Thoughts

I finally uploaded pictures to my blog entries from Hawaii (I had over 1,000 pictures; I'm too embarrassed to say the actual number). I had an awesome time meeting people and traveling with no commitments or responsibilities (more on that later). I would definitely do it again. I am so thankful that I had the time, funds and opportunity to go exploring on my own. I really enjoyed the days and times that I had cool people to hang out with and take pictures of me!!

Here is the conversation I had with my niece, Emily who is seven years old:

Em: Why are you wearing a wedding ring?
Me: It's not a wedding ring, just a ring I bought for myself?
Em: Why aren't you married Sara?? Wait, have you graduated from college?
Me: I have graduated from college and I haven't met someone I want to marry.

I then told her that I was 25 years old and she said her dad was a lot older than me. Her dad would be proud of her asking if I graduated from college prior to getting married.

The conversation made me laugh and lately I've been asked why I'm not married. I was asked by someone in Hawaii that is 5 1/2 years younger than me why I haven't gotten married; I'm used to being asked by older divorced guys or married couples but a college kid and my niece!! I really enjoy my life but I might need to consider marriage more seriously. I do want to have kids some day but 3 weeks with no commitments was awesome!!Maybe I just need to be more seriously minded and less nonchalant. Any suggestions?? I definitely won't get married just to be married (getting married is easy, having an awesome relationship and be married takes a lot of work).

Wakiki

I'm off to the Marriott Waikiki which will be really nice and relaxing. I'm sad that my vacation is coming to an end I could be on vacation for a long time......

I'm so grateful for the opportunity to travel and for all my friends I met along the way. I don't know if I'll see any of then again but they have my trip that much better.

Sharks Cove and PCC

I got up to early this morning, like most mornings and went snorkeling at Shark's Cove (because of the shape not because of the sharks). It was awesome. I loved snorkelingin the cove because I didn't have to worry about waves or drifting too far out. I loved watching all the fishes interact. Afterwards I tried to go to two beaches were the show Lost is filmed and I decided not to trespass.

I stopped by Ted's Sunset Bakery which is famous for it's chocolate haupia (cocnut) pie, picked up a slice for dinner tonight and a malasada (portugese donut)for then.

I saw turtles at Turtle Beach, they weren't on beach just cruizing the water and rocks. It was fun to watch them swim around and get tossed by the surf. A turtle was killed last week and there was a memorial on the beach.

I enjoyed lunch at one of the many shrimp trucks that are famous on the North Shore. It was delicious and I got a side of the sweet corn that was amazing without butter our seasoning.

In the afternoon and walked through the back security gate at the Polynesian Cultural Center (benifit of being a chick and a polynesian was on guard). I was able to walk around and see the demostrations including the canoe show. I was really excited about watching the IMAX movie about the coral reef. It was an amazing show and I purchased the dvd to share with my students. I was so glad that I was able to go and enjoy the environment.

Hiking and USS Bowfin

I was able to do two different hikes and USS Bowfin before church. I hiked out to Manikuu Point and Manuwilli Falls (I'll correct the spellings later when I have my pacitures).

I really enjoyed the both hikes, both very different. Manikuu Point was up an old road to above the lighthouse with awesome views of the islands, including Maui.

The falls hike was through the rainforest with several stream crossings and lots of roots to hike/slip over. It shocked me that parents would let there 5/6 year old child hike by himself and have him talk to strangers about being lost.

I crusied over to Pearl Harbor and decided to tour the USS Bowfin since I did the USS Arizona last time. Just the USS Missouri to tour next time......

I attended a singles sacrament meeting because they were having a conference all weekend and it was scheduled for the evening. I really enjoyed the last speaker and his comments about life. He stressed the importance of agency and making the correct decsions in your life. I'm so glad that I've been able to make good decisions most of my life and that I don't ahve any major rejects with anything that I've done.

Spa Day and Waikiki

Happy Birthday Mom!!

I scheduled a spa treatment today and I was able to take advantage of their facilities which in include a pool, dry suana, steam room, jacuzzi and free parking for Waikiki. It was really nice and relaxing and I spent the rest of the day shopping and cruising the busy streets.

Ridge & Falls Hike, Pali, Luau & Fireworks

I started the day with a ridge hike that had awesome views of Diamond Head and Waikiki with lots of climbing. I loved the hike and would love to do it again.

I then found the falls near a cemetery that I couldn't find last time. I was disappointed that there was a lot of graffiti and beer cans; just like LA.

I went to the Pali lookout that is known for the views and the wind. It was so much fun. Last time I was here it started raining two minutes after I pulled in teh parking lot.

I found out that the Hilton has a pool luau and fireworks on Firday night. It was fun watching the luau and the fireworks were shot for the beach and really loud. I went next door the the military resort, Hale Koa, and got cheap food with not sales tax.

North Shore

I hiked out to the west point of Oahu (I'll look up the name later). I wish I had a mountain bike; I got really jealous of the guy that did. The sand dunes were nice and I really liked having lunch at Hidden Beach. It was awesome weather with a little bit of clouds and lots of wind to keep it cool.

I then went to my favorite shaved ice place Matsumoto's with the lines out the door. I love their shaved ice. it's so yummy!!

I went to the temple Thursday night and it was nice.

off to Honolulu

Today I fly to Oahu and I have a lovely apartment that I'm renting in Laie on the NOrth Shore. I'm so excited and I know I'll have a blast. I can't wait for a Matsumoto Shaved Ice!!

I got another red convertible Mustang!! I stopped at the Dole Plantation and got my pineapple float with a souvenir cup.

It is nice to have my own apartment for a week but I'm sure glad that I'm not a student anymore living in student housing.

I bought all my food at Costco and already cruised along the north shore!!

I went out to Laie Point and enjoyed the sunset and islands off the coast.

Tubing and Hiking

Today I'll be tubing through irrigation canals and hiking the famous Na Pali Coast.

The tubing was awesome. We went through 5 tunnels in a an irrigation ditch that was used for the sugar cane fields. It was fun but it felt really short. I did break half of my nail on my big toe. Hopefully it will grow back with no problems or too much pain.

I drove an hour to the Na Pali Coast Hike and it was closed for the past three days because of a fire; I need to pay attention to the local news better. I did another hike and got a gorgeous view of the bay.

Kayak, Hike and Swim

I rented a kayak at Wailua River to go to Secret Falls. The problem was that the maps and directions we were given weren't clear and the trail was a difficult secret to unlock. Luckily other people paid for a guide and he told us where to go on the unmarked trail to the falls. I was able to swim under the waterfall and relax in the pool of water. Afterwards I drove around the island and saw all the beautiful scenic overlooks and beaches, ending the day at the beach.

Kauai

I'm off to Kauai today!! Kauai is suppose to be the garden island with awesome beaches.

Mauna Kea

Tonight I'm going to the top of Mauna Kea to watch the sunset and to use the telescopes. I'm really excited it is the tallest mountain in the world if you count that it starts on the ocean floor and not on land.

Captain Cook & Green Sand Beach

I stopped at the bay that has the Captain Cook monument. You have to rent a Kayak to go to the other side of the bay and I opted to continue to the Green Sand Beach.

I drove out to the green sand beach and hiked the 2 1/2 miles out to it. It started to rain as we got closer and we decided not to hike down to the beach but it was green and a gorgeous out cove.

Manta Rays

manta rays prior during sunset dive:

close up manta ray:

Today I'm going diving with the Manta Rays. I'll do a dive before sunset and then one at night. For the night dive I'll go to the bottom and stay there while the manta rays swim all around. The rays don't bite and are filter animals. I'm really excited and looking forward the the dive.

The Manta Ray dive was amazing. I did a two tank dive; on the dive before sunset we saw several manta rays. When we went out for the night dive it was a amazing. We sat on the floor around the "fire pit" with everyone's lights shining up. The plankton are attracted to the light and manta rays come by to eat the plankton. They were amazing. Twelve different 10 foot manta rays were swimming over our heads and grazing the tops. They would flip and turn above our heads. It was so amazing that I decided the buy the video of them swimming over me to be able to share the experience.

Not my dive but a sample:

Hilo and Helicopter

I woke up early to head on out to Hilo, the wet side of the island. I tsopped at Texmex to get my first malasada for this trip. I saw the Akaka, Umauama and Rainbow Falls (there wasn't a rainbow). Shortly after I got to town it started pouring rain adn Iwas worried about the helicopter ride being cancelled, but it cleared up.

The doors off helicopter ride was awesome!! I was scared at first because I only had a shoulder strap seat belt (like the front seat of a car). I relaxed and loved it, even though I was cold at altitude. We flew out over the ocean where the lava going into the ocean and then over a lava stream. It was so cool to see the lava. We then went over the crater where the steam and gases weere coming out. On the way back we flew by the Hawaiian Falls which are part of the there water supply and you aren't allowed to hike there. I loved the helicopter doors off tour, it was so cool.

I then drove out to the Volcano National Park to see the lava tube and steam vents. I also hiked out on the lava to watch the lava go into the ocean. I was extremely tired the last 20 minutes driving home and I crashed as soon as I got here.

Tomorrow will be a lot more relaxing. Wednesday I'll be doing a night dive with Manta Rays and going to Mauna Kea Summit on Friday. I'll be going to the beaches Tuesday and Thrusday all day!!

Pololu Valley - Black Sand Beach

I drove up to Hawi and hiked down to the Black Sand Beach. I really liked this beach, it was gorgeous. Driving back to Kona I drove through Waimea and I saw the telescopes on top of Mauna Kea Volcano. It was cool to see the top higher than the clouds.

Tomorrow I'll be going to Hilo and doing a doors off helicopter over the Volcano National Park. I'm so excited; it's my first helicopter flight (the price was a lot less because I went to the Vacation Ownership Presentation).