Hawaii

I have a feeling we will be making a lot of stops in Hawaii in the future.  Its the perfect half way stop to the US. But also, we needed it.  After months of packing, moving and sleeping in other peoples guest rooms in the northern hemisphere's winter but not months of before moving, unpacking and settling-in in Australia's winter, we needed a week of relaxation and sun. That's a YEAR without summer, people!

 

Mostly we stayed in Kuaui, which we picked for its beauty and less-developed state.  I love adventure but not this time. While the north of the island was pretty, we stayed on the south side where the weather is dryer. Poipuu beach is a nice beach and we spotted a giant seaturtle, monk seal, and chickens on our first day.  There is good ice cream at Lapperts, lunch at Brenneckis on the beach, and lots of cocktails at the pool. 

Not to miss is the helicopter tour over the island (as the island is over 70% not accessible) and it was stunning...made me actually wish we had more time to hike parts of it.

We also did a drive through the canyon (a miss if you already had a helicopter tour, unless you have more time for a day hike).

As well as a drive up north to hike the first 2kms of the hike along the Napali Coast, with a swim and snorkel to refresh after... and all the mud and rain made me happy that I wasn't spending more time hiking the island.

We had a few more days in Honolulu as a stop over...did the classic Pearl Harbour tour which was unimpressive but loved the fish tacos and mai tais at Dukes at Waikiki Beach.

It all went too quickly.  And now we are off for another three months of winter...