Makapu'u Lighthouse 12/30/10

Super fun day with Keoni, Krischa, and her cousin Kainoa. I'd bring a visiting friend here for the whole day because there are different things you can do: walk on the paved sidewalk up to the lighthouse lookout, numerous trails up the hill (different views of Koko head/Makapu'u beach, old military bunkers, small kine psuedo ridge with beautiful views), Queen's bath, and Pele's chair. Overall, there's so much to do in this area and it's free!

haha we started a little early.. but missed the sunrise :/

please don't do this lol

me and krischa. it was really windy

Queen's Bath

beautiful views at the end

good bye cruel world????

Kaena Point 12/23/10

me on top the last pillbox

Kaena Point is the westernmost point of the island of Oahu and is very sacred. It is believed that souls jump into the afterlife there.
We started real early because the heat is intense. I enjoyed this adventure because it was so beautiful. The views of both Waianae-side and Mokuleia-side, sightings of large scary birds (I watched the movie Birds, when I was a kid...), and pill boxes on the mountain side were well worth it.
Only thing I'll suggest is that if you go up to the pill boxes, stay on the trail because the whole mountain side is burial grounds and I'm pretty sure there used to be a big heiau(sacred place) as there are rock wall formations etc.. pretty spooky stuff.

view of the mountain we climbed

view of Waianae

pillboxes

pokai bay cheeee huuu

Moorea 2010

Papeete, Tahiti from the ferry













almost there! cheeeee












mountain along the way to the belvedere













opunohunohu bay





















drinking hinano and eating mahi mahi tahitian style

















teahupo'o coca cola can













chow mein eaten at Mahogany Restaurant.













meadow off the road with some horses cruising












going lagoonarium haha (great place for kids)













snorkeling shot! fish eating algae growing on rope





















hahaha.... moorea <3

I went to Moorea twice during my 5 week vacation in Tahiti and both times were for the weekend. I stayed at Hotel Hibiscus the first trip and they gave a 40% discount because I paid in USD lol. And for my second trip, I stayed at Hotel Kavika which was in Cook's Bay. It's pretty pricey in French Polynesia so a lot of things were outrageously priced. There's a Nelson's Camping Site by Hotel Hibiscus that is pretty affordable (I didn't have a chance to stay there). Nelson's offer little bungalows by the beach (bare amenities and cold showers) for a decent price in comparison to other accommodations. I heard good things.

Anyways, Moorea is definitely the destination to go to if you are in French Polynesia. Although pricey, there's a lot of FREE or close to free things to do such as grabbing a few Hinanos and cruising at the beach, hiking, and the belvedere lookout.

Lulumahu 12/11/2010

Lulumahu Falls

After a stormy Friday, we began our journey on a beautiful sunny morning to Nuuanu Valley. I can't really tell you exactly how to get to the trail head but if you get to the parking lot, you're there. Beautiful views and mossy rocks. This adventure reminded me of my lava tube adventure in Tahiti, minus the lava tubes :)
















me and kahea along the water reservoir
















mini waterfalls along the river













wet shoes haha
















crossing the stream













found this little guy hopping around
















almost there
















VALLEY OF DOOM! haha

Puena Point 12/09/2010

Instead of doing a sunrise hike due to the storm, we went to North Shore to check out the Billabong Pipeline Masters. I guess because the weather was severe, they did not hold the contest. After a couple hours watching the waves at Rock Piles and Sunset Beach, we went to Puena Point. I haven't been there since I was a kid so it was really nice to go there.

If you keep walking along the beach, you would reach Police Beach and then Papailoa etc. It's okay if you stay on the beach but do not venture in land because it's private property.







the beginning










walk along the water










we had all of this to ourselves!
















beautiful views















the waves crashing against the reef












doom cloud










walking back
Kaena Point in the background










Pau! haha








HERE IS A VIDEO THAT I POSTED ON MY FACEBOOK.

Lāʻie Falls Trail 12/04/2010

walking on mars

ascending

among giants. CHRISTMAS LAND

beautiful views

the Lāʻie waterfall

looking towards the ocean from the trail junction

pau! haha!