Kauai Vacation
We didn’t go on a warm weather vacation last winter and vowed to go this year. In the fall we started planning and narrowed it down to a few locations. We decided on Kauai, Hawaii and started planning. We tend to be a family that doesn’t love jam packed plans as we are so busy in our day to day.
We decided on a VRBO on the east side as we love the convenience of the amenities and requirements for us was ocean views, sunrises and a pool. The location allowed us to go North or South easily. I thankfully had a couple of friends that had been there before and gave me incredible lists/recommendations of their favorites. ChatGPT also came in clutch with recommendations for us to choose from.
The week was amazing with one day of it being more windy and overcast. This is their rainy season and luckily the rain was limited. The morning sunrises were incredible. We were always up early (5-6am) due to the 4 hour time change, but it ensured a solid start to the day. The roosters cock-a-doodling every morning ensured we didn’t sleep in!
Friday- Easy morning, pool time for the kids, a visit to our small beach.
Saturday- Fresh Malasadas from a local bakery, Waimea Falls, Poipu Beach seeing green sea turtles sunning on the beach, and a monk seal. Went to Keoki’s for supper, food was ok, environment was great.
Sunday- Went exploring to Wimea Canyon, ate at Island Taco and the fish tacos were INCREDIBLE! For supper got take out from Fish Bar Deli and the Fish and Chips was so good.
Monday- Saw ‘Opaeka’a Falls, Kauai Coffee Plantation and went to Koloa Fish Market and got one of the best poke bowls I’ve ever had. Walked to the beach and saw 35 green sea turtles on the beach. Stopped by Fresh Shave and that shaved ice was absolutely delicious.
Tuesday- We drove to Hanalei Bay and walked the pier and shore. It was a beautiful place. We then went to some food trucks and I had an incredible garlic steak bowl from Da Fazenda (Brazilian food) and incredible gluten free Taro donuts from Holey Grail donuts. Supper was at Bar Acuda (a tapas restaurant). The food here was AMAZING! Finished the night with ice cream from Pink’s. The Mac Nut Brittle was so good!
Wednesday- Another morning started with Malasada’s. Then off to Shipwreck Beach. The waves were so fun! Lost my watch for about 2 minutes then I shockingly saw the band on the ocean floor and Elijah swam down and got it. haha! That night we ate at the Beach House Restaurant. It is known for its beautiful sunset views, unfortunately for us it was hidden by the clouds. I ended that night with a Dole Whip.
Thursday- Our last full day. Went back to Poipu Beach since it was a little calmer for Elliott. The kids snorkeled and saw fish and sea urchins. We visited Kauai Gourmet Nuts and then back to food trucks for lunch. I think the food trucks were some of my favorite places to find food. So many incredible options! I had a fresh pressed juice from the Kauai Juice Co. and supper was at Kenji Burger. The stars that night were amazing and the pic I took doesn’t even look real.
Friday- We flew out in the afternoon so we went walking and saw Kukii Lighthouse and Kalapaki Beach. If we were to go back we’d visit that beach as it was the perfect bit of waves and calmness.
It was an incredible week with the family and I’m so glad my mom came with us. The red eye flights home were brutal and the kids slept 14 hours the first night home. Haha!
