kaz (02/16/83)
This is an open letter to Susan Shaw on Kauai. Dear Susan, Sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but sometimes I must work. None of the responders on the honeymoon request said anything about European destinations so I can be of no help on that part of your request. As far as Kauai goes I can be of more help. I went there with four friends in March of 1981. It was the most fantastic week I have ever spent. I guess I should caution you, I am a lover of the outdoors and love hiking and camping. If that doesn't make your day then skip Kauai. Kauai is for the lovers of nature. I can not imagine any place on earth that packs more into one relatively small area. On this island there are beautiful waterfalls, inviting coral lagoons with the clearest, bluest water I've ever seen, towering cliffs and a 3000 foot canyon which is a very reminiscent of the Grand Canyon. About midweek we helicoptered to the (dead) end of the Kalalau (sp?) Trail. From there we spent three days and nights hiking back to civilization on a trail that is squeezed between the ocean and towering cliffs. Looking up and to the right brought an always stunning view of the cliffs that climbed several thousand feet above us. Looking down and to the left brought an equally powerful view of the ocean as it pounded against the coast several hundred feet below. Our campsites were always in close proximity to a spectacular waterfall, beach, or stream. The scenery is so spectacular along this trail that my senses were overloaded. If you at all like backpacking you should do this trail. It cost us $75 each to get dropped off at trails end and it was worth every penny both because of the perspective that we got of the island while in the air and because it saved us two days of trail time. By the way, hikers on the trail tend to shed their clothes as they approach the end. It was not uncommon to meet nudes on the last part of the trail and there were several nude "residents" at the beach that is the "dead" end of the trail. You may join them if you like or you can keep your clothes on - no one cares. By no means is the Kalalau trail the only beautiful spot on the island, it was simply the most spectacular. One should also visit Barking Sands beach, Nihue beach, Waimea Canyon, and the Spouting Horn among other attractions. There are places to eat and things to do of a more civilized bent if you choose. We chose not to do too much of it. Hope this is of some help. I would suggest that you get a guidebook to the islands, if for nothing else it will tell you what the real names and spellings are of the places I have mentioned. Good luck. Ken Zabriskie ABI Indianapolis