On Sunday, we visited the northwest side of the island. The drive out was amazing. From Honolulu we cut across the middle of the island. As we neared Haleiwa we began driving through a rolling plain descending to the ocean. It was filled with pineapple, and we passed the Dole Plantation on our right.
Once we got to the coast, we continued north toward Waimea Valley. However, we were in need of lunch, and the most promising spots seemed to be behind us in Haleiwa. So we turned around and settled upon the Nalu Health Bar and Cafe in Haleiwa. The girls got sandwiches while I got an açaí bowl.
After lunch we drove over to Waimea Valley. It sort of reminded me of an Hawaiian version of Gatlinburg or the Smokies. You parked at the foot of the valley where there was a restaurant and gift shop. Then we took a nice long stroll along a paved path as we made our way back to the valley’s prime attraction, the waterfall and natural swimming pool below.
Beth and I took turns swimming with the girls. She went first with me snapping photos. Then I got in and we made our way back to the little waterfall. We were surprised how warm it was.
Afterwards we stopped at The Dole Plantation. We each got Dole Whip in waffle cones. Then we decided to drive around the northwest side of the island on our way back. We found “shrimp shack” type of place that served some of the best shrimp we’d ever eaten.
