Five days in Kauai

Richard, Ananya and I enjoyed a trip to the Hawaiian island of Kauai last week. And what a place. We felt very lucky to take our second trip to Hawaii during our time living in California. The flight from LA is around 6 hours, so we were able to keep Ananya occupied for most of it.

Kauai is the northernmost of the Hawaiian islands; the oldest among them and the most geographically diverse. There's a canyon to rival the Grand Canyon; cliffs, rivers and waterfalls that leave you awestruck; and flora and fauna abound on this island nicknamed the 'Garden Isle' for its lush tropical landscape.

Just to put things into context, Kauai was used to double up for Isla Nublar in the first Jurassic Park movie, as well as the location for the opening scenes in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Because of our little Keiki ("child" in Hawaiian) we weren't able to take a helicopter tour around the jagged cliffs and waterfalls, but that's a good reason to come back sometime...

We did manage to drive to a couple of stunning waterfalls and the picturesque Hanalei Bay on the north of the island. We were walking along the beach and happened to turn around, gobsmacked by what we saw: towering cliffs and mountains, lush and green with their tops in the clouds. We thought that was impressive, but then our eyes caught the shimmering waterfalls cascading down the side of these mountains. As beach views go when you're out for some rays (or surf), this could not be beaten.

And so to the photos, which will never do this place justice...

The best present for a toddler who loves sticks? A beach filled with 'em.

This was taken at Lydgate State Park, close to our hotel. Huge grounds for running around...

...chasing roosters (which are abundant on Kauai. Better than pigeons, but noisier.)

Cock a Doodle Doo!

In the hotel gift shop, Ananya couldn't stay away from the cuddly versions either.  

The Wailua River and heritage trail

Opaekaa Falls

Ananya chases another rooster

Hanalei Bay, Kauai

Ananya's not quite located the mountains yet. She was looking for humpback whales. Much more interesting. 

Looking like a contemplative 'Boden' baby, but with messier hair.

The majestic mountains at Hanalei...complete with waterfalls.

It's nice being carried everywhere!

The pier at Hanalei was beautiful and a little scary as it had no walls. 

Richard carried Ananya, naturally. 

A pit stop at the end of the pier to take in the view, and those mountains. 

Doesn't really need a caption...

Lots of surfing lessons going on. 

Wailea falls, from up above. 

The view from our hotel...

....where the beach was yards away. Shallow enough at the waters' edge for our Keiki to enjoy herself. 

She didn't want to leave. 

And neither did we! 

Time to dry off and run around some more...

Ananya takes on Will Rogers

When Richard and I arrived in LA in 2012, we brought with us a book called Take a Hike: LA* and enjoyed almost 15 hikes in the Santa Monica mountains during the following year. We loved getting out into the hills and mountains as an antidote to the dense city life in LA.

Since becoming parents however, we've not ventured very far up a hiking trail with Ananya. A few trips to Will Rogers state park (just off Sunset Blvd and only 15mins from home) with Ananya have taken place, but it wasn't until today that we hiked the entire trail with her; no stroller, no baby carrier, just our feet. She hiked almost the entire 2.5 mile loop with us to Inspiration Point without being carried. We saw some lizards and pretty birds. Ananya earned a well earned drink at the top along with a snack. Now we're off to buy her some proper hiking boots ...;)

Note: If Richard reminds you of someone from TV it's because he's taken to wearing my sunglasses (his are broken), which coupled with the long hair and beard, give him the air of a character from a 70s cop show. Personally I'm thinking Robert Culp from Columbo...



*Thanks to Selina, Hayley and Toni.