We were definitely bummed to pack up and say goodbye to the North Shore rental house that hosted our vacation within a vacation. But we couldn’t stay blue for long with a full day of exploring on the way back in to Honolulu!
Heading west, we made a stop in Waimea Bay with hopes of jumping off a famous rock and snorkeling in some beautiful tide pools. Unfortunately the waves were so rough we were left with only two activity options: watching the talented bodyboarders tear around the waves, and watching insanely attractive bodyboarders strut around the beach. Luckily both can be achieved simultaneously.
Photo by Heather Holt
Photo by Heather Holt
Photo by Heather Holt
Have I mentioned that Oahu seemed to have some of the most attractive people on the planet? I had read before arriving that Hawaii is the fourth healthiest state in the nation, but no one told me about how fine everyone would be! I suppose everyone has a very healthy and happy glow about them, and that combined with the mixing of Hawaii’s many ethnicities makes for a stunningly good looking population. Basically, single people: get yourself to Oahu.
Photo by Heather Holt
Photo by Heather Holt
On our way out we also made a quick stop at the scenic Waimea Valley. It was very beautiful from the road, though not quite beautiful enough to entice us to part with $13 each for an entrance fee, appearantly.
We did meet this very bossy bird in the parking lot, however. He was pretty spectacular, as captured in these photos by Heather!
Passing back through Hale’iwa, we noticed a funky art gallery that we had somehow passed by before. Heather and I went nuts with our cameras for about ten minutes before spotting several threatening looking “No Photos!!!” signs. I have decided to post these photos anyway, because they are quite simply too beautiful and too evocative of Hawaii not to share.
Photo by Heather Holt
Our final stop for the day was one that elicited shrieks of joy from Heather, and eye rolls from Dave. We were at the Dole Pineapple Plantation, about to complete the world’s largest maze, as verified by the Guinness Book of World Records in 2008.
Photo by Heather Holt
Photo by Heather Holt
With over 2.5 miles of pathways and eight secret stations to find, the average completion time is half an hour. Had we been feeling competitive, we could have tried to break the six minute record, but we decided to take our time and enjoy the experience.
And enjoy it we did.
Photo by Heather Holt
Photos above and below right by Heather Holt
By now of course you must know that this group of girls can turn anything into a photo shoot. Lucky for us, Dave is just about the best sport in the world.
Between all the snapping cameras in there, we did in fact find time to locate all eight secret stations. We didn’t exactly break any records though — it took us about 45 minutes to complete the maze!
There is quite the reward at the end of all that hard work though. Soft serve pineapple ice cream! It’s no shave ice, but it is a pretty quintessentially Hawaiian dessert.
As the sun set and we pulled back towards the city lights of Honolulu, I felt so grateful to have seen the other side of Oahu. I love Waikiki and Honolulu and pretty much every corner of Hawaii, but it’s undeniable — the North Shore has a special place in my heart.
Photo by Heather Holt
Which was your favorite stop of the road trip?
Update: Travel Blog Success was merged with Superstar Blogging by Nomadic Matt. It’s an equally impressive course that I plan to take and review eventually — click here to take it yourself!Β
Exiting news! This weekend there is a huge 50% off sale on Travel Blog Success, the online course that helped me make Alex in Wanderland what it is today! This program changed the way I looked at travel blogging and helped me move it from a hobby to a business. The memberβs group gives me daily inspiration, feedback, and assistance. I couldnβt ask for a better community! Click here and use the code “tbs50” to get your lifetime membership at this never-before-seen low rate!
As usual, very illustrative posting. I sure have enjoyed them, Gram E
Thanks Grandma! I appreciate it.
I’m obsessed with your Hawaii posts! I have to return there soon with Lucas. He is going to LOVE it!
Aw, that is such a great compliment Andi! Thank you!
Oh I’m sure you fit right in with the beautiful people of Oahu, you are looking GOOD girl! And so is that pineapple ice-cream OMG π
Thanks Sarah! Your compliment makes up for my friends laughing at me while I did push-ups and crunches on the floor every night π
I love all of these bright Hawaii photos. And I bought TBS by the way!
Glad to have you aboard the TBS train, Ashley! I’ll see you in the group!