The Waimea Canyon - the Grand Canyon of the Pacific

Today we want to tackle another highlight of our trip, the Waimea Canyon. It is also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific because it is the only and most magnificent of its kind here. It was and still is the reason why we wanted to come to Kaua'i.

On the way to the canyon, we have to drive south along the coastal road again because there are no roads that go through the country. In Kalahero, we stop at the visitor center of the Kaua'i Coffee Company to visit the coffee plantation. It is the largest one on the island and the coffee is award-winning. Here, everything is grown, harvested, and also fully processed, meaning roasted, ground, and flavored. In the small coffee shop with a mini-museum (and of course a souvenir shop) you can try about 15-20 different varieties and roasts. I love the one flavored with vanilla and macadamia nut! We learn a lot about coffee plants and all the necessary steps until the dark brew steams in the cup and brightens up our day :-)

We continue towards Waimea, where the road branches off to the north into the canyon. At first, we slowly ascend through a kind of plateau, and the view stretches far over the land and sea. But then, after a few curves, it becomes truly spectacular! The view into the canyon on the right is fantastic, grand, breathtaking. You have to see the pictures, it cannot be described in words. I would like to stop and look in every curve! Fortunately, there are enough lookouts with small pullouts where you can stand right on the edge and look down into the depths.

There are also larger fields with red soil that are simply shaped by the rain. We are lucky to have a dry day because you can't walk there when it's raining. The red soil quickly becomes slippery and then it becomes dangerous! In the canyon, the walls sometimes drop vertically downwards. A waterfall rushes down 240m.

I would love to try one of the many hiking trails. However, these are extremely demanding and sometimes dangerous, not suitable for solo hikes. Unfortunately, there are hardly any circular routes, and if there are, they are very long. One trail, 2.3 km long, supposedly takes about 2-3 hours...

At the Puú Hinahina Loockout, you can even see Napali, the smallest inhabited island of Hawaii. It is privately owned and not accessible to the public. Since there is only a road to an eco-campsite further on (from there, only off-road), and the further path leads to the swamps, we turn around here and drive back to Waimea, impressed.

Back in the village, we visit the pier where the trading ships used to land after James Cook discovered the islands. It is now just a wooden jetty into the water, but the special thing is that the sand on the beach here is black with small sparkling green inclusions, called Olivat. Unfortunately, it's not a beach for swimming either because the surf is too dangerous here and also because the soil is contaminated with bacteria, which are washed out of the inland rivers, especially after rain (leptospires).

On the way back, we stop again in Kalahero because according to the guidebook, there is a nice restaurant called Kaua'i Kookie. We stop there for a burger, although it's more of a curious mix of a mom-and-pop shop, bakery, and snack bar. The food is delicious, but the seating is rather uncomfortable. So we continue to Koloa, to the Old Town. Old buildings, as you know them from Wild West movies, are still preserved here and partly beautifully restored. There is a small visitor center and countless souvenir shops and cafes, snack bars. We treat ourselves to a refreshing shave ice, stroll through the streets and squares, and amuse ourselves with the chickens and their chicks, who are very skillful at being wherever there is something to get. For example, in the nut roastery. Chickens are simply part of everyday life here, they are truly everywhere.

Now I am sitting here, writing the report with Hajo in the bar, having a Mai Tai, what else :-))