Polihale Beach

I couldn't make it work to add these pictures to the end of the previous post . . .

So . . . after the Miloli'i Ridge Road, we went to one more well known 4WD area on Kauai -- Polihale Beach.  

Polihale Beach consists of 15 MILES of uninterrupted sand beach.  It is one of the least used stretches of beach on the island.  According to the guidebook, you can often walk for a mile and not find a soul.  On the northern end of this beach is where the magnificent cliffs of Napali begin. (see first picture) But this beach is also known for it's sand dunes.

The dunes of Polihale are famous throughout the islands.  The beach averages 300 feet wide and the dunes can get up to 100 ft high.  **Enter our next 4 wheel drive adventure ! ***

Actually, we didn't spend too  much time off-roading here, but it was pretty, and fun  while it lasted, and worth it for the ability to say that we "jeeped" on Kauai's dunes.  Before we drove down to the beach, a local tried to warn us about driving on the sand.  Little did he know that he was talking to off-roading PROFESSIONALS!!!!   :)

Day 2 - Jeeping

The island of Kauai is so cool, because the landscape is so diverse.  There's the ocean, rough black lava rocks, tropical and sandy beaches, wet & mossy mountains (including the wettest spot on earth), dry & arid desert, lush and overgrown jungle areas, and even a huge swamp.  

After we went up Waimea Canyon, we took a side trip on a  5 mile long, 4-wheel drive road called Miloli'i Ridge Road.  This is actually a hunter road that winds its way along the ridges to the edge of Napali.  It ends right above Miloli'i Beach, which is 1400 feet below.  

To get there, we started on a trail that made it's way through some beautiful jungle-like growth. (see Matt-upper left)  IT was very lush and green. The landscape eventually changed into a drier, woodsy look, sort of like Portland, OR; and then ended in what could easily have been Moab, Utah (except for the ocean in the background, of course).   

Matt couldn't have been happier in his little rental Jeep.  As you know, we used to own a Jeep Wrangler for almost 10 years, but sold it about a year ago. 

It's been a long time since we've been off-roading (not much of it to do in Kansas City or Houston), and this filled that void nicely.

Pictures from the "end of the road"

After we ate lunch at the lookout, we started the drive back. We found a nice place through the trees where we had a great view of the "forbidden" Ni'ihau island. (it's hard to see, but it's right under the white cloud.)

Day 2 - Waimea Canyon

On our 2nd day we drove up Waimea Canyon, located on the West Shore of Kauai.  

Waimea Canyon is a spectacular gorge, reminiscent of the Grand Canyon.  Each layer represents a different eruption and subsequent lava flow.  The Canyon is 10 miles long, 1 mile wide, and more than 3600 feet deep.

The cup I'm holding has fresh, ice cold coconut milk and coconut "meat." 

 It was the only place on our whole trip where we found to buy it.  It was really good.

Below are pictures from the Pu'u Lila Lookout -- which is the farthest point you can drive up the Waimea Canyon.  It has a great view of the Kalalau Valley - the largest valley on Napali - and the Pacific Ocean. (Kalalau Valley is the valley that you reach if you hike the famous 11 mile long Kalalau Trail along the Nepali Coast )

Queens Bath

This is a good picture of Queen's Bath (above) that wasn't taken by me but it gives you a good view of the whole thing.  Queen's Bath is another lava pool, but it's right on the open ocean,  unlike "Secret Lava Pools" -- see previous post below -- which were at least 50 feet "inland," or away from the ocean.   You can see from the picture above and below that there are a few lower lying areas of the lava rocks where waves can come in easier, allowing water to move in and out to refresh the pool. When the surf is low, you never really have any waves coming in and pushing you around in Queen's Bath.  You can just enjoy a calm and relaxing swim, in a really cool "hidden" place, because you're protected by the lava rocks around you.  But when the surf is high, you better watch out because after a large wave has crashed in, the surf can pull you back out into the open ocean with it.  

Well, our trip in late September was not technically "winter time" when the surf is usually high on the North Shore, but it was certainly at the very end of the calm Summer surf season. 

   While we were watching others in the Bath, before we got in, Matt & I didn't observe any problem with the surf.  As you can see in the 2 pictures below, the last bit of the white/foamy part of the waves were making it into the bath, but nothing too big or dangerous.  When we were ready, Matt and I climbed down and got in.  We swam around, snorkeled a bit, and basically enjoyed the "gem" we had found that was described in our guide book. 

Eventually, Matt got out so that he could get some more pictures of me.  It was after he exited that there were 3 or 4 HUGE waves that rolled in, one right after another, while I was still in there.  At first, several people and I who were still in the bath, were caught off gaurd and were pushed further towards the back of the "pool" of water.  But then, after the 2nd and 3rd wave crashed in, it started to get a little scary.  I was probably the

 closest person to where the waves were entering, so when each subsequent wave came in, it didn't affect me as much as some of the people who were further back.  Some of THEM were starting to get slammed into the lava rocks, and from our vantage point, we couldn't see if there were any more waves on their way in.  One more wave would've put me in a bad position.  So I yelled up to Matt, and he said I had about 30 seconds before the next wave was coming & for me to get out of there.  You better believe that I busted a move & swam to the exit point and climbed out! (I don't think I've ever swam that fast in my life!)    I wasn't ever in mortal danger -- and after we got out, there weren't any more HUGE waves coming in like the ones I experienced while in there.   But we saw one guy who got out after me, who was totally bleeding and scraped up on his back from being pushed into the rocks by the waves. 

I'm not sure I described this whole scenario very well, but I'll just say that it was a little scary for a few minutes there, and it was definitely a wake-up call about the power of the ocean, how unforgiving the waves and rocks can be and how unpredictable the ocean is.

(here we go again with this stupid underlining again . . . Oh well.)  Anyway, this picture above was a pretty shot I took of the surf crashing over the lava rock, as we were walking back on the "trail" towards our car.  Below was another pretty spot we passed on our walk back.  I love the contrast between the rough black rocks, soft lush green plants, and the foamy white sea spray.

After a swim in the ocean (or lava pools), it's always a little uncomfortable to have that sticky salty feeling on your skin.  Luckily, many places have a fresh water source nearby to wash off in.  On the trail back to the car from Queen's Bath, there was this pretty little waterfall - with easy access - to wash off in and then we were ready to go to the next place in comfort.

Day 1, Part 2: Secret Beach, Secret Lava Pools

After the Helicopter tour, we went and explored the North Shore.  Using our trusty guidebook, we knew right where we wanted to go first: Secret Beach.  

This is one of the most picturesque beaches that we saw during our entire stay.  Unfortunately, it was the first beach we went to, so we didn't fully appreciate its beauty until later. Consequently, we also didn't get many (good) pictures of it.  Too bad.  To get to this beach, you have to climb down a fairly steep trail about a mile long.  It's access just isn't very easy. Because of this, not many people go here -- hence the name. I'd say we were 2 of only 6 people on the whole beach.

At this time of year, the surf is really starting to swell on the North Shore, and so we couldn't swim at most of the beaches we explored this day.  

However . . . . 500 yards down Secret Beach, were the Secret Lava Pools!  Here, the lava flow created "pockets" where the waves can reach and fill up -- creating perfect little pools to safely swim in and enjoy the beauty around you.

Kauai - Day 1, part 1: Hotel & Helicopter Tour

Here are some pictures of our first day in Kauai.  Well, our first FULL day (we flew in at night the first day).  

We stayed at the Kauai Marriott Resort and Beach Club on the East  Shore of the island. See picture below.  Thankfully, it was right next to the airport, so we didn't have far to drive after we picked up our rental car (we were very tired).  Hawaii is 5 hours BEHIND Texas time, so by the time we finally arrived at our hotel room, it was about 9:30pm local time, but felt like 2:30am to us.

  

This was the nicest hotel we've stayed in.   Not necessarily the nicest room, but the nicest hotel. It was totally beautiful - every detail.  The hotel sat right on the beach, and it had the hugest pool we've ever seen.  There were 5 separate hot tubs too, each set inside its own gazebo.  

This picture was taken from the balcony of our room, 

overlooking the pool and beach/ocean (barely seen in the background).

The first thing we did Monday morning was take a helicopter tour over the island.  It was awesome (thanks, Mom).  The company offered tours in helicopters without doors, so of course, we took that one.  Again, awesome. You can see so much more that way, and there's no glare (from windows) on your pictures! That said, my pictures still aren't the best.  Although we read in our Kauai guidebook that morning tours were the best time to go, it was still a little misty/cloudy. (our tour was at 7:45 AM). Anyway, I'll try not to bore you with too many pictures from the tour (it's so hard to choose!!), but here goes:

During flight, we could lean out the door just like our pilot is in this picture. 

He was native Kauaian, by the way, and flew Black Hawks (in the military) for research expeditions in Antarctica.

Just for some perspective of how huge these mountains were and how high we were

Waterfalls, waterfalls, waterfalls . . .

Hanalei Bay - from near and far.  This area is famous for professional surfing.

Tunnels Reef  - pretty cool to see from above. Popular for snorkeling & diving

Waimea Canyon (below)- looks similar to the Grand Canyon, 

you'll see more pictures of this later.

The rest of these are the of the grand Napali Coastline.  

Also famous, and used in many movies because of it's sheer beauty.

The Na Pali coast is probably Kauai's most famous attraction. It is sixteen rugged miles of coastline along the Northwest side of the island. Na Pali, meaning 'many cliffs', starts on the north shore, and continues until Polihale beach on the west side. Some of the cliffs rise as high as 4000 feet above the ocean floor. The Kalalau trail, the most famous hiking trail in all of Hawaii, runs for eleven miles along the Na Pali coast, dead ending at the Kalalau Valley and Kalalau beach. Although the Na Pali coast is inaccessible by car, it can be viewed by helicopter, hiking, or boat. Any of these provide a highly recommended experience for those considering a visit to Kauai.

Secluded beaches, only accessible by sea or air.