Family Kauai Trip

We had an early flight out of LAX, so we stayed at the Temple apartments the night before and I got to go to the temple yay! It was really great, because it made the morning much less stressful getting to the air port.

After a long flight, the Hawaiian humid air hit me like a ton of bricks! Instant heat and a sweaty shine. It was okay though because we all got LEID!

We took a quick trip to Costco and then drove up to Princeville.

After checking in to our condo, we immediately hit up the pool.

We loved staying at the Wyndham because it had a full kitchen, dining and living area with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Perfect for our 12 day stay!

Jan 24, Thursday

It took as a little while of driving around to get the lay of the land.

Unfortunately, the road in the North of Kaua'i was closed at Hanalei because of damage to roads from Mud slides from a massive rainfall about 9 months ago. This meant that many beaches as well as the Napal'i coast hike were closed, definitely leaving us wanting more!

We headed over for some early morning beach time at Anini beach park.

After naps we went over to hike the Molekina tide pools. A fun hike along a rocky cliff after passing through a fresh water stream flowing into the ocean. 

Ivy girl is such a trooper, she just puts her head down and hikes the whole time. Her co ordination is better than mine.

We headed to Hanalei for some burgers and shave ice for dinner and caught this pretty sunset which quickly became our favorite lookout spot.

Jan 25, Friday

We took the two hour drive to Waimea Canyon. Once we got up the canyon we parked at the first view point. After spending about 5 minutes there and getting our pictures in, the clouds blew in and it started pouring eliminating all visibility... bummer, we had so much more to see.

We stopped in to the Kokio museum and went on a little red sand hike.

After than we headed to Poi'pu to see the blow hole

We hiked down to Gillans beach and walked along the water.

We started the cliff shore line hike but got rained out... we aren't as tough with two little kids, but we didn't feel like we missed out too much.

some edited pics from the day:

Jan 26, Saturday

Hawaii is treating these happy, sleepy babies well!

First thing after breakfast we headed to the Queens bath hike.

Hands down one of my favorite hikes ever!

After lunch, naps and laying by the pool we took the Hike through Old Club Med and landed up at Pu'u Poa beach.

(This surf spot below was where a surfer got bitten by a tiger shark not a week later!)

I felt like this would be an incredible place for a wedding/ party/ life/ something!

Jan 27, Sunday

 Hoipi falls hike.

All the heart eyes over here!

Another little waterfall outlook

Then over to Lydgate beach park. Forgot my phone for pictures, but while snorkeling here we saw a Barracuda! Ivy LOVED playing in the waves and Perry and I loved snoozing on the sand

We headed back to Princeville and decided to see if there was a spot open at Hide Aways beach- there are only 9 parking sports for the entire beach to keep it secluded... plus its a PRETTY intense hike down there. We hit the jackpot!

Hands down, best beach we've ever been to!

Sun, sand, snorkeling, shade. NIIIIICE

The hike back up.

We ate dinner at Tiki Nue, it was yum!

Jan 28, Monday

This was Mine and Jers Ocean Raft Tour day.

and WOAH it did not disappoint.

We met at Port Allen and held on to the rope of the dingy for dear life hitting wind and up to 8 ft swells to see as much of the Napal'i coast from the ocean as we could. We went to do it again but in the summer time!

Our captain took us into this cave!

My pictures are all wobbly and skew because I was literally hanging on for my life the entire trip haha

We stopped at a snorkel spot, saw an eel and had some lunch.

Headed back to the condo to see our babies (they were well cared for by our babysitter, Keely)

Ate some shave ice and CRASHED hard. The boat trip totally took it out of us!

Jan 29, Tuesday

We tried to go on whats called the Jungle Hike, but once we got there, the roads weren't accessible in our mini van... and non of the Jeeps trying to go up were able to either... (another next time activity)

We got some lunch at Tiki Tacos (highly recommended) and headed back for naps and some resort pool time.

After that, we headed back to Anini beach.

After dinner, we headed over to Wai'oli beach park and walked along Hanalei bay to the Hanalei Pier for the sun set.

A picture of some flood damage.

Jan 30, Wednesday

Wailua waterfall along the way to Jack Carter Helicopter tours.

OUR AMAZING EPIC HELICOPTER RIDE!!!

I cannot say enough about this. Hands down the most incredible thing I have ever experienced.

No doors on the helicopter made for a 360 experience. It took us around the entire island.

Jurrassic park waterfall

In through Waimea canyon

A birds eye view of the cave we went in on the boat tour.

Napal'i coast

central Kaua'i

All in all, such a great time!

We then headed over to Duke's.

My new favorite!!

Do you think I shared my Hula pie?

Back over to Po'ipu beach. Saw turtles, snorkled and ivy played on some slides.

Checked out Breckeneke beach, a great boogie boarding beach.

This is what we want our future driveway to look like!!

Jan 31, Thursday

A super muddy hike up the sleeping giant Mountain.

went to Coconuts for tacos.. it was okay.

Home for naps, kids to the park, had a night in

Feb 1, Friday

Checked out the Kilauea Light house. Said to be the most Northern point of the state of Hawaii.

Very pretty.

Grabbed some burgers from Bubbus....they were gross.

Hiked down to Larsens beach and had it ALL TO OURSELVES!

...until we got rained out haha

To finish the day, we headed to Hanalei bay with a boogie board, SO FUN!

Had Hawaiian BBQ for dinner in Hanalei as we watched the rain and the waterfalls run down the mountains that surrounded us. soooo dreamy.

Of coarse we ended the day with some shave ice and went back.

Feb 2, Saturday

We headed down to Lihue to take Ivy on the Plantation train ride.

Chickens, chickens, chickens everywhere!!

Ivy still talks about feeding the pigs on the train ride!

Then on to the Mahaulepu shoreline hike

Shipwreck beach

Waimea look out (again, but this time the clouds cooperated a bit more for us.)

Jer and Ivy went on a 2 mile hike while I stayed with Perry. He claims it was his favorite hike ever!

Had to stop at every look out!

Jer was in HEAVEN

We kept driving down past Kekaha and went to the furtherest spot west next to the Napal'i coast that we could, Polihale beach.

The best place on the island to watch the sunset.

<kid picture over load!>

Feb 3, Sunday

Our last day.

Checked out of hotel, went to Sealodge beach... decided it wasn't quite worth the 30 minute hike to get there, raced back and headed to Hanalei beach.

This was a little more our style to end off our trip.

After cleaning ourselves up for our flight we drove down to the south one last time said good bye to king kong mountain.

HAD to grab some food at Dukes one last time and then Said Aloha to Kaua'i

This island left us wanting more. After 12 days we still have so much to see. Maybe without kids or when they're older. All in all, we had a fantastic time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves on this island.

A wonderful family trip!