July 26, 2010-Day 207

Since we are big fans of Lost, which was filmed almost exclusively in Oahu, we decided to take a Lost tour. A 10 hour Lost tour! Really, we aren't that dorky. It also served as a circle island tour which took us all around Oahu so we didn't have to rent a car. This will be an extra long post, however.

We started the day by going to Hanauma Bay. Nothing from Lost was actually filmed here, but it was really pretty, and we actually went back a couple of days later to go snorkeling.





While still on the southern side of the island, we saw the place that they used for both the Iraq and Queen's armies.



We also saw one of Hurley's houses. (I know this picture is blah, but it was thrilling for a Lost geek to see.)



Next, we went to Lana'i Lookout, which was the place where Desmond killed Calvin, where Miles landed on the island, and where Ben comforted Juliet when she wanted to leave the island.





We also saw the Blow-Hole where Desmond capture the bird for Claire in order to save Charlie.



Then, we went to Waimanalo Bay, which served as Jack's Thailand.



We then visited Byodo-In Temple, a reproduction of a 10th century temple, which you can see in the scenes of Korea.













Following that, we went to Kaneohe Bay, where we had this view of Rabbit Island, which can be seen in the background of a few scenes.



More significantly, it is also the location of the dock.



Then we went to the most exciting part of the trip: Waimea Falls. This is where Kate and Sawyer found the briefcase with the guns and where Kate, Jack, and Hurley landed when they went back to the island.





We actually got to go swimming under the falls, but, as neither of my cameras are waterproof, I used a disposable film underwater camera to take pictures, and I haven't developed them yet. If any of the photos come out well, I will scan them in and post.

While in Waimea Valley, we saw lots of cool flowers and trees that we don't have on the east coast. Note, the following photos were taken with my Tamron 28-75, not my macro, so I think they came out nicely considering.















Here's where I have to tell you something scary. While in Waimea Valley, we stopped for lunch. We got our food, and then I went to the lady's room, leaving my husband to watch all of our stuff. Unfortunately, he was violently mugged....

by this peacock:



Look how menacing he looks. He stared my husband down and then brazenly stole my hamburger bun off of my plate even though my husband was holding the plate trying to protect it.

After lunch, we went to Mokuleia Beach, which is where Oceanic 815 crashed.



We also saw Papaoloa Beach, which is where the survivors of Oceanic 815 made camp.



They look similar, right? But they are actually two different beaches.

While we were at Papaoloa Beach, we were lucky to see lots and lots of sea turles. Here are a few more of Papaola Beach.







As we started to make our way home, we saw the Radio Tower. My husband actually took this photo.



Finally, and most thrillingly, we went to Dharmaville, which is actually a YMCA camp.



Want to see something really weird? This was really at that YMCA camp. The tour guide claims that the Lost people did not do this. See, it says "1977" on the left and "Ben" on the right. Spooky, huh?



And the end of the long day, we went back to our hotel and watched the sunset on our lanai.

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

On August 28, 2010, my Dad and I are participating in the Great Urban Race again as St. Jude Heroes. We are trying to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital which services children with cancer and other diseases. St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center that never charges for services that are not covered by insurance and they never refuse treatment based on inability to pay.

By the way, this will be the third year that my father and I will be running the race, and the second time as St. Jude Heroes.  Last year, we raised $450, and we love to raise even more this year.

If you are interested in making a donation or learning more about the hospital, please click here. Donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated.

And stay tuned for photos from the race.

July 25, 2010-Day 206

On our first full day in Oahu, we took advantage of our jet lag and got up early to climb Diamond Head.



We climbed despite this sign:



And despite the fact that the trees looked like this:



And despite the fact that we had to climb these stairs:



And then these stairs:



Along the way, there were some pretty views:



And up at the top, there were some great ones:







After we conquered Diamond Head, we decided to wonder over by Waikiki Beach where we saw banyan trees, which are really large and interesting. You could probably live in one.





And, of course, we saw palm trees.



We also saw lots of cool statutes, most of which were adorned with leis.

Gandhi:



A Dragonfly:



A Surfer:



A Surfer with a Seal:



And, of course, Duke, a Hawaiian and olympian who is considered to be the father of international surfing.



There were experienced surfers:



While others were just learning:



Some people played at the beach.



While other people just relaxed and hung out:



Yes, that's Diamond Head in the background. See how big it is. Remember, we just climbed to the top!

And here is one that I just think is funny. In the evening, we went to dinner on Don Ho Street. (Taken in Auto):

July 24, 2010-Day 205

We left for Oahu, Hawaii on July 24th. After 15 hours of traveling, I was pretty exhausted, so I actually only have a few photos from the first night there. Here is one of the leis that we picked up in the airport:



And here is one I took from our lanai:



That is Diamondhead, which we climbed the next day. You'll see photos from our climb in my next post.

Hi Again!

Just a quick post to let you know that I haven't quit my 365 project. I was away, in Hawaii! So now I am back and I have spent all day uploading my photos, but I haven't even begun to look at or process them yet. Over the two weeks that we were away, I took 2,775 photos! They are going to take a while to get through. Hopefully, I will be able to post some tomorrow.