Feb. 1, 2014 --move to Wyndham Bali Hai, hang around Hanalei--


Hard to believe 2 weeks is over!!!  Only 3 more nights.  These next 3 nights will be spent in Princeville at the Wyndham Bali Hai in a 3 bedroom presidential unit.  More VIP magic---half the points of the 2 bedroom lower with a free upgrade to the 3 bedroom presidential.  It looked like it might be a really nice day again.  The north shore was even below advisory levels again, but wave heights were suppose to be higher then yesterday.  Our plan was to check out of KBV, return an item to Walmart, then head up to Bali Hai and hope for an early VIP check in.  Then unload the car and head to Kee and/or Tunnels again.  I took a few pictures on our way north.  I love the views any direction we're going!   Even when there's a few droplets of rain on the windshield.

I know these orange flowering vines are harmful to the plants they overgrow, but they sure are pretty.

2010-2-22  "owners' update" in Princeville and snorkeling Lidgate:

We did our Wyndham owners' update (a.k.a. sales presentation). Incentive was a discount card for activities and restaurants and a $100 debit card. We were out of there in just at an hour. We had heard the new pool at the Wyndham Bali Hai was done, so after our presentation, we went to check out the pool. I thought it was rather impressive!

 Then we headed farther north to check out the surf.  Stopped at this viewpoint over Hanalei Bay along our way.

 Hanalei Bay looked nice, but I understand snorkeling isn't good here.

 But it's always a neat place for photos.

 It's also good for surfing with it's long rolling waves.

 Then we continued North.  This is one of the views from the road near Tunnels.

 Checked out Tunnels

 but the surf was rolling in pretty good---not unusual for this time of year.

 So we started back.  Taking a detour into the taro fields by Hanalei.

 That's a good place to find Nene geese.

 By  now we were pretty hungry and decided to start heading back towards Lihue.  About half way there, in Anahola, we decided to check out the infamous Duane's Ono Char Burger restaurant we've heard so much about. In our 8 previous trips to Kauai, we never made it there. Today we did and were not disappointed. It doesn't look like much and there's no inside dining, but there’s an outside seating area with pic nic tables. Ken got the patty melt and I got fish and chips. Both were excellent! We will go there again, and again, and ... .

 Then we decided to head to Lydgate for some snorkeling.  I was surprised to see this stack of star fruit stacked near a trash can.

 Lydgate was like a pool.  Many people overlook how good this place is for snorkeling.

 There's always a huge school of large yellow fin surgeon fish here.  As well as the occassional jack fish that swims around with them.

 love the color blue of the yellow fin surgeonfish.

 There's always schools of other fish, too---like these tiny ones.

 Then there are the visitors---like this black tail snapper.

 Ken showing his age----

 the frequent flounder.

 There's always a bunch of these sergeant fish

 and there is a small school of these Stripeys that I've only ever seen here or at the Waikiki Aquarium.

 A gem of a place on the East side!

 We just headed back to Kauai Beach Villas for sunset.  Even on the East side you can often see a decent sunset.

 Time to chill out and enjoy the condo for a bit!

Wyndham Bali Hai--Kauai

Wyndham Bali Hai--3 bedroom presidential

This is one of the 3 Wyndham Resorts in Princeville.  It's also the largest.  Since it's so large, and still not sold out, it's also pretty easy to get reservations for.  Since we converted to Wyndham in 2009 and became Platinum VIP by doing so, we've actually stayed in one of these units.  It really is nice---and big.  Only problem we have with staying here is it's in the North area of Kauai in Princeville.  That's not a problem for most people since Princeville is a really nice area complete with world class golf courses.  But we like the central location of the Wyndham Kauai Beach Villas better---especially since we usually come to Kauai around Feb. which is the rainy season and usually rougher surf on the North shore.  But I wouldn't hesitate to book it if it meant less points and a great upgrade---like we've been able to do a couple times.  

 The new pool area and clubhouse

more of the new pool area