The Gainor Family: Hawaii 2013: Kauai, Part II

After just a couple of days, we left the resort on the North shore and headed South.

Our first stop was pretty Kilauea lighthouse.

After checking into our condo, we went for a stroll along some beaches near us.

We have pretty hibiscus in India--in our very yard, 3 bushes.

But here the flowers were abundant and HUGE.
I'm trying to show how much bigger than my hand they were.

Then, we checked out the Spouting Horn.

Our next stop was Poipu Beach Park, where we stayed the rest of the evening because there was a monk seal sleeping on shore. They usually come to this shore around sunrise and sleep all day there, returning back to the ocean at sunset. We stayed around to watch them wake up and go back swimming.

There were some volunteers there making sure these guys got some uninterrupted sleep. They told us all about them. This guy had a tracking device because he recently was injured and they were tracking his activity to make sure he was okay.

The original reason to come to this beach was sunset...

It was beautiful!

While waiting on the sunset and they monk seal to swim,

we looked around the lava rocks for these little finds.

It's amazing, these guys take up SO much of the beach for their sleep!

This is also a beach where you can swim with the turtles.

While waiting for monk seal to swim, this guy started to beach.

It really was like he was looking for this monk seal.

Supposedly, these animals are friends and like to snuggle.

(See the other beached monk seal in the top right of the photo.)

It was so fun to watch this happen!

Check it out for yourself!

They just hung out like this until we left.

After our wonderful few days of rest and royal treatment at the resort,

we had lots of adventure planned for the rest of our time on Kauai.

Unfortunately, it rained a lot, but we still got out and tried to do our best!

Our first morning, we drove to Waimea Canyon.

There were so many little snippets of beauty along this drive!

This right here would've been among the most beautiful lookouts in the world.
Of the Kalalau Valley

But, there was SO much fog!!!

This sign shows you the visibility. (I guess lack of?)

We would've hiked up in these beautiful mountains,

but we kind of felt like it would've been a waste of time in this weather.

So, we went off road and 4-wheeled to the Polihale beach--all the way to the end,
and walked along this shoreline. This shore is over 15 miles of sand beach, which is uncommon in Hawaii.

Can you see the little tunnel of trees where you drive right on the beach?

We drove as far as we could, and then, we walked on the sand.

We also picked up some pretty shells too (there are NOT that many shells on the beaches here)...

Although, I later read it's illegal to collect shells from the Hawaiian beaches?!

We got some yummy Hawaiian shaved ice from Jo-Jo's.

While we were there, it started warming up and clearing up,

so we decided we really wanted to see the beautiful Waimea canyon and the Kalalau lookout.

So, we started driving right back up those mountains!!!

It was much better this time.

The clouds were blowing away so fast, and every now and then,

you'd have a small window into the amazing view.

It still wasn't incredibly clear, but the drive back up was worth it!

Here's the best we got of the beautiful Napali coastline/view of Kalalau Valley.

You can almost see the beauty in this pic...or google it.

Better yet, come see for yourself.

Photographs can't capture how amazing this place is!

And, here are some shots of the Canyon.

It was beautiful and we could see it much better in the afternoon.

As we drove back to our condo, we'd just stop wherever we pleased along the side of the road...

when the beaches were pretty or when there were surfers to watch. It was a fun ride back home.

This is the best "black beach" (though not a true black beach) we got on our trip.

There are just pretty views along the entire road in Kauai!!!

We ended our first day in the south at a nice restaurant and walk on the beach.

We took lots of opportunities to get pics of the two of us this trip. ;)

The next morning, we stayed inside longer until the rain cleared up more.

Our first stop was the Wailua Falls.

We saw another waterfall as we hiked down to the bottom.

After going a little ways along the river, we finally realized our trail was gone...

and maybe we were supposed to be "river walking."

But, in the "winter" which includes April....that would mean swimming upriver.

So, we reluctantly gave up and headed back out.

Souvenir pic before heading back up.

Our hike was slippery and steep, and we used lots of roots for handholds.

Can you see that waterfall right in the middle of the photo?

It's the same one above...it was that far away--secluded for sure.

Here's a video...we couldn't resist trying to show the depths of this forest

and the steep cliffs along the ridge we were hiking down.

Here are those pretty falls one more time!

Too bad we didn't get to see them from the bottom.

Next, we drove to Opaekaa Falls.

It started raining again at this point.

We had to get at least one pic in our raincoats to remember rainy Kauai!

We tried to go to Piku falls after seeing Andy and Lauren's fun there.

But, that place is seriously shut down. Booooooooo!

Every possible entry and miles around have a major fence up now.

After all of our "dead ends," we decided to explore more of the beautiful beaches.

We first went to see some of the fortified cliffs of Maha'ulepu.

They were beautiful, and a little scary to be walking on.

Couldn't help but think of a special little girl that loves horses.

At the end of Maha'ulepu was our favorite--Ha'ula Beach.

To get there, we had to walk along this lithified sand.
Which, lithified sand is different from the other more clay like lithified cliffs. :)

It was amazing to see what the ocean had done to the shore and this rock/sand.

There is an awesome, dry blowhole along the path!

Gray is so funny to me!

The waves were crashing hard!

Finally to Ha'ula Beach....

all to ourselves!

Made us think of some boys that like to build forts!

Timer....yeah, we own this place!!!

Aloha, from the "rainbow" state!
We have seen LOTS of rainbows on this trip!!!

We had to leave (because the gate closed at 6pm), so we had fun on the way back.

That cliff looks so stable along the path and from above....

....til you see the ocean has washed it away.

Someone actually offered to take our picture.

Thanks.....but, uh, you missed the effect--that we're out on that rock hanging over the ocean!!!

Gray enjoyed our fun 4WD times and wet places.

Since there was still a little sunlight left on our way home, we stopped to check to see if any of the monk seals were sleeping on the beach that day...only one. But, we did get to hear a good Hawaiian legend from a man named Royden. It was about the Naupaka flower. We also learned it is a defogger for your snorkel gear! Bonus!