Hawaii Kauai & Oahu (Honolulu)

Kauai is the most varied natural environment in the Hawaiian isles. We went out on the ocean here to see the Nã Pali coast.

Spectacular cliffs on the ocean edge with volcanic caves and numerous water falls due to the high annual rainfall these peaks experience. Despite the rough seas we enjoyed the 6-hour voyage.  We also saw dolphins and Humpback whales with a calf.

The following day we drove around the island to Anini Beach, where we snorkelled with turtles, then on to Hanalei Bay and watched people leaning to surf.

The next day was hiking along the ocean edge seeing more turtles as well as a large golf course and rocky beaches. 

We also got some good photos of Nene, the native Hawaiian goose that is closely related to the Canada Goose.

Monk Seals in swim area (note Rescue Board!)

In Kauai we also enjoyed snorkelling at nearby Poipu Beach where a monk seal took up residence in the human swimming area and some turtles also decided that that it was a good place to sleep. This was the best beach we found on Kauai for seeing fish while snorkelling.

Another highlight of the trip to Kauai and indeed all of the Hawaiian Islands was the enjoyment of Shave Ice. This comes with options: choice of flavoured syrups over the ice (i.e. Root Beer and Mango), a scoop of ice cream in the middle, sweet azuki beans underneath, condensed milk or coconut milk drizzled on top. My favourite!

We also visited a craft market on Kauai which had some very good prices compared to the tourist shops.  Bobbie was very impressed with the quality of many of the craftspeople and the professionalism of their presentation.  She bought some carved bone jewellery, and Bill bought her a dichroic glass pendant.  Naomi and Tash also succumbed to the lure of the crafts.

With Naomi and Tash returning home to Canada we decided to go to Oahu - Honolulu where we stayed at Waikiki Beach

Here Bobbie enjoyed her usual daily swim. 

During the stay we climbed Diamond Head, visited a WW2 submarine at Pearl Harbor 
and went to the Hawaiian Art Museum
as well as the Aquarium.

 

Finally, we took a bus tour around the complete island seeing the northern surfing beaches and again the volcanic cliffs.

Honolulu was also where we enjoyed all of the US Shops and spent some of our last US dollars before coming home.

Feeling very fortunate to spend 5 weeks touring and simply enjoying ourselves. We hope our friends also have the strength and resources to do the same.

Regards, Bobbie and Bill