Every year, I ask my family the same question, “Where should we go this summer?”
I want to pick somewhere new. Choosing a place we’ve already been to seems like a waste of an opportunity for my 9-year-old son to experience different places, cultures, and people. Plus, I want to see new countries and continents, too. But I keep booking Kauai — we just can’t stay away.
Over the last six years, my little family of three has flown from California to Kauai three times to visit the sea turtles at Poipu Beach, hike gorgeous coastal trails, drink Mai Tais at hotel bars, and watch the sunset from our lanai.
Courtesy of Nicole Findlay
I want to show my son the world, but there’s something about The Garden Isle
Every time we arrive at Lihue Airport, we’re greeted by chickens. I love them — my camera roll is full of the feathered locals. Palm trees sway outside the terminal, and the air smells fresh and feels soft, especially after five hours on an airplane. And with the windows down and Hawaiian music on the radio, the drive to our hotel always marks the official start to a week of swimming, snorkeling, hiking, and relaxing beachside.
We are a family that loves spending time outdoors, and Kauai makes it easy.
Courtesy of Nicole Findlay
We have a favorite hotel
I don’t usually book the same hotel twice, but the Koloa Landing Resort on Kauai truly stole my son’s heart, and he’s only young once. Here, tropical greenery is everywhere, broken up by pops of red, orange, and white. Plumeria flowers cover the ground, and the floral scent is more relaxing than any candle I have at home.
On more than one occasion, I’ve followed my son over a teak bridge, past a cascading infinity edge and waterslides tucked into the landscape, until he spots exactly what he’s looking for: the lava grotto. There’s no easy way in if you’re trying to keep your hair dry. You either swim underwater or go straight through a waterfall. It’s my son’s favorite part of the massive 350,000-gallon main pool.
Long after we’ve left Kauai, my son always asks when we get to go back.
Courtesy of Nicole Findlay
I’m torn between new adventures and family traditions
As a parent, I’m torn between wanting to show my son as much of the world as possible and creating family traditions by coming back to the places we already know we love. I don’t think there’s a right way to travel — maybe it’s a combination of new adventures and establishing traditions at old favorites.
Sometimes, people get caught up in the number of places they’ve been. I do, too. There are plenty of locations I’d like to check off my list. I haven’t traveled to Japan, Greece, or the Scottish Hebrides, and I can’t wait to visit.
But there’s something to be said for returning to a place that feels special — a place with things you’re looking forward to. For me, it’s my Kauai morning beach runs where I opt to listen to the waves instead of my 80s workout playlist. I don’t need to track my mileage because I’ve traveled the routes so many times that I already know how far I’ve run. My husband loves the island’s relaxed tropical vibe, and my son can swim for hours in our favorite hotel pool.
I’m not sure where we’ll travel to next, but I do know one thing: I’d like to experience new places, but I’d also love to dip into the grotto again.
