The FINAL Beach Day

The FINAL Beach Day

Sharks Cove

We knew we had to live it up on the final day! First, we went snorkeling at Sharks Cove. Tyler and I went exploring into some pretty deep places and saw the most amazing things including a sea urchin about the size of my head and a grouper about the size of Tyler- which made me freak out, panic, and scatter to safety! I probably scared him more than he scared me. We saw trumpet fish, silver fish, clown fish, and they all swam super close so we could almost touch them. It was incredible!! Alayna even learned to snorkel and she loved being able to swim next to so many fish! I wish I had an underwater camera so we could have shared the experience with you!

(See the cool bird that was pecking fish up out of the water?)

(You cant tell but that’s me and Tyler)

Bob, Kayla, and Alayna crossed over to the other side of Sharks Cove and discovered the most amazing toilet bowls (when the ocean rushes in and out). It was beautiful and Kayla with some of her amazing camera work was able to capture some of the beauty we were able to see.

By the time we left, it was pouring rain. We tried Goat Island but the waves were too high to try and cross. So, we went home and had lunch.

Pounders Beach and “I have a Coconut in my butt!”

The afternoon was gorgeous! It was sunny so we headed to pounders which had KILLER waves and I am NOT kidding when I say I now know why they call it “Pounders”! The waves were GINORMOUS, but I am proud to say Tyler, Bob, and I braved it and it was exhilarating. The waves would lift you up and practically drill you into the sand like a fencepost. I was pretty proud, especially when I caught the big ones and didn’t die or lose my swimsuit!

The waves were so strong that at one point Alayna turned to Kayla and said, “I think I have a huge pile of sand in my butt” and then she pulled out this giant coconut that had gotten shoved into her swimsuit. So funny!

We went back to Hukilau beach with the softer waves for the rest of the girls to Boogie Board. I wish my camera could have captured even half of the beauty.

We finished off the night with lots more Lost! So fun to actually see where they filmed. Only 2 episodes left to finish off the 1^st season with the kids.

Temple and Enjoying Nature

Temple and Enjoying Nature

Sunday June 12, 2011

We spent the morning at the visitor center again to see anything we missed. Then we walked down to the Contemplation Circle just down from the temple right by the beach.

(Reading the Hawaiian BOM)

In the afternoon, we went and walked along Laie and Hukilau Beach. Obviously Alayna cant quite read the waves yet because she ended up soaked in her Pjs.

Trying to Crack a Coconut Found at the Beach:

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…