Kauai is the most western, the oldest, the wettest, and I reckon, the most extraordinary of the main Hawaiian islands … you’ll see why, soon.

An altogether too short a visit started when we pulled into the tiny habour at Nawiliwili … the entrance is so tight and complicated that freight comes in on barges and even our little ship needed the rare assistance of a tug (more about Tiger 6 below).

We jumped off and took our hire car first to the Wailui Falls. The river starts in the hinterland near the wettest (measured) place on earth … depending on who is telling the story, up to 460 inches a year!

We then took the ride of our lives … but, wait for the next post.

After time out for the adrenalin to settle, we headed for the south coast … not the greatest of this island’s destinations, but the only one we had time for. Here we found beautiful little Moir Gardens. Orchids, cactus, and other stuff planted by the sugar plantation manager’s wife, ages ago … (that’s not her!)

… now in the grounds of this rather special looking hotel …

… across the road, another hotel, beach, and stop for lunch …

We shared one sandwich: left half the bread and about half the fries and still felt full. But the firemen in uniform being treated at the next table polished off a whole one each!

Then we found the McBryde/Allerton Tropical Botanical Gardens, but they are so vast that we couldn’t even attempt a tour (… next time??)

… and Poipu beach, judged one of the best in America … Hmmmm … nice, but not Manly or Bondi …

… this local (Hawaiian fur seal) was just having a nap!

Back on the ship, I was sitting on the verandah and Tiger 6 came roaring out beside us at full speed, very fast, … backwards! That’s a bit exhibitionist, I thought. But wait …

… at least ten “zero” turns on the spot, again at full speed … a serious exhibition … what could that be about?

… and then the telephoto lens picked up the explanation … can you see who’s standing in front of the control room? … very pretty, too!

… and farewell to Nawiliwili