Stephanie's home was a dream cottage for us --- bright, comfy and cheerful, a place you just don't want to leave . . . and we rarely did! This charming vintage home let us feel like we were part of old Hawaii. The house, lawn and beach were exactly as the pictures show. The ocean view from the living area will be in your memory forever with the beach about two breaths away from the door. Beach walking in both directions goes on and on and the beach was almost empty except for Labor Day weekend … to be expected. Turtles, feeding right in front of the house, all day long. Lapping waves, always. Two days the surf was really high so the waves roared and crashed. Otherwise, it was ideal swimming. One morning we met up with a snoozing turtle on the beach and another morning we saw the sand markings where eight turtles had pulled up on the beach to the sleep the night before. Gorgeous weather. We had it all.
Stephanie has equipped her house so well with everything you could ever want: beach/water toys; snorkeling gear; beach chairs; every conceivable kitchen gadget, dish, pot and pan; office supplies; lots of reading material; videos; and Wi-Fi. One day I decided to challenge the house. There must be something it didn't have. Nope! In addition, ceiling fans cool the house wonderfully. We had warm weather - high 80's and low 90's most days - and the house was always comfortable. With a glass of wine, watching the sunset every night on the grass overlooking the ocean, it was like being in a movie. Breakfast and dinner by the big oceanfront window. Ohhh, the view. And sleeping was heavenly. The ocean lulled us to sleep every night. I did, however, wake up one night to a thundering ocean. The surf was up! And I went outside to watch the crashing waves under a magical starry, starry sky. Then very early that morning surfers paddled out to ride those crazy waves. We loved that entertainment as well as the daily skydiving from Dillingham Airport, just down the road. But nothing took our eyes off the ever-present feeding turtles for very long.
We've been on the N. Shore several times before so we didn't spend much time beyond Haleiwa (except for the great farmers' market on Sunday morning. Be sure to go.). But the beaches toward the end of the road were new for us . . . gorgeous and nearly empty.
Stephanie is a superb hostess - helpful and thoughtful with lots of information, tips, and local goodies! Mahalo Nui, Stephanie. We'll be back. Just wish it could be next week!