Aloha!!!
It's hard to fathom that it's already the second month of 2016! It's been a very busy few weeks this year. Mark just got over a four week sickness with strep throat and a double ear infection- poor dude. The start of our year began with Mark's dad and Cheryl visiting us! We spent a few days exploring Oahu and celebrating the New Year (which we were able to see a ton of fireworks from our lanai all night) and then we were off to Kauai! The last time Mark and I were on the island was back in May. I was very sick that weekend so we didn't even leave the hotel property, so I considered this our first real time on the island! We stayed at the same hotel however, the Kauai Marriott. Just like the first time staying at this resort we were completely blown away by the property. The resort has FIVE hot tubs and the largest warm pool I've ever seen at any resort. The first time we stayed back in May, we explored the hotel all weekend and the surrounding beach, Kalapaki beach. It's such a huge property so it was fun walking around and seeing the beautiful property again, including the koi ponds and the resident bird. Dukes restaurant is at the resort and we enjoyed Mai tais and hula pie (the best ice cream cake ever) for Mark's dads birthday, yum!
Saturday (Jeff's birthday) was our busiest and most adventurous day of the trip! We started the day very early to participate in a guided kayak/hiking tour to see a waterfall. We started our adventure kayaking on the Wailua river. This fresh water river is the only navigable river in all the Hawaiian islands. After about two hours of kayaking we docked our kayaks and started our hike to see a waterfall! The hike was very muddy and rocky so it felt adventurous! At one point we had to cross a very strong flowing river so there was a rope that you held on to for balance as you crossed in waist deep water (it was warm so we dried quickly). After a 30 minute hike we arrived to Secret falls (Uluwehi falls)! We enjoyed some fresh pineapple and a yummy sandwich while in the company of the relaxing sound of the waterfall flowing. After this adventure we kayaked back and headed into Kapaa town to enjoy a shave ice- yum!
One of the coolest things we saw on the North Shore of Kauai was the Maniniholo dry cave. The cave goes back about 150 feet back which doesn't seem like much, but sure felt like it as we walked to the back and the light started to slowly disappear. At one point Mark and I were the only two in the cave, which made it kind of eerie, but awesome! The cave was named after the head fisherman of the menehune. "Legend has it that this cave used to be a tunnel to Waimea Canyon and that during a conflict between the Menehune and the Polynesian settlers; the Menehune were on the run from Waimea Canyon, being pursued by the Polynesians and used this secret tunnel to escape to the North Shore. After they were all through the tunnel, they created a collapse at the tunnel ceiling, trapping the Polynesians inside and leading to the formation of the dry cave" (Hawaii-guide.com). It was a majestic sound hearing the rain droplets hit the bottom of the cave and echo. The temperature as we were in the cave went down what seemed about 15 degrees from the hot Hawaiian sun just across the street at Haena Beach Park.
On our last full day we went to Waimea Canyon, dubbed the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. To even begin to describe the view is impossible. The drive up to the canyon took about 20 minutes, so we could definitely feel the elevation as we drove up the turning roads. The most mesmerizing moment was when I was looking out the window when the trees broke and the canyon appeared for the first time. There was one very large visible waterfall flowing when we were at the park which made the view even more breath taking. We stopped at two of the outlooks to take in the sights. This park was so amazing for many reasons, but I loved the countless fragrant pine trees everywhere which reminded me of Northern Wisconsin in the summer. Our trip was very time limited, but if we go back we want to hike the dozens and dozens of trails the park has to offer. There are even cabins that you can rent and a little cafe on property! Being an outdoorsy person I could easily see spending an entire weekend at the park exploring the trails, birdwatching and enjoying the sound of flowing waterfalls.
A few random adventures including guava chiffon pancakes from Cinnamons (omg)!!!
My mom, Joyce, is now our second visitor of the year so I'm sure we'll have lots more adventures in the coming weeks to share, including another Kauai adventure!! ;)
A hui hou (until we meet again)....
XOXO
Jen & Mark
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