We had started this hike with the best intentions. We really wanted to go hiking and exploring on our vacation and leaving our B&B for the “secret falls” sounded perfect. The house manager gave us some basic directions, and we started down the very steep hillside. Within 30 minutes, we had reached the bottom of the cliff and proceeded to forge the shallow river that stood between us and the falls. We took note of our surroundings and place of crossing, took a swig of water and headed out to find the falls. We could feel the mist of the falls before we saw them. We stopped and then realized that without the sound of our heavy steps and breathing, the roar of the falls was loud and prominent. We approached slowly, heads turned up, searching the rock faceure of the cliff for the top, careful of our footing on the mist and moss-covered stones. Then it happened. The trees parted as we entered into nature’s grand courtyard. A semicircle of jagged rock hundreds of feet high, a crisp, greenish blue pond and a cascading
shower of spring water leaping drop by drop in tandem to their demise. It was exactly what we had been dreaming of. Did we want to go in? It was unseasonably chilly out; and it might make for a less comfortable walk home. But, I wanted to go anyway. I asked my girlfriend if she would go in if she knew it would be her last chance before she died (a little YOLO logic). She concurred. We stripped down to our suits, waded into the waist-deep, mid-sixty-degree water, holding our breath before plunging head first and swimming to the base of the falls for a resplendent shower. We took our time taking it all in, dressed, took a last look and decided to head back up the hill. I thought back to that moment several times during our ascent of the cliff during our attempt to return home. Would that be my last waterfall bath? It was our third night in Poipu, and we were really itching to see other parts of the island. When we made our reservations we selected a hotel that we thought was different than the Hyatt. Something modern. Something young. We chose the Koa Kea. We didn’t realize it was only miles down the road. The change, however, was welcomed. The room at the new property was perfect for us. A smaller, renovated hotel with modern styling and a wonderful restaurant built-in would be our home for the night. Our sliding door opened to an ocean view and a giant lawn. Being on the ground floor gave our room an indooroutdoor feel, making it seem much larger. We settled in for an afternoon nap, snuggled under the duvet and fell asleep with the sounds of softly clashing surf. We woke at dusk, and for the first time in days, we weren’t hungry at all. We went on a walk, filled up on adult beverages and
PHOTO COURTESY OF HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY (HTA) / RON DAHLQUIST
margarita, hers the Hydration (Sauza Blue Silver, Triple Sec, Fresh Lime, Sweet Coconut Water) and mine the Thai (Sauza Blue Reposado, Muddled Kaffir Lime Leaves, Cream of Coconut). We also ordered the Tacos de Jicama (thinly sliced jicama “tortillas,” shrimp, chipotle mayo, cilantro, avocado, roasted corn salsa) and the Guacamole Tableside (avocado, Serrano, tomato, onion, cilantro, lime, house-made tortilla chips, salsa de mesa). We finished by splitting the Enchilada Suiza; and by splitting, I mean our pants, which were literally unbuttoning themselves. The food was so amazing we had trouble putting down our forks. We considered taking a walk around the center and returning for more. Maybe breakfast.
| GO! 2013 Issue | 147