For me, the most beautiful part of Kauai is the Na’Pali Coast. I’d seen it from the deck of a cruise ship six years ago and wanted to experience the place from a closer vantage point. A helicopter ride would have been wonderful, but pretty expensive, and hiking wasn’t an option. I found a sunset dinner cruise that sounded perfect.
Once again the weather was outstanding, and the views were beautiful the minute we left port.
I think that’s Waimea Canyon in the distance.
The water was relatively calm, but the catamaran was rocking gently. I wasn’t concerned, because I had those magnetic wristbands that worked for me on the cruise. My friends were wearing them too.
The landscape soon got very interesting and very beautiful. . . .
It kind of overwhelms you. The cliffs are so different with their mossy-green covering and unusual shapes. The Pacific looks light blue near the coast and navy blue out where we were.
Of course there was a waterfall.
Aren’t the colors just sublime?
This sailboat gives a sense of how high the cliffs are.
Right about here, the crew started grilling shrimp and other great stuff. Unfortunately, I was really seasick by then. The magnets didn’t work! I managed to get to the ladies room before I lost my lunch. Felt much better, so why oh why did I drink a ginger ale? I felt sick the rest of the cruise and couldn’t eat a thing. Our poor friend J was even sicker and spent most of the cruise lying down. 😦
I soldiered on, though, and got my shots. Do you see how the water looks a little more choppy?
We were seriously rocking by now, and several of my photos looked like this. I had to straighten almost all of them after I uploaded. Let me tell you, it’s a challenge shooting when you’re seasick. I think concentrating on photography helped distract me from the retching.
The sheer beauty of the place helped an awful lot too.
I only wish I’d had my zoom lens with me. Didn’t count on being this close and it was hard to get a full shot. So I’m going to cheat a little and insert a photo I took six years ago.
All too soon, we were heading back to port. But we had two treats still ahead:
The captain spotted a whale watching boat and we got to see some whales from a distance! Hard to see here, but it was very exciting.
Finally, a truly dazzling sunset. . . .
Hope I haven’t put you to sleep with all the photos! I’ll be back to one-photo posts from now on as we get closer to moving.
Great weekend, everyone!
{carole}
Pearls & Prose 
“Let me tell you, it’s a challenge shooting [photographs] when you’re seasick.” Surely a quotation for the ages! (Seriously though . . . ) spetatcular photography, Ms. Pearl! You ROCK.
Ha ha!
The colors are stunning. The water so blue and those rough cliffs in so many shades.
The first thing I thought, before even reading all of it, was that I could never have lunch on a boat because I get to seasick. It must be a really big ship for me to be able to enjoy it.
Sorry to hear it happened to you as well.
I foolishly thought that since the wristbands worked on a big cruise ship, they’d work on a much smaller catamaran. The smell of the shrimp frying and the exhaust fumes didn’t help either. I’m just glad I don’t feel queasy when I look at the photos now. 🙂
Kauai is my favorite of the Hawaiian islands. Nice photos!
Mine too. Thanks for stopping by!
Great shots! And I’m impressed that you powered through even after getting sick. I get seasick as well. I get sick from every mode of transportation and I always carry Dramamine with me. It seems to do the trick.
Thanks! I actually felt like pro for a few minutes. 🙂
I used to get carsick all the time and couldn’t travel wo/ Dramamine. Finally outgrew it, I thought. Planes and trains don’t bother me at all, but I guess small boats aren’t for me.
Another amazing post with gorgeous photos!
I’m glad you were able to power through the sea sickness. I don’t get seasick often, but when we were in Iceland on a whale watching expedition, I thought I was going to lose it. The boat just kept rocking side to side. Luckily it was only a day trip. 🙂
Absolutely stunning!
Spectacular! Unlike any ‘mountain range’ I have ever seen. Beautifully captured and presented here, Carole.
What an amazing set of photos! We are definitely planning to check this place out on our next trip to Kauai. Might have to go for the helicopter though, as those waves look pretty rough.