Bunurong Marine National Park (a.k.a. Eagle's Nest), Victoria, Australia

(Source: Park Victoria)
The Bunurong Marine National Park extends along approximately 5 km of coastline from 2.5 km east of Cape Patterson in Southern Gippsland to the eastern end of Eagles Nest Beach (about 6 kilometres south-west of Inverloch), and offshore for approximately three nautical miles to the limit of Victorian waters, encompassing a total of approximately 2,100 hectares

 

The Bunurong coast is special - a coast full of striking rock formations, attractive sandy coves, rugged sandstone cliffs and prominent headlands. The coastal waters also contain a remarkable range of habitats that support abundant marine life, nurtured by an unusual set of environmental conditions. The name "Bunurong" refers to the local Aboriginal group that have lived in this area for thousands of years and have used the coast extensively for food gathering.

Eagle's Nest beach, Victoria, Australia

It's a little wonder how Eagle's Nest got its name ;) - the rocky surface, earthy colours + the interesting contrast between the sky, clear water & landscape: Magnificent coastal scenery!

The park contains extensive intertidal platforms and subtidal rocky reefs that are uncommon along the Victorian coast. These sandstone areas provide numerous microhabitats and contribute to the area having a very high diversity of intertidal and shallow subtidal invertebrates. There is a mixed assemblage of brown algae and seagrass, supporting a high proportion of Victoria's marine invertebrates, including brittle stars, sea cucumbers, barnacles, sea anemones and chitons.

Things to do
The most common activity at Bunurong Marine National Park is observational rockpooling, about 22 per cent of tourists visiting the rockpools at some stage in their visit. Other activities include sunbathing, beach activities, swimming, surfing, cliff-top sight seeing, observational SCUBA diving and boating, as well as education and research.

The major tourism activities are focused around the township of Cape Patterson, situated to the west of the Marine National Park.

Walhalla (Victoria, Australia)

Walhalla is a small town in Victoria, Australia, founded as a gold-mining community in early 1863 and at its peak home to around 3,000 residents. Today, the town has a population of less than 20 permanent residents, though it attracts large numbers of tourists and is a major focus of the regional tourism industry. The town's name is taken from an early gold mine in the area, named for the German hall of fame, the Walhalla temple (Valhalla from Norse legend).

(Source: Wikipedia)

The Walhalla Fire Station was built straddling Stringers Creek and is now open to the public as a museum.

The former home of the Walhalla Chronicle newspaper 

Kahala Mall, Honolulu

Kahala Mall is an enclosed shopping mall in Kāhala, Honolulu on the East Side of the island of Oahu.

Website: http://www.kahalamallcenter.com/

A Godiva choc store:-)

Plenty of free parking spaces

A gas station opposite the mall

Kale's

Blue Water Grill

The Blue Water Grill (located in Koko Marina Center) is a great place for al-fresco dining:-). Fresh air, good food and a nice view by the river side ;-)

Macadamia Nut Crusted Prawns with Thai Chilli-Coconut Salad

I really liked the purple color stuff. I was told that it's Okinawan sweet potato.

A view of the Diamond Head

Hawaii Loa Ridge, Honolulu

Planning for a month-long vacation in Hawaii?;-) Instead of staying in Waikiki (which is very much like Phuket- crowded), try renting a place in Hawaii Loa Ridge, nearby Aina Haina. It's definitely the most beautiful residential aea in the whole island of Oahu.

Hawaii Loa Ridge is located on the southern coast of Oahu, east of Diamond Head and considered one of Oahu's premier residential gated communities. Hawaii Loa Ridge hosts approx. 500 custom single family homes.

Hawaii Loa Ridge is set in the foothills of the Ko'olau Mountains rising from sea level to an elevation of just over 1000 feet. Homes in Hawaii Loa Ridge offer breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean; Diamond Head and Koko Head craters.

Top left: the Diamond Head

A view of the Diamond Head from Pu'uikena Drive

The Hawaii Loa Ridge neighborhood is one of the most exclusive areas on the island of Oahu and has always been a showcase for Hawaii's finest custom home builders. Hawaii Loa Ridge amenities include private roads with controlled access, a park with picnic stations, tennis courts, a community building, 24 hour mobile security, maintained common landscape areas, and a professionally managed homeowners association.

Pu'uikeena Drive, over looking the Kawaikui Beach Park

University of Hawaii, Manoa (Honolulu)

UH (Manoa) is at the top of my must-visit places in Honolulu :-) It's definitely one of the most beautiful uni campuses I've ever seen. To all backpackers - good news! There's free internet access in the Hamilton Library of UH.

Here are some pics of the campus:-)

Hina O Na Lani Sculpture

On the Campus Road side (map) of Campus Center you find a very interesting sculpture. This sculpture is named "Hina O Na Lani", which means Mother of the Universe in Hawaiian. It was created by UH Art Department graduate Gregory Clurman.