Rob and I are going backpacking this weekend at Point…
Hawaii Week
Rob and I are headed to Hawaii in late May! We’ll be staying with my family at Hanalei on Kauai for a few days. I need to start thinking about what to pack.
So it’s the perfect time for a Hawaii-week on the blog. We’re going tropical until Friday!
Have you been to Hawaii? What are your favorite tropical vacation tips?
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This is perfect timing for me! I am going to Maui with my husband and son in July. We went on our honeymoon but this will be our first time back since then. That was 14 years ago. It's so much fun and so beautiful!
My boyfriend and I went to Kauai a couple of years ago, and it was fantastic! Recap post here: http://bit.ly/dPnOvy And photos here: http://bit.ly/hIGxaS
Email me (kimskitchensink at gmail) if you want more details on any places in the pics – we had a great time!
A few things that worked really well for me on my recent trip to New Zealand:
*REI pack-lite towels – great for taking to the beach. Sand shakes off easy, and they dry super fast. They are also lightweight & way less bulky than a regular towel, so easy to pack. I also use these to take to the gym, camping, etc. http://www.rei.com/product/783080
*Roll-over jersey skirt. This was a great skirt to wear to the beach as you can easily slip on/off bikini bottoms without exposing yourself. Again, packs easy & I find these comfy to hike in, etc.
I have one like this: http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=55402&vid=1&pid=809741&scid=809741022
*a reusable cloth shopping bag – easy to tuck in your backpack to carry extra purchases when you go out for the day – groceries, souvenirs or wet towels.
1. I don't know if it is in your budget, but taking a helicopter tour is a great way to get an idea of the layout of the island. We saw where they filmed some of the scenes in Jurassic Park. The cathedral peaks are spectacular.
2. The Napali Coast has a beautiful hike (north shore). You can do an out and back or a through hike…just remember to bring a change of shoes and a plastic bag to put your muddy hiking shoes in.
3. Waimea canyon is the “grand canyon” of Hawaii. It offers beautiful vistas and a variety of hiking trails.
4. Poipu Beach is one of the best places I have ever snorkeled. You don’t have to go far to see some amazing ocean life and the water is nice and warm.
5. The spouting horn is a really cool lava formation that shoots water in the air up to 50 feet.
6. Lastly, pick up a Michener novel to get in the Hawaii mindset.
Have fun!
watch out when you go surfing for large rocks. I went for a 3 week vacation and on the third day of surfing i needed stitches and was not allowed back in the water!!!
Hanalei is my favorite place on Kauai! My husband and I used to live in Honolulu and Kauai was my favorite island. When we were on Kauai, we stayed in Hanalei for about a week. So many cute restaurants and shops, and the beach is fantastic! We did snorkeling and hiking as well. Hope you have an amazing time! xo
Oooh, I love Kauai! Definitely go to Poipu Beach for great snorkeling (sea turtles!!) And while I ordinarily shudder at tourist attractions like it, the helicopter tour of the Napali Coast is totally worth it. Amazing.
Oh, and even though it's a chain restaurant, Roy's Hawaiian Fusion offers a nice respite from what is otherwise a bit of a culinary wasteland. Enjoy!!
Yay! I love Hawaii! But my favourite tropial vacation is a toss up between Thailand's beaches and Easter Island!
We are in the process of buying a small cottage in Hanalei. Great little town with a hippie vibe. You only need a bikini, flip flops, and a dress or two.
I loved the Plantation Gardens Restaurant when I was there a few years ago. http://www.pgrestaurant.com/html/dining.htm I loved it so much, we went there almost every night for dinner. =)
Tied for the best thing ever with hiking part of the Nepali Coast trail was this garden. Amazing. http://ntbg.org/gardens/allerton.php.
Love Kauai! I highly recommend plantation tubing down the old irrigation canals – I can't remember the company we went through I'm sure it's google-able. The only thing is it was on the other side of the island from Hanalei. But totally worth it! Beautiful, relaxing, lazy trip through old Hawaiian farm country. And you MUST have Lappert's ice cream. All-time best flavor is tutu's anniversary (coconut ice cream with raspberry and passion fruit sorbet).