So clearly I'm back from Hawaii - it was a lot of fun and I'd definitely do it again...maybe a different island next time! Well, definitely a different island next time - why not, right? January 2008 is upon us, World, what will we do with it? Let us hope that most of us put to use our God-given brains and hearts and do things worthwhile that make us and others happy - fulfill our hopes and dreams if you will...or at least pursue them.
My head is full of ideas...my heart yearns for something...and my body is restless...
Monday, January 21, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
Visiting Paradise
Yet another beautiful day in Hawaii! I've window shopped at Gucci, Tiffany and other lovely shops in a mall, eaten delicious Polynesian dishes, snorkeled in the ocean, seen whales breaching from the balcony and enjoyed a luau.
Snorkeling was a lot of fun - the ocean water is so warm and clear! We found a spot and parked right on the side of the road and the beach was 10 feet away. The flippers make walking hard, but my dad pointed out the secret - walk backwards! Then you're not kicking up sand and water and don't lose your footing. It was weird at first, because
I almost went into panic mode having to breathe through my mouth only and feeling the water right under my nose (the mask leaked a little at first) but it was worth figuring out and I saw lots of coral, urchins, things I think were big sea cucumbers and fish! Even the famed Humuhumunukunukuapuaa fish! Yes, I can pronounce it even! Robert and Alex got bored fast, and Robert freaked out a little right at first, claiming he saw a huge black fish...but we never ventured very far, as the coral got pretty high and would scrape our bellies if we went far enough. It was shallow for ages, and I enjoyed it a lot - we may go again depending on the weather and collective interest. I used one of those underwater cameras, so hopefully a photo or two will turn out!
Listening to the ocean waves is something that makes me realize how much I take living by the ocean for granted - I don't particularly want to swim in the ocean off of Pismo Beach and even Santa Barbara all that often for fear of hypothermia, but being in the bathwater-temperature sea that is blue as can be is breathtaking.
We went to a luau as well, which was very cool - the dancers showcased different Polynesian cultures - Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, etc - all with different costumes and dance moves and songs. The women were amazingly talented and could move their hips like nobody else I've seen! The food was served in courses according to each location, and was very good. Drinks were endless, and I've discovered I'm not a fan of rum or drinks with rum in them. Mai Tais, Pina Coladas, etc were all out - but I love the creamy froo-froo tropical drinks without said rum in them!
I have so enjoyed myself so far and I know I want to come back to Hawaii again!!
Snorkeling was a lot of fun - the ocean water is so warm and clear! We found a spot and parked right on the side of the road and the beach was 10 feet away. The flippers make walking hard, but my dad pointed out the secret - walk backwards! Then you're not kicking up sand and water and don't lose your footing. It was weird at first, because
I almost went into panic mode having to breathe through my mouth only and feeling the water right under my nose (the mask leaked a little at first) but it was worth figuring out and I saw lots of coral, urchins, things I think were big sea cucumbers and fish! Even the famed Humuhumunukunukuapuaa fish! Yes, I can pronounce it even! Robert and Alex got bored fast, and Robert freaked out a little right at first, claiming he saw a huge black fish...but we never ventured very far, as the coral got pretty high and would scrape our bellies if we went far enough. It was shallow for ages, and I enjoyed it a lot - we may go again depending on the weather and collective interest. I used one of those underwater cameras, so hopefully a photo or two will turn out!Listening to the ocean waves is something that makes me realize how much I take living by the ocean for granted - I don't particularly want to swim in the ocean off of Pismo Beach and even Santa Barbara all that often for fear of hypothermia, but being in the bathwater-temperature sea that is blue as can be is breathtaking.
We went to a luau as well, which was very cool - the dancers showcased different Polynesian cultures - Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, New Zealand, etc - all with different costumes and dance moves and songs. The women were amazingly talented and could move their hips like nobody else I've seen! The food was served in courses according to each location, and was very good. Drinks were endless, and I've discovered I'm not a fan of rum or drinks with rum in them. Mai Tais, Pina Coladas, etc were all out - but I love the creamy froo-froo tropical drinks without said rum in them!
I have so enjoyed myself so far and I know I want to come back to Hawaii again!!
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
Happy New Year!
Ah, to hear the crashing Pacific from the open windows overlooking the beach...Hawaii is wonderful! We're staying on Maui and our condo is
directly above the beach, so the lanai (balcony in Hawaiian) has breathtaking views of the sea. We got 'lei-ed' when we got off the plane and welcomed to Hawaii with rain and humid air. After a quick walk around our accommodation complex, I fell asleep on the couch - we had left the previous morning at 3 am and so I was not going to make it to midnight to greet the new year without some Zzz's. As it turns out, I was the only one to make it to midnight - Sara and my mom felt under the weather, the taxi we called to explore downtown didn't show up in a reasonable amount of time, so my dad gave up and he went to bed and my brother and his friend Alex fell asleep just before 12. People were setting off fireworks for hours on the beach below and I mean hours, like since we arrived in the afternoon. 
Where these people got all these fireworks and why they thought it was a good idea to set them off mere feet from the ocean just proves some people have more money than sense. Plus, we found out today that fireworks are illegal in Hawaii.
Today held some sunbathing and beach exploration, but it was mostly a low-key day and hopefully everyone will feel better and more up to doing something exciting tomorrow. I'll gladly report all the excitement :)
Happy 2008!!
directly above the beach, so the lanai (balcony in Hawaiian) has breathtaking views of the sea. We got 'lei-ed' when we got off the plane and welcomed to Hawaii with rain and humid air. After a quick walk around our accommodation complex, I fell asleep on the couch - we had left the previous morning at 3 am and so I was not going to make it to midnight to greet the new year without some Zzz's. As it turns out, I was the only one to make it to midnight - Sara and my mom felt under the weather, the taxi we called to explore downtown didn't show up in a reasonable amount of time, so my dad gave up and he went to bed and my brother and his friend Alex fell asleep just before 12. People were setting off fireworks for hours on the beach below and I mean hours, like since we arrived in the afternoon. 
Where these people got all these fireworks and why they thought it was a good idea to set them off mere feet from the ocean just proves some people have more money than sense. Plus, we found out today that fireworks are illegal in Hawaii.Today held some sunbathing and beach exploration, but it was mostly a low-key day and hopefully everyone will feel better and more up to doing something exciting tomorrow. I'll gladly report all the excitement :)
Happy 2008!!
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