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Scientists say that there’s a new island forming, from an underwater volcano near Hawaii. It will probably take a few thousand years to break the surface, but when it does, mother nature is going to have a hard time trying to surpass her masterpiece….Kauai. The Garden Isle is her nick name, and the garden they must be referring to, is Eden.

Kauai has to be one of the most beautiful islands in the world. I have only been to a few islands, and I have to admit it would be very hard for any other place to touch me the way she does.

My wife and I run our own business and we needed a vacation desperately.

Her best friend had just came back from Kauai, and could not stop talking about it. She stayed at a condo in Princeville at Hanalai on the North side of the island.

We tried to book the condo for the following week, but they were booked solid.

The lady at the rental office was very apologetic and said if they get a cancellation that she would call us. The Hawaiian gods must have been looking out for us, because a few hours later, we were told that there was a cancellation and a beautiful condo was available.

The unit we stayed in was in a very unique building. Most of the buildings were done in dark brown siding and dark trim, ours stood out with it’s white stucco and a light blue trim. The front stairs were surrounded by glass that ran from the ground floor to the top of the second floor.

Inside there is a short walkway that leads to a beautiful entrance door of glass and copper, covered with a green patina, matching the shades of all the plants surrounding the building. The doors open to a lanai with a view of the ocean, and thru the living room, the balcony also has a ocean view perfect for watching sail boats and sun sets. The condo has a very welcoming feel, with a soft floral pattern on the living room couches, and gentle pink curtains. The dining room was raised up a step giving the sense of it being separate and open at the same time. Past the dining area is the kitchen, done in white Formica and brown wood trim. To the right of the kitchen is a very large master bedroom with a closet that runs the length of the wall. The large master bath has a Japanese soaking tub near the wall covered with gold and brown mosaic tile.

Down the hall is a another bath and a smaller bedroom with a view of the garden surrounding the building.

The town of Hanalei is just a short drive from Princeville and has a very local and friendly feel. Gift shops, art galleries and restaurants are all in the center of town. If you never tried it, you should try the shave ice. All the flavors are terrific, just make sure that you order it with ice cream at the bottom.

A few miles past the center on town is the residential section and a covered pier, where the locals swim and enjoy the sunset. It is a little scary to watch how the kids will climb on the roof and jump off, I guess they’ve must have been doing it for years.

It’s very hard to describe all the beautiful places in Kauai but on the wall of our lanai was a sign to set the mood, it read: Sun, Surf, Drinks on ice, Living in Paradise.

The price runs about $225 a night and I would have gladly paid more.

The Pu’Poa Condos.

The rental is handled by Oceanfront Realty.

Phone # 1-800-222-5541

http://www.oceanfrontrealty.com

–review submitted by Mark Lorusso