Emily and Matt

Matt and I have left the beautiful island of Kauai and are settling in on Maui. I must admit, Kauai really won me over with all it had to offer. We did several little day trips and instead of boring you with all the details, I’ll share some pictures. The credit for all these fun adventures must go to our awesome guidebook: Kauai Revealed. Most of our trips were short hikes to water, because is the walk really worth it if you can’t also take a dip?

Kipu Falls
This hike through thick sugar cane plants led to a waterfall (about 20-plus feet high?) and a huge tree with a rope swing. We jumped, swung and swam and wished we could show all our friends our awesome find.

Wilua Falls
This hike was probably the trickiest of them all. (Yet, I managed to do it, and most other hikes, all in a dress and my Hawaiian rubber flip flops!) Going past all the DANGER signs, we found the steep, muddy trail that had ropes to help keep balance. The falls are listed as 80 feet, but our guidebook writers measured it to be about 180 feet. Apparently Hawaiian men used to jump it to prove their manhood. No thanks!

Queen’s Bath
Known by few prior to our guidebook’s existance, this north shore gem is a natural bath of rocks, filled by the crashing of ocean waves — which can be scary when your back is to them and next thing you know you’re drenched.

Ho’opi’i Falls
This wasn’t my favorite excursion. In a few pictures, you’ll find out why. There are two falls on the trip, which also included a not-so-clear trail. The trail head was in a neighborhood, so the book warned against angry neighbors. What they should have warned against is mossy rocks and stubborn hikers with little patience…

Sure I look happy there, but on the way there, I lost a battle to the stream:

I think I prefer this water attraction: The pool at the Sheraton!