He fetched the car and then drove back to pick up the rest of the group.
We decided to head to the windward shore, since Bob and Theresa very much enjoyed the time spent there in the past.
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| Our first stop was Queen Emma's Summer Home |
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| Nestled just a few hundred feet from the busy Pali Highway, the summer home provided a respite and cool getaway for the queen and her family |
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| We arrived about 10 minutes prior to opening and just nosed around. We paid our admission but were cautioned that no guided tour was available. Then this wonderful woman came and said "My tour group is not scheduled to arrive for a few minutes, I can show you around until then!" |
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| This small building alongside is used for gatherings and meetings |
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| Queen Emma was an attractive woman of mixed descent, so she could not rule Hawaii after her husband's death |
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| The house is simple yet elegant. The large plumed objects are made from bird feathers and denote royalty |
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| This one, freshly made shows their elegance |
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| This royal cape was nearly destroyed in a fire in the museum where it was stored, but it miraculously escaped with only singe marks |
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| Queen Victoria took a grate liking to Emma and agreed to be their son's godmother, sending elaborate gifts . . . |
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| . . . as well as beautifully made furniture |
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| By our standards, this large bed looks modest, but in that day it was extraordinary! |
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| Back on Pali Highway, it is a short drive to Nu'uanu Pali lookout |
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| The Pali lookout provides a breathtaking view of the windward shore overlooking Kaneohe and Kailua |
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| This bluff was also where King Kamehameha defeated those who resisted him. As he pressed in, most of the opposing warriors fell or jumped to their death from this bluff. |
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| Good opportunities for photos - if the wind doeesn't blow you away! |
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| When we were at the gift shop at Queen Emma's, we found a copy of a book we used years ago to find obscure Hawaiian ancient sites. Using it, we found the heiau (temple) behind the Windward YMCA |
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| This large structure was built to overlook the huge fishing ponds below (now marshy ground) |
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| A walk around the end revealed a well and some other details |
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| A good spot for a group photo! |
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| We then proceeded to Kailua Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches in the Hawiian Islands. |
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| The mound in the distance is on Kanehoe Marine Corps Base. Bob played golf there once and remembers it as a very beautiful course |
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| The walking was starting to get to Mike and Janet |
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| Selfie on Kialua Beach |
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| Just a bit down the coast, next to Waimanalo Beach park sits Ono Shrimp and Steak Shack |
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| You walk up, order, pay and listen for your name |
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| The mahi fish tacos were very good! And they came in tow nested soft taco shells. As you ate one fish taco, all the stuff that "leaks" out becomes the filling for a second! Two for the price of one! |
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| This pulloff along the Makapuu coast seemed attractive so we pulled off . . . |
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| . . . not realizing that this is another site of ancient heiaus - several. These site are sacred to the Hawaiian people and are adorned with recently added things such as jewelry |
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| From the heiaus you can clearly see Makapu'u lookout and it's lighthouse. |
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| You can still visit the lighthouse but it is a long walk. Thank goodness for telephoto lenses |
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| Our next stop was one of the more famous blowholes along the coast - the Halona Blowhole. Parking was crazy but a short wait yielded a spot |
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| It's a little tough to see, but there is a little spray from the blowhole here |
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| You can walk to the other side and see the blowhole but also get a nice view of the monuments erected to the Japanese fishermen who have perished offshore here |
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| You've got to be quick, but between the parking area for the lighthouse and the golf course entrance. look to the left to see Pele's Chair. We pulled off (much to our fellow driver's chagrin) and took some good shots. You can hike this area and apparently lots of people enjoy swimming below the chair. |
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| Time was running out, as was our energy levels, so we turned in the car and headed back to the ship for dinner and a show |
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| And of course, a towel animal |
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