Today was bittersweet.  We had a picnic style breakfast out on the terrace overlooking the pool and the Pacific at the hotel.  Drove 10 minutes to a beautiful waterfall.  Lounged on the beach and body surfed while watching people have canoe races and play beach volleyball.  Then we went out to a fantastic Italian dinner overlooking the beach.  Kauai has truly captured our hearts.

Opeakaa Falls is located near the Wailua River, right near where we went kayaking a few days ago.  The falls are beautiful and visible from the road.  We were all lazy and tired today, so a short drive to a photo op sounded like a great idea.

Opeakaa Falls

After the falls we came back, had a quick lunch, and then hit the beach.  The water was perfect (although the sand was scorching hot) and the waves ranged from little swells to 4 or 5 feet which were perfect for bodysurfing.

Dinner was nice and relaxing, and made for some excellent photo opportunities.

But all through dinner Michelle and I kept looking at each other with sadness in our eyes.  While we were ready to leave Oahu a few days ago, we already knew we didn’t want to leave Kauai.  There is something about this place, something more than my beloved chickens.  The island is pure and simple, not the bustle of Oahu, and not the tourism driven Maui.  There are resorts here, and little strip malls, and tourists everywhere.  But Michelle had trouble finding a place where she could choose a coffee mug or Christmas ornament that said Kauai on it.  And THAT is what I love about this island.  It hasn’t become full of itself.  It hasn’t rolled over and become completely reliant on tourism.  Rather it has integrated tourism into its way of life.  Perhaps that is why it feels so laid back, and why it feels so comfortable.

We haven’t been to Maui in over 13 years, but I am pretty sure that I can safely say right now that Kauai is officially my favorite.