Oahu.. Day 16 of 18 Waikiki Beach, Punchbowl, Tantalus

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Opened the curtains to see a Rainbow this morning...how delightful

This morning we  decided to take a walk and we started down the beach.    It's a bit of a walk around the pond to get to there,  but I don't mind it.   I wasn't sure I'd like it since I stayed at HHV my other trips,  but  I'm very happy staying at the Ilikai.   I've found that I love having a condo.  

On the way to the Pink Palace I heard the blowing of a conch shell..  I love hearing this as the boat comes in to shore to pick up passengers.  Such a cool sound. 

I took a walk around the Pink Palace.. love this elegant lady..  I remember my first trip here, there was a long drive from Kalakaua to the Royal.  I think I was told back then there were about 25 acres of property here.  Well, the next trip I remember walking down Kalakaua and I couldn't find the Pink Lady.  That's when I realize a shopping center had been built in front of it.   Such a shame but it's all about the money.    I  hope the day never comes when I have to look really hard to find any history here.   During my last trip to Gatlinburg, I asked at the visitors center if there were any remaining historic sites in downtown and theres only a teeny tiny cabin.  Such a shame.  

I've read so much about this place, but never got to eat here...

Stopped here for  a breakfast sandwich

Walked along The Waikiki Historic Trail and read alot of interesing history on these surfboards.  

The Army Museum is quite interesting and has a bit of everything...

I really missed seeing him this year...

Thank heavens the wrecking ball couldn't knock it down!!

Even Elvis is there!

This is probably the most famous and most beautiful National Cemetary.

The mosaics are beautiful and there are several!!

Look at the picture below to see how beautiful the drive in is... They were setting up for a Memorial Weekend Ceremony

If you have a friend or family here this would help you locate their site. 

After leaving Punchbowl, we drove around town a bit.  I wanted to check out the Jams World outlet store where I only bought a couple small items.  They really didn't have any patterns I loved in the dresses and they were still a bit pricey although cheaper than my stores here.  I looked for a shop that carries men's aloha shirts but could not find it.  John wears them in Florida all the time and as a difficult time finding talls. 

After we were finished shopping, somehow we ended up here... Mount Tantalus and Round Top Drive... Gorgeous Views

In the movie, Blue Hawaii, Elvis is sitting here having a picnic with a girl.  I'd like to see  the movie now, so I can compare the sky lines.  

 We drove around town a bit then headed  back to the Elks Club for dinner.  Love this place...

Oahu...Day 15 of 18 Spitting Caves, Dole, Waimea Falls

Tuesday, May 22, 2012


Today we went to a friends home on Oahu  with whom we had planned to do a hike, but plans change so he took us to spitting caves instead.  Such a beautiful view!   

Spitting Caves

Spitting Caves

After we left Mike, we headed to Dole Plantation on our way to the North Shore again.  It's def not a must do, but we had plenty of time and we both wanted Dole Whips..... We're huge Disney fans and have them a lot at WDW. 

Now on to one of my favorite places....Waimea Falls  I had called this morning and was told swimming was allowed today.   I love this place  with all the mature growth and it as a waterfall ... what more could I ask for..

I love this place.. I like that I can swim around the falls and it has the feel of  old Hawaii.  

Road back to the falls.. It was longer than I remember 

I love these trees... I think they're Monkey Pods which are like huge umbrellas giving a ton of shade.  They were everywhere.

There's no cliff diving any more, but there's two life guards who show people where to enter and exit the pool safely.

Dinner was here... don't remember what we had or if it was good.  Nice setting though.  

 Back to Turtle Beach on our way home

A couple volunteers were present to educate people regarding the turtles and to make sure they gave the turtles their space

We had to make another stop for Shave Ice... so back to Matsumotos.   Even though I can get it at home, it's just not the same. 

I do not remember what we did after we returned, but I do know it wasn't anything exciting.  We've maintained an early to rise and bed early routine.  It wasn't planned, but it's worked out quite well.  

Oahu...Day 13 of 18 Diamond Head Hike and more

Saturday,  May 19, 2012

Before I went onto Sunday I wanted to add a couple pictures from The Missiouri.

When we decided to tour the battleship, ignorant me, didn't realize the official surrender documents were signed on  this ship in Japan.   I really got into the history here and I realize later it was due to the tour guide.  He really brought it alive... I just can't stress enough to do one of the guided tours.

Here's a copy of the Surrender Document 

And the roped off area is where it was signed... See the brass plaque in the middle...  And
Johns on the left using one of the handsets  for the self guided tour part which we did after our tour was over.

How appropriate it is that the Missouri was brought here to Pearl Harbor so close to the Arizona.  It must have been a huge celebration when the ship cruised into the harbor!

Taken from the Mighty Mo

That's our guide on the far left..

Now on to Sunday.....

Sunday, May 20, 2012

On our way to Diamond Head we stopped at an art show, but unfortunately they were just setting up.

We were here early so parking was not a problem 

Here's some kids on the outside of the fencing.  Everyone including myself was trying to shoot the around them so finally I asked them to move.  They were really nice guys just being kids  and they insisted I take their picture.  After I did, they moved.  Everyone said thanks.. don't get why it's always me speaking up..

When we got back to our car we drove around the area and ended up in the Kahala area where we ran into the Kahala Hotel..whatever it's called now. Long ago, I tried to find it and got lost. I always thought it might be nice to stay there.  I would have liked to walk around it but I really wanted to move along. 

Anyhow, we then we continued driving at random stopping everywhere that looked interesting.

I thought this sign was rather funny because the entire island is a scenic point. 

Would have liked to go in the water here, but didn't really know anything about it.

Makapu'u Trail

This was an interesting trail with lots of good views and bunkers.  

Looked like an iffy place to be swimming

Makapu'u Lighthouse

Waimanaki Beach ?

From the Pali we headed back to the Ilikai for a bit...

After a short stop at our condo at the Ilikai, we changed clothes and heading to Walmart to pick up some clip on sunglasses for me.   On our  way there we saw the Waikiki Yacht Club and since John is a Past Commodore  back home we decided  we go there on our way back to ck it out.   It's a nice club with plenty of aloha.  I wanted to purchase a burgee but they only do exchanges so I guess I need to travel with an spare from our club.   We each had some clam chowder and I had a glass of wine.  It's a nice place.  

Waikiki Yacht Club