Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Aloha to Kaua'i - the Wailua River




Last Wednesday, my family flew to Kaua'i for a mini vacation.  



Kaua'i receives the most rain among the Hawaiian islands, creating the lush tropical setting for movies such as PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, AVATAR, JURASSIC, PARK, SOUTH PACIFIC, even Elvis' BLUE HAWAII. The rain flows from the sacred volcano, Waiʻaleʻale, creating the Wailua River.  

The falls are 173 feet tall.


The Wailua Falls opened 
FANTASY ISLAND.


We took Smith's River Cruise
to the famed Fern Grotto.




From Smith's website (at this link),

The Fern Grotto is a geological wonder of Kauai. Ferns grow upside down from the roof of the grotto, which was formed millions of years ago. Native Hawaiian plants and colorful exotic tropical plants provide a rain-forest atmosphere.



The grotto is a natural amphitheater.

Do you have a favorite natural wonder?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blogs wins a book choice from my convention stash.  This giveaway is open to all readers. Comments are open through Saturday, July 7, 10 pm in Hawaii. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 8.


Mahalo,


Kim in Hawaii


Uncle starred alongside
Elvis in BLUE HAWAII.







15 comments:

  1. Neat stuff. Waterfalls are so romantic and restful.

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  2. The only one that I have seen is Niagara Falls... Love all the pretty photos...

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  3. The only one that I have seen is Niagara Falls... Love all the pretty photos...

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  4. Oh, I just love waterfalls - these pictures are great. As far as favorite natural wonder; it's a toss-up between the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls as those are the only two that I've seen.

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  5. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July.
    Uncle in Blue Hawaii, wow, my favourite of all Elvis pictures.

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  6. There are so many beautiful places in this world. Last year we went to Canada and both Moraine Lake and Lake Louise were spectacular to look at.

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  7. Blue Hawaii is also my favorite Elvis movie! I'd love to visit Hawaii someday and see all the things you've shown us in your photos!

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  8. I've enjoyed all those movies. I have to go with the Grand Canyon - it's pretty amazing.

    Happy 4th of July everyone!

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  9. Hi Kim and everyone!
    Beatiful pictures of the falls. The natural wonder that gets me, no matter how many times I see it are the Ko'olaus. Heading mauka from Kaneohe on the H3, seeing those lush mountains jut toward the heavans...wow. I know the normal expression is "takes my breath away," but seeing the Ko'olaus seems to fill me with breath.
    Aloha!
    Shannon
    (no contest and loved reading all the other comments.)

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  10. Thanks for sharing these photos!

    As for favourite natural wonders, I would vote for the Northern Lights :)

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  11. Love the picture of the falls Kim! Happy 4th!

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  12. Then falls were great , ankor wat in Asia
    Kimh

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