A sad day
Today is definitely not my day.
After a stressful morning dealing with extremely fixated co-workers, and wrestling pouring deadlines, around the noon came the news that actress Farrah Fawcett, the “Charlie’s Angels” star, lost her battle to cancer at age 62.
I do not remember her work that clearly, as I watched the old version of Charlie’s Angels” a long time ago, I still can recall her symbolic “feathered blond hair and dazzling smile”.
Then just as I prepared to take a break from the work and sneak out to watch the new Transformer sequel, there was a nasty fight that totally ruined my mode.
Now when I checked my Yahoo email, all of sudden I spotted the headline from Yahoo news that reads “Michael Jackson dies in LA hospital” this afternoon, of heart attack.
I could not believe my eyes. For a while, I thought there must be some jokes. 
Last time I heard, he is preparing for his London concert tour.
Then as I am writing this post, WIKIPEDIA has already updated his bio as August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009.
Of course by now there is already massive media coverage everywhere, radio, TV, internet, about this shocking news.
A legend has all of sudden passed us by.
Today is really a sad day…
Amazing Hanauma Bay
I have snorkeled at Hanauma Bay many times, but this time the snorkeling is sensational.
When we got there by 9:00AM, I was worried that we were too late.
The issue with Hanauma Bay, besides the limited parking space, is that everyone has to watch this orientation video, which lasts about 8 minutes, but is shown in certain time slots in a room with limited seats. Depending on the crowd, the wait time can be half an hour or more.
Yes, one can get his/her name registered so that within one year of time he or she can skip the video, but everyone is required literally to watch it once a year, which happens to be our case.
We ended up with a 9:30AM video showtime. But while waiting for the video orientation and applying waterproof sunscreen, I took a peek at the water down in the bay. It seemed a rather low tide, which was a good sign. High tide and strong wave tend to mess up the underwater pictures.
Indeed, when we arrived at the bay area at 9:40AM, I found the ocean especially calm and tide especially low. With a bright sky, what can I complain?
One thing that I like about snorkeling at Hanauma Bay, is that fishes here are not afraid of people, and you can get up close to them.
Although the bay is a bit crowded, even on a Monday, I saw so many different kinds of fish (click individual pictures below to see larger size photos), in such a clear water, that all my unimpressive and unpleasant snorkeling experience for this trip is gone. All I wish is that my digital underwater camera has a longer battery life and there is no limit on my memory card! 
Surfing all the way in Waikiki
Another sunny day in Waikiki. From our balcony, it is such an enjoyment to watch the ocean with various shades of color blue, and surfers with their boards playing with the waves.
Great waves, and great surfers!
From Waikiki to Chinatown
Checking out of the Turtle Bay Resort and driving for another hour, we finally arrived at Waikiki.
I always enjoy Waikiki. Yes, many people have told me often that Waikiki is too commercial, but I do not find it offensive. Let’s face it, unlike Kona, the Big Island, you won’t find any restaurant along Kalakaua Avenue closes at 8:00PM.
Besides the convenience (literally ABC stores are at the corner of every block), the Waikiki beach is gorgeous. 
The morning snorkeling at the North Shore wore us out, and the greasy food these days started to make my face break out. I desperately need some fresh fruits.
It is therefore the “Chinatown time.”
I normally do not bother with a car. Finding the parking spot can be tricky in Chinatown area. Either #2 or #13 bus will take us from Waikiki to Chinatown.
The bus fare is $2 per person, and offers a transfer for any other buses (including the return bus) up to 2 hours. That would be enough for me to sample some nice meals and shop for these exotic fruits.
When we asked the girl at the Concierge desk for bus schedules to Chinatown, she raised her eyebrows. “I’d warn you to be careful in Chinatown.”
Then I was surprised. “Why?”
“It is just a shabby place.”
Hum. For a moment I thought she meant that New York gangsters have taken over Honolulu Chinatown recently.
I nodded politely and thanked her.
The bus ride was smooth, and within 20 minutes we were in Chinatown already.
There are tons of grocery stores, nearly one after the other, along the Hotel Street (the main street that the city buses run through). Fresh produces and fruits are displayed in boxes and on stands.
It literally took us less than 2 minutes to find what we want:
Dragon fruit, Dragon eyes, Lychee, mangosteen…We loaded up! 
After the short and intense shopping, time for snack. We always go to this place Mei Sum Dim Sum (65 N Pauahi Street #A, Honolulu, HI 96817, 808-531-3268) whenever we are in Hawaii.
They have some nice dim sum selections, but what I like more is the dynamics of this place.
The restaurant seems to be run by a group of Chinese grannies, who serve efficiently and quickly. Even when they chat with us, the sentences are in a faster speed.
Snorkeling at Kuilima Cove
The snorkeling site Kuilima Cove is right in front of the Turtle Bay Resort. However, as I mentioned in my previous post, snorkeling is decent only if the water is calm, which, given the location of the snorkeling site, is very unlikely. The sea bottom is full of those white coral flowers and is unique to me, but the visibility is not ideal and the water can be cloudy.
I also find that fishes at Kuilima Cove are especially shy of humans and tend to be much smaller comparing to their peers at Hanauma Bay. Especially my all time favorite, Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, or Picasso Triggerfish (a.k.a, Lagoon Triggerfish), is too sensitive here. Even when we were far away, they can sense our presence, and shooting out a stream of sand, run like crazy.
Beautiful Turtle Bay
There are only four resorts outside Waikiki in Honolulu. The Turtle Bay Resort is one of them. As its name suggests, the resort is located in Turtle Bay, (not to be confused with the Turtle Beach, also located in the North Shore of Oahu, along Highway 83).
The resort is nice in my own view: The snorkeling site Kuilima Cove is right in front of the resort, and my all time favoriate Shark’s Cove is just about 5 miles away, southbound of Highway 83. Being in a far less competitive environment, it does not come in cheap.
Now the whole blog starts to sound like my tripadvisor review.
The trick is to entroll free for the I-Prefer program, which, besides special deals and discounts, gives its member priority early check-in and late check-out, free room upgrade when available, and complimentary internet access.
Although for Turtle Bay Resort, they charge a $20 per day resort fee, which includes internet, parking, daily newspaper, local and 800 phone calls. But the priority early check-in definitely worked for us, as we arrived in the mid-morning, way ahead of their 3:00PM check-in hours.
The priority late check-out is not that a big deal, however. When I requested a late check-out, I have it until 12:30 PM, as their check-out time is 11:00AM.
But I have to say their ocean view room is very nice: Spacious, clean, tons of towels, and great views. The walk along the shoreline is also very pleasant.
However, I do not have particularly good luck with snorkeling at Kuilima Cove. Some claims that this site is most protected by reefs, but keep in mind it is also located near the northernmost point of Oahu island, so the wind and therefore the waves can ruin everything: The underwater view is not that fantastic as most of time the water is a bit cloudy. On top of that, you will get sand all over your swimming wear and snorkeling gear.
I also find that unlike those in Hanauma Bay, fishes in the north shore area, Shark’s Cove and Kuilima Cove included, are not used to human and tend to be smaller. In my previous visit to Kuilima Cove, I once chased a Humuhumunukunukuapua’a fish (a Picasso Triggerfish, also Hawaii’s state fish), but it dashed out as quickly as possible, with strong waves making me especially difficult to catch up with it.
Shark’s Cove never disappoints
It seems that I tend to have a better luck of snorkeling in Oahu than in other islands.
Shark’s Cove is my favoritate snorkeling site in the North Shore of Oahu. I especially like the tide pool on the left side of the cove. Sometimes, the cove iteself can be so crowded with divers that people there probably exceed the fish count.
Actually, the rocky but large tide pool left to the cover offers shallow and calm water (more protected), and crystal clear visibility, but still tons of fishes. The only possible nightmare to snorkel here is when the tide is extremely low.
The lifeguard would normally warn people with a red flag sticking out near the entrance to the tide pool, and a sign that says: “Low Tide, Watch the Rocks”.
Shark’s Cove rarely disappoints me. Even in this early afternoon, when people normally say is not a good time to see fishes (Click the pictures below to see larger photos).
We can stay snorkeling at Shark’s Cove forever. But what is more a fun experience after snorkeling, is enjoy a grilled Opah fish sandwich at the nearby Shark’s Cove Grill across Highway 83 (Kamehameha Highway).
Here is a description from Travel + Leisure:
Sharks Cove Grill
59-712 Kamehameha Hwy.
Haleiwa, Oahu, HI
(808) 638-8300
What An aquamarine-paneled truck parked in a palm-shaded gravel lot across the road from the eponymous cove, this propane-powered galley kitchen serves taro burgers and chicken salad to ravenous boarders who hang ten in nearby Waimea Bay.
Who Chef (and surfer) Willy Asprey raided his mother’s recipes for the Grill’s pesto shrimp skewers, and his grilled tuna skewers, drizzled with a creamy sesame-shoyu sauce, definitely merit the scenic drive to find him along Kamehameha Highway. Instead of the more typical macaroni salad, crunchy baby greens and brown rice herald a healthy shift in plate lunch side dishes.
Don’t miss The Bash smoothie is a taste of some of the island’s freshest produce, with bananas, apple juice, strawberries, and honey.
Well, I did not try any of the above mentioned treats. But my grilled Opah fish sandwich is delicious! With a large french fries, for a total of $7. Yumm!
The southernmost part of the United States
The south end of the United States is not Florida, as some would claim, but in the Big Island, Hawaii. The place is simply called “South Point”.
Somewhere between the 69 and 70 mile markers is a sign “South Point, 12 miles”. From there we drove south bound for 12 miles.
What is known at the South Point? Strong wind… How strong? You can get an idea from these trees.
Wherever there is wind, there is windmill farm. We saw two farms, one appears to be no longer in use.
The South Point itself is made of lava cliffs. There are sea arches underneath, and old boat hoisters nowadays used by fishermen. The walls of an ancient Hawaiian Heiau is still visible.
From there a 4WD can be used to access the famous Green Sand Beach, but we decided to save it for the next trip as it began to get dark.
There is no road to get to this beach, except one can rely on the tire tracks of previous explorers, or hike 4 miles yourself. Still, I wonder why they have not built a paved road to this beach yet…
Turtles in Keauhou
The hotel we stayed: Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort, is named as one of the best bargains in the big island. Self-parking is $7 per day, breakfast (including pretty descent cold and hot dishes) is included in the package, and the package itself is dirt cheap (I booked from their website). But most amazing about this resort, is that the chances to see a green sea turle (Honu), is greater than any other places in Hawaii.
There is a tide pool in front of the hotel. Today is a beautiful sunny day, so we took a short walk to the beach. There I saw jade plants all over the rocks.
Then turles. A lot of them, enjoying the green algaes on the lava rocks in the water.
Even in the presence of humans, turles are enjoying their brunch. 
This one popped his head out of water to catch a breath.
After seeing some photographers’ monster camera lens. 
The hotel has a lounge built over the tide pool. So while we were having a beer, we can see what happens in the waterworld right beneath us. 
Besides these beautiful Moorish Idols, we spotted another green sea turle swimming towards us. 
Snorkeling at Kahuluu Beach
The Outrigger Keauhou Beach Resort hugs the famous snorkeling site on the Big Island — Kahuluu Beach. The hotel’s Verandah Lounge is suspended over the tide pools. While this open-air terrace bar serves cocktails and appetizers only until 8:00PM (which is a bit hard for me to understand), it is a great place to sit down and enjoy the drinks and watching the green sea turtles and other ocean visitors.
The waves were actually quite high the morning we snorkeled at Kahuluu Beach. The bottom of the ocean appears to be rather flat corals and lava rocks, and is quite different from the bottom of Hanauma Bay and Shark’s Cove. Because of high tides, most of time we can only shoot the back of a fish.
To access the ocean we have to go through a tiny beach, and there are lava rocks and sands near the entrance, so I offer my condolences for my bare feet…
