The last day in Kauai, we had to check out of our condo by noon. We awoke early at about 7:30 so we decided to try to get in a morning at the beach before we didn't have a shower again. Our flight was leaving at 8:55 pm (the lovely Hawaii Red-Eye flight that is Delta's only option) so we had a whole day to sight see.
As we headed down to the South Shore to Poipu Beach where the Kauible claimed was great for snorkeling and swimming, we saw this most incredible rainbow (which means it was raining, but nonetheless incredible). We also passed through a road called "Tunnel of Tree's" which is beautiful! (the pic doesn't do it justice).
We had a little difficulty finding Poipu Beach, because it is located between all these Resorts and huge houses. However, when we did find it, the sea was angry again. Maybe it is an October thing? So the conditions weren't quite right for snorkeling. AND I didn't even feel comfortable swimming because, while there was sand, it was mostly lava rocks.It was beautiful though. It is amazing how calming and fascinating it is to watch wave crash into the rocks. The sun peaked out at us for a minute, but then returned behind the overcast clouds.
After our quick jaunt to the south shore, we returned to our condo for our last shower, before the rest of our day, and our long overnight flight. When we checked out of our condo we went to 'Opeaka'a Falls which is located near the Wailua River.
Then Tedd wanted to go to the Makewehi Lithified Cliffs located on the South Shore. This is famously known throughout our whole trip as "The Rock and the Thing". Because Tedd had seen this in the Kauaible and really wanted to see it, but couldn't ever remember it's name. So he kept calling it "The Rock and the Thing."
Well we were glad he was adamant about "The Rock and the Thing" because it was incredible. The cliffs are all sandstone that formed from sand dunes clear back before the ice age. The ocean throughout the years has carved these incredible rock formations into the stone.
Then we went to a place called Glass Beach. It is a very unique beach located in an industrial area. It is beach that was used as a dumping ground for glass, garbage, and old machinery in the days that many Plantations were operating on the island (Guess there is only one Plantation still operating today). The sand is a mix of the blackest sand I have ever seen, as well as pieces of old glass. The majority of the glass is clear or brown (that of old bottles) however you can also find green, blue, and purple occasionally. The waves have run over the glass so much that the pieces are very smooth (no rough edges). Very cool. However, in Hawaii's honor, we did not take any with us. We just took a picture and threw them back into the sea.
If you travel further up there is an old cemetery, whose grave stones have been worn so much by the salty air that you can barely read the Asian (I think it's Japanese) writing on them. One was dated back in the 1920's. It was very old and unkempt with weeds growing all over. We barely notice there was a cemetery there at first!
Across the way were cliffs that were riddled with glass and old metal. Some metal piece have almost become part of the lava rocks as they erode in the salt water. If you look real close there are metal pieces littered all over this arch. Normally junk and garbage is unattractive, however, in this case it was fascinating.
Then Tedd wanted to go to the Makewehi Lithified Cliffs located on the South Shore. This is famously known throughout our whole trip as "The Rock and the Thing". Because Tedd had seen this in the Kauaible and really wanted to see it, but couldn't ever remember it's name. So he kept calling it "The Rock and the Thing."Well we were glad he was adamant about "The Rock and the Thing" because it was incredible. The cliffs are all sandstone that formed from sand dunes clear back before the ice age. The ocean throughout the years has carved these incredible rock formations into the stone. Then we went to a place called Glass Beach. It is a very unique beach located in an industrial area. It is beach that was used as a dumping ground for glass, garbage, and old machinery in the days that many Plantations were operating on the island (Guess there is only one Plantation still operating today). The sand is a mix of the blackest sand I have ever seen, as well as pieces of old glass. The majority of the glass is clear or brown (that of old bottles) however you can also find green, blue, and purple occasionally. The waves have run over the glass so much that the pieces are very smooth (no rough edges). Very cool. However, in Hawaii's honor, we did not take any with us. We just took a picture and threw them back into the sea. If you travel further up there is an old cemetery, whose grave stones have been worn so much by the salty air that you can barely read the Asian (I think it's Japanese) writing on them. One was dated back in the 1920's. It was very old and unkempt with weeds growing all over. We barely notice there was a cemetery there at first!*This is the only sunset we saw on Kauai because we stayed on the East side of the island and the sun always set behind the rainy mountains.*
Across the way were cliffs that were riddled with glass and old metal. Some metal piece have almost become part of the lava rocks as they erode in the salt water. If you look real close there are metal pieces littered all over this arch. Normally junk and garbage is unattractive, however, in this case it was fascinating.On the way to Kauai, my cousin gave me the Kauaible to read and decide what we wanted to see/experience while we were there. I sat next to an older gentleman and his wife who hadn't been there since the 70's. I asked what they were going to do and see while they were in Kauai. He said, "Oh, we are going to take a helicopter tour (little jealous), go on a zip line, go down the river in some tubes...", and was rambling off all the typical "touristy" things any Hawaii booth has to offer (all cost around $100-$200 each). While I am sure he had great experiences doing all those activities, I am not envious of those things. We came to Kauai on standby tickets, and did most of our activities for free. But I had a fabulous time and the scenes from nature were incredible. Which just goes to show you... that the best things in life truly are for free!
2 comments:
I love Hawaii - jealous you spent time there. The cemetery looks amazing. I love old cemeteries.
Looks like you got to see the best Kauai has to offer. I am extremely jealous! I really have to get down to Hawaii next year. Airfare from Anchorage is often the same as it is from Los Angeles.
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