We spent a lot of the day in the car this day. After breakfast, we drove back down to the south side of the island. We drove up and found our dream homesite at the top of the Kukui’ula development. 360º views of the mountains and the ocean – it was amazing (and not cheap!). Maybe someday, when we make it big!
We continued on southward, and we visited Spouting Horn for the first time. It was pretty amazing to watch, with some really large waves crashing in and upward through the blow hole. Then, we visited the little town of Hanapepe and its famous swinging bridge over the Hanapepe River. The swinging bridge kinda freaked Noah out, so we didn’t stay long.
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It was getting late in the day, so we decided to drive to the farthest western point of Kaua’i – Polihale State Park – for sunset.
“Polihale State Park is the end of the line. You can’t go any farther north on this part of the island without a boat.” (The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook – the Blue Book)
This is one of Amanda’s favorite beaches in the world, and it really is beautiful, especially at sunset. The golden sun reflects off the sand and the cliffs that begin the Na Pali coastline; everything is just basked in the warmth of the sun. Truth be told, it is the quintessential beach on the Hawaiian islands – beautiful sand, cliffs, clear water, small waves, unending sunshine and showers! I just wish the road to get there wasn’t so difficult (read the reviews here).
It is 5+ miles of rutted, potholed, sandy cane truck road stress in a rental car. We tried to go to Barking Sands Beach at the southern end of Polihale Beach but I nearly got the rental car stuck in a pothole the size of my car! As the Blue Book says:
“Locals drive their 4WD vehicles right onto the beach. If you try it, be aware that you are a long way from Lihu’e. The first thing a tow truck driver will probably ask you is, ‘Do you own your own home?’ It’s probably cheaper to buy a new car. And AAA won’t tow a stuck car, only one that won’t start, so yank an important-looking wire before you call them.“
Next time, we’re renting a 4WD – there’s just too much that you miss on Kaua’i without one.
Noah loved Polihale Beach. He loved the sand (which got into every crevice imaginable!); he loved the water; and, he loved the coconut he found on the beach. He would try to pick it up and move it around; but, in the end, he really enjoyed stripping the hairs off the outside of it. After sunset, we began the long 2+ hour drive back up to Princeville. And, we all slept well that night. 🙂