Honolulu,
Hawaii – January 26
We
missed this port in 2017 due to bad weather (we got an extra day in LA instead)
We rented a car to circle the island making many stops along the way. We
especially love the “shrimp trucks” along the North Shore. We used an ap called
Oahu GPS Driving Tour which worked well for us. We skipped the South Shore
since it was way too cold and windy to snorkel today. (though a few from the
ship did do a snorkel trip) I had on shorts and a t-shirt and wore a sweater
all day. I kept wishing I had worn my jeans it was so cold. Silly me, when we
got back to the cabin and I’m unpacking my backpack I found I had tossed in my
jeans just in case. Totally forgot that I had done that and I would have been
more comfortable had I remembered and put them on.
We
were once again the first people off the ship (before the photographers) and we
grabbed a taxi to the airport to pick up our rental car. Before too long we
were on our way. Once we got out of the city; we started the circle island
driving route.
cruise terminal
tunnel
Our
plan was to take our time and stop off at various viewpoints, parks and sights
along the way. The Koolau Mountain Range is beautiful and we stopped at a
church for some photo ops of the surrounding countryside.
Koolau Mountain range
We
stopped at Kualoa Park and we saw quite a few birds and even some new birds for
us. Another stop was to see the Chinaman’s Hat which is an island just off
shore and it does resemble a Chinaman’s Hat. Our next stop at the Macadamia Nut
Farm Outlet. After sampling their many flavors, we got a bag of caramel covered
Macadamia nuts which we ate all day long along the drive.
Tropical Farms Macadamia Nut Outlet
Zebra Dove
Common Myna
Red-crested Cardinal
Pacific Golden-Plover
Common Waxbill
Red-crested Cardinal
Red-crested Cardinal
Zebra Doves
Zebra Dove
Common Waxbill
Pacific Golden-Plover
Pacific Golden-Plover
We
drove though Laie and took a detour to see a beautiful sea arch. Very scenic
area and it was an area we wouldn’t have found if not for the ap we were using.
House Sparrow
Church of Latter Day Saints
From
there we towards Kahuku in search of lunch at one of the shrimp trucks. We have
tried 2 others on past trips and this time we were headed to Romy’s Kahuku
Prawns & Shrimp. Farm fresh shrimp cooked in butter and charred-garlic bits
with a sauce of butter and achiote oil. It could have had more butter for the
shrimp, but the charred garlic was awesome. We poured the side of the spicy sauce
over the rice and it was to die for. Of course, there were 3 resident cats
begging for shrimp. The shrimp were huge and the prawns looked like small
lobsters. We knew there would be a wait for the food as all the trucks cook to
order and have signs that say “it’s good food, not fast food” With no line it
takes 30 to 45 minutes. There was a small line and it just kept getting longer
and longer. Locals and tourists alike lining up for their delightful shrimp.
There
were quite a few birds in the shrimp ponds so we watched them while we waited.
It was windy and cool and it even rained a little. (here was where I was really
wishing I would have remembered that I had jeans in the car.)
lunch at Romy's
garlic shrimp
Hawaiian Coot
Hawaiian Coot - baby
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
female Mallard Ducks
female Mallard Duck
female Mallard Ducks
female Mallard Duck
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Black-crowned Night-Heron
Common Myna Birds
Spotted Dove
Spotted Dove
Common Waxbill
Back
in the car we stopped at sunset beach and made a stop at Ted’s Bakery where we
got the pie they are known for; Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie. Flaky pie crust
dark chocolate with a layer of fresh whipped cream with a coconut flavor,
topped with regular whipped cream. (another place we wouldn’t have tried if not
for the ap and it was a nice stop)
Hawaiian Coot & "mutt duck"
Ted's Bakery
There
was one beach after another. Sharks Cove & Turtle Bay. The North shore is
where the surfing competitions are held because of the potential for 30-40 ft
waves. They may have been 15 ft today, so not at their best, but still impressive.
There were no swimming signs posted. Banzai Pipeline is probably the most
famous beach for surfers.
kite surfing
Red-crested Cardinal
Red Junglefowl - young male
Red Junglefowl - male
Spotted Dove
Red-crested Cardinal
We
finally came to Waimea Bay and then headed to Waimea Valley for some hiking and
to see the waterfall. It was a beautiful place and we did see a few birds.
Red-whiskered Bulbul
Red-vented Bulbul
Red-vented Bulbul
Red-vented Bulbul
Spotted Dove
White-rumped Shama
White-rumped Shama
Hawaiian Gallinules
Mindanao Gum
Common Myna
Red-vented Bulbul
It
was getting late in the day and darkness would be upon us soon, so we headed
back to Honolulu passing through Kaleiwa and past the Dole Plantation.
pineapples
I
had wanted to stop at an ABC store (cheap Hawaiian souvenirs) where I bought a
tummy pack years ago and it lasted forever for about $5.00). I didn’t really
expect to find another one, but I wanted to look. The navigator took us to the
closest one which was in a huge mall. We searched and searched for it and
finally I noticed a sign that said “ABC store coming soon”. Ah well.
We
made a stop at Walmart before returning the rental car. We got in the taxi line
for a ride back to the port and a white stretch limo pulls up. We said we just
want a regular taxi. He says “it is a regular taxi…same price.” So, we get in
and were delivered back to port in style. We just looked at each other and
laughed.
Back
on board we grabbed some dinner upstairs at the buffet and made it to the
second performance of the Haulau Hula Olana. A folkloric show put on by a local
dance school. They did various songs and hulas. Kids of all ages performed.
Very special indeed.
from the ship
Early
to bed since we have another up before the crack of dawn again to visit Maui
and it’s a tender port. These 7:00 AM arrivals are ridiculous!
