Beware the sparkly red hiking shoes! If you get lost just follow the trail of red glitter and you will be sure to find your way. Just repeat after me: “There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home!”
This Tuesday we opted to take the Manoa Falls trail. Something different than what we’ve been doing the past few hikes, but still really nice. We should’ve realized all the signs of a true tourist attraction with the $5 dollar parking (yes, we paid for parking!), the trail map they give you so you don’t feel like you’ve wasted your money, and the weird scooter-like contraptions filling the parking spaces that have succeeded in shuttling the masses from Waikiki.
The trail goes for 0.8 miles (800 feet elevation) with most of the way paved in gravel and an easy walk. Once you get to the falls they’ve roped off the rocks and around the pool area for safety reasons. We immediately went under the ropes and past the warning signs to explore the area and take “Epic Pics”. Funny how the tourists immediately follow our lead breakin’ the law!
We quickly decide we need to explore a more challenging hike and decide to take the adjoining Aihualama Trail. The trailhead was easily marked right below the end of the falls trail. It was almost a relief to cruise along without the distraction of others. We start the 1200 foot elevation change which progresses it’s way along the side of the valley for a couple of miles. A couple of streams lead to a lengthy bamboo forest. The trail is very maintained, not too bouldery, and marked here and there with a familiar PINK RIBBON! After about an hour we hit a stone trail marker where we decide to head back. If you continue on you will be on the Pauoa Flats trail that will eventually lead you to Nuuanu Trail. Some really beautiful lookout areas were good picture moments. There are a few short cut trails between switch backs that the team leaders venture to take, however beware! Not all meet up with the trail. After almost losing Alika in the bamboo we glimpse a sight of the red bling bling shoes, and decide no more shortcuts for the day.
Coming back was slow going once we met back up with the Manoa Falls trail and had to battle all the foot traffic coming down. Jubei almost ate it a few times but other than that enjoying the view and the company. Ice cold gaterade out the back of the van is always the best way to end the week’s hike.
O-Bak Korean Restaurant in Manoa Market place was a quiet hole in the wall. We all loved the kim chee sides and proceed to enduldge in mixed BBQ, meat jun, beef & kim chee soup, and RICE! Also encountered the same confusion from the servers with our extra entrée ordering of fish jun, BBQ chicken, and more RICE! Really decently priced and good sizes. Entrees run from about $7 to $10. Not a super good table set up for larger groups, but we sat on two tables and were fine. Plus we need extra elbow room for grinding!
Until next week…
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