Hawaiian Islands Tour

January 24 to February 5, 2020
P. Michael Henderson

I'm going to leave the map at the beginning of each page so you know where we are.

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1/31/2020 (Friday)  We fly to Kauai today.  We were up early for the 7am bag pull and after breakfast we boarded the bus for the trip to the Kona airport.  It's named for Ellison Onizuka who died in the shuttle Challenger destruction.

The airport is unusual - it's mostly a series of open air pavilions, built, I'm sure, before the need for the current modern airport security measures.

A bronze statue in the airport.

While waiting to board the plane we were entertained by a pair of Hula dancers and two musicians.  The spirit of Hawaii was everywhere.

We're on another Boeing 717 for the flight to Kauai.

I took this next shot from the boarding ramp, looking back toward the terminal.  You can see the many open-air pavilions.  I suspect they'll have to build a new terminal eventually.

When we arrived in Kauai a Tauck representative was waiting for us.

We met our bus driver for our time on Kauai - Juan Lugo.

By now it was lunchtime and we went to Gaylord's Restaurant.  I took this picture through the bus window, so it has reflections in it.

We had private seating on the back porch.  I took this picture while the group was inside, hearing a short history of the property before everyone came to be seated.

They had their own take on the Mai Tai and Judy and I ordered one.  I didn't care for their version, especially compared to the ones we had at the Royal Hawaiian.

But here's our table doing the Mai Tai toast.

During our meal we were entertained by a group who sang and performed Hula for us.  Two musicians accompanied a singer, and two of her daughters danced several numbers, including costume changes.  I won't try to show all of it, but here are a few shots in different costumes.

When we left the restaurant we drove to Opaekaa Falls, a 151 foot water fall.

Then to the Spouting Horn Blowhole, one of the most photographed places on Kauai.  This is what the area looks like when the blowhole is not spouting.  The arrow shows where the largest blowhole is.

And this is when the water rushes in and it's spouting.

As we drove to the hotel there was a rainbow in the sky.  I learned later that rainbows were fairly common here. (Picture taken through the bus window.)

We received our welcoming lei when we arrived at the Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa.

After settling in the room we found the lounge for a drink and a snack, joining Marianne and Carl, and Alvin and Gail.

Then it was to bed.  We were pretty tired after the early start.

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2/1/2020 (Saturday)  Today is somewhat of a free day.  Some of the guests are going on helicopter rides to view the far side of the island.  Judy and I are playing golf at the Poipu Bay Golf Course.  I had made a reservation for a 9am tee time, but when I went to the golf shop early to check on a few things they offered me a 7:50am tee time and said that Judy and I could play as a two-some.

So I called Judy and she rushed over with all of our golf things and we took off.  It was early, quiet and beautiful.

The course was green and lush.  Naturally, with the amount of rain the island gets, they can keep the course green.

While we were on about the third hole, a rain shower blew in.  But it didn't last long and the rest of the day was clear - but with lots of wind.

But the little storm left a rainbow behind.

A view of one of the fairways.

Judy encouraging her putt.

A hole near the ocean.

Judy teeing off at one of the last holes.

A couple more scenic views from the course.

We celebrated the end of our round with couple of Mai Tai's.

At 5:30 we attended a talk by Dr. Lisa Crampton about the avian extinctions in Hawaii and what she, and others, are doing to save threatened species.  I caught her with her eyes closed, in dim light, and didn't have another picture.

Here's the Tauck group at Dr. Crampton's presentation.

Then it was time for dinner at Tide Pools restaurant. We were paired with Tom and Carol.

Our adventure continues here.