Days Off Are GREAT in Hawaii

We work hard when we're here on the Pu'u Kahea campus, but when we're off we try to see as much of Oahu as we can.  Sometimes the days off are more tiring than the work days!  Sunday (Sept. 20) was another day off.  We didn't leave at the crack of dawn this time, but left around 7:30.  Tim drove, and Art conducted our "Sunday School" class on the road.

We headed first to the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden in Kane'ohe (pronounced connie-oh-hay) and were in awe.  We keep saying, "Oh, this is the best thing we've done!", and then the next thing is just as wonderful.

We were "close up and personal" with the mountains, and their sharp peaks, deep ravines, and misty cloud cover are things of beauty.

This park is 400 acres, with 32 acres of it being a lake.  It was established in 1982 for flood protection, and was built by the US Army Corps of Engineers.  The lake is beautiful, and we enjoyed using it for our impromptu photography session!

 

 The garden is a rain forest, with plants/trees from tropical areas around the world.

 

______________________

After leaving the garden, we visited The Valley of the Temples,  a memorial park where thousands of Buddhist, Shinto, Protestant, and Catholic residents of Hawaii are buried.   The focal point of the park is the 1968 replica of the 11th-century Phoenix Hall of the Byodo-In Buddhist temple in Japan.  (Have you watched the television show Lost?  The temple was used as the estate of Sun Kwon's father in Season 1, and as the backdrop for Sun's and Jin's wedding in Season 5. )

The custom is to ring the gong before entering the temple. It's not MY custom, but I did enjoy the sound of the gong.

Loved watching the swans and koi!

_________________________

After leaving the Valley of the Temples, we visited Tropical Farms, a macadamia nut farm.  Definitely touristy, and I loved it!!

After sampling MANY different flavors of macadamia nuts inside the farm store, Art showed us how to crack our own out back.  These bins were full, and we could eat as many as we wanted.  But the samples were much easier.  :) 

We toured the farm in this green bus, with VERY entertaining tour guides.

We enjoyed learning about the flowers, fruits, and trees grown on the farm. Did you know that bananas don't grow on trees?  They are plants, not trees, because there is no wood.

We stopped for a hilarious show as well as an informative one!  We learned a little Hawaiian history, how to start a fire with sticks and coconut fibers, and how to open a coconut.   And we were very entertained!

I volunteered to sample the coconut water.  Then he grated some for us to taste, then showed us how to strain it in the coconut fibers for milk.  (I'm looking pretty rough.  Didn't know I was going to be a star in the show.)

 Our guide braided leaves to make headbands
for all the women and children.  

(Good thing Tim and Art didn't want one!)

Our tour included a very short boat ride that didn't really go anywhere, but it was great for viewing the mountains and shoreline.  And our guide pointed out locations where TV shows and movies were filmed.  Fun!

And when the tour was over, we were given delicious bananas!

___________________ 

We stopped by the beach to view Chinaman's hat again.  It's just too pretty to ride by and not stop!

______________________

Ever concerned about eating, we headed up towards the North Shore to find a very late lunch.  Coconut shrimp with mango honey for me.  Garlic shrimp for Tim.  Clam strips, steak and shrimp for Denise and Art.  With delicious food,  the mountains on one side, and the oh so beautiful ocean on the other, dining was a pleasure.  Ahhhh.

_____________________

We stopped at a beautiful beach where Tim and Art tried out their newly learned coconut opening skills.  They were not successful.  I think they need remediation.

_____________________

This was a day for unplanned adventures.  Denise had read about the Pu'u Mahuka Heiau State Park, or "Hill of Escape" overlooking Waimea Bay, so we went searching for it.  It is the remains of a sacrificial temple used in times of great conflict to bring success in war.  Eerie.

People still leave offerings here to honor the dead.

We stayed to watch the sun set over Waimea Bay

______________________

We stopped at Turtle Beach on the way home and finally saw two turtles!

As we got closer, but not very close, a turtle "protector" told Art to stay back six feet.  As he was probably twice that far away from the turtle, he replied to her that he had not brought his tape measure with him.  Art. Art. Art.


Another fabulous day, and I am so glad we are here at Pu'u Kahea!