"Princeville Kauai" a Kauai Travel Page by mary_birt

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Our Apartment in Princeville

THE GARDEN ISLAND

Princeville, Kauai, Hawaii

A truly beautiful island,so green and pretty.

A Dream Holiday

February 15th 2001
We started our holiday the night before when we arrived at the Crown Plaza Hotel Heathrow.A very nice hotel but a bit expensive, had a very nice meal,the staff were very helpful.

February 16th

The next morning we left there about 8.00am to make our way to the airport,Terminal 3, where we checked in at the United Airlines desk with no problems.After that we went to find somewhere to eat and had breakfast (I have eaten better), we had a look around the shops and then made our way to the departure lounge to await our flight.We took off on time and very soon the stewards were coming around with drinks and we had some wine, then it was lunch, which consisted of smoked salmon to start with followed by chicken curry and then apple pie.
being a daytime flight it was so interesting looking out of the windows and seeing Iceland,Greenland and Canada there was lots of snow about! The great Lakes in Canada were very impressive.We also flew over the Hoover Dam and Las Vegas and eventually arrived in Los Angeles after a flight of more than 10 hours.
When we got off the plane we had to make our way to immigration which took ages, then through customs at which point we were able to dispatch our cases to the connecting flight. We had to wait around for about 2 hours before catching our flight to Kauai.This was not such a good flight this time as we were sat right by the toilets. This part of the trip took nearly six hours.
Once we had landed we went in search of the hire car firm to pick up our car and then made our way to Princeville along a very dark road with no street lights, this took about 30 minutes. We finally arrived at our destination at 11.00pm, after travelling for 21 hours, boy were we tired!!!however it was worth it when we saw our apartment, it was huge!!

February 17th

The next morning after a lovely sleep we woke to a glorious day, very warm and sunny and the views of the mountains were wonderful, we could even see waterfalls on them.
We went to the local shops to stock up on a few things and then we went for a drive along the north coast, the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful.We wnet to Hanalei bay where there is a pier and all the small children were jumping off into the ocean, further along were Tunnels Beach and Kee Beach after which we went to the lighthouse at Kilauea with yet more stunning views, here if you are lucky you can see the humpback Whales, we were not lucky that day. Then it was back to the apartment for an early night as we were all so very tired.

February 18th

Today we decided to go along the west coast passing some beautiful waterfalls- they are everywhere.
we went to Spouting Horn, this is where the sea comes in under the rocks and is eventually forced out-causing a vast spurt.
We then made our way to a beach-Kukui Ula ther is a small port on one side and a lovely beach on the other. this was very pretty and we went for a swim.The sun became very hot and we got a little bit burnt.Making our way back not far from the town of Kapaa we spotted some Whales out to sea which was very exciting.

February 19th

Going south via the west coast past Hanapepe, Kekaha and stopping at the lovely beach there,it was glorious, the sun was shining it was quitw windy but very warm and we could see the island of Nihau in the distance.We then made our way up into the mountains to Waimea Canyon by Kokee Road the views were spectcular. the sun and clouds make the canyon a wonderful sight, so many different colours. We stopped at two or three viewpoints on the way, each showing the canyon in a differnt light.there are chickens and cockeralls all over the place,we overheard a local saying that it was because of the 1992 hurricane when all the chickens on the farms were lifted up and misplaced, since when they have been allowed to breed unhindered.
On the way back down we stopped at the Waimea Canyon State Park where there is a museum. Mark Twain visited Kauai in the1870s and walked through the canyon and said he thought the area was the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.

February20th

Today we went to Kapaa to see if we could find a travel agent so we could book flights to Honolulu for the day,we didn't find any. We went to Coconut Beach the complex there was just a lot of shops and cafes. When we got back to the apartment we telephoned Roberts Overnighters for a quote on flights and a car, about$110.00 each.
This evening we went to Gaylords Laua. This house was built in 1935 for a wealthy sugar plantation owner.When we arrived we were all given a lei of sea shells, we were given a lovely welcome when they found out that we came from England. At about 6.00pm we were summoned to "the lifting of the Pig", here rocks are heated by setting alight hard wood grown on the island, and which burns for a long time. This is left for about 3 hours.then the pig is put into the hole quite ceromoniously, it is then covered for about 8 hours or so.then we witnessed the lifting of the pig which is cooked to perfection, they also cook a rice pudding along side it.
At the restuarant we were given glasses of Mai Tai, a mixture of two rums, light and dark and pineapple juice.i didn't care too much for these.
the food was heavenly,salad,chicken,salmon,rice,
teriyaki beef,sweet potatoes not forgetting the pig.
This was followed by the entertainment a band playing hawaiian music and dancers.They were dancing typical Hawaiian, Moari,Samoan and Tihition dances,they were absolutely fantastic.

February 21st

Sat around the pool for most of the morning, went for a walk and had a restful day in the evening we went to a local restaurant"Chucks Steak House" and had an enjoyable meal. there was a salad bar with the usual salad things and poi, pineapples other fruits,vegetables and dressings.i had the rack of lamb for the main course-delicious.There were Mai Tais again.
then we walked home it was lovely and warm and DARK I can't get used to no street lights.

February 22nd

Today we had a bit of an adventure when we went Kayaking. we set off about 7.00am, the weather started off nice but driving to Kapaa it started to rain but this cleared fairly quickly. When we arrived we were met by our guide Stephanie and her two dogs, we were given waterproofs to put our things in, and then we were driven to the waterside. On arrival we were given instructions on how to use the kayaks(never been in one before)I went in the front Brian went in the back. we paddled up stream for about an hour and this was great fun passing the house that was used in Donavans Reef with John Wayne and the village that was used in the film Outbreak with Dustin Hoffman, after paddling for an hour we got out of the kayaks a bit wet and treked through the forest for another hour finally arriving at Secret Falls this was so beautiful and the water so inviting we just had to get in- it was freezing.A scene from Six Days and Seven Nights was shot here.we stayed there for about another hour and then we had to make our way back.
When we got back to the apartment we were filthy and wet I couldn't wait to get in the shower.

February23rd

Another morning was spent by the pool, then we walked into Princeville for lunch and to get a few provisions and had a lovely Lamperts icecream, walked back to the apartment and the heavens opened up, this lasted for about 3hours.
In the evening we went to the Bali Hai resaurant.What a wonderful place the setting was fantastic. we sat on the balcony looking over waterfalls and gardens. this is a five star hotel.i had shrimp and ginger coctail for starters and linguine for the main course.

February 24th

Another lovely morning spent around the pool, then off to Wialua and Opoekea Falls which were spectacular, then back down the mountains to Lydgate Park, very pretty beach which has a grassy area and plenty of shade. then on to Bali Hai Beach, this was so lovely, the sun was going down, the surf was high and there were people surfing.

February 25th

It rained all day, stayed in the apartment watching TV (how sad) in the afternoon we went to Lihue and picked up our tickets for Honolulu

February 26th

After a wet start to the day, we went out for a drive and visited a few beaches on the west shore, as usual they were all very nice, eventually we came across Anaola Beach, this was lovely,there was a reef about 100mtrs out which made a safe area to swim and snorkle, there were only about seven or eight others there. near to where we parked the car was a house which if ever I won the lottery I would buy, it was out of this world.
We stayed in that evening as we had an early start the next day, we were off to Honolulu.
February 27th
Please see Honolulu page.
February 28th

Woke up to another beautiful morning and decided to see if we could get a helicopter flight of the island, after phoning a few places we booked a flight with Kauai Air for 1.15pm.
Spent the morning around the pool until lunch time, very hot again, then went and got freshened up for our trip.
On arrival at Princeville Airport we were given a safety talk and then waited for our flight, and then we boarded the helicopter.Our pilot was called Joe, and then we were taking off, I was a bit worried at first having never been in a helicopter before but I soon got used to it. we flew over most of the island, it was amazing, flying over and through the canyon, which is nearly four thousand feet deep, one mile wide and ten miles long, this was out of this world the colourswere so beautiful and impressive.Joe talked to us showing various point of interest. Along the Na Pali coast where the helicopter hovered. i know I keep saying it but everyhting was so AMAZING. And then all to soon [ one hour later] we were landing and I could have gone straight back up I enjoyed it so much.

March 1st

Woke up to rain this morning but it soon dried up to become warm and sunny. we went to Anahola Beach again, I think I could live here. went along to the lighthouse again to do some Whale watching and we saw a few of these.
We had to pack our cases tonight as we are flying to L.A tomorrow and have to be out of the apartment by 11.30am

March 2nd

We did our last minute packing and tidying up, went to the clubhouse to check out and they let us store our cases there as we don't fly until 10.30pm.
then we went off for the day and it started to rain, so we went into Lihue and did some shopping. Then the sun came out again and we made our way to Lydgate Park for some last minute sunbathing and we were treated to a wonderful display by the Whales out to sea.
Then back to Pahio where we were given a curtesy room to get showered and changed. After loading up the car we found a Taco Bell and had something to eat.
arriving at the airport we found that our plane was delayed by at least two hours, they gave us vouchers for $10 to buy some food, but the only thing we could buy was coffee {the most expensive coffee I ahve ever bought} Then we went to the departure lounge to sit and wait, it was so cold they couldn't turn the air-conditioning off.
The plane finally arrived two hours late, and then we were off to L.A.