No Reggae, No Buy

Waimea Valley Waterfall

Day two in Oahu was just as eventful as the first on the North Shore with less impressive food (and at a higher price).

 Day one included Hukilau Cafe, which was jammin the local reggae radio station, which was cool because upon leaving we realized we had been dialed in to the same station all morning: all reggae, all day. The night previous, Surfin Tacos...reggae, as well as Sublime and Jack Johnson and the like. We went to plenty of shops but the ones that really had something of any quality to offer...you guessed it, reggae. Do we see a theme here? I think we do. We have the same type of vibe,  pardon the reference, when we are in Greenville and Charleston, Folly Beach in particular. We have decreed that if you don't have reggae playing, we ain't buyin.

Our first stop was Turtle Bay Resort for breakfast. Idea behind this was to catch some really good breakfast, even if it was more expensive, just to have a view of the water. This resort has swanky landscaping upon entry, a golf course, and that's about it. The food, at least for breakfast is pricey simply because you're at a resort, the standard $25 buffet--there is no way I could eat enough at any breakfast to ever justify 25 bones.  We went the a la carte route and enjoyed a $4 glass of OJ  with it. The words "North Shore" and "resort" don't belong in the same sentence. We shoulda known better. Plus the waiter had the personality of a walnut. And the view...eh. Enough on that. Oh yeah, and if there is music that could be the antithesis of reggae, they were playing it in this place. So we brushed the yuppie off of ourselves, I put my collar on my Lacoste shirt back down, Carrie unwrapped her argyle sweater from around her neck, and we set out to see some natural wonders of this laid back paradise.

We headed back up to explore the Waimea Valley where for like 15 bucks per person you can hike this sacred area to the Polynesian people. The path leads you through an incredible canopy of plants and trees,  all labeled  with descriptions, leading about a mile into the valley. Not just your standard trees...the I-felt-the-need-to-photograph-each-tree type of trees. Really badass trees.

Carrie under tree

At the end of this very casual stroll you are directed to a freshwater waterfall. This sent the camera as well as us into overload. Unobstructed nature blowing people's minds. Best part is there are two lifeguards there and you can take a plunge into this 70ish degree water and swim up and under the falls (insert pic here). One of the most memorable things I've done to date. The waters are believed to have healing powers but I feel the same as I did before? This place is a must to anyone who visits Oahu, young and old. Oh, and take bug spray on this one, Carrie got about 8 bites the first 8 seconds out of the Jeep, one of which swelled up to be about 2 sq inches. Impressive. Mosquitos love her.

me under water

This worked up quite an appetite and it was definitely lunch time. We did some research on yelp and trip advisor and Ted's Bakery seemed to be the bee's knees. So, of course we were down. Everything baked in-house:  pies, cakes, breads and whatnot.  Upon entering it seemed like a madhouse, but no fear because it smelled like heaven. It was freaking slammed busy, lunch rush, which we came in on the tail end of. Waited almost 30 minutes for the food. And this is a "wait around the counter till your name is called" type place. I won't even review the food cause it's not worth my time, nor was the 30 minutes I spent standing at their counter acting like I wasn't pissed.


Went back to Surfin Tacos for dinner and more Surf Sauce cause we needed a sure thing for our last supper. And indeed it was. Reggae was pumpin and Dave was working again. We got a photo with him and became friends on FB. A girl dining with her rents came over and asked Carrie and I if we were movie stars?! So, of course we said yes and told her to get away from us:D. Only joking but that would've been hilarious.

We will definitely be back to visit this amazing island, stay more than 5 seconds next time, and learn to surf (Dave said he'd teach us, and judging by his profile pic he can surf...well)!

So Aloha, Oahu!!!

Thanks for the memories that will last a lifetime...

Andy and Carrie