Trip Review Poipu April 7-14

We just returned from Kauai. I posted specific reviews on the luau we attended (Hiva Pasefika, see the thread ';Anyone ever been to Kauai%26#39;s Best Luau?';) and our accommodations (thread ';Hale O%26#39;Kapeka';).

Fortunately for us, everyone that changed destinations from Kauai to another island made the wrong decision. We stayed in Poipu and enjoyed good weather (but it was quite windy) and conditions. There were signs of recent rain trouble: part of the parking lot at Poipu Beach is still underwater; the office of our host, Hale O%26#39;Kapeka, was flooded so they were drying out their couches, carpets, etc; an announcement was made at the local church on Palm Sunday regarding an upcoming meeting about Waita Resivoir.

Eating

We mostly cooked at the condo. We bought fish (swordfish and moonfish) at the fish market across from the post office in Koala. This is an excellent place to buy fish to cook yourself, or to pick up lunch. We also ate at the Pizzieta place in Koala--very good. In Hanalei, we at at Hanalei gourmet. Also recommended.

For shopping we used the Walmart in Lihue and the Big Save in Koloa. They had good poke there.

Highly recommended is the farmer%26#39;s market at noon on Mondays at the Koloa ball field. We picked up lots of fruits and vegetables.

Activities

Rented snorkel equipment from Snorkel Bob%26#39;s. Very good. Snorkeling was not great, due to high winds. Enjoyed watching a monk seal for a couple of hours one evening right on Poipu Beach, until he (she?) finally rolled into the ocean and swam away. Also saw many sea turtles.

Travelled to Waimea Canyon one beautiful day, had shave ice twice at Jo Jo%26#39;s. Very good, but they really need to do a better job of customer service. My son thought the shave ice better at Brennecke%26#39;s Grille. Waimea town appears rundown, especially around the beach.

Drove to North Shore on Wed; very sad passing the point where the dam broke. The road is fine, open to two lanes, with 15 mph speed signs posted. Snorkeled at Anini--sun was out, but it was windy. Lunch at Hanalei. Mountain views descending into Hanalei are gorgeous--lots of waterfalls, as you%26#39;d expect.

Hiked on cliffs past Shipwreck Beach. We enjoyed the hikes but, again, wind was an issue.

No doubt conditions on Kauai will continue to improve. Locals still had lots of aloha, and we are very glad we stayed the course and kept our plans to visit Kauai.

That%26#39;s it for now--have fun!

Trip Review Poipu April 7-14

Where did you see sea turtles?? I%26#39;m still trying to just see one! All the times we%26#39;ve been to the islands, I%26#39;ve never seen one.

We just missed a monk seal too at Ke%26#39;e. We saw that there was a section that was roped off but he was gone by the time we got there.

We are still here, leaving Tues. night.

Trip Review Poipu April 7-14

Kukui, there%26#39;s frequently a turtle or two at Lawai Beach, where you can snorkel. You can sometimes spot them down below Spouting Horn, too.

We just returned Sunday. We saw the most turtles in Poipu at Brenneckes beach. If you walk up on the lava rocks, you will see them in the water. Wear water shoes on the rocks@ Also saw them trying to ride the waves with the boogie boarders!

As LynnVB wrote, there%26#39;s frequently turtles at Brennekes. But I was fortunate enough to follow one while snorkeling too, in Poipu Beach. (Yes, I stayed at a safe, respectful distance.) It was fascinating. Finally, one afternoon on Poipu Beach, just on the Marriott side, we watched a sea turtle hanging out where the water meets the rocks for at least an hour. Someone had erected a sign warning people not to disturb the turtles. Definitely cool!

Thanks for the review!