Aquamarine Blue Waters, Sandy Beaches, Craggy Shorelines and Palm Trees. I must be in Hawaii!

In the early morning, just after sunrise, we boarded a van and Marie from Blue Hawaii Photo Tours led us through an amazing days of sights, sounds and Hawaiian history and culture. We roamed from Waikiki to various scenic spots along the eastern shore taking photos of rocky shorelines, soft sandy beaches and towering mountain ranges. All the while, Marie helped the four of us with our cameras. Yes, even me. I learned some shortcuts and a few techniques I never thought of. We visited Makapu’u Point, Lanikai where you can see an old WWII Pillbox observation station, Kualoa Beach Park with the Chinaman’s Hat Island jutting out in the bay. We made our way to La’ie Point where a giant tsunami punched a hole right through a small island in the bay. From there we venture to the North Shore where the famous surfing beaches can be found with names like “Sunset Beach,” “Banzai  Pipeline,” and “Pupukea Beach.” At Laniakea on the North Shore,  we watched the Hawaiian Green Turtle cavort in the surf with its human swim partners. They seemed to revel in getting flipped completely over by the crashing waves!

While on the North Shore, we visited a massive Banyan Tree that has become a fixture in TV shows and Movies including the new “Jumanji 2” coming out this summer. While there, I got to practice my portrait photography with a member of our tour. She volunteered to be the model for the group as we used the Hawaiian backdrops for a different type of photography.

Also on the North Shore, we dined at one of the many food trucks that can be found throughout the area. The food was excellent. I had Thai Chicken Satay and some fresh Mango from a nearby fruit stand. Great lunch!

On the way back to Waikiki, we passed the Dole Plantation and Marie filled us in on the amazing maturation process for a single pineapple. It takes over a year for one pineapple and the plant only produces two fruit! After two years, they dig up the plant and start all over!

After the tour, I rested a bit then took a long walk through Waikiki. If I was a shopper, I would have been in heaven. You can find everything from very high end to down and dirty basic. My walk included a rather hairy section of sandy beach where an unusually high tide was filling the walk that was supposed to be there with water. But I didn’t drown and enjoyed a very nice dinner at Hula Grill part of  Duke Kahanamoku the Godfather of Surfing’s Restaurant empire. Their special included two types of native fish, Ono and Mahimahi and some native veggies. Of course I had to finish it with a slice of KIMO’S FAMOUS HULA PIE® – Chocolate cookie crust, macadamia nut ice cream, hot fudge, toasted mac nuts & whipped cream. My new favorite dessert!!!!!

It is now Friday morning and I have decided to catch on my blog and relax a bit. This evening I am going to a Luau at Diamond Head. Stay tuned – there will be a lot more to come!