Oahu, Hawaii

Hello Steemit friends! I wanted to share with you a few photos and some of my experiences from my trip to Oahu.

We stayed on the eastern edge of Waikiki Beach. I love this area, it is on the edge of the tourist area, near the Zoo, great snorkeling spots, close to shops and restaurants. We spent a couple days snorkeling and checking out Waikiki, after that we rented a car to get out of the city and really explore the island.

Duke Kahanamoku Statue

One of our first stops was Diamond Head State Park.

Looking East from Lookout

View of Waikiki from Lookout

Diamond Head is one of Oahu's most recognized landmarks. It sits high above the ocean offering panoramic views of Waikiki and the south shore of Oahu. Diamond Head is a saucer-shaped crater that was formed 300,000 years ago during a single eruption. When you pull into the parking lot you are sitting in the middle of the bowl and can look up for a 360degree view of the crest. The trail up to the lookout is slightly demanding, it is steep, gaining 560ft of elevation. At the summit, you will see old bunkers and other lookouts used in the past by the military to help protect Oahu's south shore. (I would plan this for early in the day, it gets hot with little shade!)

As we continued along the east side of the island we stopped at many of the beaches and lookouts, and drove along the Koolau mountain range. The highway is a narrow two lane road that hugs the coast.

Then we headed to the North shore this was my favorite area, we stopped and watched the surfers and admired the waves.

It is hard to tell but a local told us the waves were 25ft tall!

We snorkeled and paddle boarded with sea turtles at Laniakea Beach. For a late lunch we had the best coconut shrimp at Tsues Farm where they have tortoises wondering around.

The next day we drove to the Dole Plantation, I wanted to try the famous Dole Whip, soft-served ice-cream. The plantation was neat and I am glad we went there but it is a tourist trap, over crowded with overpriced souvenirs.

The last day of our trip was probably the best. We drove to Pearl Harbor and spent the morning touring the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial and walking through the museums. It was such a surreal experience to stand were so many men and women lost their lives and where such a historic event occurred. (Make sure you GPS U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, not Pearl Harbor)

Oahu is one of the most beautiful locations I have ever seen, the locals are incredible and the food was amazing. I cannot wait for my next opportunity to go back to Hawaii and explore other islands.

"I would rather own little and see the world than own the world and see little of it!"