…but I still had an awesome time!
Going to Hawaii was my first big vacation since being back from Japan…and actually my longest vacation yet.
Since I was gone for two whole weeks, I’m going to break my adventures up into several parts. We packed in so much hiking and eating into two weeks that I couldn’t possibly contain everything into one or two posts.
Thank you Micah for letting Ching, Megan, and me invade your life for two weeks. And I’m sorry your face isn’t in many of these Oahu pictures because you had CLASS every day. Learning…ew. But at least you get this sweet shout out.
Now back to the story…
Part 1: O’ahu
Hike #1: Lanikai Pillbox Hike
Intensity: Easy to Moderate. I would have had an easier time scrambling up rocks and walking down gravel if I wasn’t in my crocs…I guess I can’t hang with the locals quite yet.
Worth it?: YES. Stunning views!
Number of falls on my butt: one
Hike #2: Manoa Falls (AKA not Ka’au Crater)
Intensity: Easy. There really is no incline, and the hike is just over a mile. But bring bug spray, or else you will be eaten alive. This is a jungle after all.
Worth it?: Greek Gods yes. I didn’t make it to Arashiyama when I was in Kyoto last year, so strolling through the bamboo satisfied my need to be in a panda’s favorite snack forest somehow.
Number of falls on my butt: Zero!
Hike #2.5 or Scramble #1: Spitting Caves for the sunrise
Intensity: If you’re brave enough to wake up at 5 am and drive east on H-1 for a half hour, park in a fancy neighborhood, miss the trail marker because it’s still pitch black and stroll into a stranger’s gated driveway with your headlamp glowing…then go for it! But in all seriousness, bee careful, especially if the rocks are slippery. Fortunately it didn’t rain the night before, so the rocks were okay to walk and climb on, and we didn’t go dangerously far. We were safe.
Worth it?: Yes, except we are pretty sure we parked in the wrong spot because we couldn’t see the sunrise from straight on. But if you can’t tell from this picture, the view was still spectacular.
Next Stop: Kauai!
Hi Becca! I stumbled upon your blog while researching Amami Oshima- I am a linguist (also JET alum) working on the Southern Amami Oshima language and planning an initial field trip next year. I have been to Okinawa (big island), but never to Amami Oshima, and would be very interested to hear your perspective on your time there :) Cheers! -Marti
Hi Marti! That’s amazing! I’d love to talk with you more. Feel free to email me
here and we can talk shop!
Best,
Becca
So many pretty views here! I really like the spot with the rock cliffs looking over the ocean. Spitting Caves? Interesting name…