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Originally posted by bigfrank
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Frank, Starwood was running a promo, like $800 for 5 nights, when is your 25th? They didn't even require a tour, but we opted to rent at Hanalei Bay instead. -
Frank is right about the public beach right by Princeville; nice place. There's a public parking lot that has room for around 10 cars, and there was a chain link fence around it. To the right of the lot are the steepest set of narrow stairs which degenerate into a climb further down with no handrails and tree roots . But, being there is definitely worth the trip. We got there at 9:30 and had it all to ourselves til about noon when some couples came.
Different snorking than Tunnels and Ke'e, also great.
Just seeing the hotel and how it is built is fun too. My kids didn't understand how when you walk into the lobby you are on floor 9 (i think) and to get down to the beach you have to take an elevator a few floors down, change to another elevator and finally get to beach level. It all becomes clearer when you see the hotel from the beach a distance away.
I think this was the first fancy hotel they ever saw, and they were floored by it all , but after they saw a room (I always ask, sometimes find a maid cleaning and ask to peak) but agreed - we all prefer a timeshare w/ the kitchen, 2 baths, w/d and SPACE
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I need to plan a nice vaction just me and the wife for 2009. It is going to be one of these 3.Originally posted by Glitter
Mexico Cabo, PV and Cozumel
Italy
Hawaii Kauai and Kona and maybe that other small island that I can't spell Moloulcai.
I have also thought about Ireland.
I am leaning against Europe because of the Euro. Mexico and Hawai are the 2 ones. Since I can get Mexico I might go that way. I am not sure if I can get into the 2 bedroom units in Ocho C but I think I should be able to snag a Grand Mayan Cabo,Timeshareforums Shirts and Mugs on sale now! http://www.cafepress.com/ts4msComment
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Kayak tour Hanalei bay
We opted for the kayak tour out of Hanalei Bay. You kayak up the river then out across the bay and into the beach around the corner from the Princeville hotel. You have lunch on the beach and snorkel awhile before heading back. It was a lot of fun.
Also make sure you watch for celebrities. In the morning waiting to check in we saw Pierce Broson walking accross the parking lot. Stood in line behind him at the coffee shop. The tour guides said there were several other celebrities that had homes in the hanalei area as well.Comment
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Molokai may not be for you as there is no choice of restaurants to go to or a nightlife either. If you like peace and quiet and nature walks and a real scary road, that makes the road to Hana a dull ride, then the island is for you.Originally posted by bigfrank
Don't speed and drive like a snail (speed limit 45 mph!) and you are OK. We loved our stay on this island but we like hiking. The scenery is beautiful and so are the beaches and little coves.
Ocho Cascadas is incredible and very romantic. I will post the pictures soon. Frank, you can rent there too. They are available.
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I would second this. We saw so many fish when we snorkeled at Tunnels. The diving was even better. Tons of fish and turtles. Our 6 and 8 year old kids enjoyed the snorkeling there too.Originally posted by IreneLF View PostComment
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We love the Friday night buffet at Princeville Hotel.
Also, at that hotel, I think two nights a week they have a luau. It is a great setting, watching the sun set over Bali Hai and enjoying the food and dancing. Get there early enough and they usually have someone dancing the hula on the bridge over their pool with the sun in the background and Bali Hai...great photo op.Life is short, live it with this awareness.Comment
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You have had excellent advice, BUT, some of it depends on what time of the year you will be visiting Kauai! If you are there between May and September--go for it. However, during the late fall, winter and early spring months, the north shore can have some dangerous surf! No matter what time of the year you go, watch the ocean for 15 minutes before entering to see any riptides, etc. North shore beaches are some of the most beautiful in the Islands--plan on losing your hearts!Comment
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Local polo teams have matches each Sunday at the arena at Anini Beach. You can sit on your car and enjoy and then hit the beach. Anini does tend to get crowded on the weekends when more people are free to enjoy the Island.Comment
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We were just at Ke'e yesterday. Get there before 10am ish. the parking fills up fast. If the main area is full, there's another lot a 5 minute walk back down the road you came in on. We swam with a few turtles. It's a very shallow reef, so it can be difficult to get out to the edge where the turtles are.
Hideaways beach had super snorkeling. Don't go with small children, though. The climb down would be too difficult. We parked at the Princeville Hotel in the non-valet spots and then walked down the path, which is directly east of the lot - it's not obvious at all.
The Hanalei Bay Fish company has excellent fresh fish, good sushi rolls, great clam chowder. They also make a really good seared Ahi and their poke (raw ahi cubes with great spices) is awesome - no MSG.
There is a shaved ice truck about a block west of the fish market that is sometimes open, sometimes not. We didn't ever get there when it was open, but someone told us it's very good shaved ice.
We had some time to kill on the way from the airport to Princeville, so we stopped at 2 different waterfalls on the way up. That was a nice way to spend the early afternoon.
Parking is almost impossible at Tunnels unless you get there super early. You can park across from the dry caves a bit up the road (that's another nice beach) and then walk down the beach to Tunnels.
Kauai is absolutely beautiful.Comment
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If you are into hiking at all, check the conditions on the Kalalau Trail. If the trail is in good condition (generally three or four days without rain), do the hike to the first river crossing. If you're still feeling strong, follow that stream back to the waterfall.
The Kalalau Trail is ranked as one of the very top hikes in the world. The vistas are spectacular. Hikers travel from all over the world to hike the Kalalau.
The Kalalau is not a casual stroll, but can be done by anyone in reasonable physical condition. If it has been raining the trail can be very challenging, but the trail dries quickly. After the trail dries, the hike can be done easily in hiking shoes. (I did the trail to the waterfall and back one time wearing sneakers, while my daughter was wearing hiking sandals - but the trail was in exceptionally good condition.)
To go beyond that river crossing requires a camping permit from the state of Hawai'i, so many people go that far and then come back. The trail head is at Ke'e Beach, so a hike can be combined with a bit of snorkeling if you don't spend a full day on the trail
Figure one-half day if you do the first river and return. Add two to three hours if you decide to go to the waterfall. Bring plenty of water - at least two quarts - four quarts if you do the hike to the waterfall.“Maybe you shouldn't dress like that.”
“This is a blouse and skirt. I don't know what you're talking about.”
“You shouldn't wear that body.”Comment
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OK, we're Kauai Spoiled Brats--have had timeshare on the North Shore for over 20 years and go every year for 3-6 weeks, see, I said we were spoiled!! AND, it's still not enough! <g> We spend LOTS of beach time, and as already mentioned in a previous posting, Ke'e Beach (watch out for the very very slippery rocks right at shore line. We've seen nasty falls there and a broken arm or head is gonna ruin a vacation quickly! Enter the ocean where you see the sand), Tunnels Beach (we saw a huge turtle there but remember, it is a $10,000 fine to harrass or touch a turtle) and Anini are fabulous. The rare and endangered Hawaiian Monk Seals like Tunnels for a sun bath. If you see one, keep a wide space between you and it and please don't bother them. Kalihiwai Beach is good for "bobbing"--jumping waves most days, other days can be quite flat. Our granddaugher (junior life guard and excellent boogie boarder) spent one whole day last July at Kalihiwai Beach catching 10 foot waves--her favorite day on island! Hanalei Bay is a great place to spend some time--views are incredible. We always set up over by the pier--sigh! Lumahai Beach is incredibly beautiful but can be dangerous at times, especially in the winter months when it's known as Lumadie. You must park off the road and walk down a dirt (at times muddy) path. We've been at this beach many many times and never had a problem. Do NOT go there during high surf, don't stand close to the edge of the black lava shelf (rogue waves can wash you away) and don't swim pass the end of the cliff where kids jump off including my big kid--hubby Tom. Don't miss Hanalei Town, awesome beauty, we like eating at Hanalei Gormet which is located in the Old School Shopping Center. We sit on the lanai while we eat and people watch. You can't leave without have shave ice from Paradise Shave Ice located in that same shopping center. If you get hungry for a hamburger, also in the same area, you'll find Bubba Burgers which is a Kauai tradition. In the Ching Young Shopping Center, we love Polynesian Plate Lunch--excellent food, great prices and super people watching. Hanalei Plate Lunch is also there (I think they've changed the name) and reviews since the new owners took over aren't that good. Postcards is a wee bit expensive but has wonderful Pacific Rim food and if anyone in your party is a vegetarian, they'll love it. The Blue Dolphin located right after you cross the first one-way bridge has excellent fresh sea food. Last summer when we ate at Zelo's we weren't too impressed, hopefully, it's improved. Since you're staying at the Hanalei Bay Resort (great choice!) you'll have a view of Hanalei Bay--awesome beauty. However, we love the mountain view, too. Nothing like waking up and counting the waterfalls. We've seen as many as 27 at one time! Each year we have one special dinner at the Bali Hai Restaurant at the HBR. Excellent food, incredibly romantic views--time dessert with the sunset! Princeville has an excellent seafood buffet on Friday nights--but expect to pay top dollar. Be sure to save room for their dessert bar--oh yum! The Princeville Shopping Center which is right on the main road before you turn to go to Hanalei Bay Resort, offers one casual restaurant and one steak house we enjoy. You are not allowed to fly out of Kauai unless you have had at least one Lapperts Ice Cream Cone--see Princeville Shopping Center! <g> IF you will be buying groceries, you might want to stop at Safeway in Kapa'a on your way north. Prices are better there and they will honor any Safeway Shopping Card you may have from the mainland. If not, ask for one. In the Princeville Shopping Center there is a grocery store--Foodland (also known as Foodrape due to the high prices). It is handy to pick up things you're out of and has a small but nice selection of deli type hot foods to go. Ask for their Maikai'i Card which will give you a discount. Kilauea Lighthouse is well worth a stop and stop at the pull out just below the Princeville Shopping Center at the Hanalei Valley Lookout. Photos from there will wow your friends at home! The last two years, hubby and various family members traveling with us (funny how popular we are with family and friends right before we start booking airfare <g>) have done the zipline on the north shore and loved it. I keep my feet planted firmly on the ground, thank you very much! :O) If you have any golfers the Princeville Golf Course is awesome but not cheap. If you want other golf info, let us know, my hubby knows just about every course in Hawaii from personal experience! :O) Have an awesome trip but please be very careful--Kauai is addicting!Comment
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On one of our visits, DH and I sat on the beach at Hanalei (not HBR). The sky was clear, the full moon was rising and that piece of paradise was bathed in the most glorious light. The few clouds would obscure the moon periodically and then the stars would show themselves. What a show! I often wonder why there are not more people on the beach at sundown.
HopeComment
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