Hawaii Chronicles April 12-14/2008

Saturday April 12, 2008

Last night there was a serious windstorm happening up here on the ridge. You see, we are staying at the Colonel’s place in a part of the island called Hawaii Kai and it’s a good drive up to the top of Mariner’s Ridge where he and Tessa live. So we were up late as Ben was a bit scared with all the noise rattling everywhere for several hours around the house.

There are a few perks if you are a guest of the Colonel as the military’s presence is all over the island. Today we went swimming at the private beach on Bellows Air Force Station where the waves were just perfect for bodysurfing and the sand was so soft, not like the hard coral sand of the other beaches. The water has been so warm that it takes a lot to get me to leave. Ben had a ball as he really enjoyed the sand and crawling all over the place playing chicken with the incoming waves. His face was completely covered in sand all day with the amount of times he face planted into the beach. The rest of the day and night we took it pretty easy and watched a great film called The Kite Runner.

Sunday April 13, 2008

We are now in the final stretch of our vacation and it has been a great one. Although the sunny weather was touch and go it was still warm and tropical. We’ve had some great meals including brunch today at the Officer’s Club on Kaneohe Marine Corps Air Station. Just another place civilians aren’t allowed to go unless accompanied by someone in the military. I never imagined myself setting foot on a military base and I’m sure it will probably be my last. Just like when we were on the military beach at Bellows there was no mistaken I was not in the service being the only longhaired hippy within miles. A monument commemorates the spot where the first Japanese jet fighter was shot down before Pearl Harbour was hit. There are helicopters, jets and tanks on display that we had to take some fun shots with of course. We took a tour of the base and you should see some of the real estate that some of the higher-ups have here. I guess if you have to be stationed anywhere in the United States- Hawaii is the place!

Monday April 14, 2008

It is our last day in Hawaii. We headed out early this morning to get the most out of the day and since we also heard that the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve is packed all day long. Today was no exception as there was a line up when we showed up at nine thirty. What a great way to spend our last day here on the Ohau Island in Hawaii. Hanauma Bay is a protected area with an amazing coral reef and to top things off it was the sunniest day we’ve had since being here. We baked in the sun and took turns snorkeling in the bay and it was just amazing. It was impossible to keep track of all the different fish and marine life in the bay. At every turn there was something popping out of the reef and right in to your eyes. The most amazing were these two very large iridescent blue fish that traveled closely together and were very sneaky. Just when you thought they had taken off for a different part of the reef the next thing you know they are swimming right beside you!

In a couple of hours we’ll be heading out for dinner with our wonderful hosts Iain and Tessa, I believe they are taking us to a place called the Elks Club which I’m sure is nothing short of spectacular. It has been a wonderful ten days of relaxation and fun in Hawaii and we are so thankful for their kindness, generosity and gracious hospitality. Oh and how could I forget Ben’s new friends Lady, Suzie and Michelle – thanks for licking Ben clean and sharing his soother! Ruff ruff!

Aloha.