ramblings of a Seattle travel, food and photography hound
Santa Barbara has North America's largest Moreton Bay fig tree, planted in 1877 at its current location. Its dimensions are so impressive that it is said that the canopy can shelter 1,000 people. It was somewhat difficult to find the tree, located on the corner of Chapala and Montecito Streets behind the railway station, but... Continue Reading →
In early March, Coupeville, home of the world's largest mussel farm, plays host to the annual Penn Cove Mussel Festival to showcase its famous bivalves. Even though the weather this morning was ominous (freezing rain), a group of us decided to take part in the festivities. The rain shadow effect didn’t disappoint; the closer we... Continue Reading →
Winds were whipping across Hawaii all week. As we approached the North Shore, located on the windward side of Oahu, I wondered if the famed big surf tides that draws serious surfers (and their fans) from all over the world would put on a good display today. In December of each year, there is a world-famous... Continue Reading →
Though originally from Australia, the macadamia nut here in the U.S. is associated with the Hawaiian Islands. Just look around the confection section of most supermarkets, and you're bound to find chocolate-covered macadamia nuts. Several species of the nut are toxic to humans unless specially treated, but the edible varieties are quite delicious, meaty and... Continue Reading →
You might have seen it on an episode of Lost, a stand-in for a temple in South Korea. It is the temple of Byodo-In, a half-size replica of its namesake in Uji, Japan, built in 998 AD and considered a national treasure and a UN World Heritage Site. The temple here is built mostly with... Continue Reading →
A spectacular way to get from Honolulu to windward Oahu is State Hwy 61 (Pali Highway) through a pass over the Ko'olau mountain range. There is an overlook near the ridge where you can get a sweeping view of the northeastern side of Oahu. The winds are strong up here, sometimes so strong that you... Continue Reading →
A hike through lush rainforest is the one to Manoa Falls, about 1½ miles from the bus stop to a viewing area of the falls. At the foot of the trailhead is a parking lot where a snack shop also was selling mosquito repellent. We decided to take our chances. As soon as we started... Continue Reading →
All over Hawaii, the zebra dove is found in abundance, scurrying along grassy areas and pecking at things on the ground with their beaks. Originally from Southeast Asia, they have become adapted to the islands. They have a very distinctive staccato-like coo of short but pleasant bursts. Although their plumage is brownish gray with striping... Continue Reading →
There is a hiking trail to the top of Diamond Head, accessible from a parking lot not too far from the Saturday Market. Diamond Head itself sits on the edge of a large volcanic cone. The trail to the summit follows the steep interior slope of the crater wall, ascends over many switchbacks 560 feet... Continue Reading →
zoomeboshi 