In Which I Finally Get Off My Rear

Enough lazing around. On this day, Em and I went on the hike/kayak day. I think this is one of those things I will do with everyone who comes to visit.

Amazingly, even though I have done this - what, 2, 3 times? I got lost. Really. One of those stream crossings threw me off, and I continued on a different trail for probably 5 minutes or so before I realized that this was not familiar. Em was patient, and eventually I found the right one. In the end, it turned out taht both trails ended in the falls, but still. Sad.



We made it! Em must have been kissed on the head by the Vacation Gods or something, because there was NO ONE there. Which is amazing. Every other time I have been here it has been crawling with people. Like so crowded you can't find a rock to sit on. It was insane. And beautiful. I was so glad she got to experience it this way.

Um, of course we jumped off. There are several places that are ok to jump, but I opted for the one I was certain would not land us in the hospital. Probably. Someone else showed up, and he jumped from the ledge in the top right corner of the picture.

Brr! Refreshing.

Tarzan Em

On to the kayaking! The kayak place gives you this handy map that isn't freaky at all:

After talking at your for like 10 minutes about how it's dangerous, only go this way, blah blah blah, I'm almost asleep. I've done this around 5 times now, and I'm a veteran, ok?!

Besides, I know how tired I get and there is no way in hell I'm going to go their approved route. it adds on like 20 extra minutes of paddling, and I wouldn't make it. So! Naturally, I plan on taking us the shortest route possible, which is right over the reef. Emily, as a smart person, was not on board with this idea in the beginning.

But I knew halfway out there I would win her over.

That, and I was in the back and steering, so there really wasn't much choice.

We made it out, no problems, and promptly collapsed on the beach to take in the sights and rest our tired arms. I actually asked if she wanted to hike to the back, and she was not interested. That was cool with me, so we just chilled out.

Hello Mr. Turtle!

After this, there was, of course, some Pinky's action, but I was too busy drinking my Shakerita to take any pictures.

Day 4 - Tiffany Goes to Work. Meh.

But, thank goodness, Courtney had nothing to do, so she and Em went out, back to the North Shore. Good choice. Em and Court actually hit it off, so that was nice. I think they had a good day together. Naturally, Em had more Shrimp Shack - they are only on the North Shore, basically.

As I was biking home from The Boat, Court and Em passed me going the other way - so we dropped my bike off, and I joined them. Em loved sunsets - we tried to catch one almost every night. Today, they filled their coconuts with Baileys and headed to the coves. Brilliant.

Sunset, sea, rainbows, and coconuts? It was a very Hawaiian moment.

Day 5

So, I finally decided to be a good American, and finally go to Pearl Harbor. I don't really remember what happened with this day, but we didn't get out of the house until 2. Emily? Maybe you remember - you'll have to fill me in.

The Memorial

Isn't it crazy how it is all overcast and grey looking, and them 10 minutes later it looks like this?

Afterwards, we went to the Waikiki strip for some dinner, and of course, some sunset action.

Satiated, we walked the strip, just seeing the sights, and headed over to the International Marketplace for some souvenir hunting.

There are street performers everywhere on the strip. It reminds me of Europe - there is always someone painted either all silver or all gold standing like a statue. I always wonder what kind of cash they bring in to make that worth it, but apparently it is enough for them.

There are also different kinds of artists, so when we passed some guy doing henna tattoos, I thought, why not!?

Em got a pretty hibiscus

I basically told the guy to do whatever he wanted, as long as there were no hearts involved. At this point, I have no idea what is on my back.

Here we all are - Court has a Gecko. What did we name him? Bob?

Day 6 - More lazing!

Man, as I am writing this, I realize how much time we spent on the beach. A Lot. Which probably explains why Emily and I got so dark. We were so tan, I was actually worried. I'm never worried, I always consider myself pale, which should let you know how bad it was. But I had a 2 weeks head start on Em - and she caught up with me! I have never seen anyone tan so fast. It was amazing. She looked like a local.

Which is why our henna tattoos didn't show up as well as they could. They kind of blended in with the rest of our skin! Crazy. And a little disappointing.

Anyway, so we spent today over in Kailua, specifically on Laniaki. I love this beach. It is beautiful, and the sand is so fine it's like velvet. Court came with us, and we just hung out, napped, and read on the shore.

Lanikai sand is perfect for sandcastles, so.....

Luckily, Courtney is as big a kid as I am, so she helped me build it.

At one point during this, we started to get a bit toasted, so instead of getting up, Courtney began to coat herself in sand. Really. It was like a sand suit. It was so insnae, I had to do it too. Thank goodness there are no pictures to record that particular event.

More Snocones!

After that, we headed back over to Waikiki for Sunset on the Beach, which is basically a giant movie shown on the beach after the sun goes down. I had never done this before, and I am so glad I had the opportunity, because apparently it has lost its funding, and they won't be doing it anymore! Sad.

Actually, this was almost a disaster, because we were planning on going the day previously, but a last-minute check showed that instead of 'Pirates of the Carribean' they were going to play 'Lords of Appletown', which I had never heard of, and was probably lame.

So instead, we went this night, and saw Horton Hears a Who! Which I thought was great. Those of you who have seen it, my favorite part was Katie, this odd little creature that served no real puropse, but wierded everyone out. I thought it was hilarious.

And so, we had a nice time watching the movie under the stars. In a funny side note, it was Court's birthday, and so she managed to win a pair of pineapples. She didn't really know what was going on, but Em and I were screaming at her to go onstage, so she did. Ha. and Yum.

Here Court is relaxing in her expertly-dug sand lounge chair. Nice.

Enjoying local food from the fair! YUM, shrimp rolls.

Yay Movie Time!

The world's best donuts. Words cannot describe them.

Day 7 -Haunuma Bay

Is this all we did this day? It is sad, my mind is failing at the tender age of 27.

Snorekling at the nature preserve! Another Must-do.

Whew, that's a long walk.

Em and I - Snorkel Faces!

Day 8 -

Today we went to the beach and hung out with the dogs. Em made a couple calls to folks back home, and I hung out with some little kids, burying the dogs.

Note Lily's pained expression - see her booties? She hates those. But they keep her feet in one piece, so... too bad, doggie.

The dogs dug an impressive hole, and general area of destruction.

And then Em too was gone. Back to Dallas. If I could just transplant all of you guys out here, life would be perfect. I can't wait to see her again.

Saying bye to our place