Hawaii - Week 3 (in Oahu)

These guys liked to try to sneak in

This week has been spent checking out the fun and sights of Oahu.  We are all staying (all ten of us) in a lovely house on the north shore - surfing capital of the world.   The place was large and had a backyard pool which was a favourite with the kids.  There are many shops that offer stand-up paddle boarding and surfing lessons but the favourite seemed to be Tsue's farm - strange name for ocean sports. 

Tsue's farm not only offers the various water sports, they are also a farm with ducks, chickens, turtles and a fair number of mango trees which seemed to be very productive.  This week the kids all took surf lessons (notice - only kids) with the exception of the six year old - she had to stay back and keep an eye out on us.  While the dryland training was short and sweet, it was very effective as everyone was able to stand up and ride a wave - even the seven year old.  I would say that was pretty darn good.

The Kualoa ranch is a working ranch which offers a variety of activities.  We took the jungle tour which took us up a mountain through rain forest and streams to overlook the ocean and the valley.  We also saw a couple of movie sites such as the building from Jurassic world and the downed helicopter from an upcoming movie - Kong.

Painted eucalyptus - natural

Very near to us was the Dole plantation which is amazing.  The gardens are lush and a great variety of plants and trees and shrubs.  Although the pineapple at that spot had been harvested, there were a number of fields with pineapple of various stages which we were able to see on our train ride.  We also went through the largest maze in the world and everyone had the delicious dole whip.

One day was set aside to hike - some of us did more than others.  Kyla and her family got up very early to hike Diamond Head to see the sunrise.  Sadly, it was very overcast, they were joined on the trail with three busloads of tourists and others.  This meant the trail was very busy, and you couldn't see the sunrise.  Besides hiking another trail we all joined together to go up the Makapu'u trail which is two miles long and goes up past the lighthouse which was built in 1909.  From one of the lookouts, some of us saw humpback whales playing out in the waves.  Not only was it windy, a quick rain shower came over so you know want happened.  As with most of the rain we received, it came quick, dumped, and then was over as quickly as it came. 

The week was coming to a close so we decided that we should experience some fine dining.  For this event we went to The Pearl at Leeward College, University of Hawaii.  Here we had a delicious meal which was prepared by second year culinary students.  Unfortunately, I didn't take a photo of the menu as it had a number of items that I could neither pronounce, or remember, or knew what they were.  While unique, the food was terrific.

And no visit is complete without a visit to Pearl Harbor which commemorates the attack on Hawaii and the United States and to remember the fallen.  You can still see the holes in the glass in one of the display buildings that fateful day.  We visited the Missouri - a battleship, the Bowfin - a submarine, and the aviation museum.  As one sees the conflict in the world today, we must remember the tragedy of past conflicts and the destruction and suffering that results.  It certainly is a stark reminder of what can and does happen in a world without peace.

This means out family Hawaiian get-together is over and we must return to our busy lives (well, some of us anyway).  It's been a great trip with many memories.  We are now back on the desert at the Fountain of Youth with one last attempt at returned youth.

I hope you everyone has a great week!