Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Shangri La and Jumping off Walls

In front of Black Point...
Right by Diamond Head....
Fronting a grand estate...

In front of the Doris Duke Estate, also known as Shangri La, is a salt water pool on the edge of the ocean. It is a popular place for teens who like to jump off things, cannon ball, flip, and whatevers, into the water. It's called Cromwell's.

But it’s beautiful. Located in Black Point, one has to park a bit up into the neighborhood and walk. Be careful not to leave any belongings in the car. Cars parked in known touristy areas, especially areas where cars are known to be left for awhile (hikes, beaches etc) are at a high risk for break-ins.

Travel tip = take your stuff with you, especially your camera. Besides, you’re going to want to take photos.

If hanging with a bunch of teenagers and jumping off sea walls is not your fancy, book a tour of the Doris Duke estate itself. I copied the info below straight from the website:

Shangri La is open to the public for guided, small group tours. Because of high demand, tickets may need to be reserved several months in advance.

More information about tickets, reservations and public tours is available from the Honolulu Academy of Arts.

About the Tours:

Tours begin at the Honolulu Academy of Arts with a viewing of the Arts of the Islamic World exhibition and a short video introducing Shangri La. Tours depart the Honolulu Academy of Arts on minivans for the 15 minute drive to Shangri La. Tours last approximately 2 1/2 hours, with 1 1/2 hours on site at Shangri La.



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36 comments:

Heidi said...

Oh that looks just too perfectly wonderful.
I'm sitting here at home with a sweatshirt over my night clothes. With the hood up! BURRR!

cheatymoon said...

Yep. It's cold here. Watching kids jump into water looks like a dream. I'd love to take that tour too.

We'll see if I can cook up a travel post here. Pickings are slim. Or the brain is fried, or something like that. xo

Beth said...

Not only do I love your pictures, but I love your descriptions! I really wish I could go vacation in Hawaii. If only I'd chosen a profession that paid better... :)

Maybe one day.

Deb said...

oh i know two somebodies that would LOVE that place. the jumping...not the tour.

Angie Ledbetter said...

Lovely. Looks like it could've once been a health spa. My two teen boy frogs would enjoy all the leaping too.

Anonymous said...

Lovely! I'm savoring it in my mind.
What is that woman doing, is she topless?
We are definitely in sync today- check out mine- lots of rocks and some jumping too!

IB said...

Cool! Thanks for the tip. I think we're going to Hawaii next summer sometime. Not sure which island, though. We've been to Maui a few times but want to see some other places. This is helpful.

Gal Friday said...

I feel like I just went on a virtual vacation-reading this and looking at the short clip of the "splashers". :-)
We have a "Black Point" here as well, and a popular bridge over a tidal river where lots of people jump off, too--but it all looks very different!

Brian Miller said...

nice. i would be jumping off the wall...actually i would not mind today, but a we bit cold here.

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

A salt water pool on the edge of the ocean??? OMG; I want to be there NOW!

Unknown said...

I've hard of the Doris Duke estate but, of course, never been since I haven't been to Hawaii! Love that she decorated in an Islamic style (more Ottoman, I think) with all the mosiacs, mashrabeya, and gilding. Very opulant!

Kristan said...

Hey, since I just posted about Ireland, I finally used your Mr. Linky!! Fun fun. :)

This place looks lovely, and the diving video so fun! Thanks for sharing, Pseudo.

Amy said...

I am not sure I could jump...

Jan said...

You HAVE to love any place called Shangri La. If I go there, will I stop aging? (If you say "yes" I'm booking my ticket NOW.)

Michele said...

I'd be jumping into the water right along with the teenagers after I'd toured the house of course.

MsTypo said...

I'd love to visit Shangri La. It looks so lovely and peaceful. :)

Sprite's Keeper said...

We did the rock jump off the North Shore, but never saw this! I do remember the walls though. Maybe it was quiet the day I was in that area? Loved Diamond Head though.

Captain Dumbass said...

As I look out over my rainy and cold back yard that water looks really really good.

Oh, and I haven't forgotten about doing this one day, I'm just... er, busy. Ya. Busy. Not lazy or forgetful, just busy.

Heh heh.

The Blonde Duck said...

That looks glorious!

ds said...

As I am usually climbing the walls, jumping off of one sounds like a great idea! Especially those walls. Did not know Doris Duke had an estate in Hawaii. How 'bout that? Thanks.

S3XinthePantry said...

Ah, looks beautiful

Mike said...

How is the water temperature in Hawaii??

Melissa B. said...

I wish I had an estate. In Hawaii. Or just a little bungalow, really. Cozy and comfy and cuddled up near Diamond Head. How much would that set me back?

Joanna Jenkins said...

What a blast! But even as a teenager I wouldn't have had the nerve to jump off the wall. I'm a wimp.

Thanks for the tour. I hope to see it in person someday.

xo

Hit 40 said...

I should do travel tips for if your stuck in Columbus OH!! LOL Would this be travel or survival tips???

I have never heard of needing to reserve tickets for a home tour ahead of time. I will keep this in mind if I ever come to visit. I have seen the biltmore in SC. Very nice!!

If I ever come to Hawaii, you will be my number one stop!!!

Hit 40 said...

I should do travel tips for if your stuck in Columbus OH!! LOL Would this be travel or survival tips???

I have never heard of needing to reserve tickets for a home tour ahead of time. I will keep this in mind if I ever come to visit. I have seen the biltmore in SC. Very nice!!

If I ever come to Hawaii, you will be my number one stop!!!

Liz Mays said...

I really would jump off that wall if I didn't have to do it in a bathing suit!

I love your state!

Adrienne said...

Beautiful! I don't know about jumping. I think I could just stretch out on those rocks like a lizard...

Unknown said...

a beautiful get-away place :)

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

{SIGH!} so ready to go back to Hawaii again...

Shadow said...

now that looks like a perfect holiday spot. especially the bean who likes to throw himself off things, heee heee heee

Sandi McBride said...

The one place in the world I plan to see before I make it to Hawaii is Egypt...but now that I see these delightful photos...maybe I'll do a reversal!
Sandi

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Thanks Pseudo. It's almost like being there. Some day......

midlife slices said...

There's a place in Okla called Shangi la and it's a beautiful lake resort. I'm sure nothing like there though. I can't wait to come back to Hawaii and visit your beautiful island. Thanks for the travel tips. I'll file them away for future reference.

Rosaria Williams said...

Hi. Thanks for following me. You have a slice of Paradise there.

Erin@TheLocalsLoveIt said...

That looks like SO much fun. The jumping and the tours. Taking notes....the hubby and I are coming that way soon, I swear.