Kauai 2018

A return to Kauai in late April 2018. Recent intense storms had flooded out much of the north and west ends of the island, leaving behind closed roads and murky beaches on that side, and unsettled conditions for our visit.

We were staying in Poipu on the south shore, where the weather as usual was nonetheless quite sunny. On our first morning- we set out eastwards along the coast from Shipwreck beach. I don't know if it was from the recent storm, but the beach had lost a lot of sand, compared to our first visit in 2013:
https://photos.smugmug.com/Kauai/i-Xpt56ZM/0/efcd8692/O/ShipwreckBeach2013.jpg

Looking west towards Poipu from the Makawehi cliffs.

The trail follows the cliff edge past headlands.....

....and little coves.

The destination for our morning walk- the point in the distance. It looks a bit stormy and we did get a shower or two, but at 26 degrees C- who cares!

A look back at our route.

Gillin's beach, from our turnaround spot. The beach is an access point for another stretch of beach and cliff walking.

After the hike- beach time! Poipu beach would not have usually been our first choice as it is very busy, but with poor swimming conditions at many other beaches post storm- it was the best nearby option.

The fish didn't mind all the swimmers at Poipu beach, and a monk seal and several sea turtles lounging nearby seemed oblivious.

Between swim sessions- watching the clouds go by underneath the palms.

So there you have it- a typical Kauai day for us, finishing up with sunset happy hour on the shore a couple of minutes walk from the condo.

With much of the north side of the island being inaccessible, and rainier weather along the east shore- we only made one trip up that way. Here- the north end of Anini beach

The shallows at Anini extend far out from the shore- good for wading but not the best swimming.

A resident of Anini beach.

On the way home from Anini we hiked from Waimea, up to the "Sleeping Giant" .

Wiamea from the saddle, aka- the Sleeping Giant's "neck". The summit at right is his "chin", which the guidebook said was a tricky to reach, but presented no issues at all in reality.

The view north from the giant's chin.