Nawiliwili, Kauai – October 13, 2012

We are pulling into the harbor and the island looks so very beautiful very different from yesterday.  We are up just before 7 am and we quickly dress and head down for breakfast, then a latte and we arrange to meet up with our friends Peter and Pippa at 9:15.

We once again reserved a rental car thru www.discounthawaiicarrentals.com for $38 for the entire day (not including insurance) and we were given a Dodge Avenger which suited the four of us perfectly.   The shuttle was right at the pier and took us to the airport which was about 2 miles away.

 

We make our way to Waimea Canyon (take highway 50 and follow the signs)  We stop at the Waimea Canyon Lookout, the Pulu Hinahina Lookout, the Kalalau Lookout, then the Pulu o Kila Lookout.  Each lookout is amazing with something to offer along the way.  Make sure to stop and really take in the sights.  I wish we would have had longer day here as I would of loved to have done a few of the trails but that would require more of a longer stay like a week’s stay and spending the entire possibly two days in the park.

Some stats on the Canyon are that it is 4,120 feet above sea level.  It is one mile in width and 15 miles long. 
 

We start heading back down the road to the town of Waimea and stop at the Shrimp Station for a lunch of shrimp.  I get the Thai Shrimp dish, Bernie gets the coconut shrimp, Pippa gets the garlic and Peter well he doesn’t like shrimp so he gets hot dogs.  It is all is very good and then I get a shaved ice, my first ever, very yummy and refreshing.

In all the trip to the Canyon is about 45 minutes each way, we probably spent about an hour and a half driving the canyon and stopping at the lookouts.  Make sure to account for the time you want there and get back in time. 

We dropped the car off and were back at the ship around 3 pm.  Peter and Pippa head back on and we drop our bags and head back out for a short walk to some of the stores and the Marriott Hotel and the small beach there.  It is lovely and the shops nearby offer a variety of souvenirs and necessities. 

There are also quite a few free shuttles that will take you into town if you need to.

this the port

right side of the port -- shuttles are regular

Sail away is beautiful and Bernie and I enjoy a drink and take some pictures before changing and heading to dinner.  We will head back to Portifinos for dinner.  Douw is back on board and we are looking forward to seeing him. 

this beach is very accessible from the ship, anyone can use it but only hotel guest can use the chairs

We don’t know how much we will do tonight.  We haven’t had a nap and we have a very early start tomorrow on our snorkel excursion. 

I am writing this watching Bernie dancing away on the balcony to his music from his ipod and the ocean passing us by…. Can’t get any better.

I do want to say again how great the staff are on board.  Even the security staff as you leave and get back on board are so helpful to all those that need assistance.  Ryan and Evelyn are two that I remember but many have been wonderful.

Today there were numerous activities that happened on board including The Art of Hula Dance in the Atrium, Movie people Like Us in the Princess Theater, MUTS is showing Raiders of the Lost Arc and then Red Bull:  Last Man Standing, then Spider Man.  Hawaii Trivia later in Explorers then the Movie The Descendants in the Vista Lounge.  Who Sang What featuring Golden Oldies and then it is Rock N Roll Night.  In the Princess Theater is Mark Preston with a Musical Show.