A Sprinkle of Adventure

I heard Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours on the radio the other day and no matter how many times I hear it, it always manages to bring a smile to my face.  This song is just so wonderfully happy and calming that it brings back memories of my vacation in Kauai last year.  In fact, I’m pretty sure the hubs and I played this song every time we were on the beach!

Featured Travel Idea: Kauai, HI

top: treehouse, na pali kayak, pat’s taqueria

middle: hanalei beach, hanakapi’ai falls, monkseal

bottom: jo jo’s, waimea canyon, taro fields

Kauai, also known as the Garden Island is probably the lushest of all the Hawaiian Islands.  Rather than stay in a traditional hotel, why not stay at The Treehouse, a vacation rental located in between the North and South shore of the island, making it the perfect home base for exploring the whole island.  Although not really a treehouse (although that would be way cool!), it is a 2 bedroom stilt house with a wrap around Lanai and a tropical garden and lily pond, ensuring that you will experience the Hawaiian lifestyle as soon as you step foot on the property.

For the active travelers, make sure you go there between April and September so that you can kayak along the Na Pali coast, one of the most breathtaking coastlines in the world and best viewed from sea.  If that’s not enough of an adventure for you, hike the 11-mile Kalalau Trail (one-way), which follows the Na Pali coast and takes you to numerous waterfalls and beaches accessible only by foot.  The whole trail is strenuous, requires a permit, and most likely an overnight stay at Kalalau beach, but you will be rewarded with dramatic views and total seclusion.  For those desiring just a day hike, you can still hike 2 miles (no permit) on the Kalalau Trail to Hanakapi’ai beach and falls.  For a different vista, head south to Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific.  While it is certainly grand, the lush landscape and colors make it maybe even more beautiful than the stateside canyon.  On your way back from Waimea, stop by the small town of Hanapepe for lunch at the Shrimp Station.  No visit to Hawaii would be complete without some shave ice so go to the Original Jo Jo’s Anueanue Shave Ice or the not so original but still good Jo Jo’s a few blocks away.

Of course you have to squeeze in a beach day.  Go North to the famous Hanalei Beach.  Have lunch in the little town center or better yet, stay on the beach and grab some delicious tacos at the taco truck, Pat’s Taqueria.  If you prefer the South, head to Poipu beach.  If you’re lucky, you may even see some Monk Seals on the beach!  For lunch, grab a Puka dog, Hawaii’s version of a hotdog, and then some ice cream from Lappert’s Hawaii.

Finally, for something a little bit more unique, take a Kauai Photo tour, or for the artistically inclined, a Kauai Paint for the Day tour.  The photo tour provides you with the opportunity to see Kauai through the eyes of a local photographer.  You can rent and learn how to use a DSLR, ask the photographer all sorts of questions, and visit scenic spots, like the taro fields and king kong mountain!  There’s numerous other activities available (helicopter tour, ziplining, river rafting) making Kauai the perfect vacation spot to do everything or nothing at all.  Can someone please go there now and take me with you?

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This week’s travel idea was inspired by a Newsflash email I received from Travelzoo recently.  The alert was for airfare from San Francisco to New Orleans for only $79 each way!  Unfortunately none of the dates fit into my travel plans (bummer 😦 ) so I couldn’t take advantage of the deal, but that doesn’t mean I can’t daydream about a future trip right?  I have always wanted to visit the Big Easy, Nawlins, NOLA, the Crescent City.  I mean, with that many nicknames, there must be a plethora of things to see and do.  While my main reason for visiting this famous city is to try the cuisine, I’m surprised to find out that there many unique things to do besides collecting beads and drinking on Bourbon Street (not that there’s anything wrong with that!).  In fact, while New Orleans is known as a great party city, there’s a certain romanticism to the city as well.

Featured Travel Idea: New Orleans, Louisiana

top: gumbo, oysters, crawfish, beignets

middle: jackson square, royal street, bienville, garden district

bottom: bayou, plantation, jazz

Located in the heart of the French Quarter, stay at the Bienville House, a historical boutique hotel that feels more like an intimate B&B.  When you’re ready for some exploring, skip Bourbon Street and instead head one street over to Royal Street where you can find numerous antique shops, art galleries, and picturesque buildings.  Make sure to wander through the more residential streets and admire the stately homes.  Tour the wonderfully restored Gallier House for a glimpse into 19th century creole living.  When you’ve had enough walking, head over to Jackson Square and relax with a cup of coffee and some beignets at the famous Cafe du Monde.  If they’re as good as people claim them to be, you’ll want to go back every day for the remainder of your trip, which will probably be a good idea since you’ll the need the energy for all the activities!  For an up close and personal look at various creole neighborhoods, take a biking tour with the Confederacy of Cruisers.  If you’re interested in history, go on one of the numerous plantation tours located right outside New Orleans.  Or take a Bayou tour through the cypress swamps and encounter wildlife like turtles, snakes, and alligators!  In the evening, head to Frenchman Street for some live music, notably The Spotted Cat Music Club and Preservation Hall, although there are numerous other intimate jazz and blues lounges.  Are you tired yet? And this is just scratching the surface!  And of course no visit to New Orleans would be complete without trying the unique foods like gumbo, oysters prepared all different ways, po-boys, crawfish, and muffalettas.  Laissez les bon temps rouler!

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