On top of the world

Well, on top of Oahu, anyway -- at some really nice lookouts.

Actually, this day was a really good illustration of how different the weather can be on the two sides of the island.

These are views from Pali Lookout, which is on Windward Oahu.

That's Kailua on the other side of that tunnel.

So, kinda overcast, grey, drizzly, on the cool side.

And this is the view from Mount Tantalus Lookout (on west side of the mountains) -- same morning.

Sunnier and warmer!

Those abrupt changes in weather took a little getting-used-to. I mean, you'd be driving west on the Pali Highway or H3, and there'd be these grey clouds hanging over the mountain tops. Next thing you know, you're driving through a mountain pass, and twenty seconds later you emerge -- into blazing sunlight! What?! What happened? Ha! It's really interesting.

Right, so, getting up to the Mount Tantalus Lookout involves a drive up a curvy road that winds through rain forest and eucalyptus trees. Then you're in a park, and then you see this!

Diamond Head from a distance.

We loved it up here -- sunny, quiet, and breezy. And it was a wonderful place to go for our final look around before going to the airport.

You can just see the airport from here, too!

Sigh!

It was an absolutely fantastic trip -- one we'd do again in a heartbeat!