Nawiliwili on the Garden Isle of Kauai is our next and last stop for awhile!

 Kauai is called the Garden Isle as it is the oldest and greenest, most lush of the famed Hawaiian archipelago. Our early morning tour was to the Kilohana Plantation. This family owned farm holds tight to its remaining 500 acres of the original 16,000 it once owned. Once thriving with sugar cane and pineapples it now boasts a showcase of tropical fruits and vegetables and experimental plantings.  Its primary crop is tourism! Boasting a refurbished antique narrow gauge railway once used to move crops it now takes guests like us for a tour through the orchards and fields. We even stopped to visit and feed the pet horses, cows, pigs and goats!

From Kilohana Plantation Webpage

 

Cashew Trees

We were greet by the conch shell horn and torch bearer back at the home. It was time for Hawaiian entertainment, for sure!

We followed him along the path to a large "Tiki Hut" with very many tables which later would host a luau I am sure. we were only going to have a dance show. It was better than the one last night but the same kind of thing including the whole family. A young boy clung closely to the torch bearer/drummer and got directions from him and drummed with him and even carried the torch. Clearly learning his designated profession. Little girls joined in the dancing. It is almost as if to inherit these jobs.. Or perhaps these are the best jobs that will be available to them or part time careers while they study at university in the future perhaps?

After the show and the very pleasant narrated ride there was a chance to visit the sweet shop to get a MaiTai or frozen whipped pineapple/vanilla treat. Rum and pineapple and vanilla are all products they grow, produce and sell in their shops. There was a souvenir shop, I went into the home which was surely a mansion at the time. The first floor still had original furnishings including heavy teak and mahogany chests, overstuffed couches, and chairs. A dining table was set for 16 with perfect floral china and crystal. The back living room doors opened wide to bring in the feel of the well groomed garden just waiting for the family to stroll on a cool evening.

Going up the broad dark wood staircase with thick carved handrails on either side, I was stunned by the coolness of the lofty space at the top. Windows opened wide and the breeze made me want to stay right there at the window seat. If only I had a book and a glass of iced tea I would have been content for hours.

The three bedrooms had been leased for shops. The Master was large enough to actually have a few vendors in it. Each had lovely tropical clothing and jewelry. Another room had paintings and art. The third was hosting crafters. Not being a shopper, I admired the woodwork and windows and wide floor boards. The craftsmanship of the early builders was a thing of pride. 

The home was indeed a mansion despite it's simplicity. It would be a delight in which to dine and host friends for a dinner or cocktail party. 

Returning to the ship we passed through the thriving city and shopping mall area. I saw the Jack in the Box where my son-in-law was so happy to take my grandchildren when we were all here together. It is in his Arizona blood! I am sure the malls we quickly passed used to be cane and pineapple fields themselves!

Back at the ship after lunch at the pool grill we decided to just walk around nearby for awhile. We should have gone to the beach but I had some biking to do and we have become extremely spoiled and lazy. It was Superbowl Sunday and, not being fans, we paid no attention. I was glad later to learn that Taylor Swift's team lost.There were lots of fans on board and those wearing Chiefs regalia not very happy when the game was over. Many fans had gone ashore and watched in some of the seaside bars to have the sports bar feeling of home!

Carol and I relaxed on our balcony at sail away before dinner and I took a million sunset photos. Love them! After dinner the evening performance was the movie Hawaii because the big screen by the pool was showing the game delayed. Viking had to wait until we had exited  territory to broadcast the game because of licensing issues. The Eagles fans were elated with the bar-b-que dinner, which we also enjoyed and with reliving the game they already knew they had won!!

The only thing missing from Kauai today was the sail away we enjoyed last time along the iconic sharp edged cliffs you have seen in many movies and TV shows. We sailed straight Southwest! Next stop Bora Bora!