Daddy had decided not to bring along our laptop for the trip thinking that if we do so, we might end up spending more time in front of the computer. So now that we are back, we have tons of pictures to upload and stories to blog! Daddy agreed to help to blog some … hmm … but I am afraid that may means months before any pictures and stories will be put up! Will see how…meanwhile here’s Day 2 of our trip…
We woke up early on at 5.30am Hawaiian time which is around 8.30am in Phoenix. Started our day with sumptuous buffet breakfast at the hotel. Mummy was quite clueless about our itinerary for the day but luckily Daddy had everything planned out. This was one of our most well researched trip. Can’t remember when was the last time Daddy was so well prepared. In order to make our $$ worth this time, he had decided to put in more effort researching and I am glad that I could just sit back and relax 
We set off for Kailua beach park after a good breakfast. As we drove out of Waikiki, it became apparent why this island is such a paradise. Lush green forest lined the highway and the weather was hot but with the surrounding greenery, the air was cooled and though it was almost noon, you can still smell the freshness in the air. Thanks to the plants that were working hard, ingesting and transforming the stale air to breathable O2. The freshness and coolness of the air was almost therapeutic.
We decided to pack some lunch at one of the local fast food chain Zippy before heading to the beach. One of the very common Japanese food found in Hawaii was Saimin, it is something like Ramen, cooked either in soup or fried. We got Mal a soup Saimin and some fried chicken and were ready to go.
Kailua beach park is at the eastern coast of Oahu. It is one of Oahu’s most beautiful beaches with excellent swimming and wind surfing. The beach is nice and fine sand perfect for sunbathing and recreational activities. This area is also a world-class wind surfing destination but the wave and wind looked too intimidating for amateur wind surfers like us. Instead we spent hours playing on the beach, building sand castles, watching people wind surf, para surf, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful ocean. The wind was pretty strong for that day, not sure whether it was this strong normally. Comparing to the water in Maldive where we tried windsurfing, the wind and wave here were far too challenging!
Our next stop after the beach was a short drive to Pali lookout It was mid afternoon and after our lunch on the beach, Mal dozed off almost immediately once we got onto the car. We decided to take the chance to leave him in the car, with the window slightly wound down for some ventilation while we dashed off to the lookout area. We were not so worried about Mal waking up while we were gone as we were quite sure he wouldn’t be waking up so soon. We were more concerned about being sued for negligence by some nosey passerby, as in US, it is a pretty serious offence to leave kids unattended in the car. Ooops! did I just announce this to the whole world?!
The main highlights for Day 2 was the hike up Diamond Head Crater . This is an extinct volcanoe which is more than 3,500 feet in diameter with a 760-foot summit, Diamond Head in Waikiki is perhaps the world’s most recognized volcanic crater. It is a lasting remnant of a volcanic explosion that occurred about 500,000 years ago. Would love to climb up Volcano Kilauea , an active volcano in Big Island Hawaii with chance of viewing active lava flow but since we are not going to fly there this time (now I am thinking maybe we should have just paid the USD 200 each and sling Mal for the hike up the volcano, we read the hike is not suitable for kids as falling on the harden lava is no joke as it cuts like glass), guess an extinct one is better than nothing. Yeah! I have to console myself!
At Diamond Head crater, Daddy had a good workout hiking up the crater with Mal sling around him. We took around 2 hours to hike up and down the crater, slowly taking pictures, enjoying the view along the way and snacking at the park after the hike.
After the hike, we drove around looking for food. The Frommer’s guidebook that I borrowed from the library came in pretty handy when it comes to recommendations on what to eat on the island. After driving around for a while, we decided to head back to Waikiki for some Japanese food. We chose a restaurant with the most customers, not recommended in the guidebook though, for some Ramen and fried Saimin. Looks good on the photo but turned out not very authentic, tasted more like those noodles or zi cha ordered from coffee shop back home!
It had been a long day and Mal missed his lego toys in the hotel room. So first thing he did when he got back to the room was to play with his toys. Thereafter, he had his bath and very soon he was sound asleep. It was a very fruitful day for us as we thought we had seen quite a bit for a day. Can’t wait to see what this island had to offer…our holiday had just begun…
hot miso soup for breakfast…
his favourite pancakes and blueberry muffins…
even the glass taste good!
the lush green forest was too good to pass up…
so we stopped along the way for some scenery shots
but Mal would rather stay in the car…as the wind was too strong and the sun too bright! after this trip we realised that Mal wasn’t really the outdoorsy type! haiz!
the fast food chain that can only be found in Hawaii
Kailua Beach Park, the wind surfers’ paradise
the wind was howling…
such beautiful natural colours
the other end of the beach where you can catch a short glimpse of the beach from the highway 
Mal at the beach
the sand is so fine and soft…
see what we have made…looks simple??? realised that it isn’t as simple as it looks!
nice pathway from the carpark to the beach and ocean
hidden path to the beach…
let’s check it out…
It was high tide and this is what we saw….a daily view for the houses that are built right along this stretch of the beach
taking a detour to Kaneohe Bay
kids playing at the school’s basketball court, I was surprised by how run down the school was
not very impressive Kaneohe beach, only noticed a few locals hanging around here
that’s what happened when you go against the wind…natural hair gel at Pali lookout
at Pali lookout
view from the lookout
photo shoot by chinese tourist..hurry hurry…we need to make it back to the car before someone caught us leaving Mal sleeping unattended in the car!
Le’ahi or Diamond Head Crater
how it was created…
Diamond Head Crater…Here We Come!!!
Mal just woke up from his nap, in time to begin the hike, the sling came in super handy
Daddy sling Mal all the way up the summit…Mal was having such a good time enjoying the view from the sling while Daddy was totally shack out! Good workout for Daddy though
stopping by for some photo shoot on the way up
more shots
daunting flight of stairs….this is only the beginning!
reaching the top of the stairs
this looks like the stairs in a lighthouse…final steps to the summit???
not quite…more steps coming up…
finally at the summit! 3 cheers for Daddy and his talking back pack!
what a view…
can actually spot our hotel from here!
a narrow trail to the generator at the summit
more pics from the summit
ooohhh..nice!
the Diamond head lighthouse!
how can Daddy miss out a picture with a lighthouse!
time to make our way down…it is close to 6 in the evening and the sun is not as hot hus Mal could do without his shades and hat
the happy backpack!
the unique bird commonly found on the island, known as the Red Crested Cardinal We were surrounded by them while we were snacking at the park cos we fed them the prawn crackers we were having!
the not so authentic Japanese noodles at Waikiki
time for a cold beer and some sea breeze at the balcony after tucking Mal in…what a day!
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