Page 74 - Pacific Paradises 2019

— Hawaii —

KAUAI

The fourth largest and the oldest is sailing, diving, deep-sea fishing and On the island’s north shore the scenery
of the Hawaiian islands, Kauai is daily boat tours from Kukuiula Harbour. runs riot, grey mists hang over the sheer
about 888 kilometres square in At nearby Spouting Horn, a turbulent Napali cliffs, waterfalls tumble into
area, formed from one massive wave action causes surf to shoot through deep valleys.
volcano of which Mt Waialeale a lava tube and out a hole in the coastal Much of this region and the island’s
forms the eastern rim. rock. This geyser sometimes reaches interior cannot be reached by road,
heights of 18 metres and more. so a helicopter or fixed wing plane
The main road circles the coastline On the west side of Kauai you’ll find tour can give you a perspective
with the exception of a 24-kilometre what Mark Twain called the ‘Grand otherwise unobtainable.
stretch at the north shore cliffs which is Canyon of the Pacific’, Waimea Canyon,
inaccessible. When Captain Cook came 1097 metres deep in parts, with red and Kauai is called the Garden Island with
ashore in January 1778 he was received green vistas punctuated good reason. The National Tropical
as a god. Today, visitors to this beautiful by waterfalls. Botanical Gardens in Lawai Valley and
island of gardens and rainbows are the Allerton Estate Gardens, as well
greeted in much the same friendly way. North from Lihue you can stop off to as the Limahuli Gardens in the north,
take a ride on one of the flat-bottom are among the major attractions that
Lihue, the capital of Kauai, still has river boats that takes you to the Fern showcase nature at her best. Kauai’s
few buildings taller than a coconut Grotto. Further north past the Coconut diverse scenery has lured filmmakers to
tree. Yet the island offers visitors all Coast you pass by the turnoff to The her shores for decades and such classics
the ingredients for a perfect holiday Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge as Jurassic Park, Raiders of the Lost
including luxury accommodation, which shelters thousands of seabirds. Ark and of course, South Pacific mean
gourmet cuisine, a host of watersports visitors can occasionally experience
and activities including world-class golf. Near Princeville and Hanalei, made déjà vu.
famous by the song Puff the Magic
Po`ipu, a leisurely 30 minutes by
car south of Lihue, has been called Dragon, is Ke`e Beach. Close by are the Also Kauai is also popular with
Kauai’s playground, with its pristine wet and dry caves, prominent in ancient practitioners of the healing arts giving
beaches protected by a necklace of Hawaiian myth and the start of the it the reputation of being a special
offshore reefs. 17 kilometres Kalalau hiking trail. Further place for those seeking rejuvenation
south is Lumahai Beach the famous nurse’s and relaxation combined with a taste of
Just one kilometre from the resort area beach in the movie South Pacific. traditional local culture.

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