OregonianArticle

Paradise Found with Cash to Spare

Sunday, December 23, 2007

HEATHER STRANG

The Oregonian

In the midst of an Oregon winter, July seems so out of reach.

Escaping the rain and occasional snow to a tropical location vaulted to the top of my to-do list last winter. I planned an eight-day trip on Poipu Beach in Kauai, but family and friends fretted over the cost.

Yes, we heard the horror stories about $12 for a gallon of milk, but we were on a mission. Our challenge was to visit one of the most expensive places in the country and spend very little money.

Surprisingly, we returned home with plenty of cash still in our pockets and experiences that we'll never forget. Snorkeling, surfing, amazing food, six-mile hikes, botanical gardens, a massage on the lanai and enough chocolate macadamia nuts for 20 people.

Not to mention, we dined near Peter Brady. That's right; Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry's VH1 reality show was being filmed on Poipu Beach during our stay. Our brief brush with C-status celebrities is documented in a digital photograph that we use to annoy family members and friends.

To achieve our goals, we skipped extravagant resorts and opted for a condo rental that included amenities at the Sheraton and Marriott hotels, both a short walk from our condo. Travel Web sites consistently tout they have the "in" with airlines and lodging, but we went straight to Hawaiian Airlines to get airfare we couldn't find anywhere else.

Want to leave the gray behind without taking out a home-equity loan? Here's how to book one of the most relaxing and cost-effective vacations of your life. Our cost for airfare, lodging, meals and activities was $1,100 per person, or about $140 a day.

Snag an airfare deal: You know thr story -- Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline, Orbitz -- they all claim to provide you with the best airfare and lodging deals. But sometimes you're better off on your own.

We planned our visit for early February, and by the second week in December airfares were accelerating quickly. In one week, prices rose $100. By booking online through Hawaiian Airlines (www.hawaiianair.com), we got a great deal and the seats we wanted. Hawaiian flies direct from Portland to Honolulu, and it offers transfers to Lihue, Kauai.

Save cash, rent a condo: No need to spend $350 a night at some snazzy resort hotel. Rent a condo and get the most out of your vacation experience. We stayed at the Kiahuna Plantation on Poipu Beach. You can rent directly from condo owners such as this one [Ed Note: This condo: http://kpr.ORrental.com/] (www.kiahunacondos.com) or through the resort (http://outriggerkiahunaplantationcondo.com).

Strategically positioned between the Sheraton and Marriott, the condo gave us access to pools, hot tubs, restaurants and activities.

Even better, we split our condo with another couple, which meant for eight days, each person paid roughly $300 for accommodations. We skipped the daily maid service, washed clothes as needed at the on-site coin laundry and saved even more cash.

Food, schmood -- go cheap and eat well: Our condo had a full kitchen and we were determined to use it. Luckily, Whaler's General Store sits across the street from Kiahuna Plantation in the Poipu Shopping Village. We purchased all our groceries and liquor there.

Prices were higher than in Portland, but this only forced us to get creative. We bought the essentials -- peanut butter and jelly, bread, eggs, yogurt ($1.09 a cup!), cereal, soy milk, lime tortilla chips, salsa, chocolate (is there no end to the chocolate-covered macadamia nuts on this island?), rum and Diet Coke. What more could you need? We ate breakfast and lunch at the condo and only went out to eat for dinner.

We quickly discovered the best happy hour ever, at Casablanca (www.restaurantica.com/restaurants/157865/), right across the street from Kiahuna Plantation. From 4 to 6 p.m. we noshed on hummus, chicken skewers and delectable calamari and washed them down with mojitos.

Other restaurant musts include The Beach House (www.the-beach-house.com/) -- go at sunset and have your picture taken; Plantation Gardens (www.pgrestaurant.com); and the Poipu Beach Broiler (www.pbbroiler.com). If you love sushi and want one meal where you completely splurge, run to the Sheraton's Naniwa (www.sheraton-kauai.com/prnaniwa.htm) and check out the Dynamite Roll.

Sights and activities:

Spouting Horn (http://hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/sites/spoutinghorn.html) -- This breathtaking natural wonder and great photo opportunity, all at no cost, is a six-mile round-trip walk from Kiahuna Plantation. Keep your eyes open for sea turtles -- they love it there.

National Tropical Botanical Gardens (www.ntbg.org/) -- On your way to Spouting Horn, stop by this beautiful botanical garden. Rest your feet on a bench while gazing at the lovely lily ponds. The visitor center is filled with all sorts of goodies, but skip the glass beach bracelets; you can find them for far less money in the Koloa shopping center.

Koloa Town (www.oldkoloa.com) -- This kitschy shopping village has everything from T-shirts to leis to coconut bras. You'll also find a pizza joint and a local snack shack. Historical markers make you feel like you're doing more than just being a tourist.

Snorkeling -- Rent your gear from the Kiahuna Plantation activities desk; it's only $6 for the day, and you can teach yourself. Take some time to get used to breathing with the gear. Then go to a flat stretch of the ocean and enjoy.

Surfing -- Every shack on Poipu Road will try to sell you a surfing lesson for $75 for two hours. Poipu Beach is the safest spot for beginners. After spending a day watching instructors give out lessons, we decided to tackle it ourselves. Cost was only $25 for a long board, and we caught quite a few waves.

Lanai massage -- Heather Raymond with Kauai Massage (http://kauaimassage.net/) comes to your condo, sets up her massage table and takes away the stress you've been accumulating while you weren't vacationing. Hawaiian music plays in the background, the breeze off the lanai washes over you and you're in heaven. A little pricey at $80 an hour, but well worth it, especially after surfing and snorkeling.

Hike to Shipwreck Beach -- It's six miles round trip along the ocean to the Hyatt and up to Shipwreck Beach (www.hawaiiweb.com/kauai/html/beaches/shipwreckbeach.html). The hike was invigorating and the view is breathtaking.

Yoga on Poipu Beach (www.aloha-yoga.com/) -- For only $15, take part in a local yoga class from 8 to 9 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You'll feel centered and ready to take on another day of snorkeling.

Luau -- We chose the Sheraton's Surf to Sunset luau (www.sheraton-kauai.com/deskluau.htm), which takes place every Monday and Friday evening. The cost is $75, providing you with hours of entertainment and an endless buffet. Mai tais are included along with just about any other rum drink you can imagine. Traditional Hawaiian dance, fire knife dancing and delicious, authentic Hawaiian food (be sure to try the shredded pig) are included.

Best road trip -- We didn't rent a car for our journey, but we did tag along with our roommates for a road trip along the Na Pali Coast to Hanalei Beach on Kauai's north shore. The landscape is incredible, but the north shore is dangerous for surfing and swimming. Great to look at, lay out at and enjoy. Stop by the Yellowfish Trading Co. in Hanalei. You won't find the traditional tourist gadgets, but you will see clever gifts and items for your home.

Shopping -- Poipu Shopping Village (www.poipubeach.org/activities/shopping.html) features all the Kona coffee, macadamia nuts and shell bracelets you can stand. Convenient for family gifts or adding to your shot-glass collection. It's right across from Kiahuna Plantation.

Kiahuna Swimming Pool and Tennis Club (www.kiahuna.com/kiahuna-resort%20amenities/index.htm) -- Go for a swim in this fairly deserted but large and clean pool. It's across the street from the main attraction, the ocean, so it doesn't receive a lot of traffic. Tennis courts are well-lit and easy to get into.

�2007 The Oregonian