While Chicago is about to get colder than Mount Everest, Antarctica, and Siberia in the upcoming days, I decide to sit down on my couch in my overheated apartment to write about my trip to Kauai, Hawaii. I am daydreaming about Kauai---the lush green, the ridge trails, the long stretch of ragged cliffs, the sunset, the (sea) food, the dolphins, and smell of tropics, while the snowflakes are reaching the ground quietly in Chicago.
Three days (deceiving title), 20 hours of flight, and majestic Kauai--the garden island of Hawaii. The moment you land on the island, it captivates you with its beauty. This exquisite place on earth--hard to believe--offers you numerous hiking options, boat tours, delicious seafood, sandy beaches, and mesmerizing sunsets. On this short trip, we managed to squeeze in a day-long boat tour, two hiking trails, driving around the island, watching sunset, watching dolphins, eating poke while listening to Hawaiian music, watching Hula dance, relaxing by the beach, and swimming. Now it is time to test my memory to see how much of this trip I can remember. I am hoping that thousands of photos that I took in every minute would help.
Waimea Canyon: Out of this world, unbelievable. While you drive up, try to stop at every breathtaking view of this canyon. From every angle, it is just magnificent.
Kalalau Valley Lookout: Jaw-dropping views of the Na Pali Coast from above. There is also a ridge trail starting from here. It is usually muddy and thereby slippery. If you find it risky, there are other options: try Pihea Trail.
Boat tour: We did a half-day-long sea excursion--snorkeling and lunch included--with Captain Andy’s. It sails along the Na Pali Coast--ragged sea cliff formations covered with green. I think you can only do a boat tour or helicopter tour to get close to the infamous Na Pali Coast except hiking which requires a special permit and at least one-day of hiking. One way or another, definitely go and see these formations.
At this point, we were tired from hiking, boat tour, long-haul flight and time difference. We wanted to rest for the rest of our vacation. For that, we stayed at Sheraton Kauai Resort, which was indeed a good choice. As soon as you enter the resort, you feel the vacation vibes. You can drink something by the pool, or enjoy your drink in the pool, walk along the beach, surf or watch surfers.
For dinner, we walked over to Keoki's Paradise, which has an outdoor seating area because it is Hawaii. While we sipped our drinks from an actual pineapple (carved out), we listened to live Hawaiian music and watched Hula dance later on.
As the sun is about to set, there is this warmth on your face from the sun bathing all day, dried salt on your hair from ocean, and all this makes you sleepy, but you are still not ready to close your eyes to this paradise. You hang in there to see the last act of sun: the sunset. The sun summons all the warm colors to paint the sky. You just sit under a palm tree to take it all in. That, my friends, is a Hawaiian day.
Cheers,
Gokce
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