Snorkeling in Shark’s Cove

There are few times in life that I have experienced true and perfect happiness. Once was when I held my nephew in my arms for the first time. Another was when I went snorkeling for the first time.

Most tourists go to Hanauma Bay to snorkel. You are nearly guaranteed to swim with sea turtles, that is if you can find a parking spot. Because it’s so well known, it is very difficult to get in. The parking lot fills up quickly and early, so unless you want to walk a few miles uphill, I suggest Shark’s Cove.

(click postcard painting for color)

It’s located on the North Shore, right off the side of the road, as part of the Pupukea Beach Park. There were a lot of people, but it didn’t feel overcrowded. Plus there were food trucks across the road! There are public showers and bathrooms too.

Now, I am not a swimmer. I never had lessons growing up, so my technique is similar to a dog’s, only not as good. The first few times I tried to snorkel were traumatic due mostly to the fact that my mask wasn’t positioned properly. Every time I would pop up for air, my air tube would dump into the water behind me. After that was remedied, I fell in love. I let my body completely relax and floated with the fish.

This is a horrible photo, but it’s the only one taken of me in the water. Being unable to swim has made me fearful of the ocean most of my life, even though I love the water. It’s a complicated relationship. But when everyone was out having lunch, I went back in by myself without flippers (surprisingly I felt more out of control with them on) and stayed for nearly an hour just watching the fish swim right next to me. I can’t describe how amazing it was, I just know that I was happy and content with the world in that moment.

Next stop: Hale’iwa!

A cute little town on the North Shore perfect for shopping for souvenirs, grabbing lunch, and enjoying the sweetness of life in Oahu. I found a lovely clothing shop that I could’ve spent all of my money in. Luckily for my bank account, I was sopping wet from snorkeling and couldn’t try anything on.

A must-go would definitely be Matsumoto Shave Ice, the place to get authentic shave ice. It is delicious and pretty! (click the photo to see it in color) You can add azuki beans(sweet Japanese red bean), condensed milk, and mochi! Prices are very reasonable.

Since we’re already talking about food in Hawaii….

Have you heard of Taro bread?? It is magical and so very tasty. Did I mention it was purple? Take a look by clicking the photo.

Next up are Malasadas. True, these are Portuguese donuts, but they are especially delicious when you get them at Leonard’s in Honolulu. You can fill them with custard, chocolate, or coconut and have them rolled in sugar or li hing (salty dried plum powder).

There were so many wonderful new foods to try, and we had most of them at the Paradise Cove Luau. This event is so much more than a dinner!
Here are just a few things you get to do:

• Learn to braid a headdress (flowers determine your relationship status)
• Imu Ceremony (revealing the roasted pig from the underground oven)
• Hawaiian Revue (traditional dancing)
• Complimentary Mai Tai Punch as you walk in
• $12/Adult, $8/Youth & Child Cove Card (to get drinks!)
• Hawaiian Luau Buffet (out of this world good)

We chose to be cheesy and get our photo taken, purely to say we held parrots.

Definitely a beautiful family night you won’t regret.

So did I get any beach time? A little bit. When you have a gorgeous redhead for a sister, her lovely fair skin isn’t too keen to roast under the hot Hawaiian sun. However, we did get to spend some time on a tiny little beach on the SE corner of Oahu called Makapu’u Beach.

The waves were crazy powerful and they did not recommend swimming. There were a few brave surfers, but as the tide rolled in we had to evacuate. It was beautiful though!

I loved my first trip to Hawaii, and I cannot wait for more visits!

Dharmaville & Pineapples

A must-do when visiting Oahu is the Dole Plantation, especially for a family outing. Not only do they have delicious food (pineapple ice cream),but also train rides, mazes, and itty-bitty pineapple gardens. The maze was huge and complicated, and we didn’t finish because it was roasting hot. I highly recommend bringing an umbrella for sun protection!

Once we left and continued North, we saw the sprawling pineapple fields that just go on and on! It was incredible.

Yes, I did paint this pineapple. No, it doesn’t look that great. But I had fun regardless.
(click photo for color)

Our next stop was something I have been dreaming about since…September 22, 2004. That date is significant if you’re a Lostie, which I was for a solid six years. Yes, we went to Dharmaville (aka YMCA Camp Erdman).

There are many websites and blogs about Lost filming locations and which ones are open to the public or not. I can now tell you from experience, you will have no trouble visiting this one. I just checked in with the camp counselors who had me sign in and wear a bracelet which let them know I wasn’t a crazy person. They also gave me a brochure with details about each house where they filmed.

Needless to say, I was stoked.

I’m pretty sure this was Benjamin Linus’ house

And I want to say this was Kate and Claire’s, but I don’t remember, and I lost the brochure.

I was very calm for being an extreme Lostie back in the day.

I was very thankful to Camp Erdman for letting me geek out (and my sister for driving to the North Shore so I could run around screaming)

Pearl Harbor on Independence Day

 

As I planned to make my way back across the Pacific to the States, my sister convinced me (which didn’t take much) to meet her half way in Hawaii for a week. There really was no choice to be made. We booked the Airbnb that day.

We stayed in a lovely condo in Waikiki that was part of the Hawaiian Monarch Hotel. We had pool access, a karaoke bar, a delicious breakfast restaurant right downstairs, and WiFi! The only downside was paying for parking every single day.

The view from our room was particularly great for me because, as an avid LOST fan, this crazy building with the hole in it plays a pivotal role in the show.
SPOILER ALERT: (although if you haven’t watched it by now, it’s your fault)

This is the famed building that John Locke was pushed from, explaining how his spine was broken. It is the Waikiki Landmark condominium.

If you are planning on visiting Pearl Harbor, go early. Mega early. The tickets for the boat to see the memorial are free, but they are limited. If you show up late, you could be waiting hours for the next available boat. Luckily we were able to snag a few since there were only two of us (and an incredibly adorable nephew).

We were in Oahu the same time as RIMPAC, the Rim of the Pacific Exercise. The world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise. All of the ships were docked here, packing the island with sailors from all over the world. It was fun seeing all the different flags fly.

Before traveling to the memorial site, they play a video explaining what happened and who all was lost. It was humbling to watch. It made me immensely proud of the valiant men and women who served that day, as well as those serving this country today.

The U.S.S. Arizona runs right underneath the memorial.

All of the names of the men who remain within the U.S.S. Arizona are written on this wall.

I am so thankful for the men and women who sacrifice so much to protect this country. It was an honor to be on this island for Independence Day. It’s more than just a day for fireworks and barbecues, it’s a day to remembers what America means and who defends it.

(click to see in color)