Kauai

Our flight went as planned and in about 5 hours we landed in Kauai, The Garden Isle.  And rightly named. This paradise is lush and green. The extinct volcano, Mt. Waialeale, is one of the wettest places on earth, averaging about 400 inches of rain a year. 

Our taxi driver, Henry, was waiting for us upon arrival. He whisked us off for the 30 minute ride to the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa in Poipu on the south shore. We arrived about 1:30 pm, checked in, and got right in our room. Our ocean view from the 6th floor is spectacular.  

The resort is beautiful.  I lost count of the pools and paths to explore. 

Leaving Lihue Airport with Henry at the wheel. He is a cook at the resort who also works part-time driving taxi. 

                                 Koa trees

                         The tree tunnel

                  Entrance to the resort

            Everyone gets leied upon arrival

                              Checking in

                    From our balcony

         "Lahooda!" Ricky enjoying our bottle of            complimentary champagne 

                  Tidepools restaurant 

Shipwreck Beach. The waves were high and the red flag was out. The "rock" is a lithified sand dune, well known from the movie "6 Days, 7 Nights" with Harrison Ford. 

                      Salt water lagoon

             Orchids in the open air lobby.

Ceramic octopus in a gift shop. Only $2,500.

We had reservations at Stevenson's Library at 5:30 pm for dinner. But with the long day, time change, and crown we weren't able to hang. I got us sandwiches at the gift shop. Ricky had an early night. After a dip in the pool, I enjoyed my egg salad sandwich and watched the evening fall from the balcony. First day in Kauai was wonderful!