Helicopters (Even in Kauai) Scare the Sh*t Outta Me!

You can't go to Kauai and NOT take a helicopter ride. But I did during last week's vacation there. That is, NOT take one. (And when I heard the news of those Phoenix telechoppers colliding the day after we returned I was happy I didn't!) However, I could've been talked into it but my significant other decided to pass on it -- too many horror stories of tourists slamming into extinct volcanos. It happens at least once a year.

The reason I might have been persuaded to do so is that even though the very thought of lifting off in one of these whirlybirds induces a tsunami-sized adrenaline rush of fear, I DID take a helicopter tour of Kauai back in 1989 (when I went to "The Garden Isle" with my father and brother). It was the first and last time I've been in a chopper and, scared as I was, it was an exhilerating thrill! And really the only way to really see the island (where Jurassic Park, MIghty Joe Young and the Jessica Lange/ Jeff Bridges version of King Kong were filmed.)

I do have video of that fabulous flight. But haven't had it digitalized yet. Instead, I offer up this other tourist's video (see above). I watched this before we went and I have to say, regrettably, that every time I saw these spectacular waterfalls from Hanalei Bay I couldn't help but imagine Slash under one of them, ripping into that over-the-top guitar solo. Maybe not the best choice of a soundtrack but the scenery is still breathtaking! Maybe I should go back in November? Or will there be too much rain?