Day 10 - January 12, 2025 - Sunday - Kauai, Hawaii

Kauai is the fourth-largest island of the Hawaii group.  Known as the "Garden Isle" due to the lush vegetation from the heavy rainfall.  Kauai is the oldest of the main islands.  The island is sparsely populated with only about 75,000 persons and contains some of the most scenic mountain views of any of the islands, in particular Waimea Canyon.

While walking this morning on Deck 8, I thought I would share with you the wind-breaks placed on the upper deck.  These are mostly placed in the forward part of the ship and sometimes near midship.  This makes walking much more pleasant, especially when the ship is sailing into the wind.

Some views as we sailed into Nawiliwili Harbor on Kauai

Ninini Point Lighthouse, built in 1897

I am always fascinated by the man-made sea walls we see while cruising.  This one shows a good example of the type of materials used to form the barriers, in this case a tetrapod.

A tetrapod is a form of wave-dissipating concrete block used to prevent erosion caused by weather and longshore drift, primarily to enforce coastal structures such as seawalls and breakwaters.  First invented and patented in France, the name is derived from the fact that there are four (tetra) foots (pods).  Tetrapods are made of concrete, and use a tetrahedral shape to dissipate the force of incoming waves by allowing water to flow around rather than against them, and to reduce displacement by interlocking.

Again, having already spent some time in Kauai, there wasn't any excursions we were particularly interested in doing, so we joined the included trip to a old sugar cane plantation.  

Originating in 1896, the Kilohana Estate has its roots in the efforts of Albert Spencer Wilcox, a plantation manager and scion of one of the original missionary families. Initially conceived as a functioning cattle ranch, the estate underwent a transformative phase when Albert’s nephew, Gaylord Parke Wilcox, assumed control in 1936. 

This plantation like most on the island no longer produces cane commercially for the sugar, but has diversified into other areas.  Some sugar cane is still raised, but it is used in the manufacture of Hawaiian Rum.  The other area of diversification is into entertainment, thus our trip.  After a short ride from the port, we immediately boarded hybrid diesel/electric narrow gauge train for a 40 minute trip around the grounds.

If you have ever been to Kauai, you know the island is also famous (or infamous) for its roosters and chickens.  They are extremely colorful and they are everywhere!

The plantation also has a large number of native pigs.  These more resemble wild boars in the states.  They are smaller and have a longer snout.

Below are some examples of why Kauai is called the Garden Isle.

Although we didn't do any "exciting" excursions this trip, I thought I would share with you some of the beauty we experienced on our trip to Kauai in 2017.

The first three photos are of the Waimea Canyon area

This is us on the Kalalau Tail on Kauai's Napali Coast.  A person fell and died on this trail the morning we were hiking.

Wailua Falls

And finally, the best for last...

Kay & I

Janet and Carl

These photos were to just let our friends and family know we haven't yet eaten ourselves to death!  Wow, we did look younger in the 2017 photos!

During the sail away at 4:30, we were treated to a nice rainbow!

I also saw something I haven't seen before, a dog in the pilot boat.  He seemed to be enjoying himself.

We passed closer to the Ninini Point Lighthouse for a good view.

I don't plan to post a lot about food, but there are always questions.  Here is my meal with descriptions for this evening.

Caesar Salad (sorry, I took a couple of bites before this photo)

Gin Cured Salmon

(pickled cucumber, Granny Smith apple, avocado mousse, dill mayonnaise)

Viking Seafood Stew

(mixed seafood, shellfish bisque, focaccia garlic bread with saffron aioli)

The Wrong Black Forrest (don't know where the name came from)

(kirsch cream, cherries, crunchy chocolate)

My meal was accompanied by Porcupine Ridge Chenin Blanc and black coffee.  The meal lasted an hour and forty-five minutes and was delicious!

Ok, today's post was long.  The next 5 days are sea days before reaching Bora Bora, French Polynesia.  I promise these post will be shorter.