Grand Cirlce Island Tour

---

An early pick up of 8:15am for my tour this morning. I hopped on a huge motor coach bus that went all around Waikiki picking up other passengers. Finally we were on our way. Our bus driver's name was Ileo which we learnt meant Dog in english haha. But we all just called him Leo. Super funny Hawaiian guy. He had a ton of jokes and stories that were actually funny. Our first stop was to overlook Hanauma Bay. This is were some good snorkeling is but big lineups to get in as it's a conservation area.

Next up was Halona Blowhole which is just a bunch of rocks where the water comes in and it blows out a hole in the rock. Pretty cool but nothing spectacular. Then we drove all the way up to Pali lookout in the mountains. It was super windy up there and it almost always is. Great views! You can see 2 golf courses, the one town, the ocean. It's very nice.

Then we stopped in at Byodo-In Temple which is a replica of a Japanese temple. Very nice place. Inside is a huge Buddah statue and all around it are coi ponds full of huge fish. I also managed to spot 4 turtles. 2 big ones, a medium one and a little baby one. So cute!

Stopped at Kualoa Ranch again for a tram ride around and then lunch. Our tour driver looked exactly like that Jon Gosselien guy form TLC but a younger version of him. Next stop was a Macadamia nut farm. OMG sooo good! They have samples of all the ones you can try. Coffee, honey roasted, unsalted, salted, cinnamon, garlic onion, wasabi ad caramel. I bought a bag of the caramel ones. MMMM.

We drove past one of the most dangerous beaches in the world. The waves were crazy. Only local boys were in the water swimming as the waves would just pick you up and then slam you down. Nuts!

Stopped in Haleiwa again and our driver picked up some pickled Mango for us all to try. It's delicious but not what you expect either. Our last stop was the Dole Plantation. We got to walk around the gardens they have there and see how pineapples grow. Super cool. Then I ate a dole whip ice cream which was covered in fresh pineapple. Yum!! Walked around the gift shop and saw cool leather bracelets you can buy and they will etch your Hawaiian name into them. I didn't think they'd have mine but they did!!! My Hawaiian name is Laulene. So I bought one haha.

Was super tired by the time we got back to Waikiki.

---

Comments

[anonymous]

I love the rainbow eucalyptus, I've never seen one before! And I see you got some good oversized sunnies, you'll need 'em! :)

[Laurene]

Awwww I love you favorite cousin haha!!! I haven't set my voice mail up yet hahaha but I have 2 voicemails I need to check so I will hear it soon!! Yea isn't it cool how pineapples grow!?!?! Wait until you see pics from NZ!! Sweet as!!!!