{"id":17525,"date":"2013-11-15T23:00:08","date_gmt":"2013-11-15T23:00:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/?p=17525"},"modified":"2021-10-28T16:42:03","modified_gmt":"2021-10-28T16:42:03","slug":"kauai-adventure","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/kauai-adventure\/","title":{"rendered":"Kauai adventure"},"content":{"rendered":"

Running as fast as we can at 6:00 a.m. is not on our list of favorite things to do. Unfortunately, that was our first major checklist item upon landing on <\/span>Kauai<\/span><\/a>. Truth is, our schedule wasn\u2019t going to ease up much after that, so we had to rally. Since this visit to the Garden Isle was carefully crafted to be all about adventure, taking us to several points across the island, we had no choice but to go full speed ahead, kicking it all off with a half marathon.<\/span><\/p>\n

With just over 24 hours before that brutal 6 a.m. Kauai Half Marathon start time, we had a lot on our plate. In addition to picking up our registration packets and closely scoping out the racecourse, we needed to carbo-load (easy!) and rest. Our first <\/span>accommodation<\/span><\/a> on the island, <\/span>Koloa Landing<\/span><\/a>, proved to be the perfect pad for pre-race chowing and chilling. Our huge, modern villa\u2019s gourmet kitchen provided an ideal setup for cooking our own healthy meals (pineapple and kale salad, anyone?). Measuring in at well over 1,000 square feet, the unit also offered several places for staying off of our feet. Many pre-marathon smoothies (and post-marathon mai tais) were gulped down on our massive lanai, overlooking one of the property\u2019s pools, gorgeous grounds, and the ocean in the distance. Next time, we\u2019re coming here with friends to make proper use of the villa\u2019s space.<\/span><\/p>\n

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After the Kauai Half Marathon<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We chose an old friend, the <\/span>Grand Hyatt Kauai<\/span><\/a>, as our post-marathon recovery hotel. With an uber-aloha vibe and some of the best service on the island, this gem is one of our favorites. We spent many hours lazing around the hotel\u2019s network of lush pools and lagoons, recovering and jabbering to anyone who would listen about what a fantastic event the Kauai Half Marathon was. I think our description of the relatively gentle course and motivating views convinced even a few non-runners to take up the sport. If the Grand Hyatt Kauai is in your future, don\u2019t skip their Anara Spa. The spa\u2019s promise of \u201cpure bliss\u201d is no hyperbole, and we owe it a debt of gratitude for successfully prepping us for our next adventure: hiking the Grand Canyon-like Waimea Canyon. Even if you\u2019re not up for a hike, this 12-mile long slice of Kauai is worth a visit. The red lava beds, interesting shadows, native plants, and canyon views will take your breath away.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Viewfinder Tip: Plan to spend time on both sides of Kauai (north and south).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We couldn\u2019t let our fascination with this area deter us. We still had the north side to tackle. On our way to accommodation number three, <\/span>St. Regis Princeville Resort<\/span><\/a>, we stopped off to take in Kauai\u2019s best helicopter tour<\/a>. As two guys who prefer to discover things on foot, we went in with a few reservations. Our attitudes turned around within five minutes. Swooping over Waimea Canyon and then along the Na Pali Coast (where we were heading next), our helicopter adventure heightened our desire to explore even more of the island. The best part? Doing a tricky landing at Manawaiopuna Falls; the 400-foot marvel that you likely remember from Jurassic Park.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several adventures in, we really needed to ease up a bit to prep for what was ahead, hiking the Na Pali Coast\u2019s Kalalau Trail. The St. Regis fit the bill perfectly. Although the polished service, innovative restaurants, and first-class spa were fun to experience (we had the best lomi lomi massages on our personal score sheet), the star of the show was this resort\u2019s stunning placement on the island. If you go, we dare you to tear yourself away from the sensational views of Hanalei Bay. Day and night \u2013 by the pool, noshing on breakfast on our lanai, and sipping cocktails in the lounge \u2013 we couldn\u2019t get enough of what\u2019s often referred to as one of the best views on the planet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Sunset from Princeville<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The call of Kalalau did pull us away for a day of hiking the 22-mile round-trip trail. We started at sunbreak because we knew (from our shorter hike there a few years back) that it was moderately strenuous and that we\u2019d be stopping to snap pictures several times a mile. A cool breeze was responsible for our win in the weather department and our ability to make so many tracks in a single day. Unfortunately, our camera wasn\u2019t as excited about the moist weather, conking out before the end of our extreme trek. Even still, we were able to get our fair share of pictures (see header photo!).<\/span><\/p>\n

Our last hotel on the island was a return to old Hawaii. When <\/span>Hanalei Colony Resort<\/span><\/a> says, \u201cunspoiled, unplugged, unforgettable,\u201d they mean it. This condo rental property\u2019s two-story, plantation-style buildings are delightfully modest and inviting. Our unit, as close to the ocean as you can get, seemed only a high tide away from being an overwater bungalow. On our last morning, while enjoying breakfast on the lanai, another guest called to us from the sand below. \u201cIsn\u2019t this paradise?,\u201d she said. \u201cWe come every year!\u201d Now that’s not a bad idea at all.<\/span> <\/p>\n

What are your favorite tropical adventures?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Adventure awaits on all parts of the Garden Island<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":12938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1789,1813,1782,1890,1788,1984,1825,1776],"tags":[33],"authors":[2229],"class_list":["post-17525","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-adventure","category-beach","category-destinations","category-hawaii","category-interests","category-kauai","category-tropical","category-type-of-vacation","tag-couples","authors-no-vacation-required","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nKauai adventure | Expedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.com\/stories\/kauai-adventure\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta 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