Kailua

When your airplane looks like this you know you are in for a good time!

Landing in Honolulu airport I sent a happy thought to my travel agent from Airtreks. She had initially planned my flight to New York from Sydney with just a change of aircraft in Honolulu, but when we walked through the ticket together she suggested to stay for an extra day or two.. And what a couple of days!

I was picked up at the airport by Damien, an american sailor living on O'ahu that I met in the blue mountains near Sydney. We then drove literally through the mountains to the south east coast and the town of Kailua, where I met his father John an ex brit and now professor at University of Hawaii. Damien had graciously offered to let me stay at their house a mere 2 min walk from the beach and with palm trees all around. 

  

After receiving my own room, a delicious lunch and a cold mexican beer in the garden I was given a tour around Kailua by John while Damien went to work. This gave me a good overview of the town so afterwards I jumped on a bike to explore it further on my own. But I wasnt let loose before I had experienced an original shaved ice cone from the same store that Barack Obama frequents when he is visiting his home town Kailua. 

   So I biked around the suprisingly bike friendly town with bikelanes and everything! Going all the way out to Lanikai beach and working my way back towards and along the coast of Kailua. 

Mountain ranges surrounding Kailua. Between the town and the mountains were a large marsh area. 

Lanikai beach. Notice the guy in the blue t-shirt flying his kite

At Lanikai beach I met a guy who was putting up his kite.. but he had also attached his go pro camera in a simple wire beneath it, making for some great pictures from more than a 100 meters above. This little trick I will definitely have to try one time.

  

Next day was packed with hikes around Kailua starting with Makapu`u lighthouse hike. First stop was at a natural lagoon sheltered from the crushing waves, where we went snorkeling. Then a hike along the cliffside till another set of natural pools, called the thai pools. Here the waves smashed againt the volcanic rock creating great displays of spraying water. 

  

Finally ending the hike at the Makapu`u viewpoint. 

From here we changed scenery from bare rocks to steaming jungle and muddy tracks to a waterfall in the mountain range begind Kailua. This track was extremely muddy and along the path you would see abandoned shoes and socks, while swinging from branch to branch to keep your balance. The reward came in the form of a small waterfall with several options for jumping from the surrounding cliffs. 

After a long day of hiking we ended the day with cold beers and barbequed oisters in the garden. 

Next morning was my last day on the island so we were up early to make the most of it. Me, Damien and their dog Kula hiked up to a line of observation bunkers overlooking Kailua and from there we watched the sun rise from the pacific.

 

After some well deserved breakfast we took the scenic route to the airport, making a stop at the huge Diamond Head Crater, where we hiked up to the top overlooking Honolulu. 

Then it was time to say goodbye. It had been a very intensive and enjoyable stay. I cant thank the Casken family enough, Damien, John, Emely, Sarah and Jason, Brad and Cody you all made we feel so welcome!

Mahalo!