Kauai Day 2

Saturday October 18th 2008

The next morning, we awoke to the wonderful sound of crashing waves on the shore. We were ready to start our sight seeing. My cousin had bought a Kauai Guidebook that we nick named "The Kauaible" since it had everything you wanted to know or see in Kauai. We had all agreed to head up to Waimea to take the canyon drive.

Kauai is very different from the other Hawaiian islands. It gets the most rainfall. It was raining almost the whole time we were there (guess I didn't need my 50 sunblock that I needed in Oahu). There were brief moments of sunshine though. Also, there are tons of mosquito's. I got bit by like 20! Who knew that you go to Hawaii and need bug spray over sunscreen!! Also, there are chickens and roosters EVERYWHERE! I don't ever remember seeing one chicken on Maui or Oahu, but in Kauai they are wondering EVERYWHERE!

On the way to Waimea Canyon we stopped off at a place called Spouting Horn. There is a hole in the lava rock, and when the waves crash onto the lava rock, the force causes water to shoot up through the hole like Old Faithful! The size and force of the wave determines how high it shoots up. Also there are blow holes in the lava rock that spew air causing a hissing sound. It was very fascinating to watch.

We stopped in the town of Waimea to get some of the best Shave Ice on the island, according to the Kauaible. Jo Jo's shave ice was delicious! The key to good shave ice is the ice cream on the bottom! It really adds to the flavors of the syrups and the ice. Highly recommended!

Then we headed up the Waimea Canyon Drive. Some of the most breathtaking views. The sand is bright red, and contrasts to the lush green plants. And no folks, this is not the Grand Canyon (although it does bear a resemblance).

At the top of the Canyon was an overlook of the green cliffs with the bright blue ocean in the background. The beauty of nature never ceases to amaze me!

After our gorgeous drive through Wimea Canyon, we headed up to Wailua Falls. There is a debate whether or not the falls are 80' high or 173' high (it is the latter according to the Kauaible). Either way, it is super tall! And legend has it that native men would jump off the top of the falls to prove their manhood. However, it ended in certain death. So you could either be a wimp, or a dead man. I think I could live with being a wimp and just looking at the falls!