February brings lovely temps to our Valley of the Sun, but we sought a
very different view and headed to Kauai, Hawaii!
Using up some of our airline and hotel points - we traveled very nicely and very affordably too.
Welcome to Koloa Landing, Autograph Collection - a lovely respite on the southern tip of the island.
For reservations or information check out www.marriott.com.
Our room had an undeniably tranquil view overlooking the gorgeous Pacific Ocean.
We wandered all over the island, taking in all the small towns...
Hanalei Bay
With it's great whale watching out past the lighthouse.
Wailua Town
With cemeteries and waterfalls and more.
The Fantasy Island Waterfalls
Hanapepe Town
Which was the Inspirational Hawaiian town for Disney's "Lilo & Stitch"
Waimea Canyon
Where we rode downhill on bikes in the spittin' rain!
p.s. - this photo was NOT taken while it was raining :)
And all over Koloa Town and it's Heritage Trail
The Spouting Horn
Koloa Bay where traders shipped sugarcane so many years ago
What is this old-fashioned contraption??
Prince Kuhio's Birthplace
Check out these trees - their bottoms look like above-ground roots, but they're not!
Botanicals in Koloa at the Plantation Gardens
*Free to the Public!!
Koloa Jodo Mission - a lovingly preserved temple
I loved this island - The Emerald Isle of Hawaii.
It is lush and green and picturesque, peaceful and so laid-back.
You can find loads of information online through
Trip Advisor, Eater, Yelp, and Hawaii.com.
I can't let you go without a few last faves - with no pictures.
A great downhill bike ride:
www.OutfittersKauai.com
My favorite Book Store:
Talk Story Bookstore in Hanapepe
She had a marvelous collection of new releases and a few good oldies too.
www.talkstorybookstore.com
My favorite breakfast (had it FOUR times!):
Little Fish Coffee Company
Their Pakala Bowl with Acai, Fruit, Choco Chips, and Peanut Butter was
LIFE-Changing!! Probably loaded with sugar, but who cares???
Check them out at www.littlefishcoffee.com
My favorite burger:
Bubba's Burgers
Yes, it's cliche and touristy, but damn those burgers were fried to perfection and delish!
www.bubbaburger.com
My favorite touristy place:
Koloa Rum Company at Kilohana Plantation
Great experience - Roxanne gave a wonderful 30-minute tasting...
and the rum was divine.
www.koloarum.com
My favorite fresh poke (and we tried it five different places)
Ishihara Market in Waimea
The deli is in the back of the market - SO worth your time.
No website - but right on the main drag (Kaumualii Hwy) in Waimea
And last but certainly not least...
My favorite ice cream:
The local fave is Lappert's and they had SIX different delicious sorbets.
Ya know that dairy-free is SO in.
Their coconut passion fruit sorbet was as creamy as any ice cream can be.
If they can do it, why can't Baskin Robbins?????
They don't have a website - check them out on yelp.com or ask a local!
The Roosters!!!
These guys roam freely EVERYWhere on the island. I mean everywhere.
They start their incessant crowing around 3am and it just doesn't stop.
But, aren't they gorgeous? That color and plumage is ridiculously beautiful.
Their bevy of hens follow them all around the island and
we witnessed quite a few families with new baby chicks in tow.
Can't wait for Tennessee and Zach's Dirty Thirty next month!!
:) Deb
