Climbing Koko Head

If you have ever driven past Hanauma Bay, you may have seen a massive set of "stairs" off to the mountain side. These are old train tracks that you can trek up, and that everyone calls Koko Head because it climbs up the side of  Koko Head Crater.  It is a quick and intense cardio workout that is insanely popular. 

My tips: 

• Go early to avoid the heat and the crowds.
• Bring lots of water-it gets crazy hot!  There is NO shade and the breeze is blocked until the top.
• Bring a camera for the amazing view!
• Take breaks if you need to, but don't give up.  The top is worth it and you can always rest.
• Moonrise, Sunrise, and Sunset are all great from the top.  

Here is a shot of the view on your way up.  

A map of the area

Hanauma Bay is just below Koko Crater in this map view of the hike location.

Waimea Bay

Waimea Bay is one of my favorite beaches on the island.  There are a few downsides though; not enough parking, super far away, and ... not enough parking!  The beach is massive and the water is clear and beautiful.  In the summer, it looks calm and protected.  In the winter, you are looking at an entirely different place.  You might have read my post last year about the Eddie Aikau Surf Competition.  (Click on the link to go to the post on the competition.)  It took place at Waimea Bay and the waves were 25 feet!



My boyfriend took this picture of the lifeguard tower.  The sunset was bEAUtiful.

Me gazing at the flat water and the sun.

See that huge rock with people all over it??  Famous Waimea Rock.  JUMP!

Me and Codes enjoying the sunset and the peace of Waimea and the North Shore.

Zen Villa Haleiwa

We stayed at this beautiful little vacation rental in Hale'iwa last weekend.  It was peaceful, quiet, and right in the center of town.  You would never  have known it was there...  This would be a great place to stay if you wanted to spend some time on the North Shore, check out the Dole Plantation, shop around, and see the beaches.  It was a different feel than a beach house, but so nice to not have to drive a whole lot and enjoy your North Shore experience.
http://zenspacehaleiwa.com/

The entry way into the property.

The one bedroom cottage on the right side.

The house was surrounded by a beautiful garden. Plumeria, limes, tropical flowers, and a banana tree created a sense of luxury and peace in the middle of a bustling town.  Our favorite part of the house was the fountain, it was huge and made a very calming sound.

Peeking through the doorway at the cottage on the left, the 3 bedroom that we stayed in.

To view more information or book this house for your next vacation click here.

Laniakea - A Turtle Lover's Dream

What makes Laniakea so special?  Is it the beautiful stretch of sand, the great surf, or the large amount of green sea turtle's all in one place?  I love it all, but in the past few years, Laniakea has become a CRAZY tourist destination.  You can't miss the beach, just look for about 50 cars parked on the side of the road and tour buses stopped along the pull off areas.

(One of the many massive honu resting on some rocks just above the surf zone.  I took this last weekend.)

What once was peaceful and serene is now crowded and a little crazy.  What makes Laniakea different from other beaches on Oahu?  There are other places to spot turtle's, in fact, pretty much anytime you are out surfing, you'll spot a few.  But at Laniakea, you can see them basking in the sun, nibbling on limu, or swimming in the waves.  Please be respectful of our turtles/honu and keep your distance.  

This guy was loving the splashing, crashing waves on his back just before he slid into the surf.  

If you want to read more about Laniakea and protecting the turtles, check out this site.  http://www.turtles.org/laniakea.htm

If you have never been to Laniakea, it is located on the North Shore of Oahu.  During the summer, the waves are mild and sometimes non-existent, but in the winter they are world famous and huge.

Here is a view of the coastline from the beach last weekend.

And finally, the reason the turtle's love Laniakea!  FOOOD!  I knew we had a lot in common...

Luibueno's in Hale'iwa Hawaii

Keeping with the theme of the North Shore, I thought I would share with everyone the wonderful food that we had at Luibueno's in Hale'iwa Hawaii.  Located across from Pizza Bob's where the old Rosie's Cantina used to be, Luibueno's is classy, refined, and delicious.  The service was excellent and the bartender had a heavy hand, but the highlight was definitely the food.

An incredibly flavorful vegetarian paella.  Buttery, yet crunchy vegetables over rich Spanish rice.

The "seafood soup" for lack of the actual name... My parents loved it.

Classic Margarita, on the rocks with salt. Strong and not too much sweet and sour, just how I like it.

Someone liked the special!  Ono with a Manchego Cheese and Chipotle cream sauce.  YUMMY.

Luibueno's :
66-165 Kamehameha Hwy.
Hale'iwa, HI 96712
808-637-7717

Open:  11-10:30 daily, lunch 11-3, bueno hour 3-5, late night 9:30-10:30

Click Map to see Location

FREE PATTERN : BABY DRESS/TUNIC

FREE PATTERN : BABY DRESS/TUNIC
I found this super cute pattern online today and I can't wait to make it! Anybody having any babies??

Vacation to... the North Shore!

This past weekend my parents treated my boyfriend and I to a trip to the North Shore.  We rented a house in the middle of Hale'iwa and just soaked up the tourist atmosphere.  We went shopping, snorkeling, swimming, and watched some beautiful sunsets, not to mention all the food we ate!  In honor of such a fun trip, this week, my blog is going to be full of posts about the North Shore and our lovely weekend.  To kick off the week, here are some snapshots of our stunning sunset our first night in Hale'iwa.

Totally enjoying my first night away from home.

These little girls were too much!  The one on the far left kept saying, "You are my BFFF" to the girl in the pink.  They were definitely adorable and entertaining.  Running up and down the beach in their own little world...  To be 5 again.

The paddlers were paddling out and back in, out and back in and their coach was in the one man beside them.  The shape of the boats and the paddlers was so peaceful and yet inspiring with the sun setting in the background.

The rippling waves...

Inspired by Independence Day

Independence Day (and my birthday) is tomorrow.  I love red, white, and blue any time of the year, but for some reason Summer makes these colors POP!

If you love bold statements and summer fun, you'll flip over this cute little clutch.

Show off your cute and sassy side with this hair clip.

Walk in style and save all those little paper cozy wraps with this super cute peace coffee wrap.

I don't have any keiki of my own, but if I did, they would be decked out in these amazingly cute bloomers.

Enjoy your 4th of July and be safe.  Fireworks are my favorite part of my birthday, and I am so lucky to get them every year!