After our morning hike and a quick break on the beach, it was time for lunch! We drove back to Poipu Plaza to visit Taqueria Norteņos because what else do you eat after that workout? Why, a burrito, of course! We ordered two lunch plates of chicken and beef burritos. Both came with rice, beans and salad. It's just the way you want Mexican food: fresh, warm and hearty!
There's a bench right outside the store but we sat in our car instead to eat. I was embarrassed to show the people of Hawaii how I devour my beef burrito. The Kukuiula Market is right next to the taqueria. We bought a couple of beers to match our lunch plates.
For dessert, we bought our first shaved ice in Kauai from a small stand called Island Ice Cream on the same strip. They have plenty of fruit juice flavors, so you can eat more than one and try them all!
Taqueria Norteņos
Poipu Plaza
808/742-7222
What do you do after a beef and chicken burrito from Taqueria Norteņos? You go back to the beach and take a nap! Shipwreck Beach is for strong swimmers and adventurous surfers because of the potentially dangerous waves. If you park yourself far from the shore, it's a great beach to sunbathe.
I chose to stay away from the water because just the sound of large stones knocking together from the strong waves scared me. The boy, on the other hand, braved the water for some time before deciding to climb a nearby cliff to jump off from! He lost his contacts on impact, but thankfully, he was able to swim to shore without cramping.
Shipwreck Beach
off Hyatt Regency Kauai Resort and Spa
On Lawa'i Road, there is an overlook where you can watch the water rush under a lava shelf and burst through a small opening every few minutes. Every incoming wave produces a spray that can go up to fifty feet into the air. If you go when the sun is setting, each spray produces a colorful rainbow. It's Mother Nature at work at the Spouting Horn; I especially liked it when each spray causes the blowhole to howl.
Hawaiian legend says that this coast was guarded by a large lizard that ate everyone who tried to swim there. One day, a man tried to enter and when he was about to be attacked by the lizard, he swam under the lava shelf and escaped through the hole, but the lizard got stuck under the rocks. Hawaiians say the lizard howls every time it gets crushed by the waves.
I love stories like that.
Spouting Horn
Lawa'i Road
Poipu, HI |
