Coastal {Hawaii 7}

Generally speaking the 5 of us went everywhere and did everything together. Today was the only exception to that. Alycia, Grace and Rachel wanted to explore the area we lived in and do a bit of shopping while Weronika and I wanted to do more water activities.

After a big breakfast and a thorough dowsing in sunscreen the 3 of them set off down the mountain for their adventures and we hopped in the car planning to snorkel at Hanauma bay.

  

I've wanted to go scuba diving for years now and Hawaii is an obvious choice for where to make it happen. However, it takes several days and lots of learning to become certified and I couldn't expect everyone else to put in that time or money. For this trip snorkeling would have to do.

 

Hanauma Bay is supposed to be an incredible place to snorkel and it's a super short drive from Honolulu so it seemed the obvious choice. Unfortunately when we got there it was closed!!!

 

A little disappointed but with hopes to come back the next day we decided to drive along the coast and see where we end up. 

With no destination in mind and no time frame for anything we simply stopped whenever we saw a scenic point or something that looked desirable to us. 
 

 

The first point was a beautiful rocky area with crashing waves and a perfect view of the watery horizon. But the best part was seeing whales!!!! They weren't close by any means but it was still really cool to spot them out in the ocean. 
 

 

A few scenic points later and we ended up back in Kailua. I'm not really sure how we got there, but it was such a charming little town that I didn't mind at all. Weronika wanted food, and let's be honest, I did too... so we got bagels and pancakes!
 

From second breakfast we enjoyed a relaxed day of beach hopping and scenic stops along the coast before we had to get home. It took us a shocking amount of time to realize that neither of us remembered to bring a towel though, so we only got our feet wet. 
 

 

 

 

 

Grace had to fly home a day earlier than the rest of us so we needed to make sure she was all ready and at the airport on time. And of course we all needed to feed so we could continue functioning. There may have been a small shopping frenzy as well.
 

 

We managed to get lost only once on the way to the airport and not at all on the way to Waikiki after! Rachel decided we should go see Waikiki beach at night and then informed us that the beach we were at previously was not actually Waikiki like we thought it was. 

Anyway, we never actually made it there because we got distracted by the shopping strip. The shopping strip we didn't know existed. It's basically any shoppers paradise. That is, if you are okay being surround by hoards of people at all times, parking a million miles away and having the constant urge to max your credit card. Paradise.
 

 

A great many highend stores were visited, some tourist shops and an ABC store. But we were eventually able to pull Alycia away and get home to bed. Tomorrow is the last afternoon and then we fly home to Canada!

Standing and falling and burning {Hawaii 6}

I know I said before that we didn't just want a beach vacation, but I really wanted to do some water sports. Scuba diving or snorkelling especially, and I we also wanted to try stand up paddle boarding. 

 

Lanikai Beach in Kailua is rated as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Perfect white sand and beautiful turquoise water. From the beach you can see 3 tiny islands, all of which you can get a permit and go out to.

 

 

After a very long walk in our bikinis and bare feet, Weronika and I finally found a place that rents paddle boards. We got 2 to share amongst the girls.

I think we were about ready to fall over by the time we actually got the boards in the water, they were pretty heavy and it was an absolute scorcher of a day. In theory, it's the perfect beach day but in reality, you are just asking for a wicked burn. 

Anyway, Weronika and I took the boards out first and headed off for the nearest island. I think it was called Flat Island, and that would make sense. Its a totally flat little rock with a perfect tiny beach for getting off the boards and kayaks.

 

 

But I'm getting ahead of myself. We first had to get there. If you are unfamiliar with stand up paddle boarding, its essentially like a big fat surf board. The idea is that you stand up and paddle to where you want to go, instead of relying on the waves to take you there. 

To get started you lay on your tummy and the get up onto your knees. Once it's comfortable there you simply pop up onto your feet and away you go. 

Let me just tell you, it is MUCH harder than that. I was feeling confident, I had a nice thing going paddling from my knees and then POP! I was standing!!! For about 0.5 seconds before I fell off the baord into the ocean. 

I suppose thats all in the fun of it though.. I decided I would just stick to the knees for a while and focus on getting to the island. It takes about 10 minutes of paddling to get out there.

 

Flat Island is a bird sanctuary so you can't go beyond the path around the edges. It's a beautiful little place, but my favorite part was seeing the mainland from a different perspective. 

Since we were sharing the boards we had to go back and let the other girls ahve their turns too. Not to mention I was in pretty desperate need of more sunscreen.

 

 

Grace didn't want to paddle so when Alycia and Rachel got back Weronika and I were ready to get back out there. 

Weronika brought a waterproof speaker box to the beach and we had the brilliant idea to use it as phone transport to the island so we could take some pictures. The phones go inside and the latch seals the edges so no water can get in. She was willing to do it, but wasn't 100% sure that it would be fully waterproof if it fell in the ocean. Don't worry, it floats too. 

We decided that the best way to do it would be hooking the box to the ties at the back of her bikini top so it was away from the water. Another great idea in theory. In reality I'm pretty sure she was nearly flashing anyone who happened to look. 

The important part was that us and our phones made it to the island safe and dry. I attempted to stand a few more times along the way but quickly dropped back to my knees when I felt like I was going to topple.

 

 

During our photo session I saw a big crab too. I was obviously very excited.

 

 

Satisfied that we captured everything and ready to find some shade we headed back. I actually managed to stand and paddle for a bit this time too!!! Not for long, but I'm still taking it as a paddle boarding victory.

 

 

Everyone got packed up, the boards got returned and we got food. All the while everyone was starting to notice the little twinges if pain. 

Back at our house we quickly realized that every one of us had a pretty wicked burn somewhere on our bodies... or lots of places.. 

Alycia has beautiful tan skin to begin with and she's never had a sunburn before so she was unfamiliar with the hellish pain that goes with it. Poor girl got the worst burns out of everyone. 

I, on the other hand, am basically the whitest person ever. I'm a lovely shade of transparent and veins.. I have all the traits of a ginger except the hair. Pale skin, freckles, sensitive eyes, burn easily... Basically what I'm telling you is that I got burned. Badly. And in silly little places all over because of the weird cut of my bathing suit and apparent inability to apply sunscreen appropriately. Oops..

We stopped to buy aloe vera on our way home and opted for a spray version containing lidocaine. As it turns out, some people don't react well to it and it actually makes the burn hurt more. I don't recommend it..

Hot and sore and exhausted everyone eventually found a reasonably comfortable position to sleep and passed out. 

North Shore sunset {Hawaii 5}

I think this may have been one of my favorite days. No stress, lots of fun and some really beautiful sights.

Everyone made the effort to wake up early so we could drive to the North Shore and see what it had to offer. Even though it's a small island, I was still surprised that the drive only took about an hour.
 

Our first stop was Haleiwa, the most charming little town. Since it was Sunday and we arrived so early in the day, not much was open yet. We did a little window shopping on the way over to a café for coffee and sweets.
 

 

Ready for our next adventure, we walked through town to see what we could find. A few stores or cafes caught our eye along the way but we mostly just enjoyed the look of the town. My personal favorite was the residential area we walked through, it looked like a jungle.

 

As you may have noticed by now, we like to eat. A lot sometimes. Rachel has been here before and had her heart set on a particular ice cream sandwich and a stop at the food trucks. We all got on board with that. 

All full, it was time to move on.

I think this sums us up pretty well..

 

We made a few stops along the way to our next destination. There is always something new and beautiful to see. At one point we actually ran out of highway and hit a dead end, but it was sure lovely to be there. 

 

 

Since it would be silly to go to the north shore and not get in the water, we eventually found ourselves a nice place to stop. Pupukea beach park has a huge tide pool that is perfect for playing. As far as I could tell the water doesn't ever get to deep and the waves that crash over the walls make for a fun time. Its basically a large natural swimming pool with fish and rocks in it.

For the first time, everyone actually got in the water!! We didn't stay for a very long time but had lots of fun while we were there.
 

Hitting the road again we made a few more stops before ultimately finding our home for the evening. 

 

Sunset beach may just be the most beautiful place. We spent hours there just soaking it all in. Huge waves rush up the beach and crash on the sand. The sun sparkles on the water. And unsuspecting girls get soaked not realizing that the waves occasionally come much further up the beach. 

At some point we had to leave to get food, because we are eating machines, but all agreed we would go back and watch the sunset.

More beach time, more photos and food. A pretty perfect night if you ask me. 

 

 

 

Once it was dark I tried to take pictures of the stars but it was to bright still from the nearby street lights. However, I somehow convinced the girls to let me stop on the side of a (mostly) pitch black highway and take my pictures there. 

Great success!! 

 

I won't tell you about the end of the night because it was slightly traumatizing and I'd just rather not, but we did eventually make it back to our little home in Honolulu, after 1 more tiny food stop. 

I think if I was to go back to Oahu I would definitely stay on the North Shore instead of in Honolulu! 

Surfers and sushi {Hawaii 4}

Even though we didn't want to spend our whole trip just sitting on a beach, we did do it everyday. Sometimes for a short time, sometimes for a few hours.

Today we decided on a relaxing all-day beach outing. 

Naturally, the first thing we had to do was get breakfast. And by breakfast I mean juice and smoothie bowls. Obviously.
 

 

Then we went back to our 'surfer beach,' Kuilei Cliffs. In the same fashion as Waikiki beach, some people stayed on the sand and some stayed in the waves. 

 

Rachel and I ventured further down the beach to see what it was like. We found softer sand, less rocks, fewer people and a perfect little pool to play in. There is a huge flat chunk of rock that comes up onto the beach, the waves rush over it and keep it smooth and slippery. Of the 2 tide pools, only 1 seemed safe enough to play in, the other was too deep and rough.
 

We had tons of fun being pushed around by the waves and crashing into each other. I brought my GoPro camera with me and most of the footage is of waves, then squealing, then my feet going up in the air as I get knocked over and lots of laughing. 

As fun as it was, I did get scratched up by the rocks a few times. I'd say that's all part of the adventure though!!

After we had enough tide pool fun we went back to join the others for a bit. We watched a young family playing in the sand. 2 of the kids were so excited about finding beach glass that I almost wanted to go find some too! I guess my pukka shells will do though. 

Warm and dry from the sun, I couldn't resist taking my camera for a walk down the beach. It's quite a beautiful place.
 

Following a day on the beach the only logical way to spend the evening is eating... right? 

I went to Hawaii having already decided I would eventually get to have delicious sushi. And we did. A large feast of it. We were all joking that if our 'landlord' happened to stop by, we would get in trouble because he'd think we were going to be having a big party. What can I say though, we like to eat. 

Having eaten our fill we spent the rest of the night being generally ridiculous and in a constant state of obnoxious laughter. The absolute best way to end a night.

Mud {Hawaii 3}

Long before we ever made it to the island, the 5 of us decided that we didn't want a typical beach holiday where we just sit around. I think the number one thing that we all agreed on was that we wanted to do some hiking.

Today is the day that happened. 

 

We originally drove to Diamond Head to do the hike there, but it was crazy busy and packed with tourists in every direction so we decided against it. Using the ever useful iPhone we found ourselves another hiking trail that looked much more exciting. 

 

Maunawili falls trail is a short drive from Honolulu in a beautiful small town. Google tells me that the trail is 3.2 km and should take 1-3 hours to complete. I think including the stops for pictures and playing in the waterfall at the end it took us about 2 hours round trip. 

The actual trail is almost all mud and roots. It makes it a bit more difficult but a lot more fun. Some parts of the trail are fully covered by the forest and others have the most amazing views as you pop out on top of a mountain. We also had to cross the river 4 or 5 times along the path. Most people just walk right through the water with their shoes on but I couldn't bring myself to do it. I'd just be asking for sore feet and blisters. The first time across I took my shoes off and walked through but that just took to much time so the next crossings I jumped from rock to rock. Realistically, it probably took more time finding dry, safe routes across the rocks, but it was a lot of fun. 

At the end of the trail is the prize. A waterfall with a ledge perfect for jumping from. Only Weronika and Grace actually went in though. Them and a few other groups. I didn't trust putting my camera down and wasn't super keen on hiking back in wet clothes. 

 

 

Once we got back to our rental car we quickly came to the realization that we couldn't get in wet and covered in mud. All the shoes went in the truck on a board, we washed off the mud with our water bottles and everyone sat on towels.
 

I think at this point everyone was needing food but not one of us was in any shape to go into a restaurant. 

 

Having been home to shower and change our next destination was Waikiki for supper. Being that it was Friday night every street, shop and restaurant was packed. We waited almost 2 hours to get in for food. While we were waiting we acquired some joiners and ate with them. 

My phone also went for a (clean water) toilet swim... oh joy

After supper Weronika and Alycia decided they wanted a night out, but I don't like the bar and Rachel and Grace are underage in the USA so I took them home. And by took them home I obviously mean that we drove around hopelessly lost for a long while before ever getting there. And making a stop to buy rice for my poor wet phone. 

And then the day ended.