Photography Challenge - Day Nineteen - Something Orange

Why am I inspired to single-handedly take pictures of melting treats?  It always results in a sticky mess and having to eat too fast to fully enjoy the flavor.

Waiola Shave Ice was not the first place I experienced the authentic island dessert.  Months ago, Jeff and I stopped by the famous Matsumoto Shave Ice on the North Shore.  It was so fun to go, but the shave ice flavor was simply good, not anything to rave about, especially after waiting in line in the old grocery store to order.

After a couple of other shave ice pit stops, we'd learned that it was meant to be enjoyed with ice cream (in the bottom), condensed milk (on top), and/or with Azuki beans.  Shave ice plus ice cream?!  Glorious!  What a fantastic combination.  Also, Waiola's ice is shaved so finely, it's more like shave fluff.

Jeff and I would like to return to Matsumoto's to give the shave ice there a fair try with added ice cream.  Sadly, the last time we were in the area, the line was around the building!  I don't wait 2 hours for pancakes at Nashville's Pancake Pantry; I'm certainly not willing to wait in the beating sun for shave ice that didn't impress me the first time.

The orange flavor at Waiola is super delicious.  Add the sweet orange to the creamy vanilla, and it's the best creamsicle ever.  I also love the pineapple, coconut, and cherry syrups.  I have yet to venture into the Azuki beans division but plan to test soon.

Waiola Shave Ice is also a small convenience store with a walk-up window, kind of a trend in the business, since selling $2.75 treats mustn't pay all the bills.  Did I mention that Waiola is the featured shave ice company on Hawaii 5-0?  Fame hasn't changed the place or the 6-foot tall, stuffed, smiling shave ice that guards the door.

Perfect bite!

Photography Challenge - Day Eighteen - Shoes

After tiring myself out surfing with Jeff, a date with the pool and lounge chairs was required.  I got put through the wash cycle a couple of times surfing, getting knocked in the head by my board at one point.  I can surf pretty well but can't find a passion for it when it always results in bruised hips and a sick feeling in my stomach for a few hours after getting out of the water.  Lying by the pool with a book and some Pringles definitely helped me recoup.

Photography Challenge - Day Seventeen - Technology

Who would have guessed that spotting giant sea turtles would help with a technology shot?

Many locals have recommended a trip to the North Shore for turtle spotting.  I love giant sea turtles, having been lucky enough to snorkel with them off the coast of O'ahu and Maui.  The honu, as they are called in Hawaiian, commonly beach themselves for a rest on one particular beach up there, Laniakea, where people flock to see them.   I was a flocker, too.

After a fun morning on the windward side of the island, Jeff and I took a drive north in hopes of seeing honu, some good snorkeling, and shave ice at Matsumoto.  We ended up with one out of the three, and thankfully, it was the honu.

Boy, was the whole North Shore crowded!  The summer months host calm waters, very opposite from the fall and winter time, when the big waves roll in.  This time of year, the beaches are perfect for swimming and snorkeling, but the parking is minimal, which made for a frustrating afternoon. 

Nearing Laniakea Beach, I was nervous that parking would be impossible and the whole trip north a waste of time.  Low and behold, there were a few spots open just across the street from where a couple of honu were sunning.  We dashed across the road and down the rocks to get up close to the honu, though staying 6 feet away, as is requested by scientists.  The turtles are protected, so there are volunteers that monitor the beach during the days, roping off a perimeter around each turtle, recording the time of visit, length of time spent on the beach, etc.  Most of the turtles are recognizable and have been named.  We saw one that had an info sheet stuck in the sand near the rope, explaining that it was a male, about 30 years old, named Tripod.  I couldn't tel if it only had 3 feet.

Jeff and I walked a ways down the beach but really couldn't swim or snorkel.  We spotted half a dozen turtles, one impressively huge one that swam near the shore but stayed in the waves.  They were so nonchalant about being near people, even in the water.  I left the beach happy and satisfied that our honu scouting expedition was a success.

Photography Challenge - Day Sixteen - Long Exposure

Before I had good lighting to work with, I decided to try taking a photo of my hula skirt while I spun around.  I had a few less than horrible shots result but had to stop before getting any good ones because I was making myself sick. 

Near dusk, I had fun with the street below, though still challenging, in windy conditions without a tripod.

ATV at Kualoa Ranch

I have never ridden an ATV before but liked the idea.  After hearing about Kualoa Ranch from my brother, Ryan, I read reviews on the different activities offered at this working cattle ranch on the windward side of O'ahu.  Hands down, the 2-hour ATV tour of movie sets in an incredibly scenic area of the island got the best reviews.  Since Jeff and I love a little adventure and reasons to be outside, we booked the tour for a Saturday morning.

Unsurprising, we got to the ranch about 15 minutes late, so we were rushing to get checked in and packed up to head out.  There were only 3 other people on our tour, a dad and his two sons.  Our tour guide was a college kid from BYU and was pretty energetic and entertaining.

After a short video we all took an atv, heading out on a short practice track with lots of turns.  I was loving it until the 20-ish year old guy in front of me started having obvious trouble steering and controlling his atv.  At one point, he got it stuck in shoulder high grasses but managed to get it out on his own.  Shortly after that, while still on the practice track, he went off the path again, managing to wedge the atv between a few bushes.  I got close to rear-ending him that time but avoided a collision.  Our tour guide offered to get the guy a new model, thinking it was the steering controls...but it wasn't.  Poor guy.

Jeff and I were having a super fun time driving the atvs, though I would've loved a bit more free range.  Along the way, we stopped to see a WWII bunker and the sets used for parts of Jurassic Park, 50 First Dates, Pearl Harbor, and some others.  The cliffs and valleys were so gorgeous...until I got run over by Godzilla heading back to my atv.

Jeff was unconcerned.  The guys were confused by my enthusiasm and total lack of concern for getting dirty.  By the end of the tour we all sported a healthy coat of dust from the dry trail.

The highlight of the ride for me was getting to drive through a stream.  It was probably 2 feet deep, so no drowning worries.  Thankfully the guy who continued to have trouble driving his atv made it through without getting stuck.

We stopped at a set of ruins used for a low budget movie that I don't remember the name of.  The cool part was getting to walk around them.  Besides the concrete floor, everything was made of styrofoam and wire.

Views of the ocean were gorgeous!  I tried on Chinaman's Hat just for fun.

Photography Challenge - Day Fifteen - Silhouette

One of the best parts about living near the ocean is getting to go enjoy it.  Jeff and I like to go after he arrives home from work and most definitely on the weekend.  Ala Moana park is just a 5 minute walk, so we take advantage and head over regularly.  I love to walk next to the wall where there are inlets forming small ponds.  I always see fish and have even seen jellies!

Photography Challenge - Day Forteen - Eyes

Love these critters!  They always look startled and intense.