HIKE TO DIAMOND HEAD
Early in the morning, we did a hike up Diamond Head, a 750-foot extinct volcano that's at the south end of Waikiki. There were several reasons we did this hike first thing in the morning - To avoid the heat later in the day and also to assure ourselves a parking space. Their parking lot doesn't accommodate the mass amounts of visitors each day, so it's good we went early. The mile-long trail started at the crater floor. Then it was a constant incline on an uneven dirt path, then a staircase (I counted over 100 steps), then a low duck inside one of the old military buildings on top of the summit for a grand view. Waikiki is such a beautiful place from the top. We could see surfers and windsurfers scattered on the waves below. A perfect place to see all of leeward Oahu.
TANTALUS AND ROUND-TOP DRIVE
After we made our way back down Diamond Head, and before we took off for the Dole Pineapple Plantation, we took a 10-mile loop-road that wiggles and winds up the mountains through a pretty forest above Honolulu. We read in one of our guidebooks that this drive would help us appreciate the beauty of Honolulu. It really was quite beautiful with many pull-outs along the way for some great views of Honolulu and the ocean, but boy, it wasn't kidding about the winding roads. After we were done with the drive, I really felt dizzy for quite some time. Pu'u Ualaka'a State Wayside Park was along our drive and we pulled into the park for sweeping panoramic views.
A view from Pu'u Ualaka'a State Wayside Park
On the grass in front of me is where Elvis Presley had a picnic with his girlfriend in the movie "Blue Hawaii".DOLE PINEAPPLE PLANTATION
Up in Wahiawa, in central Oahu, is the Dole Pineapple Plantation. For sure, it was your classic tourist trap, but it's also a "must-see" when visiting Oahu. They have a pineapple maze that covers 100,000 square feet. We wandered through it and had to locate six hidden stations. The record through the maze was 6 minutes, but it took us about 45 minutes. It was gigantic and we got lost several times, but really fun! They also have a 3-acre garden and a 20-minute train ride tour through a pineapple field where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about pineapples. There was a gift shop and food concessions with all things pineapple! Josh and I enjoyed their frozen Dole whip ice-cream. Yum! Joshua had coconut sprinkled on top. We are glad we stopped at the plantation. It was fun and interesting.
Up in Wahiawa, in central Oahu, is the Dole Pineapple Plantation. For sure, it was your classic tourist trap, but it's also a "must-see" when visiting Oahu. They have a pineapple maze that covers 100,000 square feet. We wandered through it and had to locate six hidden stations. The record through the maze was 6 minutes, but it took us about 45 minutes. It was gigantic and we got lost several times, but really fun! They also have a 3-acre garden and a 20-minute train ride tour through a pineapple field where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about pineapples. There was a gift shop and food concessions with all things pineapple! Josh and I enjoyed their frozen Dole whip ice-cream. Yum! Joshua had coconut sprinkled on top. We are glad we stopped at the plantation. It was fun and interesting.
A pineapple plant
TURTLE BEACH
Up at the North Shore again, we went to a small beach locally known as Turtle Beach. It is easy to miss, in fact we had to turn around because we missed it the first time, but it was one of my most favorite places in Oahu. There were huge, gregarious turtles all over this beach. Some were lying on the beach and some were swimming around in the water, even chasing after some beachgoers. It was a joy to see them so close and so accepting of people. We got in the water right next to some of them and watched them for awhile. It's illegal to touch or handle turtles in Hawaii so we had to keep our distance from them, especially in the water since the waves kept them shifting and moving. I loved that beach! It was amazing!
Up at the North Shore again, we went to a small beach locally known as Turtle Beach. It is easy to miss, in fact we had to turn around because we missed it the first time, but it was one of my most favorite places in Oahu. There were huge, gregarious turtles all over this beach. Some were lying on the beach and some were swimming around in the water, even chasing after some beachgoers. It was a joy to see them so close and so accepting of people. We got in the water right next to some of them and watched them for awhile. It's illegal to touch or handle turtles in Hawaii so we had to keep our distance from them, especially in the water since the waves kept them shifting and moving. I loved that beach! It was amazing!
This turtle was resting and warming up in the sun
We had our snorkel gear but it was more interesting seeing them this way.
SHARK'S COVE
After Turtle Beach, we headed over to Shark's Cove, one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. It sounds a little nerve-wracking, but it wasn't sharky at all. It's a small cove with really clear waters and lots of fish. It also had a lot of people, but the gobs of fish made up for it. It had a very rocky shoreline, so entry was a little awkward over the slippery rocks, but once inside the water, it was amazing. We liked the snorkeling better than Hanauma Bay. I got tired after about an hour, but Josh wanted to keep snorkeling, so I waited for him by the rocks. He ventured a little farther out, almost beyond the cove, and saw eels and octopus and other cool things.
After Turtle Beach, we headed over to Shark's Cove, one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. It sounds a little nerve-wracking, but it wasn't sharky at all. It's a small cove with really clear waters and lots of fish. It also had a lot of people, but the gobs of fish made up for it. It had a very rocky shoreline, so entry was a little awkward over the slippery rocks, but once inside the water, it was amazing. We liked the snorkeling better than Hanauma Bay. I got tired after about an hour, but Josh wanted to keep snorkeling, so I waited for him by the rocks. He ventured a little farther out, almost beyond the cove, and saw eels and octopus and other cool things.
Shark's Cove
Joshua snorkeling in Shark's Cove
WAIMEA BAY BEACH PARK
This is the most famous "big wave" surf site in the world. In the winter months, 20-40 foot waves aren't uncommon here. Most people, like us, observed surfing from the beach. It was close to sunset, so we didn't stay long.
Surfers at Waimea Bay
This is the most famous "big wave" surf site in the world. In the winter months, 20-40 foot waves aren't uncommon here. Most people, like us, observed surfing from the beach. It was close to sunset, so we didn't stay long.
Surfers at Waimea BayPU'U O MAHUKA HEIAU
Just past Waimea Bay and Shark's Cove, and then up a short steep road, is Pu'u o Mahuka Heiau. These remnants of an old Hawaiian temple on were on a ridge over Waimea Bay on the North Shore. All that remains of this heiau is a lava stone foundation. One of the plaques said that it was a place of human sacrifices to please the gods, but dismantled in 1819 when the Hawaiians overthrew their religious kapu system.
We took a path in front of the temple on the ridge for a view of Waimea Bay and the ocean. It was sunset, and so peaceful and serene. We found a spot on the side of the hill, and watched the sunset on the North Shore for the second day in a row. It was breathtaking!
Joshua in front of the temple remnants
On the ridge above Waimea Bay
Julie at sunset
DINNER AT CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE
We went back to our hotel in Waikiki, cleaned up, and went to dinner. We found this cute little place, just down the road from our hotel. It's called Cheeseburger in Paradise. It was a bamboo-laden restaurant with a south seas, Caribbean atmosphere named in honor of a Jimmy Buffet song. The cheeseburgers were enormous (they call them 5-napkin burgers), and delicious. The fries were tasty too, or maybe I was just starving after a long day. Anyway, while we were eating, a homeless man came and sat just outside the open window we were sitting at. He lit-up a cigarette and started smoking. Of course, the smoke came right into the window and I started feeling ill. Joshua got up and told the manager, who promptly went to our window and asked the man to leave. He resisted a bit, but left as soon as a hefty Polynesian fry cook came out of the kitchen to help the manager with the problem. The commotion helped keep the evening interesting I guess. But it was a fun place to eat!
We ate at the window table just below the sign
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