Hawaii Two-OO7

The Norman's in paradise -- We had a wonderful anniversary vacation in Oahu. We saw a lot of the island, a lot of each other, and we also saw our friends the Hays. We left early Thursday and arrived in Hawaii around 11, being donned with the (thank you Annie!) Pleasant Holidays greeting of a lai. Dollar upgraded our vehicle, since they were out of compact cars, to a red ford mustang convertible and in it we were off to our week-long home.

We could have stayed in the Waikiki "spouting water" area in the hustle and bustle of tourism, but we were remote with a private beach residing in the western Waianae Valley with the locals in Makaha. We gained a greater appreciation of Hawaiian life there. Out of our front door lay lush green mountains and shores of Ocean and out our lanai was the private beach and a horizon of sunset waters and moonlight nights.

We spent one day traveling over to the east side to Kailua and Lanikai beaches. We went across the Pali Highway stopping at the Nu`uana lookout to see an expanse of Oahu's shores and the preceding valley. The view was breathtaking and the winds breezily restyling my hair. I caught a glimspe of the revered sea turtles. Kailua was so lovely and calm, we enjoyed the waters for much of the day.

We took a drive up Farrington Highway north to Kamehameha through the middle of the island to the North Shore over to beaches. We took time to look at the Dole Plantation which has an amazing maze, made a stop in Haie'iwa (Baywatch filming location), and spent a couple of hours to walk through the Audobon Center mauka to the Waimea Falls (a Jurassic filming location) and traversed all the way to James Campbell's National Wildlife Refuge which was closed due to the mating season. Some other films using Oahu locations are Lost, Hawaii 5-0, Jurassic Park, Fantasy Island, Wind Talkers, Baywatch, and Pearl Harbor.

We also went across Likelike Highway, parallel to the Pali, and went up the Kamehameha all the way past the Mormon area of Laie and the Polynesian Cultural Center. Likelike Highway had tunnels (Wilson) like the Pali (Nu`uanu Pali). We ventured south beyond Sandy Beach and the Maiona Blow Hole over to Hanauma Bay. Sandy Beach is sandy! In one breeze I was stung by the tiny pellets! The surf was rough too. Red flagged no swimming signs lined the shore where surfers took on the waves.

We then ventured north to see sights such as Kane'ohe Bay and the Chinaman's Hat, the Kualoa cattle ranch (Jurassic Park and Lost filming location), Sea Life Park; the beaches of Kahana, Punalu'u and Hau'ula, Sunset (filming of 50 1st Dates), Heeia State Park and the Crouching Lion town of Ka'a'awa. We reconnected with the 99 to Kunio to return to our place. We passed a lovely chapel where a couple was getting married. When we had left Waimae falls a wedding was beginning there, and when we returned to our place a wedding had just taken place on the beach.

We drove through Honolulu and Waikiki to take the challengingly arduous climb in the hot sun to Leahi (Diamond Head) Crater where again there was a great expanse of Hawaii's beauty before us. The husband remarked how it appeared that the texture of Oahu's mountains and hillsides were sculpted by mighty finger strokes. The handout explains our trail was a ".8 mile climb one way 560 feet from the crater floor". It involves uneven and steep dirt terrain of numerous switchbacks, sets of steep stairways, and a long grade of tunnel. Leahi, once used by the military, had lookouts built into it that we had to climb through to complete our trip to the top.

We took time to appreciate the Pearl Harbor area too - touring the somber USS Arizona, the 'Mighty Mo' and the Bowfin. The ship - the Nimitz - carrying the niece of our friends at home was docked there as well. They will be seeing her in San Diego this weekend. Our friend Darrick's ship - the Erie is currently in that area also. The Arizona tour gives you cards with the particulars on one who was lost on that infamous day. The husband had told me of an african-american cook that was quite the hero that infamous day. Oddly enough the lady sitting next to him on the boat that day had this seaman's card. She agreed to trade with me for Doris 'Dory' Miller. How kewl!

We caught up with Darrick and Jenn near the end of our trip. They just moved into their new home, in Ewa Bay. We walked from their house to the water's edge shop - the Barefoot Cafe - and spent the rest of the evening at their new place. They have a good life! It was great to be able to spend time with them.

When we weren't out and about on the road enjoying 99.5 'the jewel'. We were enjoying our own surroundings and made a few acquaintances of our own! It was not unusual to be flanked by sand crabs. Our beach was rough. Certainly not as tumultuous as Sandy Beach, the locals swam it in stride regardless. We, on the other hand, had to be more careful not to be swept away. We also shared the beach with the occasional fisherman, painter and walkers - even ball retrieving labradors.

Too soon we boarded another plane near noon Hawaii time and arrived home at midnight. It was a wonderful week; and while it is great to be home it was a precious blessing to have a time of peace and relaxation amidst the awesomely beautiful work of God's hands. It was a special anniversary celebration.