Flightseeing the Na Pali Coast, Kauai

We are off to see the rugged Na Pali coastline via a Sunshine Helicopter tour. We sign up for the last run of the day so as to best have the helicopter to ourselves as well as each of us getting a window seat.

Light winds at the Princeville Airport

Suzy and I point to our helicopter

Jamie's stoked!

Up, up and away into the blue yonder

Our barefooted pilot first skirts through the lush inland side of the Na Pali Mountains, then climbs up an impossibly steep cliff and as we top the ridge we can see the ocean in the distance.
Waterfalls? Yes, we got waterfalls, so many it's hard to keep track of them.

Before we reach the coast, our pilot swings north flying directly up Waimea Canyon which we just saw on our car road trip a few days before. It's a treat to see it both ways from the road and now from the air.
We fly up and over a canyon wall and suddenly we're at the edge of land and sea and moving northward up the famed Na Pali Coastline. It's so impressively beautiful, it almost takes our breath away. I am especially thankful of being able to see this coastline in the late afternoon light.
Our pilot indicates an fairly ordinary looking valley below us and tells us this is where the first Hawaiians landed and got established on the island. Odd, the Kalalau Valley looks steeper more spectacular from the trail than from the air.

Kalalau Valley

No invaders are going to sneak up on these settlements

All too soon we are flying back over familiar beaches and towns as we head back towards the airport.

Princeville in the distance to the left

Ha'ena State Park beach

Hanalai Bay

Taro and agricultural fields are almost down to the ocean

Princeville Airport coming up

YES! I think I got some good shots

It our last sunset on Kauai and of course we choose to watch it on the beach by our cottage.
The next morning we are all packed and have some time to goof off before our flights leave.

Dorky tourists

Do we know these guys?

Jamie & Suzie

Then it's back to the beach to say good-bye.

Sigh - it's hard to leave paradise

Pierce Brosnan's not in his chair

but our local monk seal is still snoozing in the same spot

We decide to walk a few blocks to a Mediterranean restaurant at the Hanalei Colony Resort. Turns out to be a really good place for our last lunch.

Surfer warning

Yup - the surf is up today

Happy Suzy

Then we saddle up and head back to the airport.

Good-bye Kauai - a truly beautiful island

Planes lined up to go

Lei shop girl measures strings of flowers

All the way back to San Jose