Our travel itineraries for when we go back

[swampday-blog]

Day 2 - Hawaii - Kauai - Kekaha

Visited Waimea Canyon and Koke’e state parks. Drove up to Koke’e state park stopping in lookouts. Attemptedto do Pihea trail, but it was so wet, muddy and slippery that we stopped midway and went back. Did Awa’awapuhi trail, which was breathtaking once we reached Na’Pali coast views. Took us 3 hours.

[swampday-blog]

Day 1 - Hawaii - Kauai - Kekaha

Started the day slow, enjoying the ocean view through our AirBnB windows, fitting Greta’s backpack and having coffee. Grabbed Poke bowls in Waimea food market and enjoyed them big time sitting in the town square. Drove to do Maha’ulepu Heritage trail, which was absolutely beautiful, by the ocean, pleasantly windy. Went to Poipu Beach, which was perfect for a baby swim, some snorkel and chill in the shadow on the grass.

[swampday-blog]

Day 9 - Hawaii - Maui - Makawao

Woke up early to drive and do Waihee Ridge trail. Going up to the summit and back took us 2 hours. Weather was great - under the clouds, not hot nor cold. Parking lot already almost full at 9AM. Drove back to AirBnB to shower & change. Visited Makawao town museum, Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center (nicely curated shop, some lovely prints) and Secret Garden on our way to late lunch. Had lunch at Mama’s Fish House, an experience meal at islands most famous restaurant. Setting is very nice, by the beach and we got one of the best tables overlooking the ocean. Crab cakes were the best, Greta loved them as well. Went to Hookipa beach for the sunset. Full of wind and wave surfers. Many turtles on the shore. Finished the day with a short stroll in Pa’ia, very lovely and lively town.

[swampday-blog]

Day 8 - Hawaii - Kauai -> Maui

We drove to Lihue airport in the morning to catch our flight to Kahului, Maui for our 2nd and final part of Hawaii vacation. Arrived early afternoon and it being a Thanksgiving day could not find any restaurant open in Makawao town that we were staying in. Ended up in McDonald’s after oh so many years. Nothing changed, same synthetic taste. Went to Pa’ia town, got some groceries, drove back to Makawao to check in and then back to Pa’ia for the sunset at the beach.

[swampday-blog]

Day 7 - Hawaii - Kauai - Princeville

We had a lazy morning with Greta getting her first nap in bed vs on the move. Visited the lighthouse, but missed on the tour. And could not really do it with a baby so oh well. Drove to Hanalei beach, but got caught by rain soon after coming so had some happy hour drinks and food and headed home.

[swampday-blog]

Day 3 - Hawaii - Kauai - Kekaha

Drove to Waimea Canyon to do Canyon trail to Waipo’o falls but it was raining and forecast showed storms until afternoon so went back down. Visited cute little town Hanapepe - nice bookstore, bakery and gift shops. Went back and did the trek to above falls. Grabbed some poke and pork bowls from Kekaha food market and went to the beach there.

[swampday-blog]

Day 4 - Hawaii - Kauai

Drove from south to north. Visited Kauai Coffee Company and took a short tour around their visitor center. Stopped for some great views at (1) Wailua falls and (2) Opaeka’a falls (drove down to Kamokila village, but did not visit more kayaked there)

[swampday-blog]

Day 5 - Hawaii - Kauai - Princeville

Hanalei beach & town walk. Perfect beach - plenty of shadow and green grass. Lumahai beach - wild beach down the hill. No crowds, big waves, has some pools in the rocks. Wanted to visit makua (tunnels) beach, but could not find any parking nearby. Kaupea (secret) beach to end the day - big waves, quite some surfers.

[swampday-blog]

Day 6 - Hawaii - Kauai - Princeville Trek in Hā‘ena State Park. From Ke’e beach to Hanakapi’ai beach & falls and back. Took us over 4.5 hours.