Hawaii - Day 7 (O'ahu)

Today was our first day to look around O'ahu Island. We have two days here so we chose to take a road trip around the north and west half of the island.

Cutting straight across the island from Honolulu, our first stop was Byodo-in Temple in the Valley of Temples. It's actually a 3/4 size recreation of a temple in Japan. I've seen the original in Kyoto but this one is much more colourful. This temple also features on the Japanese 10 yen coin.

Reconstructed Byodo-in Temple - Hawaii

After that, we took a drive around the coast line heading to the world class north shore surfing beaches. It's a bit flat for surfing today. Apparently the big waves develop from winter storms to the north.

Tropical Hawaiian Waters

Apart from the beaches, the mountains that make up Hawaii are fantastic, rugged yet green.

Rugged Green Mountains

There are plenty of rocky outcrops along the coast. Still no big waves though.

Rocky Coastline

Some volcanic rock pools. The inner area is shallow enough for some good snorkeling and there were a few divers on the seaside too.

Rock Pools

Some locals were enjoying the rock pools on a hot afternoon.

Hawaiian Children Playing Around

I spend an hour or two swimming around in these rock pools and then watched the sun set.

Hawaiian Sunset