This was my third trip to Oahu. But I still got to see/do some things for the first time. Yeah, me!
Sunday afternoon we drove up through the Kolekole Pass (where some of the Japanese planes came through on the attack of Pearl Harbor). I'd been there before--the picture of Rachel on my blog was taken there--but this was the first time I went over to the other side. Let me tell you, not very pretty. The green side is the side we were on. The other side--is it the leeward side?--was brown and cactusy. And the ugly cactus--like large green and brown rotting skin tags growing down the side of the mountain. At the bottom of the pass is the "west side" of the island where the military are informed not to get out of their cars. We drove along the beach and I saw for the first time the little cities of tents this area is known for. And these were not just for parties. They were actual places where people lived. Some even had tarps up to create several rooms. And the part that made me chuckle a little bit was the junk by some people's tents. Old car parts, broken this, unfixed that. Definitely made me grateful for my beautiful house. On the way back up the pass, we saw two feral pigs (I just want to call them a boar) and a large peacock and several mongeese (mongooses?). All firsts. Actually I've seen peacocks before. But never have I seen one right out there in the wild flaunting its colors.
Tuesday morning I took my 21-month-old nephew and hiked part of Diamond Head. I was a little misinformed of how difficult the hike would be. Everyone told me about all the stairs. I know all about them, I said. But the information I had read only told me about some of the stairs. So by the time we had gone up half-way I was done. Actually I felt pretty good, but I knew I couldn't go up any farther because Liam by that point needed to be carried the whole time. I still got a great view of the ocean and surrounding Honolulu. The most exciting part? My fall while carrying Liam just when the hike was almost done with. I was on the pavement, people, and I still fell. I had a HUGE scrape on my left leg that pretty much was the size of Alaska. The worst part of it? Not being able to shave that section for almost a week. Yuck! (You almost could have called me a boar.)
Wednesday afternoon my sister-in-law and I went to Kono's on the North Shore--a dynamite place to grab some kalua pork. Absolutely to die for. And not so much to die for, but still very yummy, twice I grabbed a kalua pork grilled stuffed burrito at Taco Bell.
I think that's about it for firsts. It was a terrific trip--and I loved spending time with Michelle and her cutest son Liam. I almost had to take him home with me :)
Now, on to the next adventure. I have a writers conference I'll be attending in less than 20 days. I'm furiously trying to get ready for that. Wish me luck!
