12/15/2014 – Oahu

Monday – Conrad Sr. And I did an early morning hike to Diamondhead which was a very steep climb but well worth the spectacular views of the harbor and Honolulu. There were a lot of people running up the mountain, but walking was more our speed. There was a marathon the day before in Honolulu and some of the marathoners were running up. Some people just can’t get enough.

When you arrive at Diamondhead you drive through a tunnel into the center of the largest volcanic crater on the island of Oahu. You park on the crater floor and then climb up one of the walls of the crater. The views of the ocean on one side and Waikiki and Honolulu on the other side are spectacular.

Looking down on the crater from above.

Looking up at the lookout from the parking lot

Here we are at the top with Honolulu in the background

The rest of the gang took it somewhat easy in the morning with the kids sleeping in and then hitting the beach. Mom enjoyed the Lanai (patio) and a walk on the beach.

In the afternoon we headed off to Waimea Falls, a botanical garden and waterfall on the north shore. The falls were not that pretty but the flowers and plants were very nice.

A view of the falls, you could swim below the falls as well.

This ivy grew over a branch and all the way down to the ground like a curtain.

These massive Monkey Pod trees were everywhere

There were a lot of beautiful flowers all over the garden.

The kids had a sunset horseback ride on the beach which they thoroughly enjoyed. They got some great pictures as the sun was setting.When we got back from Waimea falls we headed over to meet then, hoping to catch some pictures of them riding, Unfortunately we arrived just a little too late to catch them in action.

Here they with the horses and their guide.

We did see some pretty sunset scenes on the way over to get them though.

Sunset by the hotel

We finished the day off with a Birthday dinner for Kasey at Ola, a restaurant on the beach in our resort.

#Hawaii2014