Surviving HI

Injuries

Sprained thumb (J4-surfing)
Sore sternum (A-surfing)
Coral scrapes on feet (A-surfing)
Black sand in scrapes (A-visiting black sand beach)
Shoulder bruise (A-surfing)
Scratched eyeball (J4-surfing?)
Sore sides of feet (A-snorkeling)

But all gained through a bunch of fun activities!  Of the water sports I liked surfing best; J4 liked snorkeling.  I thought snorkeling was cool, but I was a little freaked out by the fish and coral.  Really.  Plus my flippers were tight which my feet did not like and I got really cold.  But I loved surfing.  J4 and I took a lesson off of Waikiki beach (the lesson was given by a crazy person) and we were with all of the other beginners on the island who were surfing and standup paddle boarding.  The water there is calm unlike on the North Shore which has crazy waves this time of year and is popular with people who know what they're doing in the water.

On Oahu, while I liked our hotel and being near restaurants at night, I liked getting out of Waikiki beach-where we and 8 million other people were staying-to see various parts of the island.  In addition to snorkeling in Hanauma Bay, I liked the North Shore (where it's apparently okay to just pull over on the side of the highway, park, and get in the ocean), Diamond Head, and our day trip to Kailua, HI.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that all over the island all beaches are public and there are public shower facilities.  On Friday, J4 and I hiked up Diamond Head and then went to Kailua to go kyaking.  Afterwards we drove to a park, left the car there, went running (hot and humid!), jumped in the ocean, rinsed off in the outside showers, changed in the changing rooms, and easily-and cleanly-went to lunch and to catch our flight.  It was awesome.

Last night we flew to the Big Island and drove to Volcano, HI, and went to see Kilauea (the volcano) glowing at night and then steaming this morning.  (Admission was free b/c it is the National Park's 100th birthday and it is Volcano Awareness Month.)  This afternoon we checked into our hotel in Kona, HI.  Hey, if you aren't going qualify for the triathlon word championships you have to take yourself there!  We were upgraded into a ridiculous suite b/c of my hotel status and we're staying in tonight to rest up and enjoy the suite!!!  I'm torn b/c I want to explore but I also want to sit in the hotel room and on our balconies.  :)  Pics of stuff forthcoming.  They are on regular cameras and disposable cameras and iphones and need to be consolidated!

Comments

[Beth]

AHHHH!!! I am glad you are having so much fun! Kona is so beautiful. ENJOY! Hope you get to see a BIG honu! :)

[Laura]

Sounds like a blast despite the injuries. Take care of those coral scrapes, they like to get infected.

[Danielle in Seattle]

Due to being an oceanographer, I have been to Hawaii for free twice, but mostly to Waikiki. HI is way better when you get out of there!