While waiting for our food, watching the raindrops streak the windowpanes, a semi-permanent scowl took over my face. I was so disappointed that the rain would not let up and was sure that our flight to see the Napali Coast would be canceled. Just prior to leaving the restaurant, the downpour grew in intensity, curtaining the road. My phone rang at about the same time. The tour company was calling to confirm our flight that was set to take off in two hours. The kind lady on the phone comforted my fears by telling me that the radar reports the office had projected that the system was breaking up and should be moving off island within the hour. I was hopeful.
On our way to the airport, Jeff and I stopped at a rushing waterfall that was easily accessible from the road and drove down a few country roads. The clouds were, indeed, beginning to part. By the time we pulled into the airport, most of the blue sky was visible, and the hot sun forced us to take off our jackets.
The Napali Coast must be seen from the air or a boat. Since a bucket list item of mine was to see an active volcano from a helicopter, we chose to go the more cost effective route and take a small plane. Wings Over Kaua'i garnered great reviews on TripAdvisor and was very easy to communicate with, so we booked through them. From the first moments of our arrival to the final goodbye, the customer service was great. The seating is computerized using each passenger's weight to properly balance the plane. Jeff got to sit in the seat next to the pilot with me directly behind. I was a little jealous but mostly really excited for him.
Jeff was put to work in the co-pilot's seat, going through the pre-flight check-list with the pilot. I got a kick out of listening to the exchange on the headset. Our pilot was nice enough and shared quite a lot of information throughout the flight.
The sight of the island from above is unique and highlightes the changing landscape, vibrant colors of the farms, and the picturesque coastline. By far, the Napali Coast was the most scenic part of the tour and well worth the cost for the tour by air, which is a little pricier than a boat ride. Photos can't do this amazing geologic wonder justice (especially with low level clouds nearby). The cliffs rise thousands of feet vertically from the ocean, black and green against the surreal blue of the Pacific.
Thanks to the rain I'd been cursing, dozens of new wispy waterfalls cascaded down the cliffs. The scenery was so impressive. Rounding the leeward coast on our way to the northern side, the mist over took the tops of the cliffs, giving it all a dreamlike feel.
After our safe, smooth landing, Jeff and I were new people. The fantastic tour cured our irritation with Mother Nature and set us up to make the most of our last hours on the island. Driving counterclockwise up the coast, we made our way to the Kilauea Lighthouse, the northern most point in Hawaii (main islands). The views were spectacular from this point. While scanning the waters for whales, Jeff readied the camera. Being patient...and lucky...paid off. We were thrilled to see fins flapping and water shooting from blow holes. We saw at least three whales off the coast. Though difficult to tell without zooming in, Jeff captured photographic evidence of a whale tail. The day was just getting better and better.
Before leaving the north point, we walked around a wildlife refuge and saw thousands of birds and more gorgeous breaking surf. About halfway back to the airport for our return trip home to Honolulu, we found a path along the coast to stroll. Within easy walking distance was a shave ice stand, one of the best we've had even months later. With ono shave ice in hand, we enjoyed our walk along Kaua'i's windward coast.
The last day of our trip held my favorite moments of the entire time on Kaua'i. I'm thankful that it wasn't a wash afterall.
