Travel Blog

Day 2: Oahu From Turtle Bay To Shark’s Cove

IMG_8108We arrived at 6 am (ET) in Oahu, Hawaii and were pretty beat but had to rent a van and drive to the North side of the island.  We are staying in Turtle Bay between Protection Point and Kuilima Point on the North Shore of the island of O’ahu.  For those wanting to avoid the congestion and tourism of Waikiki, the North Shore is ideal.  Despite our late arrival, we got up at 6 am to start what was an awesome first full day on the island. 

If you come to the North shore, you are likely looking for green sea turtles which nest along these rocky shores.  There are also endangered Hawaiian monk seals and countless varieties of fish.
tedsbakery_story2-1.jpgOur first priority however was breakfast and various locals recommended
Ted’s Bakery, a business that has been a favorite for over 30 years.  In 1906, Torojiro Nakamura immigrated to Maui from Kumamoto, Japan to work on the Maui Sugar Plantation. He would ultimately work as a farmer and then open a store in Oahu in 1950.  It was his son Ted, who opened Ted’s Bakery. It would become an island mainstay. We had a wonderful breakfast, though you will often have to wait in line.  It has a broad selection of breakfasts and wonderful Hawaiian coffees.  I have Ted’s Special Omelet and was challenged to finish the hearty serving.  I rose to the occasion.  Here are a few pictures from a “must” for anyone going to the North Side.  We then bought some fruit at one of the many roadside business, though the prices were quite high.

 

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We then went to Shark’s Cove, a legendary area for snorkeling.  We rented equipment across the street and went out into the cove. It was truly something to behold with every type of fish and green turtles to boot. While it rained all day off and on, we continued on unabated. We was truly breath-taking.  Aidan and I later went out along the sharp rocky coast. We found green tide pools of warm water to lay in and enjoy the tranquility while floating in the shallow pools. We did not want to leave.  By the way, we saw a number of different forms of mussels and crustaceans.  They included this little guy but I am not sure what it is. Perhaps some of our readers can help identify this species.

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We then went to another more secluded beach where Madie took surfing lessons from a local professional surfer.  Further down the coast, the waves were bigger and the beach is less rocky.  We had lunch at one of the many fish and shrimp trucks on the island (I have an amazingly good garlic shrimp dish. While expensive, these trucks are part of the island culture and serve up great island food.

It was an awesome awesome first full day.  Here are a few of the pictures:

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15 thoughts on “Day 2: Oahu From Turtle Bay To Shark’s Cove”

  1. Professor. Thank you for including us in your family’s Hawaiian adventures.
    It sounds and looks like a fantastic vacation.
    Scottish-born Archibald Cleghorn married into the last ruling family there in the 1800’s His daughter, Victoria Kawēkiu Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kaʻiulani Cleghorn, was the last Hawaiian Princess.
    A great-granddaughter of Mr. Cleghorn’s, (and g-niece of the Princess Victoria)owns the Cleghorn Ranch, which is next door to our ranch here in Central Texas. She is a wonderful person and philanthropist…..and travels to Hawaii often. It’s a small, interesting world.

  2. What is the name of the high school in Hawaii that Obama went to? I have a friend here at the marina who went there and really liked it. He got into Princeton by reason of doing well there. Was Obama’s dad in the military or something which got him from Kenya to Hawaii?

    1. It’s a private school named. Punahou. Highly accredited the vast majority of the graduates continue their education at ivy league universities.

  3. Sounds like a great trip, Professor. Make sure they sanitize your snorkel before you use it. God only knows who used it last.

      1. I have had “sessions” but only after “they call the men in the white suits.”

      1. Danny Paulino – I think Hawaii had to ask Congress first. 😉 AZ was refused statehood because it had recall of judges in its Constitution. It took it out. Was approved. Immediately put it back in. 🙂

  6. “Maddie took surfing legends”? That is going to put a crimp in her reputation. 😉

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