Big Waves at the North Shore 12-31-12

We knew at some point we wanted to drive out to the North Shore and watch the surfers on the BIG waves.  We looked up the surf report and saw that the highest surf ranging between 20-30 foot waves would be on New Years Eve.  We packed our family up, and started to drive.  We passed the Dole Plantation and some other gorgeous views on the trip out.

We made it to Waimea Bay and joined a large group of  gapers as we watched the surfers who have to to have some big cajones surf on some crazy looking waves.  We also watched walls of water crash onto shore.  No one in the sand was even going near the water, there were signs posted all over, and the lifeguards even put up yellow tape to keep people away.  We were told the undercurrent was equally as rough as the waves looked.  That's why I was AMAZED as a watched surfer after surfer paddled out.  They're crazy . . . but awesome.

I didn't have a zoom lens with me, so I didn't get very many pictures of the surfers, but found a video someone took of all the surfers at Waimea Bay the day we were there.  If you care to, check it out as none of our photos really do the surf justice.  It's a long video, so just to see some big waves fast forward to around the 1.00 minute mark:

Here are some of our pics from at the beach:

Tralee wanted to go play in the water.  We told her she had to stay a beach bunny until later on when we went to a more manageable beach.

Our family's sandy feat

Our shadows

I like the way Hunty's lookin' up to his big sis.

After Waimea Bay, we climbed back in our car, and kept driving.  Eventually we found the LDS temple.  It was Monday, so everything was closed, but we got some pics of the grounds.  Gorgeous!

Jim with the kids outside the temple

Hawaiian State Flower

As the time ticked during out drive, we pulled up to the Shrimp Shack right around lunch time.  This food truck has been serving tourists and locals alike for many years, and has camped out right beside Ling's (it could be Ching's, I can't remember) store.  The store has also been there dating back to the 1920's I believe.  We enjoyed our time there, as well as some yummy food!

I wore a hat all day, as my lips were still recovering from their burn.  Jim thought I looked cute in it, even with burnt lips.

Waiting to, "suck, peel, dip, and EAT" our shrimp and WHOLE crab we bought for lunch.

Tralee with part of our crab.  Let me tell you, that crab made me want to cry it tasted so good.  I even said that after my first bite.  Tralee thought I was weird, but after she tasted some crab, she turned her head towards me and gave me a knowing nod.

 After lunch, we continued our drive home.  We saw some beautiful mountains. . . 

 and even saw some cool looking trees.  Does anybody know what kind of tree pictured below is?  We saw loads of them in the country and thought they were quite lovely.

 Driving through the country we saw some signs for some movie tours.  I guess several movies were filmed around these parts.  Parts of 50 First Dates was filmed around here, and I guess the movie crew built a set for the restaurant where Adam Sandler's character (can't think of the name) and Lucy first met around these parts as well.  You can pay for a tour.  I didn't really care all that much, but thought it was cool as that's one of my favorite movies.

We arrived to our Hawaii home, and Jim took the kids out to the beach to play while I tackled some laundry.  I didn't mind staying indoors to give my lips some time away from the sun.  I also made a new friend in the laundry room.  We looked out for each other as there were some CRAZY people in there wanting to get their laundry done too.  Remember that scene from Friends where Ross is teaching Rachel how to fend for herself at the laundromat, and she gets into it with some lady.  Yeah, it was like that!  My new buddy and I had each other's backs as navigated the laundry room together!  She was a local and actually lived in the building with her hubby and baby girl.  Super nice and I'm glad we had each other's backs!

Our New Year's celebrations were perfect.  We bought a bottle of sparkling apple cider, poured each of us a glass and took turns toasting for the new year.  We clinked glasses after each toast.  I wish I wrote down the kids' toasts, but I've completely forgot what they said.  Tralee's was really sweet, and Hunter's was totally random.

After our toasts we watched movies together until we all fell asleep.  I woke up at midnight to the sound of fireworks on the beach.  I guess Waikiki does a HUGE fireworks show that we could have seen right off the sundeck.  I listened to the fireworks explode and people cheer as I stayed snuggled next to my hubby.  I was completely and utterly content right where I was.  I did manage to find his lips in the dark, give him a smooch and whisper, "Happy New Year!" into the air as others cheered below us on the streets and beach below. 

I couldn't think of a better way to kick of 2013! 

Ko'olina Hidden Lagoon - 12-30-12

Hidden Lagoon -- Ko'olina, Oahu

Sunday the 30th of December was another favorite day in Hawaii.  We woke up, had a family Sunday lesson and prayers, and then met up with our new Hawaiian friends in Ko'olina to enjoy another day at another lovely beach.

Keoni and Tralee getting ready for a day of swimmin', surfin', and fishin'

We went to Hidden Lagoon (I think that's what it's called) which is just a little further down from all the resort snorkeling spots, and unlike the resorts' man-made coves, the ones at Hidden Lagoon are au naturel.  According to our new friends, this makes them better!  Better, not only because they're the way God intended, but also because they're away from all the tourists at the resorts.  In other words, this is where the locals go.

Hawaii is for lovers.  Oh yeah!

Quite frankly, I didn't care what the place was we were at--local hangout or tourist trap--because is was GORGEOUS either way.  I've been hard pressed to find a spot in Hawaii that isn't beautiful.  Jim, my I-would-rather-die-than-live-in-a-city country boy even stated, "If I HAD to live in a city, I could live here in Honolulu."  Oh Hawaii, you've stolen our hearts!

Tralee getting Hawaii's state flower from Keoni!  Such a gentleman!

What's with this girl getting flowers from boys already?

Now back to our day in Ko'olina.  The beach we camped at for the day was amaze-balls.  A row of lava rocks made a natural cove that made a perfect spot for the kidletts to explore, for even a timid snorkeler like myself to give it a go, and for Jim to get his fishing fix in.  I felt safe letting the kids swim with only minor supervision as all the big waves broke by the rocks, and the cove was quite calm.  Later on we saw a native Hawaiian fishing in an old-school way.  He swam out with a line/net thing, and positioned it in the water.  I don't know how to describe it, but it looked like he knew what he was doing.

My little model

Keoni and Tralee at Hidden Lagoon

Keoni, Hunter, and Tralee

New friends

Tralee going in!

There was a small spot of the Lagoon where the water washed into the bigger part.  It made a little stream when waves would crash it.  It was perfect for the wee ones to "surf" on.  Tralee's giving it a go.

Keoni "surfing"

Hunter exploring the lava rocks

Tralee and Keoni at Hidden Lagoon Beach -- Ko'olina, Hawaii

Ready to race?

New friends are the best!

Hunter playing tag with the waves

Playin'

Hunter just goes right in now!!

Another amazing thing that happened while were were there was swimming with sea turtles.  Jim has swam with them before, but I never found any while in Maui, unless they were at the aquarium.  So, while snorkeling I heard a group of kids announcing there were two sea turtles right there.  I swam over, but couldn't get through the crowd of excited kids' arms and legs.  A few minutes later I saw a dark blob swim by me.  I put my mask back on and went under.  It was magical.  There was a little sea turtle just eyeing me down.  It swam closer, which made it hard for me to breath through my snorkel because my smile was so big.  It's an entirely different experience to view an animal in their natural habitat instead of a man-made enclosure.  There is no other word to describe it, other than magical.  A few minutes later another turtle came along, and bid me an "aloha" as well.  More smiles ensued.  

Aloha Turtle Friend!

I wanted Tralee to experience the magic, so I called her over, put her on the boogie board, and paddled with her towards the turtles.  I didn't have a mask for her, but I wanted her to at least spot a turtle, even if it was from afar.  Pretty soon, a lil' turtle dude or dudette came paddling along right in front of Tralee and myself.  It was just a foot or so away when it popped it's head right out of the water.  I swear, I think it knew how badly I wanted that moment for my daughter and me.  Tralee giggled as the little turtle head came out of the water and lovely turtle eyes looked right into ours.  Magic.

Jim took the pictures of the turtles with his iphone.  I got him a waterproof case for it for Christmas.  Money well spent my friends.  Money well spent!!

Later on Jim was in heaven as Danny beckoned all who wanted to, to follow him over to the rocks to try their hand at sea fishing.  Jim will fish whenever and wherever.  Fishing in paradise?  I think so!  Tralee, Jim, Danny, Diane, and Keoni shuffled through the sand, climbed over lava rocks, and found a little spot to fish.  While Danny set up the bait, Jim and the kids searched for critters in the lava rocks.  They found hermit crabs, clams, and other tiny creatures to keep them occupied while they waited for the fish to bite. . . and bite they did!  Jim said he caught fish he NEVER new existed.  Oh yes, he was in heaven.  Each child was able to reel one in.  At one point, Hunter and I made our way over the rocks to see how the fisher people were faring.  Diane helped carry Hunter through the rugged terrain as she knew the way better than me.  I laughed and thought how good Hunter looked in her arms.  I said, "You're Hunter's new Hawaiian mommy."

Getting ready to fish

Jim said it looked like a rainbow threw-up on a fish

Hermit crab. . .they found several

Diane and Danny.  Two of the nicest people on Oahu!

Hunter seeing what all the fishing fuss is about.  I'm back there too.

Diane and Hunter

Later on, Jim did some more snorkeling, while I watched Hunter dance to Diane playing Christmas songs on her Ukulele.  Keoni and Tralee played nearby us in the water.  I lied on a comfy beach chair Danny set up for me, and felt lucky and blessed.  This was my life.  A month in paradise with the people I love more than anything, sharing time with our new friends, and experiencing unforgettable moments.   My heart still bursts with gratitude just thinking about it.

Jim and myself.  I was hurting here a little bit.  I put sunscreen on myself EVERYWHERE   Everywhere  except my lips.  My lips were burnt here. . . BAD!  They felt like sausages ready to burst.  I kept rubbing aloe vera and lavender oil on them.  I think that helped, but a day later some blister friends showed up.  They left within another day, but lesson learned:  Don't forget to protect your lips if you're planning on a seven-hour-day in the sun!!

Yes Hawaii, our hearts are yours.   

Yours too sea turtle, yours too.