It’s no secret that I love to travel and I’m guessing you share my interest as well since you’re reading this blog post. Unfortunately, now is not the time to hop on a plane or even jump in our car to enjoy a simple road trip. But someday (soon we hope) this will all be behind us and we’ll once again take to the skies to explore this wonderful world of ours. In the interim, I’ll continue to share some stories with you about trips I’ve taken in days gone by so, at the very least, we can all be “armchair travelers.” This post will chronicle our most recent journey to the Aloha State of Hawaii. In particular I'll tell you all about our visit to Kauai. I hope you enjoy it.
After our marathon journey to Kauai, we had a peaceful and good night’s sleep at the #GrandHyattKauai Resort and Spa. Of course, going to bed relatively early in terms of the local time meant we awakened early enough to enjoy a spectacular sunrise from the comfort of our balcony. It was a beautiful sight to behold and was a memorable beginning to our Hawaiian vacation. The deluxe suite we checked into featured about 1,570 square feet of living space with private lanai, well-appointed bath with whirlpool tub and large bedroom with king-sized bed. The very comfortable sitting area included a nice sofa and chairs as well as a functional work desk, a Nespresso machine, a 65” flat-panel LCD television, ceiling fans and an in-room safe.
Our first full day was spent exploring and enjoying this top-shelf resort. Situated on the white-sand beaches of Poipu on the island’s sunny south shore, the hotel sits on more than 50 acres. It has so many lush, well-manicured and attractive gardens! They surround the resort’s many buildings which all feature classic Hawaiian architecture with open courtyards to enjoy the mild tropical breezes. The 602-room Grand Hyatt is one of the best luxury resorts on Kauai. Ready for a swim? You’ve got 3 freshwater pools flanked by waterfalls from which to choose, including an adult pool, a lazy river, a 150-foot waterslide and a very large (1.5 acre), sand-bottomed saltwater lagoon! A word about the staff. They were exceptional in every way; no request seemed too small or too large. From housekeeping to wait staff to the hotel concierge, everyone we encountered appeared to take genuine pleasure in making us happy. They went out of their way to make sure our visit to this special place ranked among one of our best. They succeeded.
A number of cultural performances were offered for guests on any given day, Two Hawaiian luaus with bountiful buffets were also planned each week during our stay although we chose to wait until our visit to Maui to enjoy a luau. The lounges and restaurants at the Grand Hyatt all welcome guests with sweeping views of the nearby ocean. Tidepools offers contemporary Hawaiian cuisine with local ingredients reflecting the rich culinary history of the islands. Here you dine in thatched-roof bungalows that appear to “float” over a koi-filled lagoon. My choice for dinner was the Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi, served in a banana-macadamia nut sauce accompanied by “forbidden” rice and a papaya-avocado relish. I had no regrets.
We reserved a table for 2 at Dondero’s one evening. It’s an open-air steak and seafood restaurant with an Italian flair also set over a lagoon. The beautiful frescoed walls are reminiscent of a vintage Tuscan village and the stunning floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the resort as well as the ocean. We were fortunate in securing a table on the terrace. With tiki torches illuminating our dusk and nighttime views, we enjoyed the delicious hand made pastas and the exceptional service we’d come to expect from the Grand Hyatt. One final establishment worth mentioning is Stevenson’s Sushi and Spirits. This luxury nightspot offers a welcoming atmosphere with its 27-foot koi wood bar which also features beautifully carved koa wood carvings in traditional sugarcane and pineapple motifs. Stevenson's also has an outdoor lanai and intimate, cozy lounge seating. We didn’t try the sushi here but heard from other guests that it was outstanding.
#PoipuBeach is located only a half mile from the resort. It’s the most popular one on the South Shore of Kauai and was named “America’s Best Beach” by the #travelchannel, taking the top spot among the “best” beaches selected nationwide. This scenic spot is where lucky visitors can enjoy any number of activities, including snorkeling, swimming, a natural ocean wading pool, boogie-boarding or even surfing. The beach is considered one of the safest in all of Hawaii with a lifeguard on duty 7 days a week. Poipu means “crashing waves” in Hawaiian and it’s fun to while away the time on this beautiful beach, listening to the sounds of the surf while knowing you’re in the middle of the Pacific Ocean!
The nearby #ShopsAtKukuiula are rightly considered to be one of the island’s premiere shopping, dining and fine art destinations. Showcasing architecture that pays tribute to Hawaii’s plantation past, the complex lays claim to dozens of different shops and boutiques. It’s also home to several award-winning restaurants and contemporary art galleries, including 2 of special note. The first is Feinberg Gallery which features the internationally acclaimed photography of Aaron Feinberg whose work captures the beauty of Kauai. The second is the Halelea Gallery that showcases a unique and fine collection of original fine art as well as locally handcrafted jewelry. This gallery represents artists and designers chosen specifically to create exclusive and one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect the Hawaiian Islands.
Our final day in Kauai proved to be my favorite. I was interested in taking an open-air helicopter tour of the island and the concierge recommended the “Deluxe Circle Island Tour“ offered by Island Helicopters Kauai. At the Lihue Airport I met Matt, the pilot, who told me I’d be the only passenger on the tour that morning. That was just fine with me! Next he removed the passenger door and then invited me to climb aboard. “Aren’t you going to remove your door as well,” I asked? “Oh, sure thing,” he answered and, after storing both doors in a nearby hangar, we were ready for flight. What an adventure! Matt pointed out all the sights en route but gave me enough quiet time so that I could appreciate the natural beauty of the island. We traveled high above Waimea Canyon, known as the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific." This landform is about 14 miles long, one mile wide and roughly 3,600 feet deep (in some places). It was formed eons ago when the Waimea River carved its way through the lava and basalt formations originally found in the region. Waimea is Hawaiian for "reddish water” a reference to the erosion of the canyon's red soil. The central volcano that lay in the canyon collapsed some 10 million years ago, playing a vital role in forming the landscape I was lucky enough to fly over on that day’s tour.
This adventure was truly amazing for me but next came one of the best parts. We passed over the isolated NaPali Coast which spans some 17 miles along the island's North Shore. It is so beautiful! From the air, I could see what must’ve been dozens of crystal clear waterfalls, each one rushing to join the green valley floor below. Then, the tree-lined cliffs with their razor-sharp edges appeared. These cliffs actually have cascading waterfalls on one side and then mile after mile of secluded beach on the other. And I got to see all of it with no one else around, and from the air no less. What a treat! But before I forget, I want to let you know that Matt also showed me the Hawaiian hideaway owned by Irish actor and film producer Pierce Brosnan (aka #007). I thought to myself he’s a very lucky guy indeed to own a home in such an incredible locale. Sadly, before too long I realized my hour above Kauai would end as I noticed we were quickly approaching the Lihue Airport. Once back on the ground, I thanked Matt for a memorable hour, knowing that this private helicopter tour would be one I would never forget.
The following morning we checked out of the Hyatt resort and headed back to the airport. It was a short journey over to the Island of Maui for the balance of our Hawaiian vacation. I’ll tell you all about our visit there in a future post.
Until next time…stay safe
Great story and seems like you had some fun ;-) Keep up the narratives!...
What stunning pictures and compelling narrative to go along with them. George you are a great storyteller!!