The last day we were in Kauai, we decided to relax. After checking out, we lounged around the hotel using the free wifi to watch some of the season finales we missed. I love Chuck. If you have not seen it, go do it now! We also took pictures of Domo on an elephant statue.
Double Bubba, Special (teriyaki sauce & pineapple), Onion Rings, Chili Cheese Fries
A few hours later, we hopped on a plane back to the mainland. The vacation was fantastic. Our first anniversary was memorable. Everything was perfect. Aloha!
I love, love, love waterfalls. On our fifth day in Hawaii, we saw two beautiful falls.
Opaekaa Falls
Wailua Falls
It is kind of hard to see, but can you see the rainbow at the bottom of the falls?
Anyways, hiking the Sleeping Giant trail was the main event for the day, so we enjoyed a Burger King breakfast for energy. I tried the french toast sticks for the first time, and they were actually pretty good. We made our way to the trail head to hike 1.75 miles up to the top of the mountain. This led to the picnic area, but we passed some hikers who told us to go to the left and continue the trail to the top of the Sleeping Giant’s nose.
Sleeping Giant
Can you see the Giant’s face behind us?
The picture above was taken at the beginning of the second part of the trail that led up to the face. A little further along the path, there were these rocks that we had to climb up. I decided that there was no way I was going to be able to come down even though I could make it up the rocks, so I waited for Hubby while he went to the top of the Giant’s nose with Domo.
Domo at the top of Sleeping Giant
The round trip hike took us about 3.5 hours. The path zig zags up the mountain, so hikers have created several shortcuts along the way. Most of the path lacks tree cover, so it was extremely hot under the direct sun. Definitely, bring lots of water and wear sunblock.
To cool down from the hike, we snorkeled at Poipou Beach. The fish were actually quite large for such shallow waters. I was reminded of Dr. Seuss’ book One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish as there was a wide variety of fish.
We worked up an appetite after hiking and snorkeling, so we enjoyed dinner at Brennecke’s Beach Broiler. It was right next to the beach and on the second floor, so the view of the water was fabulous.
Every morning at the Marriott Kauai Resort they have a Koi fish feeding. Small plastic cups filled with food pellets are given to the guests to throw into the giant pond. However, sometimes the pellets fall on the floor, and the ducks waddle over for some breakfast. Funny thing, there was a swan that would only eat out of people’s hands; nothing off the floor. We arrived to the feeding a little late, so I had to wait for the swan to finish drinking before it ate out of my hand. Watch the video to see! It was a strange feeling, but it did not hurt.
After the Koi fish feeding, we started the long drive up to the North Shore. The first major stop along the way was Kilauea Lighthouse. We did not go into the National Wildlife Refuge, but did take some photos from the scenic point.
Continuing along, our next stop was Anini Beach. The water was really calm and shallow there. Since we still had a ways to go before reaching our final destination, we opted not to get into the water. But the tide pools caught our attention, so we walked around the rocks looking for fish, crabs, etc.
Princeville was the next major stop. At the end of the road, there is a magnificent St. Regis Hotel with a grand lobby and a beautiful view. I do not think the bellhop was very happy with me when I told him that my husband dropped me off to use the restroom and not their spa. Oh wells…
We stopped for lunch at Tropical Taco in Hanalei. We shared the Tropical Taco (beef taco in a thick, handmade tortilla fried crispy filled with the works – beans, lettuce, salsa, cheese and sour cream) and the Baja Special (two fish tacos topped with lettuce and salsa with a side of beans).
beef taco and baja special
The last couple of stops before the end were of the caves. Nothing spectacular but it was interesting how they were randomly off the side of the road.
dry cave (left) and wet cave (right)
The road ends at Kee Beach, which has the best snorkeling. We arrived around 2pm and witnessed sea turtles feeding on the reef. It was incredibly amazing and mesmerizing. People on the beach said that they saw about a dozen of them at the end of the reef, but Hubby and I only saw five. We were about three feet from one of the sea turtles, which was kind of scary but really rewarding as well. We also so an eel that we quickly swam away from.
the sea turtles were where the waves were breaking
Kee Beach is also the start of the Kalalau Trail (22 miles round trip with lots of rocks and mud). It was too late in the day for us to do the shorter hike to the falls, but we did go up to a lookout for a beautiful view of Kee Beach below.
On our way back, we stopped at the Hanalei Valley lookout point. I remember it being sunny (hence the sunglasses), but the background looks way overcast. Gotta love tropical weather.
Back at the hotel, we had dinner at Duke’s Barefoot Bar. Hubby ordered the Mango BBQ Baby Back Ribs, and I tried the Kalua Pork Sandwich. For dessert, we enjoyed the Hula Pie – “macadamia nut ice cream piled high on a chocolate cookie crust and topped with chocolate fudge, whipped cream, and more macadamia nuts”.
A filling meal required a evening stroll along the beach and down to the nearby plaza. The next day we explored the other side of the island.
Double Bubba, Special (teriyaki sauce & pineapple), Onion Rings, Chili Cheese Fries
Opaekaa Falls
Sleeping Giant
Domo at the top of Sleeping Giant
beef taco and baja special
dry cave (left) and wet cave (right)
the sea turtles were where the waves were breaking
