Kauai
A comfortable five hour flight later we arrived in Honolulu, to wait despairingly for our luggage ....again, I hear our friends say. Once again we arrived at an airport, without the luggage making the same journey at the same time, and probably not on the same plane.
We completed the formalities like seasoned professionals and duly went off to check for our flight to Kauai. Contrary to popular belief it wasn't a ruse to get around checked in luggage fees.
It was a short flight to Kauai and, having no luggage, we jumped in the nearest taxi to make the short drive to our hotel at Coconut Beach. It’s now normal for US hotels to charge a 'resort fee' on check in, which can include many things, some you don't want or need. However one advantage of the resort fee here was the ability to take out beach chairs, umbrellas and cool bags for any trip away from the hotel. Quite a good idea really. It also included car parking internet and one free Mai Tai per person, per day.
Our room was large clean and had the promised sea view. Later that evening we got the call to say our bag had arrived, thankfully there are approximately 20+ flights a day between Honolulu and Kauai so it was delivered to us later that same evening.
That's the news, here is the weather....we now had news that Tropical Storm Darby would hit the Hawaiian Islands sometime in the next 48 hours. We spent the one clear day on a beach, watching the waves and the wind both increase in strength and intensity. The day the storm was due to arrive, started well, clear skies though windy, then it all went rapidly downhill with the storm blowing in from the sea and the south. We had little option but to return to the hotel and watch the beach being battered from the relative calm of our room. That was the last we ventured out for a couple of days.
Finally the storm cleared, somewhat earlier than expected, and the skies began to clear. We took the decision to hire a car, and get out and about exploring on the three full days we had left.
One thing we had decided we would do was to take a rescue dog out for a field trip as they call it. We had read of the initiative by the Kauai Humane Society on the flight over. They set up a scheme where residents and tourists could go to the centre, and basically take a dog out for the day. So we drove up to the centre, completed the forms and were led, along with around 10 other couples and families to the pens at the rear of the building. Some dogs weren't available for a field trip, some had recent operations, some were too young, and thankfully some were being adopted and therefore in quarantine. We walked the pens, every one with a friendly face looking back at you, seemingly saying pick me, their tails wagging.
We came across a quiet dog, who looked at us, and bent down, picked up her chew toy, and brought it to us. That was it, she had picked us. So armed with water, treats, poo bags and a very fetching 'Adopt Me' jacket we left for our day of adventure.
We took her to the beach, parks and sights. We had a great time, she settled very well, and always looked after us if one of us left the car. She also proved very popular. Everywhere we stopped people were approaching us, asking about the dog and how they could get involved.
Sadly the six hours were over far too quick and we were taking her back to the centre. We'd had a great day, and I’d like to think she did too. We recently had good news, the centre contacted us to say Zahira had been adopted shortly after our visit.
The next day we had booked a 'doors off' helicopter trip around the island. The weather had improved greatly and we received word that the flight would go ahead as scheduled. It was an early start and we made our way to the office to be weighed and watch a safety briefing. Within a few minutes we were off in the van to the airport and our helicopter. We boarded and were strapped in tightly (no other way with the doors off) and off we went. Flying over many beauty spots and well known film landmarks like the waterfall from the start of Jurassic Park, the hill where Indy runs from the natives at the start of Indiana Jones, and the beach where Johnny Depp walks with Penelope Cruz from Pirates of the Caribbean, all recognizable. The hour flew too quickly (sorry) and we were back at the airport to return to base and the waiting car.
We then set off for a drive up the west coast of the island. We stopped at Poipu for breakfast and a short drive along the beach to see the Spouting Horn Park and the water feature.
We then drove the only road north, just taking in the beauty of the island. We returned via the national park so similar to the Grand Canyon, and back to the hotel.
We drove the opposite direction the following day, up the east coast to Hanakei and Wainiha. You can’t drive totally around the island, but can get near to it. Though if the weather is poor, the single lane bridge which takes the road to the very north, is closed.
We parked at one of the many beaches, the waves were powerful and capable of sweeping you off your feet, just yards from the shore, and it was great fun. I seemed to be emptying sand out of my board shorts for the next few days. We also had lunch at a restaurant owned by the musician Todd Rundgren. He wasn’t there though his wife did serve us.
We thoroughly enjoyed our time on Kauai, even though it was truncated a little due to the storm.
We drove back to the airport to catch the short flight back to Oahu.