Oahu, Hawaii Hiking – A Trip Report

While Oahu does not evoke visions of being a hiker’s paradise, several hiking options exist even for those vacationing with young kids. Hiking goes a long way in connecting with a terrain; moreover, in Oahu it adds variety to an otherwise beach-based sea of sameness vacation. Our hikes on the first day was limited to the Diamond Head Park, the Manoa Falls, and the University of Hawaii Manoa campus, the latter more of a walk than a hike.

Visitors to Oahu mostly tend to flock at one of the hotels around the Waikiki beach area. Diamond Head State Monument is less than 3 miles away from most of these hotels (Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI – Kalakaua Ave to Monsarrat to Diamond Head Road) making an early morning excursion effortless. The approach to the crater floor is through the Kahala Tunnel built in the 1940s. The toll booth, the information booth, and the parking area are located right there. The tunnel gate is open from 6 AM to 6 PM. Summer can be punishing so earlier the better. Entrance fee is $5 per vehicle or $1 to walk in. Practically speaking, the trail is a very manageable distance 1.6 miles (both ways) but this is more than a leisurely stroll in the park – the climb which is over 550 feet from the crater floor involves steep stairways and an illuminated tunnel. Upwards of two hours should be ample for this adventure. Built in 1908 as part of the U.S. Army Artillery Defense System, this trail consists of the following:

1. A nicely paved wide concrete walk way with a gentle slope gets you off to a great start (this is a recent addition to combat soil erosion),
2. A dirt trail which winds up the steep interior slope and offers a lookout point near the end of the section – the concrete structure held a winch and cable to lift materials from the crater floor in the early days,
3. A stairway of 74 concrete steps leading up to the first tunnel,
4. A narrow 225-feet long tunnel,
5. A spiral stairway of 99 steep steps whose peculiar construction design, with concrete structures on both sides supporting cross-beams, was intended to support camouflaging during military use. The entry to the Fire Control Station is from the top of the stairs,
6. The Fire Control Station has four levels and is accessible through the spiral staircase. The approach to the summit was through a ladder which was replaced in the 1970s by a metal staircase of 54 steps.

At the summit, a pleasant breeze is the silent accompaniment to the outstanding views of the crater, the Waikiki beach, and the ocean. What better way to acknowledge this great hike than with Shave Ice, made the rage most recently by President Obama! Vendors touting this delectable treat abound including one right by the parking lot. A short-drive away is the understated but famous Waiola Store (2135 Waiola Street) store where the classic rainbow and several other variations are on offer.

Manoa Falls provides a very varied rugged hiking route. As for getting there from the Waikiki area – from Kapiolani Boulevard, make a left on University Avenue through the campus, and right onto Manoa road. The campus of UH Manoa, our alma mater, is a good detour and provides for a very fulfilling leisurely walk. Parking could be a problem when school is in session but all and sundry will love the beautiful Koi pond area behind the East-West Center across from the main campus area.

Manoa road dead-ends at the trail head – straight ahead for the trail and left for the arboretum. The trail, which is through a rainforest, can be slippery and wet while all is sunny and bright in nearby Waikiki. The path is steep and challenging at places but it was interesting to see some little ones taming the trail with ease. Lending credibility to the classic rainforest feel is a small stream alongside the trail coming from the falls – depending on the season, the stream can be just a trickle or more like a regular stream. The view of the falls is outstanding – again, the amount of water is highly seasonal – the water collects in a pool below with large boulders which though inviting is closed for swimming – it was closed to the public in the late 90s following a mudslide for safety reasons. Proper footwear is an absolute must and the older they are the better for by the time the hike is done the shoes ceases to be anything but a sorry sight. At the entrance of the trail is what is called an environmentally friendly green bathroom – think reeking rather than nice and clean.

Near the Manoa Falls is the Tree Tops restaurant (formerly Paradise Park site) which doubles as an option for lunch and parking ($14 lunch buffet, $3 discount for kids). The Manoa Falls parking lot is no longer in operation and patrons of Tree Tops receive free parking. Moderate options for lunch are aplenty around the campus area. If size is any indication, Ala Moana Shopping Center’s giant food court is another option.

Related Posts:


1. Oahu, Hawaii - Flora and Fauna - A Trip Report.
2. Oahu, Hawaii - Hiking - A Trip Report.
3. Oahu, Hawaii - Attractions - A Trip Report.


Last Updated: 02/2011.

Oahu, Hawaii Attractions – A Trip Report

We went on a 4-day trip to Oahu during the President’s Day weekend. The package deal from Pleasant Holidays which included round-trip tickets from San Francisco and accommodation in Oahu crested $2000 for the four of us – expensive, by any standards. This was one of the very few times we indulged our kids – since Kindergarten Hawaii is the oft visited place for some or other of their classmates – apparently, for some it is an annual vacation spot.

A rental car goes a long way in making efficient use of the time in Oahu, unless the entire plan is sun worshiping in Waikiki – the island though small is still spread-out and public transportation is just a namesake option for tourists as invariably time is lost hand over fist trying to follow their schedules. This was a deviation from our regular airliner and the $20 baggage fee for the first item in United Airlines was so unpalatable that we chose to do carry-on baggage only. We learned we too could pack light and save time by shunning the baggage facility. Also, as car rentals centers are off-site and involve a shuttle it is best to factor in an additional hour. An additional expense seldom encountered at other places is the parking garage fee at the hotels which can average $20 per day.

As for residential neighborhoods, the suburbs win hands down in the nicer area category. Except for the areas right by the beach, most of the city areas of Honolulu are tailor-made for the working class - understandably so - most of the hotels are located around Waikiki Beach and the city of Honolulu surrounds Waikiki beach making it a prime business and tourist location. Our hotel located in Kuhio Avenue, the first parallel street to Kalakaua Avenue that hugs Waikiki beach had great views of the ocean, but as the location was adjacent to International Marketplace, quiescence were not among its virtues as the night progressed. IHOP, Denny’s, and Chili’s were all within a few blocks and so were local options. Premium options like the Waikiki Starlight Luau at the Hilton Hawaii Village are also within walking distance.

Oahu has a number of free quality attractions. Below are the major attractions – not all are free:

1. Arizona Memorial: Definitely a must for every American, this memorial is the site where the USS Arizona sank following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. It is the resting place of 1102 of the 1177 service men killed. To place in context, the overall death toll in the Pearl Harbor attack was 2350. The visitor center displays memorabilia related to the Pearl Harbor attack and also runs a 23-minute documentary film. A Navy boat provides transportation out to the 184-foot structure. It spans the mid-portion of the sunken battleship. It has observation areas and a shrine with a marble wall engraved with the names of those killed on the USS Arizona. There is a headcount limit at the memorial of around 4500 people per day, hence, it is better to plan this visit for earlier than later in the day (first tour – 7:45 AM), especially on holidays. Tickets and parking are both free. Also, as a security measure, no bags are allowed.
2. Fire Works over Waikiki Beach: The fireworks is the finale of the Music and Dance show at the poolside of the Hilton Hawaii Village that happens every Friday at 7:45 PM and lasts 10 minutes – the event is known to keep Hawaiian time. The best location to experience the fireworks are from the beach or the concrete pier in front of the Outrigger Reef on the Beach hotel – either side of the hotel, has public access pathway to the beach from Kalia (Parallel Street to Kalakaua). Tickets are $20 per person for the event with poolside seating and non hotel guests can participate as well.
3. Kuhio Beach Hula Show: The one-hour show is at the Kuhio Beach Hula Mound on Waikiki Beach on Kalakau Avenue at Uluniu on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 6:30 PM. The event showcases authentic Hawaiian music, Hula performances, and entertaining commentary.
4. Beaches: There are plenty of beaches in Oahu. Waikiki as expected is the most popular and crowded. Hanauma Bay (100 Hanauma Bay Road, Honolulu, HI - $7.50 Fees for non-resident adults apply) is an extremely popular snorkeling destination – for snorkeling, it is best to be among the first as otherwise both parking and renting equipment can be an issue. North Bay beaches offer the best waves and relatively lesser crowds but by Oahu standards considered a long drive (30 miles) away.
5. Hiking: Even though Oahu is not known for hiking, there are some outstanding opportunities around Oahu and most are free. Highlights include the hike to the Diamond Head Monument ($5 per vehicle fee applies – Diamond Head Road & 18th Avenue, Honolulu, HI - 0.8 mile one-way but still can be strenuous as you climb 560 feet and involve both steep stairways and a tunnel) and the Manoa waterfalls (3860 Manoa Road, Honolulu, HI - 0.8 mile one-way - slightly less strenuous, definitely not the beaten track).
6. Others: Oahu has its share of attractions to visit, if time allows. Some of the best options include Pali Lookout (on Pali Highway 61), Bishop Museum (Fees apply - 1525 Bernice Street, Honolulu, HI), Punchbowl National Cemetery (2177 Puowaina Drive, Honolulu, HI), Waimea Valley Falls and Garden (substantial fees apply - 59-864 Kamehameha Highway), Byodo-In Temple (nominal fees - 47-200 Kahekili Highway, Kaneohe, HI), Polynesian Cultural Center (substantial fees - 55-370 Kamehameha Highway, Laie, HI), and the Cultural Gardens at the Honolulu Airport.

On our part, we checked out Waikiki beach the first day and joined the crowd for the Fire Works show. Hiking was the main activity on our second day, teeing off with an early morning hike to the Diamond Head State Monument and finishing with the Kuhio Beach Hula Show back in the Waikiki Beach area. Our final day was spent snorkeling at Hanauma Bay and with a trip to the North Shore in the afternoon. We had visited Arizona Memorial previously and so chose not to stop by there this time around.

Related Posts:

1. Oahu, Hawaii - Flora and Fauna - A Trip Report.
2. Oahu, Hawaii - Hiking - A Trip Report.
3. Oahu, Hawaii - Attractions - A Trip Report.

Last Updated: 02/2011.

Economy, Business, Credit, and Debit @ the Roundup #17

Welcome to the March 24, 2010 edition of the Roundup.

debt kid presents 9 Rules To Get Out Of Debt posted at DebtKid.

Joel Ohman presents Dave Ramsey & Credit Cards: I Love Ya Dave but You are Dead Wrong posted at Credit Card Chaser.

Silicon Valley Blogger presents Zecco Review: Want Free Online Trading? posted at The Digerati Life, saying, "Thanks!"

The Smarter Wallet presents Equifax Credit Report and Score: Review of Equifax Products posted at The Smarter Wallet, saying, "Thanks!"

Mary Jones presents Top 35 Women’s Health Charities to Learn about and Support this Holiday Season posted at Comments on: Top 100 Diet and Fitness Blogs.

Dave presents 3 Steps To Ditch Your Bank posted at Cheapo Groovo.

Marcus Arkan presents Business for Self Mortgage – See Your Options posted at Syndicate Mortgages Blog, saying, "Syndicate Mortgages Inc. is a leading Canadian mortgage brokerage specializing in residential, commercial and construction financing. With access to a vast array of lending institutions across Canada such as major banks, credit unions, trust companies, and private funds, Syndicate Mortgages post articles and news on a daily basis. The information is to help you save more money and help you find the best product!"

Robert Johnson presents aaWealth » Blog Archive » Drawing correct W D Gann Angels + Technical Trading posted at aaWealth, saying, "Draw proper angels for trading profits"

All Others

Keith Morris presents Make Living With Parents a Success posted at LifeTuner, saying, "As the trend of more people leaning on parents for financial support started to rear its head earlier this year, we gathered a list of tips for people in this situation."

FIRE Getters presents Americans Living Without Bank Accounts? posted at FIRE Finance, saying, "Last weekend we were wondering how many Americans live without bank accounts. Our first thought was not many. Curious to know the facts we started researching on the web. We were stunned to find that 17 million Americans have no bank accounts! And 18% of the rest of the population that do have bank accounts use non-traditional banking services like pawn shops and payday lenders."

James Staine presents 10 Myths about Reverse Mortgages posted at Oregon Mortgage Blog, saying, "Oregon Mortgage Blog comprises informative articles that talk about residential mortgage types, and the types of mortgage borrowers."

Your Best Library presents What makes them rich can make you too. Discover it now. posted at Your Best Library, saying, "What is it that makes people poor, middle-class or rich? How can you learn it to apply in your own life too?"

Braudis Lee Pegram presents 2010 For New York Entrepreneurs! posted at The koH Resources Blog.

Frank Goley presents Business Success Strategies by ABC Business Consulting » Blog Archive » Writing An Effective Business Plan- Part One posted at Business Success Strategies, saying, "The business success strategies blog is written by small business success expert, Frank Goley, the chief business consultant for ABC Business Consulting. Frank has more than twenty years experience helping companies start, grow, turn around and succeed."

Tony Clifton presents Consulting Business Online? posted at Alernative Business Online, saying, "Looks like everyone is doing consulting business online. That's OK. But what happens when you start searching for something? All you can see everywhere is "We are a great team of xxxxxx professionals", "I'm certificated expert of xxxxx", "We are the best..."."

Super Saver presents Roth IRA: To Convert or Not to Convert posted at My Wealth Builder.

Case Ernsting presents How to Promote your Business Product posted at FinditLocal411 Blog, saying, "There are many home business owners these days with a great product to sell. But many of these business people are searching for ways to promote their services effectively and to the right people. This post can point you in the right direction."

nissim ziv presents Online: Career Assessment Test : Top Career Assessment Tool in the Market posted at Job Interview Guide, saying, "The purpose of a professional career assessment is to have a clear written career vision – a career aspiration and a better understanding of how you operate."

CJ Bowker presents How many doors do you have open? posted at The Life of an Insurance Salesman, saying, "Without realizing it, peoples aversion to loss might be affecting their business and personal lives. People don't want to loose any opportunities, they don't want to let doors close. In fact, they will keep a door open even if it hurts or becomes detrimental to other doors in their lives. Sometimes it might just be better to close a few doors."

Mr Credit Card presents Best Business Credit Cards Recommendations for 2009 posted at Ask Mr Credit Card.

Luke Spencer presents Buy That House! posted at That old house, saying, "Don't waste your money on the wrong fixer upper."

Ki Gray presents Remodeling Amenities That Add to the Sale of Your Home posted at National Real Estate Blog, saying, "If you're in the throes of preparing to sell your home, but need to do some remodeling to create value, find out which areas will give you the biggest bang for your remodeling buck and strategies that will really bring in the Benjamins."

The Investor presents How to increase your salary posted at Monevator.com, saying, "One of the best ways to improve your financial situation is to increase your income. Don't want a new problem? No problem - turn your current job into a job that pays better!"

KPC presents What is Elance? posted at Kpcwriting's Freelancing Blog.

Franck Silvestre presents Make Money with Affiliate Marketing – 3 Reasons to Start with Affiliate Marketing posted at Make Money Online.

Bruce presents Government Mortgage Help for First Time Buyers posted at Government Mortgage Help, saying, "Mortgage Help from the Government to assist you in keeping your home from mortgage foreclosure during this recession."

Kevin F presents Is a Credit Repair Service Worth It? posted at CreditShout.

PeakPersonalFinance presents Are You Eligible for These 5 Tax Breaks? posted at Peak Personal Finance, saying, "Five tax breaks you should know about."

Ki presents How to Buy a Home with Nothing Down posted at National Real Estate Blog, saying, "Sounds impossible, doesn't it, being able to walk away from a transaction with a home and nothing down? Even in today's tough economic times, it can be done."

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Carnival of road to financial independence #17

Welcome to the March 23, 2010 edition of road to financial independence.

Beating Inflation

Evolution Of Wealth presents Cash Is Clementines!?! posted at Evolution of Wealth, saying, "For the average person that has a problem with debt cash makes sense. For the rest of use, cash will only slow us down. Cash is not king. Focus instead on the power of LUC (liquidity, use and control)."

Darren presents The Easiest Way To Beat Inflation posted at MORE than Finances, saying, "Inflation is a real force that has an impact on your money and finances. Here's the easiest way to not only protect yourself from it, but actually BEAT it!"

Frugal Living

Sandra Lopez presents 100 Inspiring Personal Finance Posts for the New Year posted at Accounting Degree.com.

Big Cajun Man presents Do you have saving questions? posted at Canadian Personal Finance Blog, saying, "Lots of questions to be asked about saving money..."

Sun presents Getting Ready to Create Your 2010 Budget posted at The Sun’s Financial Diary.

Wenchypoo presents Another Light Bulb Moment--This Time, It's Taxes posted at Wisdom From Wenchypoo's Mental Wastebasket, saying, "By only buying raw materials and making lots of things from them, not only are you saving the cost of those other finished goods, but you're saving TAXES by not buying them!

It's legal tax avoidance."

Joe Plemon presents Retirement Funds Tanked? Time to Redefine Your Retirement. posted at Personal Finance By The Book, saying, "When your retirement nest egg isn't what you hoped for, don't despair. Redefining your retirement may be the best thing that you ever did."

nissim ziv presents Why Choose Marketing as a Career? posted at Job Interview Guide, saying, "Perhaps you’ve thought about pursuing a career in marketing but you’re not quite sure if it is right for you.
You need additional information so that you can make an informed decision.
Why Marketing? A career in marketing can mean many things.."

Ben Klempner, MSW presents Debt Repayment is Spiritual posted at Effective Family Communication, saying, "Repaying debts and fugal living are spiritual approaches to life...when we stop to think about it..."

Madeleine Begun Kane presents Ode To "Rabbit Ears" posted at Mad Kane's Humor Blog.

Steve Faber presents Propose To My Girlfriend » Cheap Wedding Plans – How to Save A Bundle of Money on Your Dream Wedding posted at Propose To My Girlfriend, saying, "One way to start off your financial life on the wrong foot, is to begin your family with accumulated debt. If you want a great wedding, but might have to put most of it on your credit card, STOP! Here are some great strategies to save money, but still have a dream wedding."

Money Infant presents Live on Less Than You Make posted at Money Infant, saying, "The one cardinal rule that all financial experts will agree on is to Live on Less Than You Make."

Debra Jacobson presents How To Be Frugal: Saving Money on Eating Out posted at All Things Frugal, saying, "In lean economic times, eating at restaurants is generally avoided. However, there are ways to eat out without breaking the bank."

Abigail Perry presents I’m becoming a low-price snob posted at I Pick Up Pennies, saying, "Frugal victories are great, but sometimes they skew the rest of your price perceptions. And I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing?"

chrisw23 presents Finding cheap short term car insurance for young drivers is easier today than every before posted at Temporary Car Insurance Blog, saying, "An article exploring why taking short term car insurance could be the best option for you financially."

Passive Income

David de Souza presents Tax Returns for Landlords. posted at UK Tax Blog, saying, "Due to house prices decreasing, more people are renting their properties instead of selling. This post offers 5 helpful tips to people renting their properties at the moment."

the2ndjob.com presents How Important Is a Website? posted at The 2nd Job.

Steve C presents How To Find Time To Start A Side Business posted at MyWifeQuitHerJob.com.

Stavros Georgiadis presents Top 10 Make Money Characteristics To Help You Make Money Online posted at Make Money, saying, "How to make money with a new perspective."

tristin presents How to Become a Millionaire ? Are You Bored of Those Get Rich Quick Schemes posted at tristinaugustus.com, saying, "inspiration 4 everybody"

MoneyNing presents 10 Ways to Eliminate Student Loans (Beyond Paying Them Off) posted at Money Ning, saying, "There are actually some creative ways to pay off your student loans if you are willing to work for it. Here are a few to get you started."

Kathleen Gaga presents A Simple Formula for Fast, Easy and Profitable Product Development posted at Street Smarts Marketing & Promotions, saying, "There are various types of information products you can develop; those that are used specifically for building your opt-in subscriber list, those that are used as revenue generates and those that accomplish both list building and revenue generating opportunities."

Reducing Expenses

Heidi presents 3 Cool Tools to Help you Save Money posted at Little People Wealth, saying, "Three Tools to help you save money online."

Alex presents Should I Use a Credit Card to Build Up Points for Rewards? | MoneyStance.com posted at MoneyStance - Money Making Opportunity Reviews, saying, "Alex’s get out of debt blog addresses a tough question, do you keep spending on credit cards because of the rewards program or is that too dangerous? See his progress on paying down a half a million dollars in debt and discuss this difficult question."

Emily Simmons presents How to Do a Debt Snowball posted at Be In Health Now, saying, "Who made a New Year's resolution to get out debt this year? This post on how to do a debt snowball should help."

Lynnae presents Why Tracking Expenses Important When Paying Off Debt posted at beingfrugal.net, saying, "Tracking your spending is important, if you want to stop the leaks in your budget and get out of debt more quickly."

emancave presents Living on a budget made easier with Mint.com posted at e-ManCave.com, saying, "Making a realistic budget and sticking to it is one key to financial independence but it's usually not easy and a lot of those fancy tools aren't easy to use either. Mint.com not only provides an easy web based tool to automatically import and track expenses against your budget but it also makes recommendations to reduce expenses further like focusing on the highest apr credit card or suggesting you do a balance transfer to a new card that has a special offer and it projects how much those changes will mean to your budget in the future. Having a visual of that impact is a huge motivator for me."

chuck machado presents Medical Bills Lower Credit Scores posted at Raise Credit Score, saying, "The biggest obstacle to raising credit report scores is the lack of credit card debt management. Your credit report shows not only how much you're spending, but how much you're paying toward reducing your debt. If you are making minimum payments, lenders can see this and they figure your are either not too bright or are struggling."

Susan Howe presents The 40 Top Twitter Feeds to Help You Save Money posted at The Budget Life Blog, saying, "To make saving money easy, these feeds have taken to Twitter to share tips and discounts on how to manage your budget and spend your hard-earned money wisely. Its worthy to know these things nowadays."

PT Money presents How to Find the Best Roth IRA Rates posted at Prime Time Money, saying, "All about keep expenses low for your Roth IRA."

DaveOzment presents Dollars Spent posted at Do You Dave Ramsey?, saying, "Money is dynamic and so too should be how we view our spending patterns.
THANKS for considering my article!
Dave"

Admin presents Fixed versus Variable Loans posted at Living in volatility, saying, "A comparison of fixed versus variable rate loans making use of the implied path of future interest rates by actively traded eurodollar futures market. The user can accurately asses which loan would be the cheaper given his investment time frame and mortgage rate offers."

jim presents Why Going to the Gym Saves You Money posted at Journal of Healthy Living.

squawkfox presents Free Budget Worksheets: Household Net Worth Spreadsheet posted at squawkfox, saying, "Knowing your household net worth can help you to reduce expenses and reach your financial goals sooner."

KCLau presents Bad Debt and Good Debt posted at KCLau's Money Tips, saying, "How do you distinguish between good debt and bad debt?"

Stock Investments

Jae Jun presents How to create online investment tracking spreadsheet posted at Old School Value, saying, "Use this free stock tracking spreadsheet or learn how to create your own dynamic online portfolio tracking spreadsheet that is always up to date. You can now view it anywhere, anytime."

FMF presents Asset Allocation and Investing Temperament the Sound Mind Investing Way (And Giveaway!) posted at Free Money Finance, saying, "The single-most important thing anyone can do to improve the return on their investments is to set and maintain an appropriate asset allocation. This articles gives thoughts on the process of doing so."

Darwin presents Business Development Companies – Excellent Overlooked Investment Strategy posted at Darwin's Finance, saying, "A Business Development Company (BDC) is a niche investment category that even many high yield investors don’t have much familiarity with. You probably should given what you're missing."

Nesher presents Never add to a losing position: Trading Decision Basics posted at Internet Stock Trading for Beginners.

Patty Pedersen presents Federal Reserve Discount Rate and Your Investment Decisions posted at AlphaProfit MoneyMatters - Investing Blog, saying, "Recently, the Federal Reserve raised the discount rate after nearly 14 months from 0.5% to 0.75%. This article explains if more rate hikes in store and what this rate hike means for stock, bond, commodity, and cash investments."

Praveen presents Omnivision Technologies (OVTI) posted at My Simple Trading System, saying, "Analysis of stock OVTI"

Larry Russell presents Evaluating Roth IRA Conversions posted at Best Personal Financial Planning Software, saying, "Trying to decide about a traditional IRA to Roth IRA conversion without first having a comprehensive lifetime financial plan in place makes absolutely no sense. Without such a plan, you cannot figure out whether or not you are likely to achieve the tax savings in retirement that would warrant paying higher taxes now."

Natalia presents How to make money trading Forex posted at PipTub, saying, "This article is about how to make money in Foreign Exchange."

Financial Uproar presents Does Cool Have A Spot In Your Portfolio « Financial Uproar posted at Financial Uproar, saying, "My look on how much influence "cool" should have on your investment decisions."

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Stock Portfolio and Watch List Updates for March 2010

Following are the activity from the previous month:

1. Wrote Sep 40 Covered Calls on 40% of our ICICI Bank shares (IBN) at $5.20. We had closed out of a similar position in January taking advantage of the volatility and as the stock rebounded back we wrote the calls again.
2. Wrote Aug 7.5 Covered Calls on 100% of our position in Advantage Energy Fund (AAV) at $0.75. The stock experienced a rebound following positive results from the test drills at the Glacier facility and we wrote the options to take advantage of that spike. Also the cost basis for Advantage Energy Fund (AAV) dropped sharply on 07/09/2009 due to a tax maneuver (taxable exchange of Advantage Energy Fund shares to Advantage Oil & Gas Limited Shares) that resulted in shareholders having to realize capital gains/losses as of that date. The spreadsheet below is updated with the new cost-basis.
3. Our portfolio size experienced a ~150% increase as we transferred equity realized from the sale of our primary home over to our investment portfolio. This had the effect of our portfolio having out-sized cash allocation of over 60%. Rather than invest it all in stocks ASAP, our plan involves spreading purchases over the next few years using a combination of outright purchases along with writing cash covered put options. This should help alleviate timing risk.

Below is our updated portfolio – it is close to break even:

Stock	Buy Date	Buy Price	Current Price	Current % Of Portfolio	Unrealized % Return	Yield as % of Portfolio Value
Altria (MO)	Various	16.69	20.34	1.22	21.90	0.38
Philip Morris International (PM)	1/4/2005	32.19	52.68	5.60	63.64	0.45
Kraft Foods (KFT)	Various	26.33	29.63	2.37	12.55	0.23
Pfizer (PFE)	Various	24.37	19.61	1.69	(30.60)	0.30
ICICI Bank (IBN)	5/18/2006 and 08/01/2008	25.28	40.77	4.07	61.30	0.30
Advantage Energy Fund (AAV)	11/2/2006	11.22	7.00	0.70	81.82	0.17
Central Europe & Russia Fund (CEE)	Various	39.23	34.97	2.45	(10.85)	0.03
Itron Inc. (ITRI)	11/07/2007	85.01	70.07	1.40	(17.68)	None
Anthracite (ACPIQ – formerly AHR)	11/09/2007	7.97	0.02	0.00	(99.79)	0.00
iRobot (IRBT)	12/18/2007	18.65	16.01	1.28	(13.42)	None
LDK Solar (LDK)	01/22/2008	30.49	6.60	0.40	(78.36)	None
Aegon N.V. (AEG)	04/28/2008	15.99	6.50	0.39	(59.34)	0.00
Frontline Limited (FRO)	10/06/2008	36.95	30.81	0.92	(16.61)	0.17
DryShips Incorporated (DRYS)	02/09/2009	6.96	5.69	0.80	(18.30)	0.00
Plum Creek Timber (PCL)	07/23/2009	30.50	38.40	3.07	25.90	0.46
CPFL Energia S.A. (CPL)	07/28/2009	50.45	60.92	2.44	20.76	0.55
BP plc (BP)	08/05/2009	51.49	57.69	2.31	12.04	0.45
AT&T (T)	08/27/2009	26.38	26.24	2.10	(0.55)	0.39
Sysco Corporation (SYY)	10/13/2009	25.23	28.77	2.30	14.01	0.39
Exelon (EXC)	12/30/2009	49.38	44.62	7.12	(9.64)	0.39
Telefonica SA (TEF)	02/09/2010	68.74	72.69	7.73	5.67	0.57
Cash				62.42
Total Portfolio					(0.10)	2.24

Below is a summary of transactions during the year:

Stock	Buy Date	Buy Price	Sell Date	Sell Price	% Gain (Loss)	% Portfolio Return*
Ameritrade (AMTD)	5/21/2008	17.69	01/19/2010	17.45	(1.33)	(0.02)
AMTD Jan 17.5 Covered Calls (TQAAW)	1/19/2010	NA	9/10/2009	NA	NA	0.22
COST Jan 60 Covered Calls (PRQAL)	1/19/2010	NA	9/10/2009	NA	NA	0.06
IBN Mar 40 Covered Calls (ITZCN)	1/22/2010	NA	10/06/2009	NA	NA	0.20
Costco (COST)	8/01/2009	62.27	02/09/2010	58.18	(6.57)	(0.08)
Realized Gain/(Loss) YTD	-	-	-	-	-	0.04

• % Gain/Loss Relative to Portfolio Value at Beginning of Year + Deposits
• The table assumes realization of profits associated with selling options only after the option is exercised or expiry.

We replaced Boeing (BA) with NYSE Euronext (NYX) in our watch list as Boeing shares pretty much “ran away” – its year to date gain stands at over 30% compared to 5% for the S&P 500 following positive announcements regarding its new assembly lines. Our current watch list follow – Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Automatic Data Processing (ADP), Becton Dickinson (BCK), BHP Billiton (BHP), Cardinal Health (CAH), Cresud (CRESY), Eaton (ETN), Emerson Electric (EMR), AgFeed (FEED), Glaxo (GSK), Home Depot (HD), Intel (INTC), Nokia (NOK), China Nepstar (NPD), Nutrisystem (NTRI), Nucor Steel (NUE), NYSE Euronext (NYX), Qiagen (QGEN), Telefonica (TEF), UPS (UPS), and Waste Management (WM).

Experience transferring utilities during a local move

We moved to a rental in Alameda a week ago after the sale of our primary home. As soon as a lease agreement is in place the next step is to coordinate address change with USPS and transferring all the utilities to the new address. This post is aimed at being a place holder for the various utilities that needs to be notified during a move and to help manage expectation when conducting business with them. Despite being monopolies, these steps largely went smooth although there are some caveats as can be seen from the details given below.

USPS Change of Address: It is recommended that this request be submitted at-least two weeks prior to the move date. The alternatives are

• Online option: The movers guide section of the USPS website allows for submitting the form online – forwarding start date, type of move (permanent vs temporary), Name/Address, and Identity Verification (Credit card details input and a $1 charge) are the requisites.
• Over the phone: 1-800-ASK-USPS ($1 verification fee applies) and performing a similar process,
• Mail in: Use the online system, print, and mail the form (no $1 verification fee), or
• In person: Submit the PS Form 3575 at the post office.

We chose the online process and it worked well.

Electric Power & Gas: The electric Power & Gas transfer was the easiest. All that was required was only a quick call to Alameda Power & Telecom (510-748-3900) and PG&E (1-800-743-5000) respectively. PG&E did question whether access was an issue at the new address.

Water: East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) offers two kinds of transfer fees - $16 applies for an online transaction or $32 for over the phone. We tried the cheaper online option, but having timed out twice, on the third attempt the system asked to call them. The information one is required to provide is the same either way and the process itself was smooth, although we were on the hook for the higher fee.

Recycling/Garbage Collection: Alameda County Industries (510-483-1400) sends star/stop forms upon request which needs to be filled up and submitted by fax or in-person (2307 Blanding Avenue, Alameda, CA-94501). A 3-month service deposit is required which is charged to your credit card (that information is requested on the start service form). They do a final pickup on the day of your usual pickup when your carts are taken (the id numbers on the cart are needed for the Start service form). New ones are delivered to the new address on the day of that pickup. Again, well-oiled operation.

Internet Service: AT&T DSL Internet Dry Loop Service transfer turned out to be the most disruptive step in this whole process. As this move came on the heels of the bad experience we encountered while trying to move from regular phone service to Vonage, we ensured we did due diligence this time around. We called the customer service a week early to get the process rolling. The customer service call (1-877-722-3755) itself went well and a transfer for the day of the move was double confirmed. A new account number and order number was also given. Imagine our horror, when the Internet ceased working within an hour! This meant our Vonage telephone service was down too. Called AT&T to check the status of the order and the automated system said the order was scheduled for the day we called – not the day of the move. After repeated calls to AT&T customer service, our request was escalated and a new order created and they informed that it had to be done with a new voice number as otherwise the delay will be longer. The rest of the day saw no progress but on the following day an AT&T rep showed up at the house wanting to hook up a voice line. He was oblivious about our situation and we were left with a dial-tone on the phone line and could receive in-coming calls (no outbound calls), although this was NOT what was requested. After wasting more time waiting on the customer support line we decided enough was enough so called AT&T and cancelled the request to have DSL reinstated for the remaining days at the old address. Needless to say, we went through the same drill of having to take emergency time-off from work and having to be content with 2-hour one-way commutes for the rest of the week. Once we moved, to our surprise, things went smoothly, and we had DSL and Vonage service up and running in no time. A couple of days later, the new owners at our old house informed us that AT&T customer service had informed them that they had NEVER received a request from us to cancel the voice line – surprise, surprise! Words fail us!

Telephone Service: For Vonage telephone service, nothing special is required, but you do need Internet access!

Everglades National Park - A Trip Report

Everglades is by far the most recognized of the four National Parks in southern Florida – the Big Cypress National Preserve (around 730,000 acres), the Biscayne National Park on the West Coast just outside Miami (around 175,000 acres), the Dry Tortugas National Park seventy miles from Key West (seven remote islands with a combined area of over 64,000 acres), and the Everglades (over 1.5 million acres). The Big Cypress National Preserve which is to the north east of Everglades was established in 1974 and the preserve allows with permits a wider-range of activities such as hunting, off-road vehicle use, and oil drilling. Biscayne National Park protects a marine ecosystem consisting of mangrove shorelines, a shallow bay, undeveloped islands, living coral reefs and is an ideal water-based recreation spot - fishing, canoeing, camping at the Boca Chita and Elliott Keys (primitive), and boat tours.

More than its sheer enormity, it is the unique ecosystem of the Everglades National Park that commands attention. The entire park area never exceeds an elevation of eight feet above sea level accounting for the giant swamp that is Everglades. The Kissimmee River basin in central Florida is responsible for the origin of this marshy land – during the wet summer months, flooding in the river basin results in a built-up shallow lake with an average depth of just 12 feet, but covering an area of 730 square miles (Okeechobee). The overflow results in the wide shallow river (“River of Grass” – 50 miles in width, one to six inches deep and moving at the rate of just 100 feet per day) flowing southward to the Gulf of Mexico in a gentle slope. The wet season is followed by six months of dry season. This creates a distinctive ecosystem that the wildlife at the Everglades has adapted to and they are in fact dependent on this natural cycle. The river empties into the Florida Bay and the Gulf of Mexico creating a mix of fresh and salt water in the coastal areas, an ideal setting for mangrove forests. This park created in 1947 with the primary aim of saving the Glades is the first National Park created to protect a threatened ecological system. Water controls, exploitation, and the invasion of foreign species in that order are the primary reasons for the precarious situation at the Everglades. Case in point – the water controls has resulted in a reduction in the number of wading birds nesting in the Everglades over 90% in the last 75 years. The situation can be extended to all the major species distinct to the Everglades.

There are four visitor centers but if time allows only for a day-trip, it is best to focus the trip around one of those visitor centers. The visitor centers are:

1. Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center – Open daily from 8 AM to 5 PM (May thru November 9 AM to 5 PM), this center is the easiest to access from Miami – zip down Florida Turnpike south to the last exit and follow signs. Four miles past is the Royal Palm Visitor Center which is also open daily and provides certain ranger led activities. A couple of trails are also on offer at this site: the Anhinga Trail a 0.8 mile loop trail and the Gumbo Limbo Trail a 0.4 mile loop.
2. Flamingo Visitor Center – Open from late November till May 1st, this visitor center is located 38 miles south east of the Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center and can be arrived at by following the Main Park Road from the Coe Visitor Center, a scenic route with a number of trails from the park areas scattered along. The trails include the Pinelands Trail a 0.4 mile loop through sub-tropical pine forest, Pa-hay-okee overlook a 0.2 mile boardwalk that leads to an observation deck with panoramic views, Mahogany Hammock Trail a 0.4 mile boardwalk that goes through a dense hardwood hammock and the Westlake Trail a 0.4 mile boardwalk through Mangrove forests – an eclectic collection, no doubt! The visitor center itself is modest with a few exhibits and they issue wilderness permits. There are campsites (reservations recommended – 800-365-CAMP), canoeing (suggested routes include the 5.5 mile Nine Mile Pond Trail and others) kayaking, and boat tour options. A convenience store and gas station are at hand. A lodge and a restaurant were in operation at this site until the hurricane of 2005.
3. Gulf Coast Visitor Center – Open daily from 8AM to 4:30 PM (May thru November – 9AM to 4:30 PM), this visitor center is located 3 miles south of Hwy 41 (Tamiami Trail) on Highway 29 in Everglades City. Wilderness permits are available from the visitor center. Picnic areas, marinas, several boat launching facilities, boat tours into the mangrove estuary and Ten Thousand Islands are on offer (tickets at the lower level of the visitor center). Canoeing/kayaking into the Ten Thousand Islands is popular as it provides a great opportunity to observe the birds, dolphins, manatees, etc – rentals available at the lower level of the visitor center.
4. Shark Valley Visitor Center – Open daily from 8:45 AM to 5:15 PM (December thru April 9:15 AM to 5:15 PM), this visitor center can be arrived at by following Hwy 41 (Tamiami Trail) 30 miles west of the Florida Turnpike exit for S.W 8th Street. There are three trails available from the visitor center – the Bobcat Boardwalk trail a 0.4 mile loop that passes through saw grass marsh and a bayhead, Otter Cave trail a 1-mile loop that goes through a tropical hardwood hammock, and the 15-mile tram trail which can be experienced either by a tram tour or by biking.

Our day-trip was focused around the Shark Valley Visitor Center as it seemed to offer the biggest bang. By 10 AM the parking lot at the visitor center was at capacity, and we were behind a line of cars waiting to get in. Since patience was never one of our virtues we parked along the roadside and walked in. Waiting in line would also have worked equally well, for spaces do open up at a rapid pace. Entrance fee is $20 per vehicle or $10 per pedestrian – they inquired at the entrance whether our car was parked outside and charged $20 for the four of us.

Even from the entrance, it is evident that in this exotic place we humans are mere visitors as wild birds, alligators, turtles etc. silently but firmly claim the territory as theirs. Whether the timing of our visit made any difference we do not know but it was simply divine to feast our eyes in these many wild birds and animals, and that too in their environment – maybe this is the mystique of a safari! There was no holding back in either quantity or quality.

The two smaller trails are both good allowing one to appreciate the exclusive flora and fauna of the place. The “not-to-be-missed” attraction however at the site is the 15-mile trail. The options are either to bike on your own or to partake in a 2-hour ranger led tram tour. Should you opt for the tram tour, plan to purchase the tickets as early as possible, for though we reached the ticket counter by 10:15 AM, we had to settle for the 1 PM tour. The tram-tour tickets came to $56 for the four of us. The tour itself is just outstanding – alligators, turtles, birds of various feathers including the endangered wood stork, ibis, spoonbills, anhinga, owls, egrets, and butterflies in large volume all added to the variety. The park ranger was very knowledgeable with a very high energy level that all of us on the tour came back with a greater understanding of the Everglades and its distinctive ecosystem – the tree islands in the vast prairie called “tropical hardwood hammocks”, smaller shrubbery islands called the “bayheads” and the Borrow Pits (artificial ponds formed when stones to build the scenic road were dug-out) were all pointed out and explained in great detail. The observation tower at the mid-point of the loop (farthest point) provides for a nice leisurely walk up from which one can appreciate panoramic view of the prairies. Right underneath the observation tower, a big colony of giant alligators was basking in the sun. On a side-note the park ranger said most of the dead fish (after the early January freeze in Florida) in the clear stream were exotic fish introduced by humans as opposed to the native ones.

Having a good supply of water is a compulsory independent of the mode of travel. A cautionary note to bikers – bike route is counter clockwise of the tram route giving the people in the tram a chance to observe the actions of the bikers – in general, too many of them were either too close to the alligators or were not inclined to be responsible riders (even the mandatory stopping for the tram was a tall order for some) - although we feel the bikers themselves are unaware of the potential danger involved, we saw a biker falling of his bike and landing just a few feet away from an alligator and baby alligators are best left alone for it means the mama alligator is watching you.

Airboat tours and “alligator shows” are a sizable industry in the border areas of the park – they are not allowed inside the park as they generally affect the ecosystem in a negative way. Should you decide to go for one of these, one option is to choose the Miccosukee Indian Air Boat ride offered just opposite the visitor center – the tickets are comparatively lighter on the wallet and also include a visit to the authentic Indian camp at the heart of the Everglades. The restaurant at the site is also a good reasonably priced choice.

Related Posts:

1. A Trip Report to Kennedy Space Center, FL.
2. Key West, FL - A Trip Report.

Last Updated: 02/2011.

Key West, FL - A Trip Report

After Cape Canaveral we motored down a lengthy stretch to Key West. We started early from the town of Cocoa Beach and factored in some short stops in order to experience the storied sunset at Mallory Square in Key West on time.

Whenever we visit new places we tend to absorb it from a potential resident’s angle by planning detours into the residential areas, university campus and/or downtown areas. Both Fort Lauderdale and the Cocoa Beach area fell shy on this count though ‘twixt the two the town of Cocoa Beach fared better. Also, it is obvious that Florida’s economy is geared more towards the older generation than it is for the youth explaining why away from Florida we mostly encounter people who seem either extremely happy to have exited the Sunshine State or impatiently waiting to retire there. The climate and the housing prices are definitely appealing to Californians. Miami on the other hand, lived up to its metropolitan image. The turquoise beaches along with well-maintained infrastructure promote a touristy feel.

The drive from Cocoa Beach to Miami along the semi-marshy landscape though mundane, is distinct making very plausible stories Floridians regale about alligators showing up uninvited in their swimming pools! On the other hand the drive from Miami to Key West surpassed our imagination. The welcome change in scenery from Key Largo to Key West is not just a glimpse and gone forever for it spans 140 miles. Such is the lure of the landscape that one cannot but be thankful that the traffic pace is a slow one. Vista points are dotted throughout. Small green islands hugging the Atlantic in a serene setting is truly postcard material. In all there are 42 bridges connecting the islands. The kids counted 35 on the way back. The icing on the cake is the encore of the scenery on the way back.

Tourism is the main industry and so there is no dearth of activities. When we reserved our lodging online, the area came across as expensive and the moderate accommodation we settled on was still over $150 per night. On hindsight one alternative that would have worked was not to book in advance – the place was teeming with smaller places offering accommodation at affordable rates.

Below are some of the “not-to-miss” sites one can experience for free on a visit to Key West:

1. Walk the 7-mile bridge: This is a historic railway bridge constructed between 1908 and 1912 which was later converted for use by automobiles in 1935. A brand-new bridge serves the motorists now while the old bridge gives a chance to stretch the limbs in the form of a nice leisurely hike. Our highlight was seeing giant sting-rays waltzing up.
2. Key Deer Sighting: Key Deer is the smallest sub-species of Virginia white-tailed deer found on 25 islands in the lower keys. The islands covering over 84,000 acres is the National Key Deer Refuge aimed at protecting the endangered 600 to 750 population. The best way to view them is to go for hikes in the refuge accessible from Key Deer Boulevard and Wilder road, both off of Highway 1 at Big Pine Key between Marathon and Key West proper. There is also a Visitor Center on Big Pine Key Plaza at 179 Key Deer Boulevard. We were lucky to stumble upon a grazing herd and later see them leaping away at dawn along Highway 1.
3. Mallory Square Sunset: To get to Mallory Square, take a right on North Roosevelt Boulevard (becomes Truman Ave.) at the end of US 1 immediately after crossing the bridge into Key West and at Simonton, take a right and the parking lot at Greene Street is very convenient – hourly pricing is reasonable and credit cards can be used. There is a City Parking Lot closer to the square, at Front and Wall Street but reaches capacity fast. A short walk through Duval Street gets one to Mallory Square. The place is abuzz with activities complete with several curio shops, restaurants, the glass bottom boat ticket counters, conch tour train depot, water scooters, and several other options huddled around a beautiful public boulevard right along the coast – the place is an ideal location to view the sunset. It does get crowded and seating is limited and so the earlier the better. Talented street artists entertain with their skills and it is a good feel to be one with the crowd. Conversations in different languages, the jazz music wafting across, the sunset cruises along with the birds, and the very beautiful sunset itself all blend together harmoniously providing a wonderful experience for all and sundry.

Below are other attractions and activities in and around Key West:

1. Water Sports and Sails: Scuba diving, Parasailing, Fishing, Kayaks, Snorkeling, etc. are all available at Key West. For the undecided, we would recommend a tour of the Dry Tortugas National Park. Dry Tortugas are seven remote islands around 70 miles west of Key West. It features coral reefs ideal for snorkeling along with white sandy beaches. Day trips (9 hours) while expensive (around $150) are excellent and include snorkeling in 4-7 feet of water (considered one of the best snorkeling locations in the world) along with visits to the historic site – Dry Tortugas has the largest brick structure in the Western Hemisphere (Fort Jefferson). Breakfast and Lunch are also included and the 70-mile trip is offered in a high-speed catamaran or ferry. For those short on time, the 2-hour Glass Bottom Boat Ride (around $45) is a good option- it is an informative eco tour that allows one to view the coral reef and sea life without getting wet.
2. Museums: The Harry S. Truman Little White House (111 Front Street – Florida’s only presidential museum where Truman spent 175 days of presidency) and the Hemingway Museums are the best known but there are several others including the Pirate Soul Museum (524 Front Street), Mel Fisher Treasure Museum (200 Greene Street), Key West Shipwreck Museum (1 Whitehead Street at Mallory Square), Ripley’s Believe it or not (108 Duval Street), Audubon House & Tropical Gardens (205 Whitehead Street), and the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory (511 Caroline Street – voted the #1 attraction in Key West by People’s choice awards for a number of years).
3. Arts and Cultural Events: Key West is a choice location for artists and as such many such events take place in the area through-out the year. Check-out KeysArts.com before your trip to determine what is available during your trip.

In case all these options make you want to settle down there, here are a few deterrents before rushing to seek realtor services:

1. Housing is expensive – a small, fixer-upper of a single family home (1250 sqft) in Duck Key (mile marker 62) was seen listed at a whopping $595,000 – it was not on the ocean but, there are views from the upper bedrooms.
2. The main industries are tourism and/or water based, if those are not your skill set, it may be hard to land a job.
3. Most of the construction around Key West rests on stilts to avoid flooding – a harsh reminder that the elements are very much out there.
4. Switching schools is not an option. Neither is getting anywhere fast.

Being a little bit out of the way is part of the real charm of Key West and that goes a long way in encompassing all. As noted above, there is a myriad of activities to choose from. One can easily use a week to soak up Key West. But, as one can gather from our notes, even a whirl-wind tour of the area is indeed worthwhile.

Related Posts:

1. A Trip Report to Kennedy Space Center, FL.
2. A Trip Report to Everglades, FL.

Last Updated: 02/2011.