South Shore, Oahu

Waikiki has a completely different atmosphere. The traffic, the people, and the commercialization, all seem to appear out of nowhere. I went from the seclusion of the north shore to the metropolis beach of Waikiki. It is beautiful, even though it was a little chilly when I arrived...Now that I'm not in New York anymore, 60 and overcast feels chilly to me. I really need to get back to reality. I headed over to Pearl Harbor, which is a little eerie, since they left the ruins of the Arizona for all to see.
The beach is incredible. It's so warm and clear that I was able to see fish and reef while swimming. Catching waves here is really great as well. The waves are so much fun and they flow so clean. I'm kind of proud of myself for making the journey to the top of Diamond Head, which offers an unparalleled view. Most views of Waikiki are from the beach up, but I've gotten a view from the other side. I've got to go for now, but I will see you next in magical Tahiti.

South Shore Pictures

Waikiki sunset

Waikiki from Diamond Head Summit

USS Arizona gravesite

Tropical fish on Waikiki Beach

Sunrise at Diamond Head

North Shore Pictures

I know its hard to tell but you're gonna have to believe me when I tell you its a humback whale in the distance...

Sunset Beach waking up

Perfect Pipeline A-Frame

Pipeline and the lone charger

North Shore, Oahu

Aloha and welcome to the Hawaiian leg of my journey. There are an endless array of sites to see in Hawaii but for my trip I concentrated on the island of Oahu. First stop is the infamous North Shore, home to the greatest winter show on water...
The flight from LAX was so long. I knew Hawaii was far away but it was over 6 hours from LAX to Honolulu. The incredible dichotomy of Hawaii´s development takes so much getting used to. You land and instead of Polynesian delight you find traffic, smog, and stores galore...Pretty much like Los Angeles, which begs the question, did I actually go anywhere? Alas, after a 30 minute trip north I have found what I was looking for. Past the pineapple plantations and forests I arrive at Haliewa and its crown jewel, the 7 mile wonder on Kamehameha Highway, The North Shore.
The waves are as magical as I imagined. The waves are at least twice as big as anything else I have ever seen. I love being there, but I find myself being a little bored as there is no development at all on the shore. The other day I walked a mile and a half to get to the nearest restaurant. There is a great little place called Ted's Bakery which is fantastic. It's so interesting as the people on the shore are pleading to not have any development as they feel it will infringe on the land and the Eco-system but I don't understand this at all as the people then get in there SUV's to drive a mile to get a cup of coffee at Starbucks..I think someone has missed the point here..I 'm looking forward to move on the south shore and Waikiki Beach.

Southern California

The next entry for the Eterno Verano blog is for wraping up the California leg of my journey. Which turned out to be some journey. To start the trip I had to go from Santa Cruz to Santa Barbara, which for any of you geography lovers out there is about 250 miles. California had been slammed with storms for about a week so I cleverly opt to take US Highway 101 rather than the fabled Pacific Coast Highway. Surprisingly, the trip was rather scenic. Wild cattle, cliffs, everything but the mudslides...
Santa Barbara is wonderful. The entire city was built out of the desert. I took a great land and sea tour of the city. We came across sea lions, various birds, and the rich architecture the city has to offer, and of course a quirky tour guide.
Next, I make my way down the coast to Surf City, USA, Huntington Beach. Along the way I pass amazing beaches, the famous multi - million dollar homes of Malibu, and about a hundred Ralph's. I went into one, but unfortunately The Dude never showed...I love the atmosphere and the surf culture surrounding Huntington Beach. An ordinary Thursday and the beach is abuzz with surfers, volleyballers, and posers of all sorts trying to fit in. Oops, maybe I should have left my Hollister Surf Team sweatshirt at home....That pretty much wraps things up. I'm exhausted from all the driving but it truly is the only way to appreciate the greatest state in the union.

Southern California Pics

Santa Monica Pier greeting the new day

Pacific Coast Sunrise

Fun loving Santa Barbarian

Northern California Pics

Largest tree in America which started as a foot tall planting

Santa Barbara from the pier

Snow capped mountain sunrise

Santa Cruz from the pier

Locals

Sunrise coastal view outside Santa Cruz

Northern California

This is my first entry into my Endless Summer Tour. Ironically, I've chosen to start this trip in the coldest place in the world. You get off the plane and you think it must not be that bad because you're in California, but as soon as that wind hits you're face you know that there is Southern California weather and then there is Northern California weather. The trip to Half Moon Bay was incredible. Lush plantation, mystic scenery, everything you would expect from the region and more. After an hour or so I finally get my first glimpse of the coast. The coast that far north is so powerful you can feel the vibration from the shore. Unfortunately, there is a storm in the region so every spot is pretty much closed out, including Mavericks by Pillar Point.
I'm still on EST so I woke up the next morning at 5:30 completely well rested. The trip down to Santa Cruz was again incredible. The Cabrillo Highway passes along the coast and comes across vast fields with livestock and produce galore. Santa Cruz is such a great city. It's quaint and maintains it college city feel mixed with an underlying surf culture, which I absolutely love. I think in a previous life I must have been a banana slug....A University of California @ Santa Cruz Banana Slug that is. The pics will follow, I promise. The computer I am working on doesn't have a USB port.
Next Stop, Southern California and all its glory.....