Mountains, forests and blue, blue sea

As soon as we left the hustle and bustle of Honolulu behind, we saw them. Mountains. A long ridge of very steep-sided mountains runs along the north-eastern shore of the island. Mountains with lovely names such as Konahuanui, Puu o Kona and Puu Lanipo. This ridge forms a barrier about 2000 – 3000 feet high and it looks to be practically perpendicular in places. Surprisingly these mountains are green almost to the summit, the lower slopes clothed in rain forest and the upper reaches in what I assume is moss. To get to our destination we had to cross these mountains, and the Pali Highway carves a path around the side of Mount Tantalus and through tunnels in the Ko'olau mountains to emerge above the small town of Kailua. We dropped down to the sea - and what a sea it was, the most incredible beautiful shades of azure and aquamarine. Just like the palate of wonderful blues in a painting box.

Our accommodation was another very splendid surprise.
It was a beautiful spacious house at Lanikai by the sea, with lovely wooden floors that felt so cool with bare feet, a large patio complete with dining set and a hot tub and it was on the beach. The house was set in beautiful gardens with our very own coconut palms, which yielded 2 coconuts before the end of the week (but unfortunately in the absence of the 'axe murderer' or a machete we didn't get to the hidden treasure).

I was keen to try the water and took my first of many dips from 'our' beach. This was so much better than any slog up and down the local pool - warm buoyant salt water, not too much swell and only a few rocks to avoid. But best of all the setting was magical: a mile or so offshore are the conical humps of the Mokula Islands; a few miles along the coast the land curved round to the 'almost island' of Mokapu; and looking back to the island I saw a wide expanse of golden sand and a row of white houses framed by the backdrop of the mountain range.

The palm trees and the sea were to be the last thing we heard at night and first in the morning. The gentle sea breeze rustled the tough, waxy palm leaves creating a sound that reminded me of the pitter-patter of a rainstick. The sounds of the sea were most noticeable at night when the waves could be clearly heard breaking on the offshore reef.

I was swept up in the magic of Hawaii: I felt the warm sea breeze was sweeping me along, whirling me around and gently dropping me down to look at the beauty of the place. The tall curving trunks of the coconut palms; the broad sweep of leaves on the smaller succulents; the stop-start movements of the geckos; the green, oh so green mountains; the ever present sea - all beckoning to me. Awaiting further exploration.

Want more information on the natural environment in Ohau? Find out here: Oahu Nature Tours