When I visited Hawaii for the first time last year, I asked an American for his advice and he suggested Hanauma Bay as the most beautiful beach on Oahu island. However, that was a little far for me, a first-time visitor. This time, our drive was already behind schedule and there was a short-cut route, but I wanted to drop in at this beach at least. My impression was just "What a beautiful bay!" I heard that the beach was shot in the movie starring Elvis Presley, "Blue Hawaii".
The beach was not a park, but located in a preserve. The colonies of coral prevent sharks from sneaking into the bay, and it leads to the safety of small fishes and humans. The fishes in the bay seemed not to fear humans. You can swim with fishes there. I thought that snorkelling would be fine. I decided to swim in Hanauma Bay next time. The parking lot along the road was fairly high, but you can use a tram to the beach.
Just after leaving Hanauma Bay, our car got into an area called Hawaii Kai, which was really beautiful and looked peaceful. Admiring its gorgeous atmosphere, the driver told me that the area was included on the route of the Honolulu Marathon. I felt that it would be wonderful if I was able to run the street in Hawaii Kai. However, the runners have to run more than 30 km until arriving at Hawaii Kai and then the slope of Diamond Head was waiting for them. In order to enjoy running in Hawaii Kai, I would have to build my strength up, but I wanted to join the Honolulu Marathon in the not so distant future.
One more thing. I noticed at Hanauma Bay that we had passed by a steep slope on the right side. Koko Crater was along the road. The three big craters on Oahu island are Diamond Head, the Punchbowl, and Koko Crater. I stood on two of them. I'd like to climb the last one, Koko Crater next time. The scenery from the summit must be great. I heard that it took an hour to reach its summit. The trail to the summit used to be an important route for supply to the military fort on the summit. A part of the railroad seemed to remain.
We parted in front of my condominium after receiving his contact number to get in touch with him during our stay on Oahu island. I got various information from him during the drive, like an annual senior bus pass on Oahu island, issues of garbage and industrial waste, supplies of water and electricity, reasonable and secure bars and pubs in downtown, and so on.
We got tired and bought some food which was easy to eat. I think that it's the best way to save money in the Waikiki area. We went out to the beach with wine and ate the food viewing the boats on the ocean. Today was also a wonderful day!
ハナウマ湾
昨年、あるアメリカ人に初めてハワイに行くのだと話したら、ハナウマ湾へ行って見ろとアドバイスを受けた。だが、ホノルルからは意外に遠く、行きにくい場所にあったため立ち寄ることは出来なかった。なので今回初めて来て見たが、何と美しい海だろうと思った。聞けばエルビス・プレスリーのブルー・ハワイの撮影地だと言うではないか。
ここは公園ではなく、保護区になっており、サンゴが群生しているためサメが入ってこないし、魚類は保護されているため人間を怖がらないらしい。次の機会には絶対にここで泳ごうと思った。シュノーケリングが楽しそうだ。道路はかなり高い位置にあり、ビーチまで下りていかねばならないのだが、トラムが運行しているようなので大丈夫。
ここを出てワイキキに向かうとすぐにハワイカイと呼ばれる地域に入った。実に美しい街並み、入江に感心していると、フルマラソンではこのあたりを走る、ということでコースを走ってもらった。ここを走ったら気持ちいいだろうなあと感じた。ただし、３０キロくらいからのコースで、しかもハワイカイからダイヤモンドヘッドの登りになるので若干きつめになる。なので楽しむためには十分な走力を身につけておかねばならないがフルマラソン、走りたいぞ。
通り過ぎてわかったのだが、右側がいやに急で、左側も落ちている。ドライバーから聞いた。ココ・クレーターが右側にあったのだ。我々の車はそのクレーターの東側斜面を走ったことになる。頂上まで登山道が有り、かつてはトロッコで頂上にある陸軍基地までトロッコで物資を運んでいた名残りで、今も線路が残っていて、線路を歩いて上るらしい。そんなことを聞くと登らずにはいられない。
うちまで送ってもらってチャーターしたタクシーとはお別れ。連絡先をしっかりと聞いているのでまた利用したい。路線バスの年間シニアパス、ハワイの粗大ごみ事情や、産廃事情。電気や水の供給問題、地元の人たちが利用する飲み屋など、、、いろいろな情報を仕入れることが出来た。
今日も疲れたのですぐに食べられるものをいろいろ買い込んで帰宅。結局これが一番安い。ワインを下げてビーチへ出て海岸で軽く食べたらもう眠い。素晴らしい一日だった。
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