The little island of Oahu I once lived on is surrounded on all sides by miles and miles of ocean. Visiting the beach was one of our favorite activities. Boating, kayaking, snorkeling, swimming and boogie boarding kept us cool and happy. I love the ocean, but once in a while, I worry about what may be lurking beneath the tranquil turquoise expanse. Here is a true story about a shark encounter. Speilberg did such a good job on his movie Jaws, that I still remember it every time I go into the ocean. There is a very inspirational story about a young surfer girl from the island of Kauai. A movie was produced on the islands of Oahu and Kauai based on the autobiography of Bethany Hamilton. She has competed and won professional championships for six years after having lost her arm to a shark when she was thirteen years old. Bethany has the heart and soul of a champion. Born in Hawaii, at age eight she entered her first surfing competition. She went on to win some championship meets and won sponsorships.She had dreams of becoming a pro surfer, but they were rudely interrupted by a fourteen-foot tiger shark. The shark bit off her left arm close to the shoulder while she was surfing, and swam away with it. She managed to get herself to shore, and eventually lost nearly half of her blood, barely surviving. Bethany never lost her dream, and only one month after the disaster she bravely went back into the water. She learned to paddle without her left arm, and to keep her balance on the board. Her surf sponsor never gave up on her either. Rip Curl stood behind her as she went on to win the NSSA National Surf Championships only two summers later. By the end of 2009, she was ranked with the top 12 Junior Pro surfers in the world. She is an inspiration to people all over the world. In the tribute movie, Anna Sophia Robb and Carrie Underwood star in the movie called Soul Surfer which displays the real courage Bethany Hamilton showed. If you would like to have a shark encounter of your own, there are actually tours in Hawaii that cater to you.It has been kind of a controversial issue in Hawaii and other places, but so far, the tours continue. I lived only a few miles from the location on the North Shore of Oahu. The tour actually takes you into the open ocean, over three miles off shore, where you can observe Galapagos and Sandbar sharks in their natural environment from the safety of a cage. Humans and sharks are safely separated from each other by a floating cage. Guests enter the cage from above and stay on the surface using a mask and snorkel. No scuba experience is required. A large window made of poly glass lets you look into the ocean and watch as sharks glide through the deep blue. How would you like to be face to face with one of these sea creatures? I am not sure I could just stare at them. You are educated by specialists about shark behavior and biology, conservation issues and about the significance of sharks in mythology and in the Hawaiian culture. Hawaiians see sharks as a revered part of their history and belief system. They are respected for their role in the natural balance of the island’s ecosystems.
Showing posts with label island. Show all posts
Showing posts with label island. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Monday, November 14, 2016
Hawaii on a Budget
The Hawaiian Islands offer much for the sight seeker. The island of Oahu, on which I live, boasts many gorgeous beaches and lush dense mountains.
There are many educational and fun things you can do in Hawaii that are inexpensive or totally free. We are all looking for a great deal. Whenever I have visitors from the mainland, I tell them about the sites they can see without spending too much in the Hawaiian Islands. This is not a comprehensive list, but it includes some of my personal favorites.
Sunday, September 20, 2015
Vancouver Island Canada
Over
360 million year ago, volcanic activity started the creation of what is
now Vancouver Island. It is actually the top of an undersea mountain
range. Petroglyphs and large stone figures gesturing toward the ocean
have been found. It is estimated that the first migrating inhabitants
arrived some 5000 years ago.
Captain Vancouver circumnavigated the island between 1792-1794 proving that it was actually an island. It was first named Quadra and Vancouver's Island since Vancouver and the Spanish Captain Quadra had met there several times.
The Spanish and English later fought to control the island with the English winning. There are still several Spanish named landmarks on the island.
In 1846, the Oregon Treaty established the border between Vancouver Island, Canada and the United States at the 49th parallel. Great Britain leased Vancouver Island to the Hudson's Bay Company after making it a Crown Colony in 1849.
It was not until 1866 that the mainland and Vancouver Island were merged together and known as the colony of British Columbia. Victoria was proclaimed as the capital of British Columbia, the sixth province, in 1871.
A sad story resulted from a sailing vessel called the Valencia bound for Victoria Island from San Francisco. The fog was so thick on that dark stormy night that the vessel drifted off course, unfortunately missing the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait. It was wrecked just before midnight on the rocky coast. Only 37 out of 173 people survived.
The following year a lighthouse was constructed at the entrance to avoid further catastrophe. Several sightings of life boats reported to be found years later from the Valencia have attributed to numerous ghost stories.
Captain Vancouver circumnavigated the island between 1792-1794 proving that it was actually an island. It was first named Quadra and Vancouver's Island since Vancouver and the Spanish Captain Quadra had met there several times.
The Spanish and English later fought to control the island with the English winning. There are still several Spanish named landmarks on the island.
In 1846, the Oregon Treaty established the border between Vancouver Island, Canada and the United States at the 49th parallel. Great Britain leased Vancouver Island to the Hudson's Bay Company after making it a Crown Colony in 1849.
It was not until 1866 that the mainland and Vancouver Island were merged together and known as the colony of British Columbia. Victoria was proclaimed as the capital of British Columbia, the sixth province, in 1871.
A sad story resulted from a sailing vessel called the Valencia bound for Victoria Island from San Francisco. The fog was so thick on that dark stormy night that the vessel drifted off course, unfortunately missing the entrance to Juan de Fuca Strait. It was wrecked just before midnight on the rocky coast. Only 37 out of 173 people survived.
The following year a lighthouse was constructed at the entrance to avoid further catastrophe. Several sightings of life boats reported to be found years later from the Valencia have attributed to numerous ghost stories.
There
are 2,150 miles (3,440 kilometres) of coastline on Vancouver Island.
Each little community along these shores has a unique character.
Visitors to the island never run out of adventures on Vancouver Island.
On of the favorite events in Vancouver's Inner Harbour is called the Symphony Splash. Thousands of guests gather on the water to hear the orchestral performance which takes place on a huge barge.
Another attraction are Butchart's Sunken Gardens. The beautiful gardens were created by the Butchart family and cover a former limestone quarry. It receives more than a million visitors a year (picture above)
On of the favorite events in Vancouver's Inner Harbour is called the Symphony Splash. Thousands of guests gather on the water to hear the orchestral performance which takes place on a huge barge.
Another attraction are Butchart's Sunken Gardens. The beautiful gardens were created by the Butchart family and cover a former limestone quarry. It receives more than a million visitors a year (picture above)
The MacMillan Provincial Park boasts trees up to 200 feet tall. It truly looks like a photographer's paradise.
Skiiers love Vancouver for the cross-country ski trails (25 miles worth) on Mount Washington.
Fishermen swarm to the Campbell River. It offers salmon, trout, and many other types of fish.
Hikers can enjoy caves, arches, and waterfalls.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
Shore Fishing in Hawaii
My
husband and I recently inherited two fine fishing poles. We live on the
North Shore on the island of Oahu in Hawaii. We often notice fishing
poles stuck in the sand on the shore near the winding highway on our way
to and from Honolulu. Some of these poles have bells on them to
indicate that a sea creature is biting the line. Predictably, a
fisherman or woman is nearby sitting on a lawn chair with a net and an
awaiting cooler chest.
In summer and early fall, you can also see lines or circles of people a few yards off shore standing in waist deep water. They are fishing for small goatfish (oama) which can be eaten fried (bones and all). These small (7 inches or smaller) can also be used as bait for larger fish.
In summer and early fall, you can also see lines or circles of people a few yards off shore standing in waist deep water. They are fishing for small goatfish (oama) which can be eaten fried (bones and all). These small (7 inches or smaller) can also be used as bait for larger fish.
http://elayne001.hubpages.com/hub/Shore-Fishing-in-Hawaii
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Greek Longevity Secrets from an island in Greece called Ikaria
A remote Greek Island reveals the secrets to living longer. It is
amazing that one-third of the population of a mountainous,
99-square-mile island in Greece called Ikaria, are 90 years of age and
older.
In contrast, current U.S. Census stats indicate that only one in nine baby boomers will reach 90.
Investigations into the remarkable longevity of these Greek islanders
have proven very interesting. Not only do they live longer, but they
have 20 percent less cases of cancer than Americans and about half the
rate of heart disease as well as one-ninth the rate of diabetes. They
have virtually no Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Greek Longevity Secrets from an island in Greece called Ikaria
amazing that one-third of the population of a mountainous,
99-square-mile island in Greece called Ikaria, are 90 years of age and
older.
In contrast, current U.S. Census stats indicate that only one in nine baby boomers will reach 90.
Investigations into the remarkable longevity of these Greek islanders
have proven very interesting. Not only do they live longer, but they
have 20 percent less cases of cancer than Americans and about half the
rate of heart disease as well as one-ninth the rate of diabetes. They
have virtually no Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Greek Longevity Secrets from an island in Greece called Ikaria
Monday, February 9, 2015
Lanai Hawaii The Gathering Place
We just returned from a trip to the sixth largest island in Hawaii.
Lanai is not your typical tropical island with coconut and rain trees,
fragrant flowers on every corner, and rows of pineapple (although it
once was the largest pineapple plantation in Hawaii). Instead, it is
rugged, mysterious and isolated. The biggest challenge to the island is
the lack of running water.
http://elayne001.hubpages.com/hub/The-Gathering-Place-in-Lanai-HawaiiTuesday, May 27, 2014
A Port of Refuge in the Islands of Tonga
My favorite place in the entire world is Vava’u, Tonga. Why would I say that? Because I have never relaxed as much as I did while I was in Vava'u. Life is still simple there so rushing is not allowed nor recommended.
A Port of Refuge in the Islands of Tonga
A Port of Refuge in the Islands of Tonga
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Take a Day Cruise in Hawaii
There are a few day cruises you can take when you are on the island of
Oahu, Hawaii. Perhaps you live on the island and just want a short
getaway from the hectic pace of work and traffic. Or you may be visiting
from another island or the US mainland. Visitors from all over the
world come to Hawaii and take a day cruise on Oahu.
http://elayne001.hubpages.com/hub/Take-a-Day-Cruise-in-Hawaii
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Fun with Great Grandpa
