After leaving Diamond Head, and armed with my wonderful guidebook of Oahu Revealed, we continued driving east along H-1, soon to become Hwy 72, or Kalanianaole Highway.
The coastal highway is so beautiful, and we were just oohing and aahing the whole drive. And on that drive is when I realized that there are many more accessible beaches on Oahu than Maui; Maui has more cliffs. Also the shape of the island of Oahu gives it more corner points than the rounded edges on Maui. Maui also has Haleakala crater taking up a good chunk in the middle of the island. The differences between the islands are so striking, and make every single island more unique and worth visiting.
Our first stop along the highway was one of Oahu's many hidden gems: Portlock spitting cave. The cave is below a gorgeous layered shoreline, and the views are mesmerizing.According to my book, each layer is formed by a different volcanic explosion. The water was very clear, and exceptionally blue.
The spitting cave is called so because it is where the ocean is chiseling its way inland, trying to break the point into two, but the waves get repelled by the back side of the cave. This causes the ground to tremble and the water and mist to explode out of the cave.
The surf was not high when we were there, so the "spitting" was not as powerful as it could be. But the views were amazing, the air was fresh, and there were no crowds. The only other people present, were some locals fishing at the other end, and couple young guys trying to jump off the 65-foot cliff :gasp.I would not jump off that even if I got paid to do it. It looks very scary, and previously people have died or got seriously injured trying to jump off.
After the first guy jumped, I thought we better leave, I did not want anything bad to happen on my watch. So, we climbed back up to our car and continued driving.
The next major attraction along 72 is Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve. Supposedly,perfect and exceptional for snorkeling. We passed by, but did not stop. There is a five -dollar charge per person to get in, and we did not have much time to spend there, so we skipped it for another time.
Our next stop was Halona Blowhole lookout. We had to wait for a parking spot, and finally got one. The blowhole is where the ocean has undercut the lava and drilled a hole through the top.Like I said, the surf was not high, so it was more of a mist hole, than the powerful water eruption.The views of Halona Beach are magnificent, and it was still worth the stop.
Right next to the lookout(500 feet down the road), we checked out a Japanese fishing shrine. There is a carving of a Japanese guardian god that was said to preside over dangerous waterways. It was fun to see that, and it was obvious that the shrine is cared for.
Continuing along Hwy 72, the next stop was Makapuu lighthouse hike. I will write about that in another post.
It was a wonderful sightseeing day on Oahu, and I couldn't believe how much we were able to see, and we were still back at our hotel by 0500 pm.
A note on how to get to Portluck Spitting Cave:Driving along Hwy 72, take Lunalilo Home Road toward the ocean. Turn left on Poipu Rd, then follow the winding road to Lumahai Rd. If you drive to the end of Lumahai Rd, there's a hard to see public access corridor that requires a 2-minute walk down a steep path to the cave.
Comments (18)
Hi Candi, this was a wonderful post to read this morning. I enjoyed looking at all of your photos. Being so close to the rocks and the most likely strong undertow, I wouldn't do that dive if someone paid me too. The Japanese fishing Shrine looked really cool too. I don't think I have see that before.
Seems like a fantastic day of sightseeing. Thanks for sharing and I am looking forward to reading your next installment. Have a great day!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | April 24, 2009 7:04 AM
Posted on April 24, 2009 07:04
I love that shrine! What a great find. The blue of the ocean is so beautiful. Love my vicarious trip to Hawaii this morning, thanks to your post!
Posted by Annie | April 24, 2009 7:43 AM
Posted on April 24, 2009 07:43
Hey, I just thought of this! That shrine would work for the Protection theme! :)
Posted by Annie | April 24, 2009 1:44 PM
Posted on April 24, 2009 13:44
What a lovely day! Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by Amy | April 24, 2009 3:17 PM
Posted on April 24, 2009 15:17
Kathy and Amy, thanks for your comments. It was a beautiful island day.
Annie. I had in you in mind as I was visiting the shrine:) And yes, it would work for the protection theme! Should have saved it:)
Thanks.
Posted by candi | April 24, 2009 3:22 PM
Posted on April 24, 2009 15:22
Candi, I really enjoyed following along your day exploring Oahu. The photos are gorgeous. I especially like the Shrine and story behind it. You are lucky to have such beautiful places to explore nearby. I suppose that I do,too I have lived here so long,that I take it for granted :)!
Posted by sheri | April 25, 2009 8:04 AM
Posted on April 25, 2009 08:04
I could not leave a comment above on PH. It was giving me an error message.
Interesting post and a very distinctive building in Rome. One always knows what it is when one sees it, even in a photo.
Happy weekend to you and thanks for the visit.
Posted by jmb | April 25, 2009 12:09 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 12:09
Stunning photos! Love the blue of the water and the sky.
off topic: how did you manage to make the frames for the photos? I have the html to do the black frames for my photos but would like to change to a different style, maybe in a grey scale like your frames.
Posted by María I. | April 25, 2009 1:29 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 13:29
Just like jmb, I had trouble commenting on your PH post.
I love Castel Sant'Angelo! The architecture is so unique and there’s such a great view of Rome from the top.
Posted by María I. | April 25, 2009 1:34 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 13:34
Sheri, it is so easy to get distracted by life and take things for granted.But since I don't live anywhere long enough, it is always and new and exciting.
Thanks jmb.
Maria, I love the blue too.
Re: photo frames, I actually framed them in PhotoScape, and uploaded them framed already. I did not even realize I can use html codes for frames. I am still experimenting with this, there is so much I like to learn.
Posted by candi | April 25, 2009 1:35 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 13:35
I am not sure what is the deal with that Ph entry, but I can't even open it.
Hope it is temporary.
Posted by candi | April 25, 2009 1:37 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 13:37
I LOVE the little shrine - so picturesque!
Thank you for sharing your adventures with us.
Posted by nancyhol | April 25, 2009 11:51 PM
Posted on April 25, 2009 23:51
Beautiful photos! Thank you for posting the photos of the Spitting Cave. I am going to have to go check that out. It looks like a very cool place to visit!
I am pretty sure the beach (6th photo down) is the beach in the famous scene in the movie From Here to Eternity (think that is the name of the movie).
And...to comment on your photohunt post since I can't comment there right now - I think Castle Sant' Angelo is a great choice for the theme protection. Great shots! Have you been inside? I finally went during my last visit to Rome and really enjoyed my visit there.
Posted by girasoli | April 26, 2009 2:54 AM
Posted on April 26, 2009 02:54
Hi Candi, I'm commenting on your PhotoHunt post because for some reason I can't seem to get to the comments page for that post so I tried this post and it worked. It looks like Maria had the same experience.
I loved your photos on the Castle Sant' Angelo in Rome. I'm not sure I knew about the history before so thank you for providing that background information. I was last there in 2005 and loved seeing it in person.
Great selection on this week's photo theme Candi!
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | April 26, 2009 7:59 AM
Posted on April 26, 2009 07:59
Nancy, I liked the shrine too,it is really neat.
girasoli, your are right, it is the beach from the movie, and actually some of my friends at work who moved from Oahu to Maui said that they call it From Here to Eternity beach:)
And yes, we went inside the castle and absolutely loved it. Actually, I think I would like to visit it again with more history 'knowledge" next time.
Kathy, yes, the comments problem, it is in couple of posts that I know of, maybe more.
Actually, this little bit of history I mentioned is what I remember from the audio tour, but I would love to learn more and visit it again. It is very ...Roman:) I love it:)
Posted by candi | April 26, 2009 1:06 PM
Posted on April 26, 2009 13:06
Hi Candi, your photos are sensational! I can't believe how blue the water is. I really have to visit Hawaii.
Very lovely shrine as well.
Posted by sandrac | April 27, 2009 7:22 PM
Posted on April 27, 2009 19:22
Thanks for the interesting information. The post was professionally written and I feel like the author has extensive knowledge in the subject. Keep it that way.
Posted by Payday Loans | April 30, 2009 3:44 PM
Posted on April 30, 2009 15:44
I like this remark. Thanks for letting it ace in its own post. I get upset when I see mental righteous mobs hurrying to open bags of feathers and burbly the tar. So much we figure only a little part of the story and rather we let angriness do the thinking for us.
Posted by Shonta Wuerz | March 25, 2010 5:04 AM
Posted on March 25, 2010 05:04