Kauai

Kauai is the smallest of the four major islands of Hawaii and also the most unspoiled. It was also inhabited 500 years before the other islands. There is development here but nothing can be built higher than the coconut trees. We docked here a little ahead of schedule, but late enough in the morning that we got spectacular views of the coastline. Before our organized excursion today we actually had time to take a walk to the Nawiliwili Bay harbour shops and the beach. One curious and unique features of all of the islands is the abundance of wild chickens. I suspect they are as annoying as our Canadian geese, but they are quite beautiful birds. And, of course, the mascot greeting us from the ship today was also a chicken. Our 2:30 outing today took us up the Wailua River and ended up with a luau at the Smith family ranch. Stop number one was at a waterfall feeding the Wailua River. Then we got on the river boat for a trip to the fern grotto.

From the river, we drove to the Smith Family Tropical Plantation adjacent to the river, where we were greeted by pretty girls in coconut bras - finally. Then we took the Tropical tram tour around the 30 acre grounds admiring samples of every Hawaiian plant. We are now officially on tropical plant overload. At 6:00 we had the Imu Ceremony where they dug up the pig that had been cooking in a pit with hot lava rocks and banana leaves and then covered with sand, since early morning. Next was the Luau Feast with all you can eat and drink, featuring live entertainment, Mai Tais and of course the kalua pork. Finishing off the evening was the Aloha Show. This was held in their lagoon setting theatre where the audience was protected from the elements, but not the performers. The wind did kick up a brief rain storm but the show went on. It was a highly entertaining show!