Day 1. We started off our vacation with a trip to a highly rated breakfast cafe near us. It was called Sweet E's Cafe. It did not disappoint!! The staff were SO friendly and efficient, and the food was delicious...In fact it was so good we went again before we came back home!
Just look at that stuffed French Toast!!
After breakfast we hit the highway and head up to Wahiawa.
Would any trip to Oahu be complete without a trip to see the DOLE PINEAPPLE PLANTATION and gardens. ?
This place has been around since 1950, when it was just a fruit stand. In 1989 they opened to the public as Hawaii's Pineapple experience, and they host over 1 million visitors a year. The gift shop is free (but is it ever really free because I certainly spent my fair share of money there), however the train and gardens are a cost. We decided to do the gardens, which are a self explore walking trail through 8 different areas, and costs about 8$ per adult. These gardens showcase some of the most beautiful trees, flowers and plants in Hawaii. Worth the money!!
After the morning at Dole Plantation, we continued on the road and drive along the north shore, and stopped off at a quiet little beach. It was called Lanaikea Beach and it isnt really a beach for swimming. It is a great place to wade and lay out and look at the beautiful surroundings, but because of all the rock and coral it makes it hard to swim.
Lanaikea beach is also called Turtle beach due to all of the Green Sea Turtles that like to come ashore and bask in the sun. Unfortunately the turtles were a little shy that day and we did not see any...but we enjoyed the warm rays and clean beach and the scenery wasnt too bad either....if this doesnt scream Hawaii, then I dont know what does.
To get to Lanaikea beach there is no parking lot. You find a place along the side of the road and you hoof it. Just be careful not to park in front of anyones driveway and pay attention to no parking signs. The great thing about Hawaii is all their beaches are public access, and there is a lot of street parking and little lots along the roads for all the beach goers. Lanaikea just happens to be in a stretch where street parking is all that was available during our stay.
We ended our day back in Palolo and tried a Korean restaurant in Honolulu. We really didnt know anything about how this restaurant worked, (or what we were doing), and I am sure the experience could have been better had we been with someone who knew the drill. They sat us at a table with a grill built in (Galbi) and we went up to get our meats and veggies etc. We then grilled it ourselves at the table. Watching others who came in after us we realized we were woefully inexperienced in the ways of Galbi, and next time I will be ready!!
I tried some new things at the restaurant. Some of them I really liked. Others I dont think I will eat again. But I am glad for the experience!
We ended our day back at our BnB, enjoying the breeze and listening to the neighbors rooster.
It really was the perfect start to our vacation .
No comments:
Post a Comment