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Published: December 21st 2006
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Christmas Kaua'i style
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone!! How do you like our little Hawaiian Christmas Tree? "Mele Kalikimaka is how you say Merry Christmas in Hawaii", is the first line of a Hawaiian Christmas carol which we have heard A LOT! I could sing it for you, but I won't. What I will do is show and tell you how beautiful Kaua'i is. During our first week here, while we had a rental car we explored the island and visited all the major spots. We have been very pleased with everything we have seen.
Waimea Canyon, in the west, is beautiful and looks like a baby Grand Canyon. Mark Twain felt the same way when he saw it and nicknamed it, "The Grand Canyon of the Pacific". The coloring of the rock layers is similar, but there are more waterfalls and green vegetation in Waimea. We were surprised to see some wild goats climbing on the steeps sides of the cliffs in the canyon.
North of Waimea Canyon is the Kalalau Lookout and the end of the road. From here we saw amazing views of the Napali Coast. The cliffs drop 4000 feet into the Pacific. This northwest area of the island is so rugged that it is only accessible by boat or by air.
The 11 mile Kalalau Trail passes through a few of the remote beaches and enters into one ravine of the cliffs. Unfortunately, most of this trail is too muddy and dangerous to hike in the winter rainy season. I hiked up for 1 mile and decided that it was too muddy and too slippery for my enjoyment. However, the cliff side views were fantastic!
Koloa is one of the oldest towns on the island. It was the sight of the first sugar plantations and sugar mills. The sugar industry has died down, but the town is very quaint and has that look of old Hawaii.
South of Koloa is the beach resort of Poipu. The beaches along the southern coast are great for snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. We watched for whales, but didn't see any. A huge green turtle did make an appearance on one of the beaches. This is the main winter resort area since the weather is drier and warmer, at this time of the year, than it is on the north side of the island.
We are staying in that rainy north coast of Kaua'i, in the village of Princeville. It is a lovely
planned community with 2 beautiful golf courses, condominums, private homes, two luxury resort hotels, and spectacular ocean views. Our modest little condo is located half way between the shopping center and the big hotels. So we are able to walk along the golf courses to go to the beach, the store, the library, and to several restaurants.
Now that we no longer have a car we are exploring the island by foot and by local bus. The towns of Kapa'a and Lihu'e provide us with shopping and movie theaters. But most of what we need or want is right in Princeville. We utilize the resorts to their fullest. By walking to the Hanalei Resort we can use the public access down to the beach. This is one of the best protected beaches for swimming and snorkeling on the north coast. Right next door is the Princeville Hotel where we hop on the elevator and ride up the 9 stories to the lobby and the walk back home. So, when it's sunny we are hiking and doing the beach or the pool. When it's rainy Ron watches basketball and I read and do yoga. It works for us and it
A Kaua'i Road Warrior
The chickens rule the isalnd. There are no mongoose on the island so the chickens have claimed it as their own. They are EVERYWHERE!! isn't cold or snowy!!
When we first arrived in Hawaii we spent 3 days on "The Big Island". The town of Kona has become so overwhelmed with traffic that it has lost its little village island feeling. We spent many hours stuck in traffic and who needs that on a tropical island!? So, we aren't going back.
On Jan. 1 we fly to Oahu for 4 days and then we head to Maui for the rest of our time here. Ron has found a nice dry area of the island that should have budget prices for the remainder of our stay. I think we will be ready for some consistently dry days by then. The near daily showers are brief and the rainbows are beautiful, but we're beginning to feel like fish!
Consider this our Christmas card to you and know that we wish you a very merry holiday season. We hope you are happy, well, and having fun.
MELE KALIKIMAKA AND HAUOLI MAKAHIKI HOU!!
Pam & Ron
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Jody
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MERRYYYYYYYYY CHRISTMAS
From NON snowy 55 degree Indiana....bah humbug! Glad you are having a good time and apparently at least several sunny, beautiful days! Have a wonderful weekend and we will be talking to you soon! Hugssss