| After much thought, I really couldn't name one | | | | ranch. While keeping a leisurely pace on my |
| place as my favorite since there are a few | | | | friendly horse, I enjoy breathtaking views of the |
| favorites in my book. You see I grew up on the | | | | lush interior of the Kalihiwai and Kamookoa Ridge. |
| islands, and each island has a little something | | | | Along the way, I found little streams, fruit trees |
| special to share. So over the years, I've built up | | | | bearing ripe guavas and lemons, exotic tropical |
| quite a list of favorite places spanning over six | | | | botanicals, and a gushing waterfall at the end of |
| islands. However, I am pleased to share with you | | | | the trail. After a quick trot back to the stables, I |
| the newest addition to the list, that is the town of | | | | took a scenic drive back to town and grabbed a |
| Princeville on the northern side of Kaua'i. It's been | | | | bite to eat at one of the many local eateries. |
| 17 years since I've been back to the island and | | | | Back at the resort, I managed to fit in some |
| really didn't know what to expect. I was glad to | | | | more sunshine and mai tais at the beach side pool. |
| find that not much has changed in some parts | | | | After a refreshing nap, I check in for my 2pm |
| (minus the huge developments in some other | | | | tee time. Being that I am a novice at the sport, I |
| parts of the island) and the place was much like | | | | have arranged for just 9 holes at the Makai (or |
| how I remembered it to be, very laid-back with a | | | | Oceanside) course next door. Despite a few |
| small town feel. | | | | hurdles along the way, I've managed to go past |
| Upon my arrival, I drove by an abundance of lush | | | | the 8th hole without much embarrassment and |
| greenery, which is not surprising since Kauai has | | | | was quite impressed by my improvement. Later |
| the climate for such. I was lucky enough to stay | | | | that evening, I was treated to a fabulous dinner |
| in the famous Princeville resort but planned to | | | | at the resort's fine dining restaurant. I had prime |
| spend little time at the resort itself. On a | | | | outdoor seating with spectacular views of the |
| weekend getaway like this, I try to fit in my life's | | | | ocean and the gorgeous Hawaiian sun setting in |
| little pleasures like surfing, horseback riding, a little | | | | the backdrop. Writing this now, I can hardly |
| golf, and good eats. | | | | believe this all happened in one day. |
| I began my first day there with an early morning | | | | This truly was a perfect beginning to a very |
| surf session at the bay. Nothing can compare to | | | | memorable weekend getaway. My first hand |
| refreshing saltwater sprays and the adrenaline | | | | experience in the charming town of Princeville |
| rush of a solid wave ride to wake you up in the | | | | now has permanent place in my list of favorites. |
| morning. By late morning, I checked in for a | | | | Well, as long as it remains the same and doesn't |
| one-hour private horseback ride at the nearby | | | | change drastically when I return. |