There is only one main ring road circling the south, east, and north rims of the island. The west s

This guest post is brought to you by my friend Sandy Clinton. She is the President of Clinton and Associates, Landscape Architects . It s worth taking a few minutes to check out her website you ll be blown away with what she designs. We met on a bike tour in Newfoundland eight years ago and have traveled together to the Chelsea Garden Show in London, England.
Known as the Garden Isle, Kaua i is the oldest geological formation of the Hawaiian Islands. bali hotel reviews As a Landscape Architect, this was a big draw for me (plants, geology, rocks!) when this trip was proposed by some local Maryland friends. Not to mention consistent 70 degree F days and nights in the middle of January.
The flora of the island is tropical and dramatic, with deep burgundy spires next to bright chartreuse leaves, or monochromatic combinations of silvery aloe up alongside moss and lichen bali hotel reviews covered palm trunks.
Our days were spent exploring the amazing variety of landscapes and geography bali hotel reviews that make up this island. A trip to the north shore brought us to the Kilauea Lighthouse, perched high on a precipice. This 90 foot tall structure was built in 1913 and its light beam used to reach 90 miles out to sea. It s no longer in use but it is open to the public on a daily basis. Views from the peninsula afforded us sightings of dozens of breaching whales in the near distance.
The small northern town of Hanalei offered traditional meals of Taro-wrapped Chicken Lau Lau with sides of rice and poi, or Huli Chicken - Hawaiian barbecued. bali hotel reviews All of that topped off with a Rainbow Shaved Ice and Macadamia Nut ice cream.
A special find: The Kauai Hindu Monastery 376 acres of gardens, groves, glens, paths, ponds, waterfalls and temples. This is a secluded, cloistered home and theological seminary to two dozen dedicated monks from six nations, bali hotel reviews who live and serve here full time, striving to fulfill the dual goals of selfless service and self transformation through Ashtanga (8-limbed) bali hotel reviews yoga.
Snorkeling is wonderful in the shallow reefs off the shores. Be sure to wear water shoes as it is sharp, and try not to step on it, as it is a living creature. The water is not as clean as I would have expected.  One early morning I walked on the beach and discovered scallops of tiny pieces of plastic that had washed onto the sandy beaches at high tide, leaving scalloped shaped designs on the shoreline.  Pretty, in a weird way, but suspect about where it is all coming from.
The best food we ate was from small shack or truck restaurants.  Simple, local food with real ingredients.  We also did a lot of our own cooking from foods purchased at one of the many farmer's markets dotted around the island.
We participated in a river cleanup one Saturday, which as a great way to meet locals and hear about other events going on in the nearby communities.  This was sponsored and run by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, bali hotel reviews though I believe other local grassroots organizations were also involved.
There is only one main ring road circling bali hotel reviews the south, east, and north rims of the island.  The west side is sheer cliffs with no road connection. Views from these roads are quite spectacular, though bali hotel reviews it does mean that normal rush hour during the morning and evening commutes should be taken into account when traveling.
We did not hire an outfitter during our stay but found that there were many, many to choose from.  Paddle bali hotel reviews board lessons, kayak and canoe rentals, bike and windsurf rentals, surfboards, and any other equipment bali hotel reviews rentals are easy to come by and seem to be competitively priced.
I didn't make it to the valley between mountain ranges on the west coast of the island as it was socked in with fog during most of our stay. I understand that it is outstanding for hiking, photography, waterfalls (the wettest place on Earth is in the middle of this valley), views, and could be a whole week worth of discovery in itself.
Sandy, you have some beautiful photos of Kauai. We had a three day visit as part of a four-island tour of our 25th anniversary tour of Hawaii. The highlight for us was hiking around the rim of Waimea Canyon. Thanks for sharing!
I've been all over the world – to all continents but Antarctica and to a grand total of 53 countries. I've always got some sort of an adventure planned – even if it's only a weekend. I thrive on change and travel provides that.
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