i meant to post while i was on vacation, but i never quite got around to it. it’s not like i’m letting anyone down, i think my consistent reader base is two…..but still. i was on a trip, so there should be a post.

Kauai was the vacation, Wyndham Bali Hai Villas in Princeville was the accommodation provider, Hawaiian Airlines the airline of choice (they serve a meal!) and car rental via Alamo. we were there for 5 days, although really it was 4 by the time we got settled.

i hadn’t been to Kauai for a number of years, and it was different than what i remembered, but just as lovely. touted as the wettest of the islands, we only encountered a brief rain one evening, other than that, it was clear skies and beautiful landscape.

not being too familiar with the island, we ended up doing a bit of driving, but hey, it’s pretty and it’s an island, nothing is very far away.

our sightseeing excursions included snorkeling at Anini Beach, Wailua Falls, Opaekaa Falls, Waimea Canyon, and Na Aina Kai Botanical Garden & Sculpture Park. we had other snorkel and hiking plans, but due to a road closure we didn’t make it to Ke’e Beach, which we really wanted to go to.

since the condo had a kitchen we had most of our breakfasts on our little deck and made lunch to take out with us. dinners were out, and for the most part we had really good experiences. there was one terrible restaurant, which i will mention just so you know not to go there. the good: Bar Acuda, Eating House 1849, Kountry Kitchen (stopped for breakfast on the way to the airport, best decision ever!), Kauai Ono and the Sleeping Giant Grill.

i would go back to all of these, although Kauai Ono is a communal outdoor farm to table pop-up and it’s all about the experience. for a vegetarian it was just okay, it was very good food, but once was enough for me. Bar Acuda and Eating House 1849, I’d go back today if I could!

Hideaways Pizza Pub is where we will never step foot again. even for a beer. terrible all around. bad service, bad food, bad bathrooms….bad, bad, bad.

we had a great time and felt that we were just getting comfortable when it was time to leave. i think we may go back for a longer visit next year. we had booked a trip to St. Thomas, but sadly i don’t think things will be in a tourist state again by April. if/when we go back to Kauai we will split our stay between north and south so we don’t have quite as much car time.

next up on the travel calendar, London for work.