Visit to Hanalei

The town of Hanalei is interesting.  You actually drive gradually up the side of a mountain and if one had some sort of warning...a sign or whatever, there is a pullout where you can look down on the town.  The pullout is right in the middle of a C turn and comes upon you so suddenly, then the photo op is gone just like that!  Prior to our arrival it looked like it had just finished pouring.  Taro grows in the flooded fields really well with all the rainfall on that side.We drove slowly through the towns main street, turned around at the school and found a parking space for the car and walked along looking in shops.  Strangely, we didn't see too many hippies nor did we smell the pot smokers.  Maybe they all grew up and are now the oldies sitting on the benches along the buildings.

Something we have observed....most women's clothing stores, boutiques and home decor stores have man chairs outside.  It is good to see they think about the male partners of shoppers in this way.  Some men look entirely comfortable sitting and people watching, especially watching the young skimpily dressed ones.  Others will have a worried haunted look, those are the ones whose wives have the credit card!

With some retail therapy out of the way we found the car and headed back the way we came.  At the bottom of the mountain and just before Hanalei, (or just leaving) there is a small one lane bridge just on a corner.  A sign directs 5 to 7 cars at a time, then let the oncoming 5 to 7 cars have a turn.  Seems to work, but it could also be how agressive you are pulling out to cross the bridge after the 10th car has crossed from the opposite side.

We stopped the car on the way back to get a photo of part of the mountain south of Princeville.  Very steep and Jurrasic looking.  We also drove out towards the lighthouse at Princeville where a Wildlife Refuge is also located but it was closed Mondays.   A photo at an overlook provided a misty view of ocean, mountains and pasture lands for cattle.  The photo poster at the Wildlife Refuge indicated many different bird species.....

The following is from parrishkauai.com:

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

In the air you’ll see thousands of migratory seabirds, including Laysan albatrosses (moli), red-footed boobies, brown boobies, red-tailed and white-tailed tropicbirds, great frigatebirds and wedge-tailed shearwaters. On the green lawn surrounding the lighthouse, there are often nene geese – the Hawaii state bird and an endangered species. (please look, don’t touch). 

One attraction of the refuge is how accessible it is to reach. The walk from the parking lot to the lighthouse is just two-tenths of a mile up a gently sloping walkway. Golf cart transportation is available for those who cannot walk. Once on the lighthouse point, there are multiple vantage points to see both flying and swimming wildlife with ease.

Use the available binoculars to get a closer look – and find out more about the animals from well-informed refuge rangers and volunteers. During breeding and nesting seasons, you may catch a glimpse of courting behaviors or of chicks in a nest.

The refuge, on the island’s northeast corner, is one of Kauai’s most popular visitor destinations. Open since 1985 and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it’s a prime birding location and a fantastic spot to take photos.

Its grounds also house many Native Hawaiian coastal plants, including: naupaka kahakai, ilima, hala, aheahea, and akoko. At some times of the year, special guided hikes into more remote areas of the refuge are offered. Ask the staff or check the refuge website.

Today we may drive south to Waimea, or alternately go to Wailua waterfalls.  Toss of the coin which way.  Tomorrow morning is the popular Kauai Farmers market.   Can't wait to get some more fresh island fruit to make fruit salad.  Loving it.  Papaya, little Apple bananas, sweet pineapple, guavas, and star fruit!  Perhaps I'll take a moment to get a few photos of the market!