January 30, 2025 - It was a rainy day in Kauai. It rained all night and was still blowing and rainy most of the day. We decided to find some things to do that didn't involve the beach or the pool. We drove to the Kauai Coffee Company in Kalaheo. They had a nice self guided tour that told about how they grow coffee (which is the largest coffee farm in the US). Next we went to Hanapepe to have lunch. It's a cute little Hawaiian town with shops and a swinging bridge (that feels unsafe, but we we made it over and back).
It's a windy morning
and a cloudy morning
Kauai Coffee Company started in the early 1800's as a sugar plantation and in 1987 transitioned to coffee
cup of Kev
Nice bench in front of the Midnight Bear Bakery in Hanapepe
the bench sitters
the swinging bridge in Hanapepe
we made it, now we have to make it back
I can fit a lot of stuff in this backpack
nice looking rooster
January 31, 2025 - Janet and I did the morning walk with the Marriott group. We did a 3 mile loop through the old decommissioned golf course. The Timbers Kauai bought the overgrown golf course in 2014 and transformed 16.5 acres into The Farm at Hokuala. They grow traditional Hawaiian "canoe plants" (taro, noni, breadfruit, coconut). After lunch we drove to Poipu to see if we could find the hotel we stayed at on our honeymoon 35 years ago. Kevin has been showing pictures from the hotel to anyone that looks local and multiple people have said it looks like the Sheraton. Janet likes a cliff walk at Shipwreck beach, which is also in Poipu, so we'll do that while we're there.
There were lots of branches down from the storm. Love this little rainbow Eucalyptus grove
up close it looks like a watercolor
Akala called these apple bananas and said they are the favorite of Hawaiians
a prickly pear!
Kevin showed this pic to a lot of people to see if they knew where it was. A county worker (that he questioned in a parking lot) said she thought it was the Sheraton (but the W was no longer there)
We showed this pic to someone at the Sheraton and he gave us directions to where he thought it was.
this is where we ended up. It doesn’t look exactly like the spot, but it does look similar. Needless to say there has been A LOT of change in Poipu in the last 35 years.
Shipwreck Beach
The classic Kev pose
Maha'ulepu Trail, looking back on Shipwreck Beach
The trail ends at Punahoa Point
We saw a Cannibalistic Chicken! He seemed to really be enjoying this chicken leg!
Evening at the pool
February 1, 2025 - Today we're going to enjoy the beautiful sunny day at the beach/pool. We started the day at the Lihue Farmers Market (picked up a Midnight Bear Bakery order). Janet and I did yoga on the beach, while Kevin tried out paddle boarding. It was $35 for a 45 minute paddle around Nawiliwili Bay. It was fun to watch him while we were doing yoga. We had a chill afternoon enjoying the Kalapaki Beach and then headed out for Rum tasting at Koloa Rum. Then we headed to Kapa'a for their First Saturday, which was hopping...lots of food trucks, shops open and a little market.
Lihue Farmers Market
lots of bananas
Vacation yoga (love the view)
Kev opted to paddle board instead of joining us for yoga
He did great!
It was a great spot to give it a try
Koloa Rum Tasting
We made mini Mai Tai's (orgeat, koloa gold rum then carefully pour koloa dark rum on top)
okole maluna (bottoms up!)
the Koloa rums we tasted, all made with sugar cane (not molasses as most rums are)
street fair in Kapa'a (first Saturday)
Classic flying saucer (sloppy joe with cheese) and a Mexican hot dog (mayo, catsup, sauteed onions/peppers)
yummy!
last night of games with the Smiths
we played LOTS of games (Bob was the Maui winner and I was the Kauai winner)
February 2, 2025 - Our flight home is at 12:30 (with a 1.5 hr layover in San Francisco). We packed up and headed to the beach for one last relaxing morning with a beautiful view.
One last pool pic
Cockadoodle Doo!!!
Last walk on the beach
And good bye and thanks to the Smiths! What a great trip!
Maha'ulepu Trail, looking back on Shipwreck Beach
