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Friday, January
25th, 2002 |
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11:43 pm - Hawaii - Day 6
As
we near the end of our Hawaii trip, more cloudiness did not deter us from
packing in a full day. We started in the morning with a Helicopter tour of the
island provided by Jake's Helicopters. If you can afford it, this is definitely
the way to see an island like Kaua'i that has many, many inaccessible regions.
The 60 minute ride itself is nothing short of awesome -- sort of an enhanced
360 degree IMAX presentation with live action and music. Beth had the best
view, situated as she was in the front right of the six-passenger Eurocopter
Astar 
with
floor-to-ceiling windows. I was in the center-left back area, so she was in
charge of picture taking on this venture.
While
no description will do justice to the actual experience, I'll just mention a
few of the highlights. After flying along the beautiful east coastline, we dove
straight into the a canyon where we witnessed the astounding Wailua waterfall
also known as the Jurassic waterfall having been used for the opening of the
first Jurassic Park motion picture. It turned out to be one of dozens of different
and equally impressive ribbon-thin waterfalls spilling thousands of feet down
sheer cliffs that we would encounter along the way.
After
a jaunt through the Kilohana crater, another impressive sight was coming over 
the
ridge as we dove down into the Waimea Canyon -- a place that certainly deserves
its designation as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. Then on to one of the most
incredible views I have ever witnessed -- the sudden plunge of the cliffs along
the Na Pali coast into the azure blue Pacific. Na Pali (which means "the
cliffs) is an astoundingly rugged coastline that is only accessible by
Helicopter, boat or by the most adventuresome hikers. This was probably the
only spot we witnessed where the sun actually shown on the island.
Finally,
entering into the deepest interior of Kaua'i, we were transported back in time
to how the earth must have looked when the dinosaurs tread its surface. We
entered the verdant shadow of Mt. Waiale'ale, the wettest spot on Earth. Over
400 hundred inches of rainfall per year is average. Lush, green and forbidding,
only by helicopter is this area even approachable. If you ever get the chance,
take this tour.
Arriving back at the Marriott, we took a quick walk through the luxuriant hotel
garden to a wonderful little restaurant Duke's. Replete with a place called the
"barefoot bar," Duke's is one of a chain of restaurants in 
Hawaii
(and apparently some parts of California and Arizona) dedicated the late, great
surf legend, Duke Kahanamoku. I paid homage to the Duke while we were in
Waikiki, by taking a quick walk from the Sheraton to his statue.
Then we were off in search of some sun on what was, weather-wise, turning even
more into rather dreary, cloudy day. The word was that Po'ipu Beach might be a
good bet, so off we set. I learned that the road we had taken at night earlier
in our trip that I referred to as the "dark road," was actually a
beautiful tree covered lane that is known, appropriately enough, as the
"tree tunnel." We did indeed find about the only hour of sun that
probably occurred on Kaua'i at Po'ipu.
Returning
to the hotel, we took a quick and relaxing dip in one of the five outdoor hot
tubs that rim the front edge of the gigantic swimming pool. We, of course,
carried along a couple of drinks, in this instance some local sipping rum
called Man'naha. Mmmmmm.
We enjoyed Duke's so much this afternoon that we decided to have dinner there
this evening. Much livelier, we sat at the barefoot bar briefly before being
escorted to a front-row ocean view table where we enjoyed just a terrific meal.
We split some Pupis of Mac Nut and Dungeness Crab Wontons (wonderful) and Poke
rolls (raw Ahi and Maui onions sautéed in rice paper). For a main course, Beth
had Seafood Ahi Coconut Curry Tai Style while I dove into another round of Big
Island Pork Ribs. We finished off with a concoction called Hula Pie. Let me
warn you, do not attempt to finish this agglomeration of Macadamia Nut ice
cream floating on hot fudge and heaped with whipped cream without the help of
at least three other persons.
A leisurely walk along Kalipaki beach ended one of our most enduringly
memorable days in Hawaii. Mahala, Kaua'i.