Busy as a bee, but I needed a break
March 29, 2008
Somewhere at my university. I was at a conference and behind the building where the conference was held, there's a Japanese garden (I think it's a Japanese garden).
Spring break is about to end and it didn't feel like spring break to me. It felt like any ordinary week. I still had schoolwork to do (and I'm still not done with them yet), I had to work for 2 days, and I attended a conference on Friday and Saturday (today). During the conference today, I realized that I wanted to get away and relax a bit. Plus, it's Saturday! Sure, the conference was great: great speakers, learn new things, a review of what I already know, networking, etc. Well, the conference was free for me anyway, but I just needed a break. So, after lunch, I ditched the conference and cruised for a bit. I wanted to drive and go somewhere I haven't been to in a long while. I wanted to go to the north side of the island, but no. I can't visit the north side for just one afternoon. So, I went to southeast part of the island: Hawaii Kai, Kahala, and Waikiki. Since this was a last minute thing, I couldn't go swimming. That's okay. All I wanted to do is see the places I still love as well as relax and absorb the scenery and environment.
I first went to Hanauma Bay. I forgot that there was a $1 fee for parking (less than 15 minutes, get a refund) when I went there. I haven't swum there in a very long time. When I was younger, I would go here with my dad (sometimes mom comes along). This was one of my favorite places in particular because I loved swimming with my goggles and snorkles to see and swim with the beautiful fishes.
As I was heading towards Sandy Beach, I stopped at the two scenic points. I don't know what they're called though. I just know that they're there. Hehe. At the second scenic point, there's the Halona Blowhole. Don't get too close though. Tragic deaths occured here because some visitors just go to close to the blowhole. It's so sad. The last one I heard of was a few years ago when a boy from California who just graduated from high school was too close to the blowhole and he fell in. If there's a more recent death in this area, then I don't know about it.
One of the places that brings back memories is located next to the second scenic point, which is Sandy Beach. One half of the beach is where surfers catch waves (yes, it's a surfing hot spot) while the other half is where people go fishing. When I was younger, usually my dad, older brother, and I (sometimes mom also) go to the "fishing" side of the beach. My older brother likes to go fishing, but I was more interested in searching for tidepools, which there were a lot of, and look for fishes. Sometimes, my brother also looked for fishes in these tidepools and try to catch them for his aquarium. The hardest one to catch was any kind of butterfly fish. My brother nor my dad could catch a single one.
Next place I went to was Hawaii Kai where the rich people are. Well, I can't think of anywhere else on O`ahu that's rich except Kahala but Hawaii Kai I believe has the most. Seriously, nice, big houses, mansions, and condos. Some people have a man-made lake with a man-made island in their backyard so they can go somewhere like the Koko Marina Shopping Center by boat. I haven't driven around the Hawaii Kai area before and I didn't even know that there were man-made lakes as backyards until today!
Then, I went to the Waialae Beach, in Kahala. It's next to the Waialae Country Club and I believe the Kahala resort is located there also. I don't necessarily like to stay at the beach park area because that's where most of the Waialae beach goers are at, so I walk towards to the residence side of the beach where it's secluded and get a peace of mind. I probably wouldn't swim in Waialae Beach but I like it there because it's the only beach on the southeast side of O`ahu that I know of where I can be secluded from others. Anyone remember MTV'S The Real World: Hawaii? Heh that was years ago but the house was in Kahala.
By the end of the afternoon, I went to Waikiki. No, I didn't go to the tourist side of Waikiki. Now, why would a place so touristy like Waikiki would be a favorite place of mine? No thanks! Anyway, I was at a scenic point by Diamond Head where I can admire the ocean view. Down below, there's Diamond Head beach where the surfers like to catch some waves as well.
Well, after today, I realized how much I missed feeling the breeze, breathing fresh air, taking in the sun, and hearing the waves crashing into shore. I suppose I'm lucky to live in Hawaii. Though, this island girl needs a change in her life.
Next time, I hope to go to my favorite side of the island, the north side. I'm guessing that I will be able to go after I graduate.
I first went to Hanauma Bay. I forgot that there was a $1 fee for parking (less than 15 minutes, get a refund) when I went there. I haven't swum there in a very long time. When I was younger, I would go here with my dad (sometimes mom comes along). This was one of my favorite places in particular because I loved swimming with my goggles and snorkles to see and swim with the beautiful fishes.
As I was heading towards Sandy Beach, I stopped at the two scenic points. I don't know what they're called though. I just know that they're there. Hehe. At the second scenic point, there's the Halona Blowhole. Don't get too close though. Tragic deaths occured here because some visitors just go to close to the blowhole. It's so sad. The last one I heard of was a few years ago when a boy from California who just graduated from high school was too close to the blowhole and he fell in. If there's a more recent death in this area, then I don't know about it.
One of the places that brings back memories is located next to the second scenic point, which is Sandy Beach. One half of the beach is where surfers catch waves (yes, it's a surfing hot spot) while the other half is where people go fishing. When I was younger, usually my dad, older brother, and I (sometimes mom also) go to the "fishing" side of the beach. My older brother likes to go fishing, but I was more interested in searching for tidepools, which there were a lot of, and look for fishes. Sometimes, my brother also looked for fishes in these tidepools and try to catch them for his aquarium. The hardest one to catch was any kind of butterfly fish. My brother nor my dad could catch a single one.
Next place I went to was Hawaii Kai where the rich people are. Well, I can't think of anywhere else on O`ahu that's rich except Kahala but Hawaii Kai I believe has the most. Seriously, nice, big houses, mansions, and condos. Some people have a man-made lake with a man-made island in their backyard so they can go somewhere like the Koko Marina Shopping Center by boat. I haven't driven around the Hawaii Kai area before and I didn't even know that there were man-made lakes as backyards until today!
Then, I went to the Waialae Beach, in Kahala. It's next to the Waialae Country Club and I believe the Kahala resort is located there also. I don't necessarily like to stay at the beach park area because that's where most of the Waialae beach goers are at, so I walk towards to the residence side of the beach where it's secluded and get a peace of mind. I probably wouldn't swim in Waialae Beach but I like it there because it's the only beach on the southeast side of O`ahu that I know of where I can be secluded from others. Anyone remember MTV'S The Real World: Hawaii? Heh that was years ago but the house was in Kahala.
By the end of the afternoon, I went to Waikiki. No, I didn't go to the tourist side of Waikiki. Now, why would a place so touristy like Waikiki would be a favorite place of mine? No thanks! Anyway, I was at a scenic point by Diamond Head where I can admire the ocean view. Down below, there's Diamond Head beach where the surfers like to catch some waves as well.
Well, after today, I realized how much I missed feeling the breeze, breathing fresh air, taking in the sun, and hearing the waves crashing into shore. I suppose I'm lucky to live in Hawaii. Though, this island girl needs a change in her life.
Next time, I hope to go to my favorite side of the island, the north side. I'm guessing that I will be able to go after I graduate.
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Somewhere at my university. I w…
