By Thursday, January 25, my days are starting to run together. I can attribute the lack of detailing to the Hawaiian weather and our relaxed pace.
At some point after breakfast, we were driving toward the North Shore with our first stop to be the Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens. This is where we had attended the luau the night before.
Attending the luau guarantees you an entrance to the gardens. Because of the rain, we weren’t able to tour the grounds on Wednesday afternoon.
I love the Waimea Valley Botanical Gardens. No matter where I look, a bloom, a plant, a tree, a cultural display, and yes, the waterfall at the end of the path catch my attention.
The main trail is wide, flat, and smooth courtesy of asphalt. The walk to the falls is a gradual, rolling incline. But, the hike isn’t overly strenuous. Also, a one-way shuttle to the falls is available.
Additionally, there are short, well-placed off the main trail paths that give visitors access to other vistas and Hawaiian cultural sites. These cultural displays capture the early lives of the islanders. Resident artisans are a part of these learning centers too.
Again, I have an admiration for whoever had the vision to plot and map out the development of these gardens. It is amazing how the natural landscape was incorporated into the trail. The magnificent trees, the lush hills as a backdrop, and the colorful blooms make this trek very enjoyable.
At the top, the waterfall is the main attraction with many photo opportunities. If you are planning to take a dip into the lagoon beneath the water fall, be sure to read the guidelines carefully. If you forgot the gear you need for your splash, approved vendors are ready to rent you the equipment needed.
None of us opted for a splash, but on the way back down, we did enjoy cold and flavorful Hawaiian shaved ice.
When we left the gardens, we drove toward the North Shore. The goal was to walk out on one the famous beaches made popular by the seasonal big waves ridden by daring surfers.
Four beaches: Turtle, Waimea Bay, Pipeline, and Sunset are the core of this stretch of beautiful coastline. Surfers probably have an easier time finding a wave to ride than visitors do in finding a parking space. Eventually, we find a spot in a public lot.
Walking through the shaded path, we transition to the famous beach sand. The tinting of this sand reminds me of lightly toasted coconut. The bright sun highlights the white foam and turquoise hues of the Pacific, and we quickly notice the posted sign—Warning Strong Current.
In this spot, we didn’t find any surfers, but a few people were out enjoying a pretty January day on the beach. With an appreciation for this famous spot for surfers and beach lovers, we found our way back to the van headed for the Turtle Bay Resort.
Driving into the Turtle Bay Resort, the manicured grounds will catch your attention. But truthfully, this is what I admire about this resort— it is open to the public.
If Uncle Claiborne and his family from Wabash, Indiana want to spend a day at the beach here they can. The family doesn’t need an expensive room in the resort’s hotel.
Today, we opted to have lunch at one the resort’s dining areas—Beach House by Roy Yamaguchi. In shaded comfort, we ate outside and admired the beach view.
After lunch, we took a walk on the grounds and through the lobby of the hotel.
The walk on the grounds showcases the majestic Pacific Ocean, and the point of land where the resort sits. No matter the direction I look, my eyes love the aquamarine shades of the Pacific, and its raw power as it sends waves crashing into the lava rock shoreline.
With a bit of reluctance, we find our way back to the parking area, and soon our reliable driver arrives at our spot. Loaded up, we retrace our drive back home to Waialua.
Once back in Waialua, my brain recalls a quiet afternoon.
At some point, our stomachs reminded us about finding a place to eat dinner. We were curious about a restaurant named Killer Tacos, but the storefront gave the appearance of being closed.
We drove further into Haleiwa. It appeared that we had a craving for Mexican food, so we stopped at Jorge’s Mexican Restaurant and Bar. I ordered grilled fish tacos with the featured fish being striped marlin.
If you are ever in Haleiwa, and you stop at Jorge’s, and striped marlin is the grilled fish for the tacos, do not hesitate to place that order. Might be the best grilled fish tacos I’ve ever eaten.
We had a good day—lots of movement. That movement was good for my sore legs. I’m planning to take my second post eye surgery run on Friday morning. Hopefully, my old legs will let me go a bit further tomorrow.
And speaking of Friday, our focus will shift toward prepping to leave Waialua. On Saturday morning, we’ll drive back into Honolulu to board the cruise ship. I hope that adventure will be as good as our week in Waialua has been.
Before trying to find a few hours of sleep, my brain reminds me how lucky I am to be on this trip. Life doesn’t always present opportunities like this for everyone.
There are people in this world who will never have the privilege of seeing an ocean, nor these specks of land, these islands, that randomly dot its restless surface.
The birthing of these islands is a miraculous story. Their creation showcases the beauty that can come from nature’s violent tectonic collisions and molten eruptions deep below this endless blue ocean.
Speck that I am, I am humbled, and thankful.
might be baloney 