Paradise found......Kaua'i

We arrived at Kauai early in the morning, after breakfast we headed out to pick up our rental car.  We headed towards the North Shore with our plan was to get to Kee Beach as quickly as possible to beat the crowds.  Kee Beach is at the end of Highway 560.  The reefs make for great shoreline snorkeling, however it is also great for sunbathers, so it tends to get crowded.

It was difficult to drive straight to Kee Beach because all around us as we drove was the beautiful, lush, green landscape of Kaua'I.  So we did stop a time or two because the views were so breath-taking.  

Kee Beach

Once you get to Kee beach you can go no further by car.  Just past the beach is the Na Pali coast.......so close yet so far away - but not to worry, we have special plans to see the Na Pali Coast tomorrow.  A brief stop at Kee Beach just so we can say we stopped there --- it was already busy and crowded and it is impossible to park! 

Tunnels Beach

We had packed our lunch on the ship and had sandwiches and fruit in our cooler bag.  We stopped at Tunnels Beach and had our picnic lunch & a little snorkeling.  We stopped at many beaches along the way back, Amini, Hanaili, Kalapuli & Poipu...all very different from each other, but each beautiful and peaceful.  Here are some lovely shots along the way by CJS.

We stopped in the small town fo Hanali, where we strolled around town - all 4 blocks of it.  Lots of shops catering to the surfing crowd.  CJS took a ton of pictures (as usual) so I ordered a piece of Kauai Mud pie while she snapped away! 

Here are a few of the things I will always remember about Kauai:
CJS taking about 100 pictures of the little green church in Hanali - she captured it from every angle

The quaintness of Hanali.....
Bali Hai- the fabled twin peaks........ 

Iron wood trees that made a tunnel over the road.....

That  there are no buildings taller than the palm trees........................ 
The valley of the Taro Root Farms....

Walking on Annini Beach to the sounds of a woman playing a wooden flute as she sat on the beach......and that we were so lucky to enjoy this splendid day in the bright sunshine, in the rainest place in the world!

Taro Root Farms

Down Town Hanali

That evening on the ship, we met and had dinner with, Joan, our travel agent from Vacations To Go.  She just happened to be on that cruise!  It was lovely to meet Joan in person, and talk about our exciting day on Kauai and what was to come tomorrow on Day 2 in this beautiful place!

Rainbow Shower Trees

Tomorrow, it's our wildest adventure yet - up, up and away for Day 2 in paradise