Hawaii 2012: part 4 - the last one :)

While exploring Honolulu and Waikiki we came across Dog the Bounty Hunter's house. We were pretty surprised by his "humility" in having a big tile and stone mural of himself on his entryway gate. I don't watch the show, but I guess the SUV's in the back are the ones they use on the show. 

 We saw some locals walking down this little path towards the ocean so we decided to follow suit. We came to a dream-like destination.

 There were cliffs that ran in the same direction as the waves, meaning that the rollers came past the cliffs rather than smashing into them. We could comfortably jump off the rocks into the water, swim around, and wait for a roller to lift us high enough to get back out. It was way cool.

 There was one place that the cliffs jutted out, so the waves would smash into it and shoot the water way in the air.

 One night, David, the main fire dancer at the PCC and friend to our cousin, invited us out to go spear fishing. I'd heard too much talk about sharks and the eeriness of not seeing past the glow of your flashlight that I quickly let Eric know I'd be happy to sit on the shore and watch.

 That was a good choice. I enjoyed myself watching the men's lights move through the water, and Eric had a blast. I'm sure had I been out there I would've constantly been grabbing onto him in fear of sharks and it wouldn't have been near as fun for him.

 Eric has done a lot of spear fishing in B.C., but I think this was a different experience with warmer water and different creatures.

 The findings that were able to be freed from hiding places.

The spear fishing wouldn't be complete without a Lu'au, which David and his wife so generously threw. The next day they invited us to the beach for SO MUCH FOOD! I couldn't believe how much food they had made.

 This is like 1/100th of the the meat they cooked. Maybe not quite, but they cooked up a cooler full of chicken, steak, and hotdogs, plus Eric and Micah's fish they'd caught the night before.

 Eric and Jake - getting in some kid fix time :)

 Eric and Jayne

 We spent quite a bit of time at Seth and Amy's house. They are such hospitable hosts, even when they don't have to be. I didn't know they'd be accommodating us so much, and we really appreciated it! Jayne even let Eric participate in her beauty salon!

One night Seth and Amy invited us to the Food-Fest, that the BYU Hawaii cultural clubs put on. It was so awesome! I got pitas and hummus from the Israeli club, we both got potato and beef pie things from the Latino club, and then got bubble drinks from I think the Japanese club. Those drinks were gooooood! I think I could imitate it by making iced pero and adding the giant tapioca balls into it, and then of course getting giant gauged straws to suck it through.

 On our last day in Hawaii, Eric and I drove to the Northwest coast. There is a small airport that we checked out.

 And then we took a long walk along the beach. It is an interesting part of the island. Instead of lush and green, it is very much like a desert, and doesn't have much foliage growth. Even though the ocean is RIGHT there!

 Here's the kind of jellyfish, called a blue bubble, that stung me a couple days earlier, on my leg. It wasn't that bad, but it definitely stung and scared me, since I heard that they usually travel in large groups, and I didn't want more stings.

 The trail we walked along is used for off-roading. Someone built a little hut, maybe to rest in the shade?? We watched lots of trucks attempt big hills, which was pretty fun.

 Our last look at the beauty of O'ahu, before heading to the airport.

Hawaii - Part 3

You are probably aware that food is one of my favorite things about traveling. New flavors, new dishes, being served and cleaned up after - heaven! 

YUMMY coconut shrimp and delicious bleu cheese burgers and fries!

 Duke's in Waikiki - fish sandwich, and HULA pie! YUM!!! 

 Happy little family. Look at Kaylyn's face!!

 This pie is gigantic and SO delicious. I think the ice cream is macadamia nut flavored, and then it has an oreo cookie crust, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, and chopped macadamia nuts.

Statue of Duke, legendary surfer, that the restaurant is named after.

 Matsumoto's Shaved Ice - ate it when we were already stuffed but still divine. There's always room for shaved ice right??

We tried to hit up a farmer's market, but for some reason it wasn't taking place so instead we went to a cocoa plant that is in the area. They grow cocoa and coffee beans, dry them, process them, etc. Some are turned into chocolate (Guittard none the less, one of my favorite brands of chocolate chips), some are turned into other products. We went on a mini tour and got to try roasted cocoa beans, which I loved, but Rachel hated - I think she almost threw it up. We bought a $6 mini brick of milk chocolate and split it 4 ways :) All in the name of vacation!

 The drying process stinks like fermentation. Weird to think this ends up being something so delectable.

 A cocoa bean pod

Hawaii 2012: part 2

We enjoyed a few hikes while on vacation. Somehow Micah & Rachel got led astray on one of the hikes and we got led astray on another. Glad we all pay great attention to signs :)

On this particular hike Micah and Rachel ended up at a golf course and we ended up at the destination. 

 Eric and I went for a drive one day to check out Hanauma bay and some other stuff. The scenery is so gorgeous!!

 On the left of this picture is the blowhole. As the waves come in, water blows through a hole in the rocks and makes for a pretty spray.

 We checked out Pearl Harbor. It is super touching reading the quotes from those who were there during the attack and seeing pictures of the aftermath.

Kaylyn was the only wee one who came along on this trip. Eric and I left ours with my parents and siblings. We sure did miss them, especially since we were surrounded by cute kids most of the trip, but we were glad Kaylyn could quench our desires for our kids a bit.

 The Polynesian Cultural Center was really cool. We missed a couple of the "countries" because we were having a hard time figuring out the map, so that was too bad, but we were REALLY impressed with what we did see!

Eric making fire - he did get it to smoke.

 Spear throwing. We both enjoyed this one.

 Eric "Canada" got called up to do the drums. It was ENTERTAINING! He was a good sport and it was extremely fun to see him out of his element yet totally comfortable.

Jayne and Ellie with the main characters during the PCC night show

 This is the hike where we got the short end of the stick. The hike was supposed to be about 3 1/2 miles round trip. No big deal right? So we were in our flip flops, I had a shoulder sling purse with 2 water bottles and some sunscreen in it, and Eric had the camera.

This is at the beginning of the hike where we were still with Micah & Rachel and were on the right trail :)

 At this point we're on our own and are thinking, "we must be getting close! I don't totally see where the waterfall would be but we've gotta be close".

 At least it was a pretty jaunt and I had the most enjoyable company!

 Now we are starting to wonder. The trail is no more and we decide to hike 15 more minutes before turning around. At this point we've been hiking much longer than you'd imagine a 1 3/4 mile one way hike to take.

Well....eventually we turn around and head back. Then after a long walk back we come to this sign near the beginning of the trail. NICE! We just hiked at least 11 1/2 miles!! But hello! We want to see our original destination. So we hike the correct trail, which is completely muddy, rooty, and slippery, while completely exhausted.

BUT...we got to the destination!

So, although we didn't plan on doing a 1/2 marathon + hike that day, we felt accomplished!! Even if the original destination was a dried up waterfall :)


The yard next to the trail head had a nice big boar for a pet. Wonder if he's being fattened up for a Luau??

I have a hard time remembering the names of all the places we went but I  believe this is called Waiamea Bay. We spent a few afternoons there snorkeling, jumping off the rocks, and playing in huge waves one of the days. The wave day was by far my favorite. I felt like a little kid again! That was the day I was most grateful to be without kids on the trip. The waves would have scared me with little kids, but instead Eric and I just played and played and got smacked to the ground and the wind knocked out of us multiple times. It was full of hilarious moments and I seriously haven't laughed so hard in a long time!

Eric & I

Rachel - who is always up for whatever and way more daring that I would've ever known!