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Pictures and stories from
our trip to Kauai
Thanksgiving week 2006.
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Slideshow of all the pictures available here |
Link to "Kapish's Kauai Kronicles" |
During Thanksgiving week of 2006 we stayed at the Pono Kai resort in Kauai
taking in the beauty of one of the most tropical of the Hawaiian
islands.
On Friday night we checked
in at the WorldMark Kapa'a Shore resort for one night before going
to the Pono Kai. We arrived late night and slept to the sounds of
the waves. The resort sits right on the ocean and it is very nice
and laid back. (The resort is an old apartment, so it has its
drawbacks... but the location is SO cool! ). Since we were in
California time we walked a few steps to the beach and watched the sunrise. |
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 On
Saturday morning we checked out of Worlmark's Kapaa Shores resort
and drove less than 1 mile to the Pono Kai resort and walked around
thr grounds of this beautifully maintained resort. Left some of our
perishable food items in the hospitality room. They have 2 couches,
2 dressers, 2 refrigerators and a TV in this unit. We met 2 couples
who are also from California, in the process of checking in, and
enjoying the 'game of the week' in the hospitality room.
 We
particularly enjoyed the Koi pond at the resort as well as the beach
adjacent to the resort. The long stretch of the beach leads to a
beach park at the North end.
After leaving the resort at mid morning we drove to Princeville.
There was very little traffic and we were able to drvie leisurely
through various towns into Princeville and then Hanelei. On our way
upto Princeville we noted all the cool places we should wait on our
way back.
 As Shiva insisted on visiting the Guava Plantation in Kileua, we have used as the central attraction of this trip. We ate
lunch at the Princeville Shopping Center although there are more
variety available in Hanalei. I would suggest you get a "to go"
lunch from one of these places and follow the road a couple of miles
to the beach in Hanalei and have a picnic lunch on the beach! |
 On
our way back from Princeville we found "Banana John's Fruit stand"
(2.9*) and the turn off to the Kilauea light house (3*). We found a
number of self serve fruit stands around Kauai. One of those is on
this road. Shortly after taking the turn-off to the light house, the
directions require taking a left on to the lighthouse road. At this
intersection there is a house with a fruit stand in the front. We
found pineapples, sweet bananas, star fruit, coconuts, taro, sweet
potatoes and other fruits. They all had prices taped on them and we
just had to put the amount in a jar provided. I liked the honor
system. |
 Less
than a 1 mile from the Kilauea light house turn off, the entrance to
the Guava Plantation can be seen on the right. We also stopped at
the fruit stand where we bought avocados, onions, small sweet
bananas, pineapple etc. |
 Across the street from the Pono Kai, there is
plenty of shopping including fast food restaurants. Just a few
minutes South of the resort is the Safeway shopping center that also
had a number of restaurants.
On Sunday morning we walked on the beach in the hopes of seeing the
sunrise, but it was overcast and we even got wet as there was a
sudden rain. The it rained lightly a few times this morning and had
been a clear and Sunny day shortly after that.
 Pono Kai had an 'orientation' where tour companies from around the
area had come to present their attractions. Companies offering scuba
programs, windsurfing lessons, surfing lessons, ziplining, boat
tours, helicopter tours, ATV rides etc. were represented at this
orientation. Continental breakfast was provided as well as a chance
to sign up for timeshare presentations (to get discounts on shows)
The majority of the people staying at the Pono Kai seem to be
seniors and families with young children. The grounds are overseen
by roosters and chicken who make sure to wake you up in the morning
so you can get a head start!
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 We
visited the Hindu monastery at Kapa'a. What a wonderful place! the
gardens with banyan trees etc. are soooo peaceful! We attended the
morning prayers and now getting ready to go back there for a tour of
the temple grounds.
Also,
on our way back to Kapa'a we saw this incredible BRIGHT rainbow!
Couldn't get a picture as I was driving... but managed to get a
partial shot after getting to the resort. |
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More on next page 2 |
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