Kauai keeps calling us back. That's why we bought a condo on the garden Isle. The South Shore of Kauai is known as the sunny side because of its great weather - blue skies and gentle trade winds most days of the year. So we spend most of our time close to "home." Brennecke's Beach is the closest sandy beach to the condo. We often walk down there with a cup of morning coffee, sit on the sand and watch the waves roll in. During the day we walk a little further across the grassy park and snorkel, swim and lie in the sun at Poipu Beach. In the late afternoon we may stroll down there again, watch the sunset and look for turtles which are plentiful in the area. Then we either go out for dinner at one of the nearby great restaurants or else we'll barbecue some fish and eat in. Many evenings we like to go to the Hyatt Resort (less than a mile away an easy walk through park like setting) and hear the Hawaiian music and stay for some great jazz which is offered every night.

One of the great things about Kauai is it is only 30 miles across. All of its beauty, grandeur and activities are easy to get to and our condo is located midway between Waimea Canyon and the North Shore. So when we do leave our beautiful Poipu to take day trips. Here are some of the places we like to go.

Waimea Canyon, referred to as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is spectacular! There are many scenic areas to drive to and view places. Kokee State Park has a lovely small natural history museum. There are many hiking trails, some leading to secluded waterfalls. Bike rentals are available. The Canyon is amazing when seen from a helicopter. Just past the turn off for Waimea is Barking Sands Beach, desolate, always warm, and sunny with spectacular scenery

Another of our favorite day trips is to drive to the Hanalei area on the North Shore. We have breakfast at Bali Hai resort with their unbelievable view from the open air dining room. If it's Sunday we visit the beautiful, historic Waiole Church. Then we change into swimsuits and visit several of the beautiful beaches along the way to the end of the road. The road ends at Kee Beach which is also a trail head into the spectacular NaPali area. This side of the island is much wetter, so lush greenery abounds. This is the area where Jurassic Park, South Pacific and other films requiring spectacular tropical settings were filmed.

The list of things to do on Kauai is long: kayaking, boat tours along the NaPali cliffs, surfing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, outstanding golf courses, luaus, shopping, wind surfing, mountain biking, polo, and more. The places to see on Kauai is even longer. When we send people to our condo we find ourselves saying: "You've got to see Waimea Canyon. You've got to see Tunnels Beach, You've got to see Lumahai Beach" and on and on. Suffice it to say that when you get there you will find beauty and natural splendor to take your breath away. It's all around you waiting to be explored.