Day 8, Friday, February 15; Kualoa Ranch, David's birthday

We made a reservation for the Kualoa Ranch "Jeep Jungle Expedition" tour that winds its way up through the steep forested mountain of Kualoa Ranch. Kualoa Ranch is a 4000 acre ranch purchased by Dr. Gerrit Judd from King Kamehameha III in 1850. Sugar cane was grown and processed here until the owner's son died tragically by falling into the boiling sugar. Cattle are still raised here although the main business is tourism.

Kualoa Ranch has also been used for many movies, including Jurassic World, Jumanji, King Kong and others. The visitor center has photos of many of the actors who have been in movies filmed here.

Our Jeep tour was interesting and had beautiful scenery looking down toward the ocean. It is a pretty bumpy ride and not recommended for pregnant women or people with bad backs - coming down was a bit like being on a roller coaster. We were very lucky that it was sunny during most of the tour. As we were coming down, we could see rain approaching and the tour guide handed out emergency ponchos. Fortunately, it only rained during the last 15 minutes or so and then the sun came out again.

We thought we would have lunch at a cute restaurant nearby on the water but drove a considerable distance north without finding much. Eventually we had lunch at a Hawaiian BBQ chain in a shopping center in Laie. We also had an enormous milk shake that Carmen fortunately was able to help me finish.

One thing notable about driving around Oahu is that it is very leisurely. The speed limit on the main roads is only 35 and 45 mph, with everyone going the speed limit. It also notable that most of the drivers are very considerate. Often when trying to turn left onto a highway, cars will stop to let one out.

On the way back we encountered a number of heavy showers but they only lasted a few minutes before the sun would come out again.

We had my birthday dinner celebration at a restaurant near by. - they gave me a complimentary brownie with ice cream that we all shared. Betty and Dave had gotten me a birthday cake which we shared back at the apartment.




Kualoa Ranch travels
Amazing trees at Kuala Ranch

Hawaiian religious site (reproduction) at Kuala Ranch
David, David, Betty and Carmen at Buzz's on my birthday


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