North Shore
It was time for snorkeling. Rounding up a group of twenty friend and family was challenge we accomplished by simply starting off with a mass text, “Leaving for Shark’s Cove at 10am.” And then we were off, in our little subgroups. Room after room left without the need to caravan with one another. We just arrived, found a spot on the beach, and joined each other in the water. It was off season in terms of the number of tourist, but still, we were lucky to secure the last parking spaces next to the water. I’m guessing if parking was full you can park in or around Foodland which was across the way. We made the best of our time there chasing fish around the shallow coral. Be weary if the tide’s rolling in. Getting smashed on the reef wouldn’t be how you want to end your vacation. A few of us got enough cuts from it. But other than that, it was pretty fun. Oh, and I’m not sure where you’d rent snorkel gear around the area. We got ours in Waikiki at Snorkel Bob’s. Good selection, cheap prices and easy returns.
Within two hours, we were famished and it was off to the shrimp trucks down the high way. You’ll pass by many camps heading eastward from Shark’s Cove, but of course, we wanted to go to the popular Giovanni truck. It’s one truck to serve many. But if you don’t want to wait or don’t want shrimp, there’s other trucks around to try. Sorta like the food truck scenes at your local major cities, except these have been around before that craze and have permanently situated themselves here.
Giovanni’s Shrimp Truck
66-472 Kamehameha Hwy
Haleiwa, HI 96712
(808) 293-1839
Verdict: Good and heavy stuff, but I’m only getting this stuff if I happen to be in the area.
By nightfall we were around Kapahulu for food and drinks. Not sure why I can’t pass up eating and drinking at Yakitori Glad. There are plenty of good places lining the streets, like Irafune. But smokey interiors, loud tables, and clanking glass always sets up the night for a good time. Oh I love Oahu.
Yakitori Glad
766 Kapahulu Ave
Honolulu, HI 96816
(808) 734-0077
Verdict: Call me crazy, but I love this place.
Capping the night off at a local bar on Kapahulu. There’s no shortage of food and spirits along this street.
After fighting the current in the open waters and navigating over the coral in the shallow areas, you’re going to need a nap. Don’t fret, there’s shade in this area, along with a sandy beach a hundred yards away. Make yourself at home.
I’ve been to Ohau five times but never had a chance to come here. So finally, I was pretty ecstatic to come here to snorkel. You won’t be disappointed with the terrain and aquatic life. Don’t worry, I doubt there are sharks here given how sharp the coral was. Be careful out there, and definitely wear fins or footwear.
Chicken skewers smothered in mayo and BBQ sauce. Sound good? Well it was. Surprising given it was white meat. $3.90USD
This was our favorite dish for the night. Chicken skewers topped with an arrangement of savory teriyaki sauce and tangy condiments. I’m surprised they consider this as spicy. I hardly noticed any warmth. $3.90USD
Here’s your typical chicken skewers. A staple during the meal. We had both the white and dark meat ones, but given the popularity of the other skewers, we had plenty of these at the end. $3.90USD
Yeah, here we go again with the chicken cartilage. It’s there for the texture. Something I wonder why I keep ordering even though I’m more or less melancholy about the whole thing. Maybe it’s become tradition for me to order it. $3.90USD
This was almost enough as a whole meal. But if you’re doing things izakaya style, share this between two people. It’s light and a good palette cleanser between skewers, but not a must try. $3.90USD
You’re staple meal at the shrimp truck. Be prepared for a garlic overdose followed by buttery rice. It’s over the top and not meant to be a light meal. $13.00USD
The classic shrimp truck of North Shore. There’s another one back in town, but the one along Kamehameha Highway has more room for you to park and enjoy your meal. There are others set up in the area, but still feels more roomy than the other one. And yes, you can put your mark on the truck too.