Retired Nomads: Honolulu, Hawaii

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

Zebra Doves

Zebra Dove

Common Waxbill

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

female Mallard Ducks

female Mallard Duck

female Mallard Ducks

female Mallard Duck

Black-crowned Night-Heron

Common Myna Birds

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

Spotted Dove

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.