Hawaiian Island: Kauai�s Na Pali Coast

Kauai’s spectacular Na Pali Coast, the rugged coastline on the northwest shore of Hawaii’s oldest inhabited island, is probably the most remarkable and popular feature for visitors to the Garden Isle. The Na Pali Coast extends from Ke’e Beach and runs 16 miles southwest to Polihale State Park. Much of the coast is inaccessible due to its sheer cliffs up to 4,000 feet high, which plunge directly into the Pacific Ocean below.

These pali, or cliffs, provide a rugged grandeur of deep, narrow valleys ending abruptly at the sea. Waterfalls and swift flowing streams continue to cut these narrow valleys while the sea carves cliffs at their mouths. Extensive stone walled terraces can still be found on the valley bottoms where the original Hawaiians once lived and cultivated taro.

There are no roads in or along the Na Pali Coast, but it is accessible by hiking, boating, kayaking or from a helicopter. Hiking and boating are the best ways to experience these majestic cliffs, vibrant blue water, sea caves, waterfalls and other natural wonders. Nā Pali Coast State Park, encompassing 6,175 acres and located in the center of the rugged coastline, was established to protect the Kalalau Valley.

Kalau Valley

This valley, surrounded by verdant cliffs more than 2000 feet high, is famous for its tropical beauty. The broad, flat valley floor is about 2 miles long and a half mile wide allowing abundant sun and rain for a profusion of topical plants and animals.

Native Hawaiians occupied the valley from prehistoric times into the 20th century, farming a large complex of terraced taro fields. Today, its designation as a state park prohibits residents, but a few long-term campers establish illegal shelters and remain in conflict with state authorities.

The Kalalau Trail

The Kalalau Trail provides the only land access to this part of the rugged coast. Originally built in the late 1800s, portions of the trail were rebuilt in the 1930s. A similar foot trail linked earlier Hawaiian settlements along the coastline. The trail traverses 5 valleys before ending at Kalalau Beach where it is blocked by sheer, fluted pali.

The 11-mile trail is graded but almost never level as it crosses above towering sea cliffs and through lush valleys. The trail drops to sea level at the beaches of Hanakapi’ai and Kalalau.

Hiking the Na Pali Coast

The most popular hike on Na Pali is to Hanakapi’ai where hikers will find a lush river valley. Hike 8 miles (roundtrip) to a waterfall or 4 miles (roundtrip) to Hanakapi’ai Beach (the beach is only there during summer months – be careful as ocean conditions can be dangerous and there are no lifeguards).

For most backpackers in good condition hiking the 11 miles takes a full day. It’s best to get an early start to avoid overexertion in the midday heat.

Camping in Na Pali Coast State Park

Because the Na Pali Coast is within the Hawaii State Park system, permits are required for hiking and camping. Day-use hiking permits are required when continuing beyond Hanakapi’ai Valley, even if overnight camping is not planned.

Camping permits allow camping in authorized areas along the trail. These areas are located on shaded terraces near streams. The do not have tables or drinking water. Composting toilets are available at Hanakapi’ai, Hanakoa, and Kalalau.

Find more information about obtaining permits at the Lihue State Park Office (808) 274-3444, the Honolulu State Park Office (808) 587-0300 or visit the DLNR website.

Na Pali Coast Boat & Air Tours

Boat and air tours offer the most dramatic views of this spectacular coastline and it’s 4,000-foot sheer cliffs Dolphins, turtles, flying fish and monk seals are seen year round with Humpback Whale watching from December through April. Sea caves and marine life are added attractions.

Nualolo Kai, a fringing reef that extends 600 feet offshore, is home to more than 50 species of fish where Na Pali tour boats offer wonderful snorkeling excursions.

While the water on this coast can be rough in winter months, boat tour companies also offer romantic sunset cocktail and dinner cruises along the Na Pali coast during the summer months.

Resources:

http://www.hawaiiactive.com/html/kauai.html, www.hawaii.gov/dlnr/dsp/NaPali/na_pali_permits.htm

Kenya Safari Top Five National Parks

The Kenya safari circuit is one of the best in Africa containing national parks and game reserves that consistently provide great wildlife sightings and experiences coupled with high quality accommodation.

But within the country itself there are certain areas that are better than others to safari in.

So, according to the trip reports received at African Safari Journals, forums, my twenty plus years of personal safari experience and the general consensus in the safari industry, these are the top five national parks to visit on your Kenya safari...

1. Masai Mara Reserve

Along with the Serengeti in Tanzania, this is without a doubt the premier game viewing destination in Africa because of the quality and quantity of wildlife sightings to be found here.

This sometimes works against it because in certain places it can be overrun with tourist in safari vehicles all jostling for the best position around a bemused lion pride or leopard in a tree.

But if predators are what you seek from a Kenya safari then this reserve will deliver them in spades in the form of lion, cheetah, hyena and even regular leopard sightings if you know the right areas.

And of course the massive wildebeest migration where up to a million of these ugly antelope trek north from the Serengeti plains across the river into the Masai Mara to find fresher grazing is an awesome spectacle.

Between July and August (reliant on seasonal rains) is the time to find the wildebeest in this area.

Taking a hot air balloon ride over the plains which is a magical experience and you are spoiled with a champagne breakfast when you land.

2. Samburu NP

On a Samburu Kanya safari you will notice that the area is a lot drier and hotter than parks to the south due to the climate warming and the only thing that saves this park from being completely arid is the Ewaso Ngiro river which runs through it.

This river will provide you with lots of wildlife sightings because the animals are drawn to it to drink and the park is relatively small which concentrates the animals and makes them easy to find.

The conditions have spawned some wildlife that are particularly suited to this area like the gerenuk which looks like a cross between a giraffe and an antelope because of its long neck, gravy's zebra (stripes don't go all the way under the belly) and reticulated giraffe which have a geometric pattern on their coat unlike other giraffes.

And then there are the leopards which seem to make a habit of moving around during the day unlike other areas where they are mostly nocturnal.

3. Aberdares NP

This park is set in the Aberdares mountain range which ensures that it has thick woodland forests, waterfalls and ice cold streams filled with trout contained within its boundaries.

It is home to two well known treehouse hotels, the Ark and Treetops, which have walkways and accommodation raised above the ground beside floodlit waterholes with salt licks. You don't need to go on a drive to find wildlife on a safari here because they come to you.

All you have to do is stay close to the waterholes at the lodges and you will see elephant, lion, hyena, various antelope and rhino. There is also a viewing hide below ground level which gives you some unique views as the animals quench their thirst.

And after a strenuous days Kenya safari wildlife viewing from the platforms with a drink in your hand, you can go back to your room with the confident knowledge that if a particularly good sighting is going on at the waterhole like a leopard, lion or hyena you will be alerted by a bell (one ring for lion, two for leopard etc) which will ensure you don't miss any of the action.

If you are tempted to go on a game drive you might spot the elusive bongo antelope and some of the monkeys that make their home in the Aberdare forest.

4. Amboseli NP

Situated close to Kilimanjaro this national park will afford you some awesome views of elephant, giraffe, hippo and antelope with the majestic snow topped mountain as a backdrop.

Streams from the mountain feed swamp areas which support a rich variety of wildlife and birds such as pelicans, bee-eaters, eagles and kingfishers.

It doesn't have the regularity and consistency for predator sightings that a Kenya safari in the Mara provides but lion, leopard and cheetah are seen as well as old bull elephants with some of the biggest ivory tusks in Africa.

Rhino used to be found in this area but unfortunately they are now extinct due to poaching activity.

5. Tsavo East and West NP's

This is the largest national park in Kenya and is divided into Tsavo West which is the most developed part and East where some of the land is accessible but the rest is off limits to the public due to poaching.

If you are looking to get away from the masses of tourists and do your wildlife viewing in relative isolation and peace then a Kenya safari in Tsavo is a good place to do it.

There have been over 500 species of bird recorded in Tsavo west including the migratory species so this provides a visual feast for birders.

Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary gives you the opportunity to spot the scarce and temperamental black rhino (42 recorded) in 70 sq kilometres surrounded by electric fence for their protection.

The underwater viewing chamber at Mzima Springs will give you an insight into what hippos do underwater and you will spot a number of other species of game there all attracted by the life giving water.

You can find additional info at the following links:

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Are You Really Ready To Ask Someone To Co-sign For You?

It looks like you may have reached a turning point in the road. Whether it's for an auto loan, a personal loan, or department storecredit, you may not be able to qualify by your own merits. This is when the cosigner comes into play. The best place to look for a consigner is within the family, or either among friends. You'll want to trust them just as much as they will want to trust you.

If this individual is backing your loan, they will be privy to the same credit checks as you would be if this were your loan all by itself. Their creditworthiness is based on income, homeownership, credit history, and job security. If you default on any payments, the consigner will have to pick up the tag. That's why it's good to make sure that you have all of your ducks lined up in a row before you put the consigner's financial credit rating on the line.

Say what you mean and mean what you say!

To the cosigner, you are saying that you plan to honor the credit contract to the letter they have consigned for. Don't try to take on too much new credit at first. Take the time to really look at your spending habits. If you have had trouble in the recent past keeping up with your finances, this may not be the best time to put someone else in the cross hairs.

Building and managing credit is a huge responsibility. Just ask any one of the thousands of people that have low credit rating scores. These people started out in good faith. They had every intent of making sure their payments would be complete and on time. However, things often happen beyond anyone's control and those things that happen are events that can often send a good credit rating south for much longer than just the winter.

Put aside a little money each month to cover the loan repayment and make it a priority. Protect the person who consigned as if he or she were you. Remember that the reason you needed them in the first place was because you couldn't qualify on you own merits. That doesn't make you a bad person in the least. It just means that it may take a while before the system deems you credit worthy and until that happens, make sure you have the consigner's best interest at heart.

You can find additional info at the following links:

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