We are up early – go figure – and out the door after wrestling with the stupid Keurig machine. Sigh. We’re just traditionalists, what can I say?
The cottage where we are staying is about a 10 minute walk from the beach, so we decided that would be our morning routine. It’s a beautiful morning – cool and crisp – and we get a great feel for the neighborhood – all residential with a “mini-park” at the end of the street where little kids play and dogs romp. Very nice. And check out the view of the mountains from out front of the house! Gosh, its gorgeous on this side of the island!
The beach really is only about a 10 minute walk. We explore the Kailua beach park, watching the kayakers out in the water and all the different groups around the park (book clubs, exercise clubs, canoe clubs). The beach is beautiful and sandy, yet a little narrow. You can see where there has been a ton of erosion that has taken its toll on the beach and the natural coast line. Trees have been cut down, their roots exposed to the elements from the water eating away at the dune line. There is also a swath of trees roped off that appear to be scheduled for removal. Climate change – sea levels rising – it’s all so very apparent here! but, with all that said, it is also so very laid back and homey here too.
Heading back, we stop at the Kalapawai Market, the local gathering spot and coffee watering hole. They have fabulous coffee here, and outdoor seating (of course, everything is outdoors here!). Our morning stop here for Hawaiian hazelnut coffee and the paper. we sit outside, basking in the weather and watching the world go by – past the cute little park/huge median/green area across from the market.
Back at the house, we read the paper and relax a bit….
After our relaxing morning, we head out to do a little exploring and hiking. We have discovered one of the botanical gardens (there are, 5 on this island) in an extinct crater, Koko crater, so we figure we’ll head that way. Beautiful day, low 70’s on this side of the island, and because it is the windward side, well, there’s always a breeze. Lovely.
We take the coast road East, through little old towns and villages, mostly cattle and horse country, bucolic, old Hawaiian style. It’s a cross between island style (which is a little bit Polynesian, little bit Anglo, little bit Asian) and redneck style (which is self-explanatory, thank you) – all lush and country and a little run down maybe, but Hawaii-style.
The road turns toward the coast and the views out to Manana and Kaohikaipu islands are fantastic.
We turn the corner heading South, and pass the Makapuu lighthouse – which we’ve hiked previously for the gorgeous water views – then down into the Hawaikai area where the Koko crater botanical gardens are located.
We’ve been all over this area, but have never been here – the gardens are literally hidden up inside the Hawaikai neighborhood. We drive through lovely little neighborhoods, a golf course on our right, and then turn off the main road into a little dead end area where we park near the stables for the garden walk.
We head off, up into the crater. It’s a 2 mile loop walk, with just fantastic views! The crater rim hovers above us, while we wander through the Plumeria grove and Hibiscus bushes.
There is everything here – Hawaiian, Pacific, American, Madagascan and African trees, shrubs and plants. It’s bizarre, but amazing. The 60 acres inside this crater that is now the botanical garden is ideal for all these plants – the hot and dry climate showcases all the plants here. There are cacti, Giant Yucca, a profusion/jumble of bizarre little cacti type things and this tree we call the “fuzzy tree”!
There are also the “Peanut pods” we find in one area. These things look like giant peanuts..seriously!
We continue around the loop – marveling at the different plants and the views of the crater rim. Hmmmm…..there are also people up on that rim….maybe that will be a hike for another day!
Great walk – perfect weather! We head back home for a lunch of Poke (raw seafood salad, sort of like ceviche – Yum!! I have Tuna, Ed has octopus), then just relaxing in the back yard, reading, snacking, just sort of chilling in the sunny, breezy Kailua afternoon!
Oh, OK, we can only sit in the backyard for so long! The house comes with bikes, so off we go on the bikes – we head out to Kailua beach and then go up over the big hill (read: mountain! LOL) to Lanikai with the awesome views back over Kailua…
the prettiest beach on this side of the island—probably on all of Oahu. We hit the beach (to see what it’s like)…
ride on the loop road around Lanikai, and don’t get out on the beach. But it’s so fun to be able to just hop on the bikes and go. Nice way to spend an afternoon!
Evening plans are for Boardriders, a sort of divey kind of bar, where we have a pupu platter of chicken wings, calamari (awesome!!!) and some bizarre, but excellent, pork type product. Really great food for such a dive bar. Met a great local couple there, Bob and Diane, while we were “pu-pu-ing”, and talked the evening away, getting to know what it is like to be true local who has lived here all his life (Bob is the local, Diane has only been here 40 years…only!). Fun evening! Now, on to home for well deserved sleep – we’re finally getting on HST time!
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