Kauai - Part III

This was probably one of my favorite days of all time.  In the morning, we headed to the little grocery store for some breakfast provisions before setting out to explore the North Shore.  Without much of an agenda, we headed up the coast and stopped at beaches that looked interesting along the way.  

One of our must-sees was the views to the Kilauea Lighthouse and the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge.  As we drove to Princeville, the boys were wanting to take a swim so we looked for an out-of-the-way beach and we found one!  We were lucky to find a parking space near the trail head that leads to Sea Lodge Beach.  It's about 1/4 mile hike along a steep, rocky coast.  But you will be richly rewarded for your efforts.  We descended upon a secluded, crescent-shaped beach with crystal clear water.  All of us set up camp and dove in immediately.  We snorkeled and swam for a couple of hours before finally deciding to make the steep ascent back up to the car.  What a treat this beach was!

On our way back home, we stopped at the Kong Lung Trading Center for refreshments and shopping.  If you're in Kauai, do not miss this area.  For those of you who know anything about the history of Hawaii, Kong Lung is a significant piece of that history because it was owned by a Chinese immigrant.  Kong Lung is now home to an art gallery, shops, and cafes.  We had a nice break here before heading down the coast for dinner, some rest, and then more beach time in Poipu.