One of our top spots that is unparalleled in beauty is the North Shore. When deciding where to spend one of our last few days we had left in Hawaii, we both agreed the prestigious beaches deserved the four hour return bus ride. Our favorite part was climbing off the transit and making our way to the bluest surf I have ever seen. The minute my toes immersed themselves in the whitest grains of sands, I felt a part of me coming home. The sea has always been a connection to my free spirit; as much as my Canadian roots make up who I am, the open waters are my calling card. It is a landscape where catamarans sail along, while underneath the bustle of marine activity delivers a cycle of life. A berth of give and take...the sea can bring peace and turmoil, all at the same time. One of our beach stops was at Lanikai Beach, also known as Turtle Beach. Besides being voted one of the best beaches in the world, Lanikai boosts green sea turtles (honu); some of them will come up on the shoreline to soak up the sun. On the day we arrived, volunteers were keeping a watchful eye and roping off an area to protect them. We sat on our towel and counted six to seven turtles swimming near shore, who had come to feast on the seaweed. Meanwhile, as we watched a female turtle resting, it was an amazing sight to see an enormous mammal basking in the hot sunshine. I spoke with one of the volunteers named Bobbi, who is passionate about the conservation of these endangered species. She explained that all of the turtles have names and were identified by their 'fingerprints;' markings on the face and head of the turtle. Photographs are taken of them to assist in the process of classification and then used to match up the turtles correctly to their names. Protected under Hawaii state law, these majestic creatures are to be seen and not disturbed in any manner. After watching
Claudette for over an hour, we packed up and hopped onto the next bus. A trip to Hawaii is not complete without seeing the
Dole Plantation, which prides itself with acres of 14,000 Hawaiian plants making up a large maze and at the center is the shape of a pineapple. Admission is free to the Dole Gift store, but the maze and other attractions such as a mini train ride cost a nominal fee. Once inside the shop, we bought chocolate covered pineapple ( half the box was gone immediately) and tangy pineapple whipped ice cream cones. It was interesting to see all of the unique ways pineapple can be enjoyed. After finishing our treats, we visited Haleiwa, a town that had Bob Marley items in one shop and angelic gifts at another. I spoke to several ladies who were dedicated to their work and made me feel most welcome. Their interest in my novel, Under the Sitka Tree, had me sharing with them the story of inspiration for my book. It was easy in this place of peace to chat away a sunny afternoon, however the long wait times in between for buses, forced me to depart to another beach. Our last site to see was Waimea Bay, well known for the surf swells in winter that can reach up to 30 ft. There are some boulders to climb as my boyfriend soon discovered and a cliff side, off in the distance where brave souls jump into the swirling ocean waters. Not for the faint of heart ( or those with no insurance coverage), these cliffs draw the attention of those seeking adventure. Unfortunately, we were witness to an older man who seriously injured himself and an ambulance came and retrieved his battered body. Sometimes mother nature bites back and if your not prepared, it can prove to be costly. That is one of the main reasons I did not try surfing. Once I discovered the additional Travel Insurance we had bought was useless (I was told by the company, if anything happened they would pay out directly, which was not the case)...I decided not to risk any potential injuries. Besides, in Shark's Cove, I had already cut my leg up on the volcanic rock and it had become infected. Speaking with the travel insurance company, I soon found out I was on my own to pay any fees and prescriptions up front, then they would reimburse me later. One of the quotes I received for a simple consultation was $130.00! Therefore, I came back to our room, went on the Internet and found a remedy that several days later, worked to clear up my leg. One small mishap in the USA can cost you thousands. I also had to contend with the fear of coming in contact with any coral as many locals spoke of it growing in your skin. Thankfully, I do not resemble Seriatopora or have a longing to snack on some plankton. My small scar will always remind me of my journey to Oahu and the brilliant scenery I encountered. That said...I do not need to have a piece of coral attached to me to forever remind me of this special island that will always remain close to my heart.
