Pan Pacific Junket Day 6 April 7 2025 (Monday) - Helicopter!

Today started with an early morning walk along the beach and seeing a sea turtle swimming along parallel to the shore. It was kind of magical seeing it effortlessly propel itself along, under the waves crashing onto the shore. Later, Sally joined me for a first ocean swim. Those waves are powerful! They tossed Sally around, and filled her bathing suit with sand within minutes. Water temperature unbelievably comfortable.

But the big event of the day was our

HELICOPTER RIDE 

AROUND KAUAI ISLAND

This was such a fun experience. We took lots of photos of course. Sally sat right next to the door opening, third row, right hand side - this was a "doors off" trip, so the doors were left back at the airport. This made it all the more exciting. Literally nothing between you and the incredible scenery. Flight conditions were nearly perfect but in the door seat it was surely more than a little windy. No matter, she took some great pictures. 

Our pilot Steve was a 37-year flyer, first gaining experience in the military. His jovial easy manner instilled confidence from the moment we floated off the tarmac. The scenery started immediately. We took off from the Lihue airport, then circumnavigated the island approximately clockwise. We saw many waterfalls, including ones featured in the filming of Jurassic Park. The Waimea Canyon was like a southwestern US scene, in the NW corner of the island. Then the first picture below is of the craggy coast on the NW corner, which I think is called the Nepali coast. We went north, out over the open ocean, in part for noise abatement for residents near Hanalei Bay. Then we turned in and headed to the dormant crater in the middle of the island, dipping right into the caldera. Our pilot assured us that we would never be closer than 300 feet from the walls, but the walls were so massive and vertical that it seemed we were a LOT closer. The visuals were stunning, and the physicality of the wind rushing in through open doors, thrumming of the engine, not to mention the musical backdrop and running commentary from our pilot all combined for an incredible experience.

I'm going to let the photos below speak for themselves!

Sally's photo from doors-off helicopter ride - classic Nepali Coast cliffs.

Ready to fly - our pilot already in cockpit.

Donned us up with headphones and goggles.

     

WAIMEA CANYON Photos:

Can you believe this is Kauai, not Grand Canyon AZ?

Norther Kauai coast:

The Jurassic Park falls.

We dip into the dormant volcano at the center of Kauai island (Mount Waialeale)

We learned these are taro fields. The root is ground up, a source of starch since grains are not grown on the island.

Rainbow seen from above, over ocean north of island.

To calm the after-ride exhilaration we enjoyed a great meal at Hualani's restaurant with view of the Point Ninini Lighthouse.