usvi-on-line
Single digits until Kauai !!
Single digits until Kauai !!
Well, 9 days now until we leave for Kauai. 
Try as I may, I just can't get as excited as I do when I am going to STJ. What is wrong with me?
Oh, I AM excited though.
I know there are a lot of people on this forum who have been there. Any last minute suggestions?
I have visited the Kauai TA forum and it has been helpful, but people on here seem to be even more helpful and this is where I feel comfortable.
Specific questions that I have:
1. Will I need long pants for hiking? Of course I may be wearing them on the plane anyway. Who knows, it may snow that day around here.
2. Snorkeling: Is it so rocky on the beaches that you would advise open heel fins with booties or are the closed foot ones OK?
3. Trying to pack light. (yea right) ha ha! Anyway,
is the attire just like STJ? Little clothes needed, lots of swimsuits. That is what I am thinking.
4. There is a TA forum gathering on May 18th. Should we go? Has anyone gone to a TA one?
I have already received a lot of good tips from here.
I will try to post a trip report on the off topic forum when I get back.
Try as I may, I just can't get as excited as I do when I am going to STJ. What is wrong with me?
Oh, I AM excited though.
I know there are a lot of people on this forum who have been there. Any last minute suggestions?
I have visited the Kauai TA forum and it has been helpful, but people on here seem to be even more helpful and this is where I feel comfortable.
Specific questions that I have:
1. Will I need long pants for hiking? Of course I may be wearing them on the plane anyway. Who knows, it may snow that day around here.
2. Snorkeling: Is it so rocky on the beaches that you would advise open heel fins with booties or are the closed foot ones OK?
3. Trying to pack light. (yea right) ha ha! Anyway,
is the attire just like STJ? Little clothes needed, lots of swimsuits. That is what I am thinking.
4. There is a TA forum gathering on May 18th. Should we go? Has anyone gone to a TA one?
I have already received a lot of good tips from here.
I will try to post a trip report on the off topic forum when I get back.
-
Teddy Salad
- Posts: 205
- Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 7:05 am
- Location: Colorado
Hi sea-nile,
You probably will not need long pants for hiking. We never wore long pants in Kauai. The only times you might need them is if you are hiking up in Kokee in the winter, but you will be there in May. If you have some zip-offs, you might wear those if you go up to Kokee just in case since it's about 4,000 feet elevation and it's cooler up there. A light windbreaker or rain poncho might be good to take along too since you never know when the rain will hit, but it's usually brief.
All the beaches we went to in Kauai were sandy. Rocks were no problem.
Attire is pretty much like St. John, maybe a little less casual in some of the nicer restaurants, but still casual.
Have not been to any TA gatherings.
I hope you get to hike the first part of the Kalalau trail to Hanakapiai beach. It's a fantastic hike, and you are staying close to there. If you want to do a longer hike, go in to Hanakapiai Falls. It's drop-dead gorgeous. Limahuli garden is worth a visit, and you are close to there also.
PM me if you need suggestions for hikes and beaches. You will have a great time. It's a different version of paradise than St. John, but it is definitely paradise IMO.
You probably will not need long pants for hiking. We never wore long pants in Kauai. The only times you might need them is if you are hiking up in Kokee in the winter, but you will be there in May. If you have some zip-offs, you might wear those if you go up to Kokee just in case since it's about 4,000 feet elevation and it's cooler up there. A light windbreaker or rain poncho might be good to take along too since you never know when the rain will hit, but it's usually brief.
All the beaches we went to in Kauai were sandy. Rocks were no problem.
Attire is pretty much like St. John, maybe a little less casual in some of the nicer restaurants, but still casual.
Have not been to any TA gatherings.
I hope you get to hike the first part of the Kalalau trail to Hanakapiai beach. It's a fantastic hike, and you are staying close to there. If you want to do a longer hike, go in to Hanakapiai Falls. It's drop-dead gorgeous. Limahuli garden is worth a visit, and you are close to there also.
PM me if you need suggestions for hikes and beaches. You will have a great time. It's a different version of paradise than St. John, but it is definitely paradise IMO.
Sweet Christine needs to chime in here as she was a frequent visitor before I spoiled it for her with the VIs. She has had a lot of good things to say about the Poipu area. No mention of rocky beaches.
From her discussion, people dress up a bit more for dinner.
NoTanLines, speak up!!
Cheers, RickG
From her discussion, people dress up a bit more for dinner.
NoTanLines, speak up!!
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
-
California Girl
I pretty much agree with Teddy Salad. I didn't take any long pants. Beaches we went to (north shore and south shore) were all sandy with easy, sandy access to the water. We found it about as casual as STJ. Some areas in the south felt much more upscale than the north shore. i don't know what to think about the TA gathering. Might be fun. I got a lot of good help on the Kauai TA forum from people living on the island.
I hope your trip is wonderful. We really love Kauai, particularly the north shore. Heading north from the airport it just keeps getting better and better. I wasn't so sure as we went through Lihue and Kapaa, but as we kept heading north traffic thinned and it became increasingly rural. And the mountains became more and more dramatic until it all started to feel otherworldly.
I think I have more photos from the Kalalau hike than any other location. Following that would be from the Canyon Trail down into Waimea Canyon. Next might be a tie between Hanalei Bay and the Hanalei Valley overlook. Be sure to stop at the overlook. Be sure to get to Hanalei Bay for a sunset. Walk out on the pier. It's among the most magnificent places on the planet. Ke'e and Tunnels beaches are also quite wonderful. And I love spending some time in Hanalei town, maybe sitting at Java Kai.
We'd get there more often, but from the east coast it's more costly and it's a grueling flight.
I hope your trip is wonderful. We really love Kauai, particularly the north shore. Heading north from the airport it just keeps getting better and better. I wasn't so sure as we went through Lihue and Kapaa, but as we kept heading north traffic thinned and it became increasingly rural. And the mountains became more and more dramatic until it all started to feel otherworldly.
I think I have more photos from the Kalalau hike than any other location. Following that would be from the Canyon Trail down into Waimea Canyon. Next might be a tie between Hanalei Bay and the Hanalei Valley overlook. Be sure to stop at the overlook. Be sure to get to Hanalei Bay for a sunset. Walk out on the pier. It's among the most magnificent places on the planet. Ke'e and Tunnels beaches are also quite wonderful. And I love spending some time in Hanalei town, maybe sitting at Java Kai.
We'd get there more often, but from the east coast it's more costly and it's a grueling flight.
-
chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
Have a great time Sea-Nile! 
I've been checking the TA site too, although our trip isn't until December.
(Was just commiserating yesterday with some co-workers about how we'd love to be able to travel on the off season. Let's see, 10 years until both kids will be in college. Guess I'm in for 10 more peak season trips. I can hang with that.)
I'd consider going to a TA get together, at least for a short while. Some of the folks there are very helpful. I forget your TA name, but I know I've 'seen' you there too.
Can't wait to hear about your trip!
I've been checking the TA site too, although our trip isn't until December.
(Was just commiserating yesterday with some co-workers about how we'd love to be able to travel on the off season. Let's see, 10 years until both kids will be in college. Guess I'm in for 10 more peak season trips. I can hang with that.)I'd consider going to a TA get together, at least for a short while. Some of the folks there are very helpful. I forget your TA name, but I know I've 'seen' you there too.
Can't wait to hear about your trip!
-
Jo Ann - VA
- Posts: 756
- Joined: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:56 am
- Location: Virginia
