Posted on Saturday, January 13, 2007 11:04 PM
A while ago I spent a few days on Kauai, where I went hiking. If you think Oahu is beautiful - and I do - wait until you see what Kauai, the Garden Isle, has to offer. It is less densely populated, and much more laid back. So no bustling night life and city lights but endless stretches of forest, mountain and beach.
Kauai features some spectacular sights, like the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, Waimea Canyon:
Below the fold some more photos I took on a hike from Kalalau lookout on the Pihea trail to
Alakai Swamp, a swamp on top of a mountain! This is Hawaii as it once was, before the advent of invasive species, like humans. I wish I could share the sounds and smells too, but you'll have to make do with pictures.
We started at Kalalau lookout at sunrise. That is
the time to get there, the light is marvelous. Also, if you then follow the steep Pihea trail to Alakai Swamp you may spot some very rare birds, that have become almost extinct, such as the
I'iwi (Hawaiian honeycreeper). At the very least, if you keep quiet, you'll be able to hear a chorus of bird song.
From Kalalau you'll either hike or drive to Mount Wai'ale'ale, the trail head. This is also called the wettest spot on earth, so make sure if you do go on the trail to wear shoes with good grip to deal with the muddy slopes.
The trail follows the mountain ridge which was originally developed to build a road across the Na Pali coast. Thankfully that project was discontinued, as it would have ruined this little paradise. You'll have amazing views, of the ocean as at the Kalalau outlook, but on your other side a seemingly endless stretch of original Hawaiian forest, the Koke'e State Park.
This forest is one of the last original Hawaiian forests, which means no palm trees, but Ohia Lehua and ferns. It looks quite prehistoric, and this area has been used as the scenery for
Jurassic Park.
The swamp has been made accessible by a wooden walkway, which has degraded just a little to blend it into the surroundings. The mosses, ferns and lichen all add up to a very distinctive atmosphere.