First few hours on the Island?

Hi. We arrive at 11:30 am this Saturday for 1 week (Yeah!) We won%26#39;t be able to arrive at our cottage at Anini until 3pm. Any suggestions to really get our trip of to a great start. Anything that would be easy to find, having never been before, and revitalizing after the flight. I guess we have about 2 hours giving us an hour travel time.

I also want to by groceries while on the East Shore. The top recomendations for produce would be helpful as well. I am a chef by profession and can%26#39;t wait to sample all the Kauai has to offer! Price isn%26#39;t as important as quality and variety.

Thanks!

First few hours on the Island?

By the time you deplane, pick up your luggage, buy a flower lei, and get your car, you will have about enough time to get some supplies and groceries before heading to your cottage. We shopped at Safeway in Kappa and also stopped at a roadside stand for some fruit. Search this site for more info on farmer%26#39;s markets for fresh produce, other great placces to shop and the fresh fish markets. One in Lihue across from the Wal Mart I am told. If you want to get some lunch before heading to your cottage, try Scotty%26#39;s Beachside B-BQ in Kappa or Duane%26#39;s Ono Char Burger on your way to Anini at Anahola. And, last but not least, enjoy the drive, the sights, sounds and smells as you travel to your cottage.

First few hours on the Island?

Chef, Aloha

Hiker girl has really given you the exact scoop. Safeway will have the best prices for groceries using the safeway card, and the sunshine markets are in various locations on the island on different days.

Locals can let you know in about 10 seconds.

You are in a great location for a beautiful drive up to the north shore. After all that flying, and car renting, and shopping, you might be ready for some relax.

A very lovely place, is up in princeville at the HANALEI BAY RESORT. You might want a sit down dinner in the restuarant... we usually just have pu%26#39;pu%26#39;s and our E Komo Mai toasts.

The pu pu%26#39;s are subsantial and delicious. Hmmmmm...just thought, your chef palette may be just a wee bit more discerning than my irish viking taste buds.

The Happy Talk lounge at the HBR, is extremely nice, tropical, friendly, fun, and will lead you all into an island style attitude. Might even have some live hawaiian music to go along with the view.

';E Komo Mai'; to Kauai.

Oh, CHEF,when you decide to cook up a grand repast, let us know when dinner is ready, we will be right over.

Aloha

Denny

Just out of Lihue is Wailua Falls; nice place to snap your first pictures on your vacation. Total time 30 minutes including drive and quick stop.

Chefwalnut, so jealous here in Moss Beach offers this farmer%26#39;s market schedule (you will likely have to wait until Monday):

http://realkauai.com/FarmersMarkets/

Remember to bring a softsided thermal bag (I pack as a carry on with favored packets of spice and some condiments with other necessities) with you or pick up a styrofoam chill chest at your first grocery stop to keep in the car always.

Meanwhile, driving north from the airport you will pass Coconut Marketplace on your right (@ approx. 8 miles) and then shortly on the left you will see the Waipouli Shopping Center and a Foodland Market. Foodland, a major market like Safeway, has weekly advertised item discounts (courtesy desk has the ';makai'; card). Since you are on the wing to get to Anini, I think you will find the Foodland deli counter very interesting for local flavors to carry out (poke, lomi lomi, poi, pickled seaweed, onions and cukes, etc.) to get you started on your day. Frozen edamame is less expensive at Foodland (as low as 99 cent/lb.)

Back out on the highway Kauai Village Shopping Center is next on your left. Three things there: Safeway, Papaya Natural Foods (organics and bulk spices) and Long%26#39;s Drug (amazing array of health food, small grocery section-like home) and sometimes better wine, beer and liquor prices (as specials or on-sale items).

The tiny nonfranchise Pono Market on the right in Kapaa town (about 3 more miles north-just after Pono Kai Resort) has authentic local items in their deli plus local plates to go. Here, too, find fresh fish as well as a variety of coffee beans to take whole or have ground.

You will see greens, vegetables and fruits in Kauai that I have never seen in our Farmer%26#39;s Markets in Daly City or even on Stockton in Chinatown.

This is just off the top of my head as I ready for some sunshine finally...just wishing it was 20 degrees warmer here in NoCal. Again, green with envy!

You guys are great. Thanks for all of the great tips.

Denny, I was already planning to go to Happy Talk Saturday night! So thanks for confirming that it is a good plan and I am not that hard to please if the drinks are good and strong enough.

BJ, it is finally gorgeous in SF but certainly not warm enough yet. Thank you for all of the great food tips. I will try not to go too crazy right away and spread my fun out a little. Good call on the cooler bag. I did pack a small one for picknicks and hikes but maybe I should get a larger one as well.

I maybe asking so more questions in the next 48 hours so thanks for all of the help:)