Thursday, Dec 16th...docked in Nawiliwli Harbor on Kauai, the Garden Isle. A nice morning & up to the Aloha Deck for breakie & viewing of quite a few whales off the shore. Geoff & Felesa catch a shuttle for the airport to pick up a rental car, so they can see most of the island. After breakfast & whale viewing we leave the ship so Geoff can drop us (Mike & KK) at Kayak Wailua, a 4 1/2 hour trip on the Isle's longest flowing fresh water river to "Secret Falls" and back. We check in and get instructions from our guide, Nathaniel, the owners son and a 24 yr-old veteran, who surfs, free dives to 60-70 feet & vacations in Tahiti..tough life. He's really good and does the entire trip barefoot, and this includes a 1 mile hike each way over pretty rugged terrain. There's 4 others in our group, a couple from the Seattle area & two girls, a Russian & a local whose husband owns a powered hang glider business (Big Sky Kauai). Off we go on a perfect day and paddle the 2 1/2 miles up river to our drop spot for the kayaks and then hike to the falls...across the river, up the bank and over rocks, around trees & by the way, some fell just behind us on the way out! The falls! A 120' waterfall & we're almost the only ones there. We brought sandwiches & snacks & also go for a swim..very nice! After a bout 45 minutes we hit the trail back to the kayaks, and paddle the 2 1/2 miles back to the ramp & hear a few stories from Nate, mainly explaining the petals in the river from the sea hibiscus, which flowers in the morning, yellow, turns orange, then red & drops off that night. Back at the ramp,, Geoff & company are waiting & off we go for the Poipu, Kohola Town area & the "Spouting Horn" (Blow hole). It's a neat site & lots of people . Back up to the main road & toward the Waimea Canyon, the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" (per Mark Twain). The overlook is about 3400' & what a view! The clouds start to roll in a ruin our view of the neighboring island, Niheau, where only true Hawaiians live. A drive back to airport to drop off the auto & go back to the ship, thru security & cleanup for supper. Where to this eve? The Italian spot, "Little Italy" & some really good Tuscan style food..once again, Felesa is uncomfortable but orders spaghetti. Me, I get the seafood pasta & man is it great! It's a slow night so Justin trys to order garlic toast & they 'll do it! After that, some head up to the Lana'i Bar & some Mai Tai's, but I opt out. KK goes up so Felesa can download the wedding pics from our camera card. Hit the hay about 11:30. See ya tomorrow.
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