Part 1: Kauai | Part 2: Japan | Part 3: Oahu
Part 1
Planning for the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons meeting in Kyoto, I figured it would be better for jetlag to add in visits to Hawaii, on the way there and on the way back. And this being at the same time as our tenth anniversary, we would spend it visiting the honeymoon locations on Kauai. Yan and the kids approved of the idea.
After spending a night by LAX and catching the Thursday morning flight to Lihue, we pick up our rental car, check in to our hotel, and immediately head out to paddle the Wailua River. All of the guided trips have launched their latest departure, so we rent the do-it-yourself style, two kayaks on top of our car. Thankfully, there’s help at the launch site to bring the kayaks down. The tailwind is nice going up the river, but it is a lot of work returning. I review some basic paddling strokes with Yan.
We explore along the south side of the island on Friday. The first stop takes us to the Kauai Plantation Railway, where we have Dole whip before taking the scenic train ride. We sample food trucks under a banyan tree in Koloa, and the kids chase chickens at Koke’e. Waimea Canyon is draped with emerald patches and laced with a prominent waterfall.
I take the kids into the reef Saturday morning for some beach play. Along the north side of the island, the road to the lighthouse is under construction. We take in the lush mountain landscape from Hanalei and visit the roadside dry cave. The kids continue to chase chickens. This evening, we celebrate our tenth anniversary at the Waipouli Beach Resort. I point the kids to the unit where we stayed.
This trip is a reminder to count our blessings, for the beautiful years together.
