ZIPLINE (Day 4)
We left early to Nawiliwili Harbor (located not too far from the airport) to catch a kayak and zipline tour with Outfitters Kauai.
Part one involved an easy 2-mile kayak trip down the Hule'ia River through the Hule'ia National Wildlife Refuge.
Arriving at our disembarking spot
The 'pier'
Part two was a beautiful walk through the tropical jungle.
On the trail ... Kukui or Candlenut tree
Taro .... and a giant philodendron
Part three was the easiest yet... a tractor-pulled cart ride across Kipu Ranch, a 4,000-acre working cattle ranch.
Our ride ... This hill was featured in the Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Haupu Mountain and the Hoary Ridge served as a backdrop in "Jurassic Park".
Curious bovine
We stopped briefly to feed some pigs and peacocks.
Pigs were first brought to the islands by the Polynesians as early as the 4th century. The Polynesian pig (pua'a) was rather small and completely domesticated. Eventually, larger European and Asian pigs were also introduced. They interbred with the pua'a, resulting in the huge population of feral wild boar that roam the islands today.
A row of Norfolk Island or Cook Pines
Part four of the adventure was the zipline. This wasn't a super long or high one since the kids wanted to be able to participate too.
Zipping from the upper to lower platform
Getting ready ... the jump ...
... the 'zip' ... and the retrieval
We returned by way of a small bridge ... A view of the zipline across the river, from left to right
The final part of the tour was a swim at Kipu Falls. Some of the more adventurous folk enjoyed a giant rope swing into the water.
Wading across a stream ... The falls
The tractor tram then returned us to the forest where we walked back to the river. Instead of having to kayak back upstream, a nice motorized boat was waiting for us.
The easy way back ... Mangrove roots
The banks of the Hule'ia River ... and Nawiliwili Harbor
For dinner, we had reservations at the Beach House Restaurant, very close to the condo. Ironically, one of our tour guides was also working as a waiter. The restaurant was located right on the shore so we got to watch a spectacular sunset as we dined.
Tiki torches replace the sun. ... Starting out the meal with a watermelon salad and a Mai Tai
