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Aloha from Hawaii!!! Having just completed a trip to Kauai island in Hawaii, I wanted to share my experience with you. When the pandemic hit in 2020, we found ourselves cancelling our long planned spring break trip to Hawaii. When travel restrictions finally eased up, it was time to reschedule the trip. Initially, we had planned to go to the island of Oahu but after more research, we settled on Kauai, the oldest of the Hawaiian Islands, and the fourth largest island, sometimes called the “Garden Island,” which promised a more authentic island vibe as opposed to the more touristy and commercialized Oahu; besides, we had already been to Oahu before, so this was a chance to see a new island, with new experiences.
As always, the first thing we secured was accommodation. Since this was a family trip (9 deep) we decided to find a beachfront Airbnb that would accommodate everyone and have access to local eateries. This was quite the adventure to find the perfect place that would check all the boxes but after hours and hours of checking properties and reading reviews, we found the spot, one on Poipu Beach; named America’s Best Beach by The Travel Channel, ranking top among the 10 “best” beaches selected nationwide, a huge selling point me!
Once we had our travel dates set, it was time to book our flights. Due to the huge demand in travel after reopening, flight prices were soaring by the day. We expanded our search to nearby airports to give us more options and we found a great deal out of San Diego. This is 2 hours away from home but we were saving $150 a ticket. making the drive worthwhile.
We decided to drive down two days early, and took that extra time to enjoy the beautiful city of San Diego, and visit with friends before setting off. We stayed at the Sheraton Marina that was literally across the street from the airport and making it even more convenient, the hotel had a free shuttle to the airport.
Flying out of a different city means we had to figure out our car parking situation … Groupon to the rescue! We found a groupon for a 7 day parking deal at a fraction of the price, which came with a huge bonus, the free parking structure shuttle to and from the airport.
Hawaii is the only state in the U.S that requires a negative Covid-19 testing within 72 hours of your departure from approved testing providers- check with your airline (Tip: If you select travel requirements as the reason for the test, you will get it for free with some providers. We used CVS and this was the case) You also need to register and create a profile with the State of Hawaii Safe Travels website: State of Hawaii – Safe Travels . Here, you will enter all your personal information, trip details, and of course, your test results when you receive them. You will receive a QR code that you show to check in to your flights, pick up your rental car and check into your hotel. You can refer to your airlines specifications. We flew Alaska Airlines and with the QR code, we got wristbands that allowed us to walk through the airport at arrival without any further screening.
Upon arrival in Kauai, the air was fresh and crisp and you immediately got into vacay mode! We had a car rental reservation, thanks to early planning although it took us over two hours to get the car, apparently there is a huge shortage of rental cars in Hawaii and elsewhere because during the pandemic, rental companies sold off their fleet and now they can’t meet the new demand in travel.
Day 1: We familiarized ourselves with the neighborhood and hit a local grocery store to stock up food.
Travel Tip: food and supplies are more expensive in Hawaii than mainland U.S. so bring whatever you can with you and only purchase the perishables from there, especially if you’re staying in a vacation rental.
We visited what would turn out to be our almost daily happy hour (and the best one on the Island at that) at the western-most sports bar in the US, Kalapaki Joe’s Kauai. If you are visiting Kauai, be sure to stop by between 3-6pm; their fish tacos is to die for!!!
Day 2: Visited Waimea Canyon State Park, in the southwest side of Kauai, dubbed the grand canyon of the pacific and it was absolutely breathtaking. The main road, Waimea Canyon Drive, leads you to a lower lookout point and the main Waimea Canyon Overlook, offering views of Kauai’s dramatic interior. The road continues into the mountains and ends at Kokee State Park. There are numerous trails to traverse for beginners and seasoned hikers alike.
Day 3: Beach Day! Kauai Island has many beautiful spots from where to enjoy the ocean, we picked the spot closest to our Airbnb; the water was crystal clear blue and the waves strong.
Travel Tip: For safety, pay attention to warning signs for rip currents and select a beach that has an active life guard on duty.
Day 4: Took a drive around the island to enjoy the sights and sounds. Drove towards the north shore and there were breathtaking views everywhere; unfortunately we couldn’t make the whole loop due to road closures from recent mudslides.
Travel Tip: If going to Kauai in the near future, be sure to check the road access schedule because at certain times, roads are shut down for repairs. The drive from Poipu beach to Princeville was breathtaking, and we still made it back in time for our “local” happy hour.
Day 5: Last Day: We saved the best for last, while the kids enjoyed yet another beach day – they couldn’t get enough of it – the adults went on a sunset dinner cruise along the Na Pali coast aboard a boat named “Lady Luck”. We were lucky to have great weather, the weather forecast had a “chance of rain and bearable winds”. There was an option to snorkel when the boat docked for 40 minutes; what a magical time this was. From the breathtaking Hawaii scenic views, the dolphins that swam along the boat, the bottomless maitais, delicious food and a heavenly sunset, this excursion was simply perfect and an awesome way to conclude our vacation.
If you are looking for a laid back and relaxed vacation, I highly recommend the Island of Kauai in Hawaii. For your travel planning and booking assistance for flights, accommodation and excursions, contact info@greentravelsntours.com and tell them I sent you! Ma Halo!
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