For a very demanding hike and for something off the beaten tourist trail, try the hour hike up the Koko Crater Head, the views are amazing but be prepared for a serious hike. From the Alo Moana (sp) Mall we jumped onto The Bus, Number 23 and some 45 minutes later got off one stop after the transfer station close to Costco. This is when we met Holly, she asked if we were going to the crater, she had been up it some 5 times (goes up every time she comes to Honolulu to visit her great aunt), she knew the way through the residential streets that when asking the bus driver, he was very happy not to have to explain to us the route to the trail head. So with Holly, we walked along Lunalilo Home for a good ten minutes before making a left at Anapalau street which will lead us to the Koko Crater trail head and up one of the most demanding hikes I have ever been on. This hike is up and then straight up an old military rail line, so you are hiking between the uneven rail ties. What makes this hike so difficult is that it is straight up, meaning no switch backs to get a rest on and it seems to go on forever. Are the views worth it, well yes they are, you are able to get great views of Diamond Head (the side not too many get to see) as well as Waikiki Beach and then over the other side views up towards the East coast side of Oahu, incredible. To get back to Waikiki Beach go back down Anapalau Street to Lunalilo Home where you would make a left and walk to the first set of lights (the Koko Crater Mall is there as a landmark), turn right and go to the bus stop to take the Number 22 back. We got off at Dukes for a great sunset dinner where we met a few friends from our ship. Four well deserved beers later and the incredible Mahi Mahi tacos and we on our way back to the Alo Moana Mall (yes, on the bus) for some retail therapy and a DQ Peanut Buster Parfait. Back to the ship for the Drums of Polynesia Show and to bed. If you are reading this Holly (sp), thank you for showing us the way and hiking with us and if ever in Vancouver, please contact us and we will show you the Grouse Grind that we spoke about - a walk in the park compared to this. A great day.
Hope you enjoy the pictures...
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