Pounders Beach

Pounders Beach

We decided we HAD To try Pounders beach since it sounds cool and is only a couple of minutes from the house. The waves looked daunting but we jumped in with both feet….literally! Yes, even I went in and had the time of my life. Its my new favorite thing and my new favorite beach!! Be impressed, people- be impressed!  Even Alayna tried. We caught some giant waves that made us go flying and slide all the way to shore. We decided we will go again on Monday.

We were going to try to walk to Goat’s Island but the waves were huge so we had to scrap that idea. We will watch more “Lost” while listening to the waves outside while Alayna watches cartoons so there are no more nightmares about dead people jelly!

PS- Literary Side Note

I haven’t done too much reading but I have finished 2 books so far. This World We Live In was the 3^rd and last book in the Life as we Knew It series. Its good. The book I HIGHLY recommend though is Anything but Typical. It is a fantastic book that everyone who has ever or will come into contact with an autistic child should read. It is told from an autistics child point of view and can really open your eyes to how children who are autistic live, function, and think. Its an easy read and well worth your time. I just started Beastly and I love it so far. Wanted to finish it before I go see the movie.

Koko Crater, the Macadamia Nut Farm, and Feeling a Little Lost

Koko Crater, the Macadamia Nut Farm, and Feeling a Little Lost

We drove down to hike up Diamond Head but the parking lot was full, so instead we opted for Koko Crater which we heard was the second best hike. However, it was much steeper and tougher of a hike than we anticipated.

Koko Crater

It was used during WWII as a radar facility with a tram that went up. The view was beautiful- overlooking Waikiki and Hanuama Bay.

Then we traveled back up the coast stopping at a few overlooks along the way.

Macadamia Nut Farm

We stopped by this cool Macadamia Nut Farm and bought toffee covered nuts, caramel covered nuts, and some jelly. So yummy!!

Feeling a Little Lost

Another rain storm hit and we were a little worn out so we voted for a kickbutt “Lost” marathon so we could see all the places we have visited. We watched the 1^st 7 episodes in a row and it was so cool! You know that Buddhist temple we went to last Sunday? That’s where Jin and Suns engagement was filmed. So cool!

Only drawback was I guess it was a little scary for Alayna. She woke up crying with a terrible nightmare that there were all these dead people and we made them into jelly and put them into the back of our van! How awful! Sometimes, I am not a good parent…

Kayaking, Halona Blow Hole, and Getting Stung by a Jellyfish!

Kayaking, Halona Blow Hole, and Getting Stung by a Jellyfish!

Poor Marisa is down with the stomach flu! Apparently she spent 4 hours sick on the bathroom floor last night and I had no idea! What a sucky time to get sick.

Kayaking at Kailua Bay

We went to Kailua Beach today to do kayaking. It was gorgeous but super windy! Bob and Tyler made it all the way out to Flat Island, but they flipped the boat on the way back. Kayla and Bob flipped the boat too. Then, while Kayla was boogie boarding she got stung by a jellyfish! Marisa didn’t go since she wasn’t feeling well, and I , well, really don’t like the idea of fighting waves and flipping over.

(Tentacles whipped across her leg- she said it wasn’t very fun!)

We saw 4 couples get married on the beach while we were there. I am shocked none of them blew away. They all looked so happy! We had lunch at Jamba Juice and headed down the coast for more sightseeing.

Kaupo Beach Park

(Ty and Alayna snorkeling)

Makapuu Lookout

The view was to DIE FOR!

Halona Blow Hole

This was an incredible site! There are holes where water comes shooting through really high.

Hanauma Bay

We stopped in to see the overlook of Hanauma Bay where tons of people go snorkeling.

We headed home for the night and stopped at a place to eat and got garlic shrimp, huli huli chicken, and passion fruit juice.

Sharks Cove and More Turtle Beach

Sharks Cove and More Turtle Beach

We had a beautiful morning at Sharks Cove! Most of the water was fairly shallow so the kids had such a great time snorkeling! It was clear enough too that we could explore and see all the fish even without snorkeling. We saw sea urchins, zebra fish, sea cucumbers, and many more that I don’t know the name of. Such a beautiful area and we need to go back.

We also went back to Turtle Beach (by Lost beach) to snorkel, swim, and boogie board because its our favorite beach and so flipping awesome!

We came back to relax since many of us are a tad sunburned and we are all a little tired. So, we are hanging here for the evening playing UNO Flip,farkle, and phase 10, listening to the sound of the ocean. I never want to leave!