Koningsdam adventure, Nawiliwili, Kauai....

Up bright and early this morning for a beautiful sail into Nawiliwili. I never tire of the scenic beauty of the Hawaiian Islands.  Ann, Barb, Cathy and I were off the ship first thing and picked up our rental car at the airport. Our plan today was to visit Waimea Canyon and Kokee State Parks. On our drive up the canyon, we encountered rain but the closer we got to the canyon, thankfully, the blue skies appeared. Waimea Canyon State Park overlooks one of the Hawaii’s scenic treasures…the deep, colorful gorge of Waimea Canyon provides awe-inspiring vistas of steep cliffs, lush valleys, and cascading waterfalls. Waimea Canyon stretches approximately 14 miles, one mile wide, and more than 3,600 feet deep. The park consists of a scenic drive, lookouts over the canyon and panoramic viewpoints offer breathtaking views that reveal the stunning contrasts of vibrant orange, red and green landscapes, showcasing the majestic "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." After leaving the parks and not far from Lihue we headed north on an old sugar cane road to Wailua Falls. The falls consist of two streams, 80-foot waterfalls cascading powerfully into a large pool below surrounded by lush greenery. You may remember the falls from the TV show, Fantasy Island.  Kauai is also called the Garden Isle, and for good reason…its green landscapes are formed from tropical jungles and lush mountain ranges. It was a great day and perfect weather.  I decided to pop outside for a bit to catch our beautiful sail away…  Off we go to Kona!