Get update alerts
Locations
- .All Trips
- Art
- Car Culture
- Central America/Caribbean
- Food
- Food Tour
- Pic of the Week
- Sl;ovenia
.All Trips / Hawaii / North America
Sunsets in Paradise
One of the most popular spots on Oahu is Waikiki, and that’s especially true of the beach at sunset. Thousands of tourists and locals crowd in for a variety of reasons. Some are there to sunbathe or swim. Others are there to surf or paddle-board. Some come for a sunset sail or cruise. Many more are there just to enjoy the sights and colors of the setting sun. The clouds and weather combine to make each sunset a unique experience.
During my last trip to Hawaii, we spent 3 nights in Waikiki and were always on the beach when the sun was ready to dip below the horizon. The colors were impressive and on this series of images I wanted to …
Tagged Hawaii, Oahu, Sunsets, Waikiki, Waikiki Beach
.All Trips / Hawaii / North America
Never Forget! A visit to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor is on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, not far from Honolulu, and is still a functioning naval base. But it will always be best known as the site of the Japanese attack on the USA that drew the United States into World War II.
One of the most famous American political speeches of the twentieth century was President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s address to Congress shortly after the attack. Here are some of his words:
“Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation and, at …
Tagged Arizona Memorial, Hawaii, Oahu, Pearl Harbor
.All Trips / Hawaii / North America
The Dole Plantation, Oahu, Hawaii
You’ll find the Dole Plantation on the drive from Honolulu to Hawaii’s North Shore, about 40 minutes north of Waikiki on the Kamehameha Highway. If you’re staying in Honolulu and want to get “out of the city” for awhile, especially with children, a fun day trip would be to the Dole Plantation, one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations with more than a million visitors a year.
A Brief History of the Pineapple in Hawaii
The pineapple was given its English name because of its resemblance to a pine cone. Christopher Columbus was the first who brought this plant, native of South America, to Europe. For centuries pineapple imported to America’s seaside towns was a treat; a fresh pineapple displayed on …
Tagged Dole Plantation, Hawaii, Oahu, pineapple
“Pic of the Week”, May 8, 2015. Nene on Kauai
I’ve previously described an encounter with two rare Hawaiian geese on Maui a few years ago at this link. This past fall when I visited Kauai with my brother and father, we found at least two dozen nene — most on the rocky and wet north shore of the island, but a number of free-loaders hanging out at the koi pond of the Marriott resort hotel (lots of fresh water, shelter, and free food).
While they remind me of Canada geese, they’re much smaller and the webbing between their feet is incomplete. And they are fearless — they’ll walk in front of you whether you’re walking or driving, not sensing any danger. It’s this complete fearlessness that nearly killed them …
May 7, 2015
Comments Off on “Pic of the Week”, May 8, 2015. Nene on Kauai
“Pic of the Week”, February 27, 2015: Silversword, Hawaii
Among the pleasures of being atop Hawaii’s giant volcanoes — Haleakala on Maui, and Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island — are the unusual things you see. Standing on an otherworldly landscape of reddish-brown or gray-black lava rock, the views over the clouds are often breath-taking. You can often see the Big Island from the top of Haleakala, and Maui from Mauna Kea.
If you divert your eyes from the magnificent views to the ground, you’re likely to see this rare gray-silver spikey plant known as “Hawaiian Silversword”. It only grows in Hawaii and then only a mile or more above sea level. Your best chances of seeing it are on the giant volcanoes. The climate up here is harsh — …
Feb 26, 2015
Comments Off on “Pic of the Week”, February 27, 2015: Silversword, Hawaii
.All Trips / Hawaii / North America
“Pic of the Week”, January 30, 2015: Saddle Road, Hawaii
I love a scenic road-trip! One of the greatest short drives in America is Saddle Road, which crosses between the dry and wet sides of the Big Island of Hawaii, across broad lava flows and the saddle between Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, the world’s largest and tallest mountains respectively (base of Mauna Kea is 19000′ below sea level; the part above ocean is 13796′ high). The drive is best done on a clear day, especially in the morning as it often clouds over in the afternoon. It’s a windy road but of good quality. It used to be that not all car rental companies allowed you to take your car rental across it, but the road is so good …
Tagged Big Island, Hawaii, lava, Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Saddle Road, volcano
.All Trips / Hawaii / North America
Wahiawa Botanical Garden, Oahu
I’m fond of exploring parks and libraries in the cities I visit, for different reasons. Libraries are fun because I love and collect books, and because the quality of a city’s libraries tells me a lot about that city’s priorities. Parks are places of escape, especially appealing in largest busiest cities because I quickly tire of wall-to-wall concrete. An oasis of green is an amazing balm for the soul.
While visiting Oahu recently we stopped by the Wahiawa Botanical Garden situated in a small town on the outskirts of Honolulu (and a convenient stop on the way to the Dole Plantation or the North Shore). It’s one of five small parks under the supervision of the Honolulu Botanical Gardens and is …
Tagged garden, Hawaii, Oahu, Wahiawa Botanical Garden
“Pic of the Week”, December 19, 2014: Ferns, Hawaii
The vegetation around the Visitor’s Center in Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii’s Big Island is in a cool tropical rainforest. Situated at 4000′ above sea level (1220m) there’s a lush growth here including ferns of several varieties. Some ferns are only inches tall, struggling for survival in the volcanic rock. Others are up to 35 ft (10 m) in height, the size of a small tree.
While walking to the visitor center, I came across a thick patch of ferns, one of the larger ones including a lot of new growth that we in Canada like to call “fiddleheads”. I’m not sure about this variety, but fiddleheads can make excellent eating. Regardless of their culinary value, I’m fond of walking in forests rich in …
Dec 18, 2014
Comments Off on “Pic of the Week”, December 19, 2014: Ferns, Hawaii
