{Favorite Places} Oahu's SE Shore and Windward Coast

I don't do many posts about Hawaii, perhaps because I go there so often and lived there for a couple years, I don't find it to be that magical place that you find when you're a tourist there.  I've seen a different side of the islands by living and working there and now with my parents stationed there, my visits there are a different kind, they are work and catching up with family.  I'm going to the local places when I'm there, I'm not a tourist.  

I'm headed there today for work, so I thought I'd add a touch of "aloha" to the blog today.

Also before I forget, don't forget to enter in the big giveaway going on over on Helene in Between featuring travel photographs from my collection!

But for now, back to Hawaii.
Contrary to my personal feelings about Hawaii, it does have some truly beautiful places nonetheless.  Most of my time there has been spent on Oahu and it's an island that has such diverse landscapes from one edge to the other.  One of my favorite parts of Oahu is the South East Shore and the Windward Coast.  After passing Hawaii-Kai, as you curve along the edge of the island, you're met with huge cliffs hanging over the ocean, views of Moloka'i, and the shoreline views are gorgeous.  Then as you drive further, you meet beaches and rocky coasts.  This is where the SeaLife park is that I swam with dolphins, sat on the beach with family and explored the cliffs and their views.  

While I see Hawaii very differently than most, this is still one of my favorite places there and a drive that I always take visitors on while there.  It's definitely worth the excursion.

Photo copyright to Nick Nieto

Photo copyright to Nick Nieto

Photo copyright to Nick Nieto