Introduction to today's journey
Today's journey takes me around the western side of Kauai, following the coast to Waimea before heading inland onto the spectacular Waimea Canyon. I return to Lihue to fly back to Honolulu and back towards Brisbane.
Today's Journey
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View of the blowholes from Spouting Horn Park west of Lihue as we head around the southern coast of the island. |
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Crossing the Waimea River near its mouth before following it upstream into the mountains. |
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The road winds its way up the hill above Waimea with a view across to Ni'ihau, Hawaii's westermost and oldest island. |
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A bluff at the edge of the Waimea Canyon where the road first reaches its edge. From here the road continues rising above the side of the canyon. |
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We eventually stop at the Waimea Canyon Lookout to get this spectacular view into its nearly 1 kilometre depth. The river has carved this entire canyon out since the mountain stopped erupting five million years ago. |
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We head further up the road to Pu'u Ka Pele Lookout to get this spectacular view of Waipo'o Falls plunging 250 metres from the mountaintops deep into the canyon. |
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Returning down the mountain to Waimea, I explore the very dark brown volcanic beach near the mouth of the river, fine deposits from the canyon. |
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The weather quickly turns to a tropical tempest as we return to Lihue and I head to the nearby airport to start the long journey home. |
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I have a couple of hours' stop in Honolulu before catching a late afternoon flight out over the city, turning south west heading towards Brisbane nine hours away. |
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Clouds hovering over the endless Pacific Ocean as I make my way home approaching the International Date Line where it crosses the equator. Here I will lose a day. |
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