Spectacular Sites And Exotic Adventures In Gorgeous Kauai
By Alice Lane

Spectacular panoramas and lush vegetation await you on Kauai, the "Garden Island". Kauai vacation rentals are your gateway into a world of enchantment and adventure. Kauai is the fourth largest and oldest among the main Hawaiian islands. On Kauai's north shore you'll discover some of the most spectacular scenery on the planet. There's the Na Pali Coast, whose cliffs rise 4,000 feet above the ocean. And Lumahai Beach, where Mitzi Gaynor 'washed that man right out of her hair' in the movie South Pacific. The north shore also is home to the quaint town of Hanalei, one of the earliest areas to be settled by the ancient Pacific voyagers.

From your Kauai condos hideaway you can venture out to Polihale, the end of the road if you're thinking of continuing north on the west side from Kekaha-Waimea. This is where you reach the west end of the Na Pali Coast, which defies road-building. Before you turn around and head back, spend some time at Polihale State Park and other sites that are off the beaten path. The park has a beautiful 3-mile long beach. Just north of Polihale State Park is the powerful Polihale heiau (sacred site). This is one of the points from which the souls of the dead departed the island into the setting sun.

Located on the roadside in the rural town of Waimea in Hofgaard Park (also known as Tamago -- egg-shaped -- Park), is the site where British Captain James Cook first landed in Hawaii in 1778. Cook, with his ships the Resolution and Discovery, was the first westerner to discover the islands. Hawaii was later colonized by Russia. Russian Fort Elizabeth was founded in 1815 by the Russian doctor, Georg Scheffer, who arrived in Hawaii to gain trading privileges from King Kaumualii who allowed Scheffer to build a fort near Waimea and two others near Hanalei. However, Scheffer did not have the backing of the Russian Czar and was forced to leave Kauai.

Wherever you decide to stay on the Garden Isle, Kauai vacation homes are the smart option for seeing the great sites of Kauai. The most spectacular is Waimea Canyon - ten miles long and about 3,600 feet deep - described by Mark Twain as the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific." One memorable image of the canyon that will remain with you, beyond the incredible scale of it all, is the rainbow of colors that dance along the canyon peaks. From the last two lookouts there are spectacular views into Kalalau Valley, one of the most beautiful sights on the island. If you make the drive from Waimea to see Waimea Canyon, you might as well do it right. From Kokee State Park, at the top of Waimea Canyon Road, continue on to Kalalau Lookout. There you'll encounter a spectacular view of knife-edged cliffs and overgrown gorges that drop to the sea 4,000 feet below. The sunsets from Kekaha Beach Park are breathtaking, and the beach itself is beautiful. A great place for picnics and strolling the shore.

Hanapepe means "bay crushed by landslides." The main street through town was used for the filming of "The Thornbirds." This quaint town is filled with charm, and there are heiaus and numerous Hawaiian home sites up the valley that are also worth exploring.

Rolling green hills, quaint farms, and lush vegetation create a dazzling view from the Hanapepe Overlook. This untamed, exotic area was the perfect setting for Steven Spielberg's blockbuster thriller Jurassic. Wherever you turn on spectacular and exotic Kauai you will find the adventure of a lifetime!

The very best kauai vacation rentals and kauai vacation homes can be found at HawaiianBeachRentals.com. The great selection of kauai condos is sure to make your visit to gorgeous Kauai memorable! We are the expert travel consultants who can find the perfect kauai rentals to fit your individual needs and budget. So give us a call today!

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