Views of the Shore

Photos.

Saturday morning was an early out, and the bus was on the road shortly after 7:30. By then, I was a little weary of touring and my back ached from being squished on the bus. Fortunately, we arrived early enough to sit on the right side of the bus, so my drive-by photos were a little more interesting.  After missing the North Shore, I was happy to see surfers way below in Hanauma Bay, enjoying the lovely cool morning.

As always, I looked for migrating whales, but they are either not there or else I’m missing them.

Byodo-In TempleThe drive through Valley of the Temples Park was actually very cheerful. Families were out visiting the dead and the atmosphere was almost celebratory, even though rain was falling in occasional big bursts.

I opted not to enter Byodo-In Temple, since we had only about 20 minutes before boarding time. Instead, I walked around the little pond in front of the temple, and was surprised by big turtles and huge bullfrogs frolicking in a kind of moat on the side of the road. Altogether different, strangely soothing.

Kualoa Ranch
The advertised highlight of the day was Kualoa Ranch, the 4,000-acre property used for movie and TV sets. By this time, I really was toured out and none too enthusiastic about jumping on the old schoolbus, painted green, with yellow paint showing through on much of the

We toured the vast property of mostly undeveloped land, very rare on Oahu. We saw the sites of many movies like Jurassic Park, Jumangi, King Kong. We stopped at a large bunker, built in 1943, used in the filming of Pearl Harbor, among other war movies. Interesting enough for me to want to see some the movies and TV shows mentioned.

It was all too much, though, and too long. After a pretty good sandwich box lunch, we were corralled for an educational presentation that included an introduction to hula dancing, my personal favorite. Bob –a perpetual self-proclaimed non-joiner -- slinked to the back of the pack and masterminded our early exit from the required activity. This is not his first rodeo: we have made similar escapes from Italian churches and French chateaux. Bob is not one to be swayed by peer pressure.

Finally, we left for the Port of Honolulu. I didn’t get out of the bus for the last photo op near the old Royal Palace, and I missed a shot of the very modern Hawaii State Capitol. No matter. Time to cruise.