Russell Dandridge also contributed to this article.
If you asked three couples where they would like to visit for their honeymoon, you can bet at least two will answer “Hawaii.”
And why not, it’s a paradise that no one could find fault with.
On a romance-themed trip last year Russell and I visited the island of Kaua’i. Flying into Honolulu it was a short jaunt to Lihu’e Kaua’i where we picked up our rental car and drove to the Outrigger Kiahuna Plantation for two nights of splashing waves and utter paradise.
One of the jewels in the area we visited is what is called Po’ipu Beach. It is here that your every wish can certainly be fulfilled whether it be riding in a helicopter and taking in the diverse eco-system to golf, kayaking or just relaxing.
For those who prefer to spend time other than lazing in the sun, the Koloa Heritage Trail is a bike tour that will give you a chance to see some of the island. I had to go back midway, it’s been awhile since I biked, but Russell made it all the way traveling through four districts on the south shore. On the heritage trail 14 markers have been erected to highlight not only the natural history in the area, but also the culture and how each little piece of the island plays such a big role in the whole.
Later that night we found ourselves setting sail for a group dinner, a peaceful way to see the islands from a perspective of the water, but be careful of the waves as it’s not romantic to find yourself motion sick on the open water. On calm nights the sunset sail, Holoholo Charters, offers southerly views of Makaokahai Point to Lawai Bay as well as Allerton Bay and the National Tropic Botanical Gardens and you’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.
For hardcore adventure, we took a Kauai ATV half-day excursion driving what the locals call a Mud Bug. Visiting the lush tropical forests on the island, behind the scenes and through a half-mile tunnel near the Ha’upu mountain range, we had 22,000 acres of dirt at our beck-and-call with some amazing mountaintop and coastline views. It is here you will see why Hawaii is called well… paradise!
For a beach rental extravaganza Nukumoi Surf Co. is a good place to find whatever supplies you need from snorkeling to body boarding to surfing. There is a list of places to explore from Brennecke’s Beach located at the eastern end of Po’ipu Beach and known for its body boarding and body surfing to Lawai Beach for snorkeling or Shipwreck’s Beach for surfing, swimming and if you’re interested, a self-guided tour along a trail featuring a little of the area’s culture. Called the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, expect dunes, petroglyphs and you might even see a monk seal or a variety of bird species on your hike.
If you prefer to snorkel by boat, Na Pali Snorkel Picnic and Sail by Captain Andy’s Sailing Adventures is a five-hour tour and a chance to see again, some great scenery off the island including sea cliffs, waterfalls and lava tubes. There is much history and legend in the ancient Hawaiian civilization and easy to embrace on an excursion like this one.
Taking part in the island culture was another activity that Russell and I couldn’t pass up, however he turned out to be a much better Ukulele player than I did. We took lessons at the Sheraton Kaua’i Resort and learned that ukulele means “jumping fleas, and we also learned that some of us can even learn to play a few songs (not me).
Before you head back home, one more request, be sure and stop in at Lappert’s where coffee and ice cream options will make your day seem oh, so much more than just “aloha.”
Where to Stay:
Outrigger – www.outriggerHawaii.com
Ko’a Kea Hotel and Resort – www.koakea.com
Dinner
The Beach House Restaurant – www.The-Beach-House.com
Shells Restaurant at Sheraton Kaua’I Resort – www.sheraton.com/Kauai
Plantation Gardens Restaurant – www.pgrestaurant.com
Tidepools at Grand Hyatt Kaua’I Resort and Spa – www.grandhyattkauai.com
Spa option:
Anara Spa at the Grand Hyatt Kaua’i Resort and Spa – www.grandhyattkauai.com
Most folks opt for the Hawaiian Lomi Lomi massage and if you’ve never tried it then it’s worth a first time. Passed down from generation to generation by local Hawaiians it is a healing massage utilizing rhythmic and flowing strokes to ease the tension in the muscles.
Comments