Day 6, Aug. 12 - Monday

We had some adventures, today. We rented a car this morning and started driving up the east coast of Oahu. We saw lots of beauty around this small island. I really was surprised by how fast we got from place to place. Our first stop was Lanikai beach. It looks like a private beach but, according to sources (Andy), all beaches in Hawaii are public so we are allowed to go to any of them. This one we had to access from a small residential road and the beach, itself was very narrow. But there were few people on it and the scene was beautiful with two tiny islands framing our view and a lovely aqua-green color to the water. On our way, we had stopped at Snorkel Bob's to rent some snorkel gear. It was a pretty good deal considering we get to keep it for a week and can turn it in on Kauai. We really enjoyed snorkeling around the coral reef. There weren't as many fish as there were at Hanauma Bay, but we saw a few and got some nice exercise. I enjoyed relaxing on the beach and gazing at the scene. By the time we left, it was lunchtime, so we stopped for a lunch plate at a local "drive in" BBQ which was actually more Asian food than anything. The food was fine, though - good for a quick cheap meal. Then, we were on our way, again. There's this one radio station on Oahu that plays nothing but Hawaiian music. Imagine driving along the coastal and rural roads of Oahu with soft Hawaiian music playing in the background. It was a great scene and we loved it.

Our next stop in paradise was Kualoa Regional Park. There is lots of grass and trees with picnic tables and places to barbecue. Then, there is a narrow beach. The highlight of this spot is that it is so close to Mokolii (a tiny island known as Chinaman's hat) that many people swim out to it. The water is actually shallow enough to wade, but because it's basically all coral reef, it's best to swim to save the reef and your feet. Well, Andy and Vienna got the itch so they thought they'd go ahead and try to get out there. I would've gone but I had to stay with our stuff. It turns out that I probably made the best choice. Luckily, they had their flippers or it would have been really hard. I watched them as they swam out. They got smaller and smaller until they were tiny dots and almost imperceptible. I could tell they had to stop a few times. I watched earnestly for about a half-hour - maybe more before I finally saw them climb up on the edge of Chinaman's hat. They were so tiny I could barely tell it was them, but I knew it was. Once I saw they were ok, I could relax and take a short nap on the beach. Don't worry, I had on lots of sunscreen. I learned my lesson after I got a bad burn on my back the first couple of days. It has been hurting and peeling ever since. Andy and Vienna walked around the little island a bit and took a few pictures of each other and birds called red-footed boobies. (Don't look at me, I didn't name them). Then, they made their way back which seemed a lot easier than going out. When they got back, they were worn out and ready to go. So was I after sitting around on the beach for so long. But, first, I wanted a nice picture of me in front of Chinaman's hat.

Next, we headed for the LDS Temple, which is near the north shore area of Oahu. Of course, if there is a temple in the area, I have to go see it. It's really close to the Polynesian Cultural Center but we didn't get to go see it when we were there before. The Hawaii temple is beautiful like all the others but with a little bit different design. Plus, there are lots of plants and trees around to blend in with the island surroundings. We took some pictures and even got to see a video at the visitor's center.

We saw "Johnny Lingo," which is a famous video in our church and is an old Hawaiian story. Johnny Lingo is a man who gives eight cows for a wife that to everyone else is only worth one or two. When they come back from their honeymoon, which lasted many months, she has become very beautiful and everyone knows that Johnny got a bargain. It shows what can happen when someone is treated according to their potential. It's a great story and a really goofy video. On our way out of the visitor's center, we saw a stray kitten, which of course none of us cat lovers can resist. She was skinny and scraggly but so sweet and loveable. As much as we wished we could take her, we knew that we couldn't. But, we didn't leave her without making sure the missionaries at the temple were taking care of her. I gave them specific instructions to take her to a humane society if they got tired of her. Vienna was still very sad, though, to leave her behind.

We didn't stay long at the next beach we stopped at. This one was Malaekahana, which is almost to the north shore. We were all beached out. So, we headed for the small town of Haleiwa, which is a major North Shore town. There are lots of surf shops and fast food. We ate at a small Mexican restaurant called Cholo's. It had great food and service. We liked it a lot and I was glad not to spend a lot for it. Afterward, we had some Shave Ice at a place called Aokis, which reminded me a lot of Ted Drewes custard stand in St. Louis, Missouri. It seemed just as popular and quirky. From there, it was just about an hour drive back through the middle of Oahu to our hotel, past the Dole Plantation. That's on the agenda for tomorrow along with Pearl Harbor and the U.S. Arizona Memorial. It was a very full day and we had a great time.

 

 

Writing by Jenny Wood ~ Web Design by Andy Wood