in Hanalei for some groceries and breakfast at the condo. We went down to Anini Beach, really nice stretch of beach and houses. Great area and will probably rent down there next time we go. Went to the Lighthouse and had lunch at the Lighthouse Bistro, good fish sandwiches. Hiked down to Hideaways Beach for a little snorkeling. We had dinner at Sushi Blues in Hanalei, cool spot with decent food.
Day 3
Woke up and went to Hanalei Beach for a couple of hours. We went to the Farmer%26#39;s Market, great veges and fruit. Probably the most crowded spot of the whole trip. I played golf at the Makai course and my wife layed out by the pool in the afternoon. We had dinner at CJ%26#39;s Restaurant, very average at best but gets it done if you are hungry and don%26#39;t want to cook.
Day 4
We had smoothies down at Hanalei in the morning and drove around taking pictures. We took a helicopter ride with Heli USA out of the Princeville Airport in the afternoon. The views on the trip are out of this world but it is a scary hour up there. It was raining off and on and the visibility at times was dicey. I am glad we did it but would not do it again, not even for free. We picked up dinner from Panda in Hanalei.
Day 5
Went down to Poipu for most of the day. Did some shopping, spent some time at the Grand Hyatt. The hotel is amazing with some unbelievable grounds. Had lunch at Keoki%26#39;s Paradise, sat at the bar and shard a couple of appetizers. We were walking out when a bus load of people were walking in, scary. Did some sight seeing and headed back north. We had dinner reservations at Postcards Cafe, loved the restaurant and the food was really good.
Day 6
We hung around the condo all day. It rained most of the day so we read our books and relaxed. My wife picked up Bubba%26#39;s Burgers for me and she got something from the Polynesian Cafe. My burger was good and my wife%26#39;s chicken sandwich was good too.
Day 7
Played golf at the Prince course, my wife rode along and took pictures. Great course but super hard, bring lots of golf balls if you don%26#39;t hit it straight. If you are not a good player you will have more fun playing the 27 holes at the Makai course. We went to Hideaways to snorkel again and had dinner at Hanalei Gourmet.
We left the first thing next morning, very sad to go but we will be back for sure. The locals were all very nice and the place is so green and beautiful, truly amazing. We met a bunch of people that live in Kauai that were from San Diego, not a bad idea.......
Trip Report 5/31-6/7
Thanks for your trip report. Sounds like you had a wonderful time.
Hawaii is addictive, as you found out!
Trip Report 5/31-6/7
Sounds like a fun time. I like the great mountain views of those Villas of Kamalii condos. Your thoughts of maybe Anini next time sounds good too. That Hanalei farmers market is something else, huh. I once made the mistake of being close to the rope when it dropped and was run over by several big titas. I%26#39;m glad you liked Postcards, that%26#39;s my favorite on the North Shore if I splurge. I agree with you on CJ%26#39;s. They%26#39;re supposed to be putting in a new restaurant and remodeling the old Makai course clubhouse, hopefully it will be nice. Congrats on your round at the Big Prince. I%26#39;m not a golfer, but that thing looks like a monster.
Mahalo for reporting. So many ideas so little time.
Sounds like you all had a PEERFECT Kauai vacation......with the exception of Heli USA.......
I really cannot give the details, but that is one helo company that I actually recommend people to stay away from. But, only if they ask which companies that I recommend, and they bring up Heli, will I tell them the situation. In person.
After that last fatal that Heli USA had, I got the inside details from people who work at Princeville airport. As a professional pilot, I understand mechanical problems, .....but, the pilot failed to accomplish the proper proceedure. That aircraft should have made it back to a safe emergency landing. The company itself was also highly responsible for that fatal. You wont read this in the newspaper.
So, for all you out there......you might want to fly with companies that have pefect safety records, and are known for their professionalism.
AIR KAUAI, BLUE HAWAIIAN, and WILL SQUYERS.
Cut rate prices, don%26#39;t count for much when it comes to flying.
And, in Zingers situation, Heli USA, was flying in rain, and limited visibility........not good ! It is just that we trust the professionals to keep us safe.
We had a teminology for those who scud run, or fly into Instrument conditions around mountains, unsucessfully. (They flew into
';cumulo granite'; clouds....meaning clouds meet rocks.)
By all means, for those who want to fly, DO IT !
But, Please do some research, and look at the weather conditions. As one of my cohorts said the other day.......about keeping her people safe, and not booking certain helo outfits.... ';Ain%26#39;t gonna happen on my watch ! ';
Zinger, this is in no way a negative reflection on you. I just want everyone who comes to this island, return home safely with all their body parts in the same condition when arrived on-island.
And that ALSO includes safety awareness in the ocean, on the rivers and when hiking.......and toss in driving on our roads, as well.
Stay safe, enjoy, and have fun...
Denny
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