One of my most favorite days with Mari was our guided tour of southern Iceland during our Baltic/Nordic summer adventures in 2017.We shared that day with an experienced guide who, while not a native Icelander, navigated us safely and expertly around the Land of Fire and Ice while sharing with us some of the island republic's history and fascinating folklore.
While we had enjoyed a day tour of Oahu during our first visit to Hawaii as well as various shore excursions during our second visit, Mari and I were hoping for a more personal experience third time round, something like our private Iceland tour with Sergei.After doing some research on our tried-and-true trip planning site, TripAdvisor, Mari identified a tour called "Ancient Oahu Circle Island Tour" that truly fit the bill. Part of the tour's description promised we would "learn about Hawaiian history and culture while exploring ancient sites" and that sounded like an absolutely maika'i day. It was quickly into our very full (nearly 11-hour) day with our new friend Jason that we realized how perfect a day this would be.
That is Jason posing with me at the final stop on our spectacular tour, a tour that started with an early morning pick-up (7:30 AM is early when you are on island time) at our Hilton home-away-from-home. When Jason dropped us off just after 6:00 PM we couldn't help but give him a big hug and be a little sad that our day was over. We quickly felt at ease with our expert tour guide and as the day progressed, Jason learned enough about us and our travels to choose appropriately picture perfect stops (and snap practically perfect photos of us) throughout the day.
Our first stop was the beautiful overlook seen in these three photos above, with incredible views of Honolulu below. Mari and I decided to wear our gifted leis one final time, hoping to leave them as an offering at an appropriate site in honor of our anniversary observance.
The three photos above are at Mu-Ryang-Sa Buddhist Temple, the largest Korean temple outside of Korea (Korea is on a travel list, too, of course). Jason drove us up the steep Diamond Head hills to the upper Palolo Valley landmark where Mari and I roamed the well-tended gardens and explored the site's buildings and monuments. Unlike Byodo-In, Mu-Ryang-Sa is well-hidden by its surroundings, both natural and man-made, but once you step through the gate of the Four Heavenly Kings, a lush central courtyard warmly welcomes you. After doing our best to firmly embed this memory in our very full hearts, we placed our leis among the flourishing greenery and asked our guide to snap a photo.
I only recently discovered the incredibly informative temple site and highly recommend a visit before your own visit to the area. There is a wealth of information about the structures on the temple grounds appropriately layered with Buddhist wisdom. You will also find audio "Dharma Talks" about meditation as well as a link to a photo montage on YouTube.
Mari and I thoroughly enjoyed our postcard day as evidenced by these photos I would like to share with you, dear reader. Come along on our journey.
While we didn't do any fishing ourselves (fleamarketing antique Limoges fish plates is more my speed), we did enjoy an immensely flavorful local catch at a local "dive" featured on Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. During our morning Oahu-trotting we had shared some of our travel history with our attentive tour guide, including favorite foodie haunts. Jason recognized immediately that we would enjoy the casual outdoor setting as well as the abundant local flavor at Fresh Catch.
Visit the site to learn more about Fresh Catch,
watch clips of Guy's visit,
and explore the bountiful menu.
Our final stop was at the location pictured below, Puʻu O Mahuka Heiau, an historic site that serves as a sober reminder of local history. The temple grounds functioned historically as a military outpost as well as the site of ritual human sacrifice in preparation for battle. Only the rock walls outlining the 17th century temple remain on the seemingly untamed site, the effect appropriately chilling and formidable.
Today, the national historic landmark offers expansive views of Waimea Bay below and of the Waimea Valley beyond. Mari and I noted how especially quiet it was up there. Not exactly a popular tourist trap, the heiau or temple site with its spectacular views did offer an appropriate location for reflection and to mark the end of our Ancient Oahu tour.
Visit the official site for plenty of visitor information and
to read up on an abundance of Hawaiian state parks.
Before I pack up my island souvenirs and migratory melancholia, I have one more palatial post to share. Aloha until next time.
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