January 30, 2014

Best of Kauai Tour:  Waimea Canyon, River, & Fern Grotto

The day started out rainy but the sun broke through and the tour was very informative. We took a winding road up to see the Hanapepe Canyon where they filmed the first part of Jurassic Park. We then continued our trek up the winding road to Waimea Canyon where they had a lookout. It was fantastic view and I had a picture taken with one of the locals who hunts in the canyon for wild pig.  The canyon is a smaller version of the Grand Canyon but spectacular just the same. We have met some awesome people on this trip and we are very glad we did it. From the Canyon, we went to see “The Spouting Horn” which is a geyser shooting out of the volcanic rock on the beach.  Onward to the Fern Grotto…. The bus dropped us off at a river boat which then transported us to the Grotto. The boat held about 100 people so it was BIG.  There was  lots happening on the river…. all kinds of canoes and paddleboards (standing on the surfboards & paddling while standing up), fish jumping, kayaking etc. Lois was most interested in the fish jumping. The grotto is a cave with ferns, and red and pink ginger flowers. The vegetation was amazing. Considering this area gets 450 inches of rain per year one can understand why the vegetation is the way it is. The Grotto’s ceiling started falling down so people are not allowed to enter the cave any longer.  Lois said if she was going to take another Hawaiian holiday, it would definitely be on the island of Kuaui. It is much smaller than the other islands, has tons of things to do, and is really friendly.

Waimea Canyon

There are chickens & roosters everywhere wild.

This fellow hollowed out a gourd for a helmet. Looks like a warrior, doesn't he?

Here's Lois at the Grotto.

Hula dancing on the boat.

The boat that held about 100 people.

What is it?