Hanauma Bay and Other Sights
Saturday we were up and at it early in the morning. We were at Hanauma Bay by 7:30 am! Hanauma Bay is a big reef area and provides spectacular snorkeling just twenty minutes east of Waikiki. It's so popular that the parking lot fills up pretty early, and there's not so much shade, so it's best to get there earlier in the day before it heats up too much. It was also a great way to get in and snorkel before it got too crowded. While we snorkeled at Hanauma Bay we got to snorkel right next to a sea turtle as it was eating from the reef and swimming around a little. It was amazing to snorkel next to the turtle, but I have to say that our snorkeling adventure in Shark's Cove provided us with more interesting fish.
After snorkeling we continued driving east along the south side of Oahu. There were several landmarks along to way to stop at for amazing views. The first stop was Halona Blowhole and Beach Cove. In the cove there were several huge sea turtles!
Next we stopped at an overlook by Makapu'U beach.
We continued driving and stopped at Serg's Mexican Kitchen in Waimanalo. We grabbed a Corona from the "concrete place" next door, as the girl at the restaurant called it, and thoroughly enjoyed our veggie nachos.
After lunch we decided we wanted to see something historical and in the mountains, so we drove back the other way, headed south. We stopped at the Makai Research Pier for one more look at the water. There we saw two humongous sea turtles! We thought about going in to snorkel, but the water wasn't very clear. Our destination was the Nu'Uanu Pali Overlook. This overlook not only has a beautiful view of the windward side of Oahu, but it has a very interesting history! Here's the history, taken from wikipedia.
"The Nuʻuanu Pali was the site of the Battle of Nuʻuanu, one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, in which Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oʻahu, bringing it under his rule. In 1795 Kamehameha I sailed from his home island of Hawaiʻi with an army of 10,000 warriors, including a handful of non-Hawaiian foreigners. After conquering the islands of Maui and Molokaʻi, he moved on to Oʻahu. The pivotal battle for the island occurred in Nuʻuanu Valley, where the defenders of Oʻahu, led by Kalanikūpule, were driven back up into the valley where they were trapped above the cliff. More than 400 of Kalanikūpule's soldiers were driven off the edge of the cliff to their deaths 1,000 feet below."
I seriously thought I was going to blow away up there! After a short visit I was ready to get cleaned up from our adventurous day. We made our way back to Honolulu and stopped by Safeway to pick up some libations and supplies for tomorrow - a day at Waikiki!
Here's Will sneaking in a little work before our night out. (And pictures of our room, of course!) This is the hotel Will stays in most of the time when he comes to Hawaii.
For dinner we had some drinks and small plates at Chart House, Terviva's hang out spot when they are staying at the Prince Hotel in Honolulu.
Next it was off to the Top of Waikiki. A restaurant in downtown Waikiki, which is on the 18th-21st floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza. The dining room revolves 360 degrees and there are windows all around. It was a really unique experience! We had a couple drinks and strawberry crepes for dessert.
And that was the end of our crazy busy, adventurous day!
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| Lots of fish! |
After snorkeling we continued driving east along the south side of Oahu. There were several landmarks along to way to stop at for amazing views. The first stop was Halona Blowhole and Beach Cove. In the cove there were several huge sea turtles!
 |
| Halona Beach Cove |
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| Blowhole |
Next we stopped at an overlook by Makapu'U beach.
We continued driving and stopped at Serg's Mexican Kitchen in Waimanalo. We grabbed a Corona from the "concrete place" next door, as the girl at the restaurant called it, and thoroughly enjoyed our veggie nachos.
After lunch we decided we wanted to see something historical and in the mountains, so we drove back the other way, headed south. We stopped at the Makai Research Pier for one more look at the water. There we saw two humongous sea turtles! We thought about going in to snorkel, but the water wasn't very clear. Our destination was the Nu'Uanu Pali Overlook. This overlook not only has a beautiful view of the windward side of Oahu, but it has a very interesting history! Here's the history, taken from wikipedia.
"The Nuʻuanu Pali was the site of the Battle of Nuʻuanu, one of the bloodiest battles in Hawaiian history, in which Kamehameha I conquered the island of Oʻahu, bringing it under his rule. In 1795 Kamehameha I sailed from his home island of Hawaiʻi with an army of 10,000 warriors, including a handful of non-Hawaiian foreigners. After conquering the islands of Maui and Molokaʻi, he moved on to Oʻahu. The pivotal battle for the island occurred in Nuʻuanu Valley, where the defenders of Oʻahu, led by Kalanikūpule, were driven back up into the valley where they were trapped above the cliff. More than 400 of Kalanikūpule's soldiers were driven off the edge of the cliff to their deaths 1,000 feet below."
 |
| It was sooo windy! |
I seriously thought I was going to blow away up there! After a short visit I was ready to get cleaned up from our adventurous day. We made our way back to Honolulu and stopped by Safeway to pick up some libations and supplies for tomorrow - a day at Waikiki!
Here's Will sneaking in a little work before our night out. (And pictures of our room, of course!) This is the hotel Will stays in most of the time when he comes to Hawaii.
 |
| Huge bathroom! There was also a big tub to the left that's not in view. |
For dinner we had some drinks and small plates at Chart House, Terviva's hang out spot when they are staying at the Prince Hotel in Honolulu.
Next it was off to the Top of Waikiki. A restaurant in downtown Waikiki, which is on the 18th-21st floor of the Waikiki Business Plaza. The dining room revolves 360 degrees and there are windows all around. It was a really unique experience! We had a couple drinks and strawberry crepes for dessert.
And that was the end of our crazy busy, adventurous day!
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