Another Day in Paradise

I'm going to need a vacation from my vacation!  We have been gone since 9 am.   I rented this little speedster (the car, not the kid) and we headed back up to the North Shore.

He was mad because I wouldn't let him drive! 

Obviously the beach is always on our daily agenda, but I also wanted to go to Waimea Valley to walk through the rainforest and hike up to the waterfall.

Waimea history

So lush and green!  Really reminded me of Texas  :)

Waimea Falls

It wasn't a very long hike or a very big waterfall, but we still had fun.  Jaden was able to swim in the lagoon and attempted to climb up the rocks at the falls.  The most amazing part of the hike, I thought, was the vibrant colors of nature.  I'm no botanist and I don't know the difference between flora and fauna, but these plants and flowers were so beautiful.

My friend, Pamela, would love this flower!  

Once we had our fill of nature, we headed across the street to Waimea Bay.  I told you in a previous post about the North Shore and what the waves are like in the winter.  Waimea Bay is probably one of the most famous spots because of its history.  Because the way the water breaks, Waimea Bay was significant in the development of big wave surfing.  Larger surf at the bay went unridden for years until 1957, when a handful of surfers finally paddled out and rode the giant waves.  For decades, Waimea was the most prestigious big wave surf break in the world.  One of the most famous surf competitions, "Quiksilver Big Wave Invitational in Memory of Eddie Aikau" is held at Waimea Bay.  This event takes place to honor the legendary surfer and the first lifeguard of the North Shore.  Since its inception in 1984, the tournament has only been held seven times, due to the sole condition that the waves be at least 20 feet high.  The most recent tournament was in December 2009, when waves in the bay reached 30 to 50 feet high.   

This is not Jaden, nor is this my picture.  Winter waves at Waimea Bay.

Luckily for us, in the summer time it looks like this.

Jaden spent about four hours jumping off that rock while I floated on my raft in the water.  I'm glad he's so active but I wonder where he gets his fearlessness from.  Certainly not me!  It must be a boy thing.  

Got bored of walking up the regular way?

He told me he did this one with his eyes closed.  Music to a mother's ear.  

We ended our day driving into Haleiwa Town.  We made it to Matsumoto's Shave Ice just before it closed.  Matsumoto's has been in business for over 60 years and is famous for their shave ice.  On a summer day, they serve up to 2,000 people.  The line was probably 25 deep when we got there.  I thought it was good, but I think we'll stick to Waiola Shave Ice instead.  Nonetheless, it was a refreshing treat after a long day! 

Five different people commented on my hat.  Hook 'Em!  

Hermit Crabs

We have been both, since you and I last spoke.  We have been hermits and crabs the last two days.  Fourth of July wore me out!  On Friday, we got out of our pajamas by 2 pm and decided to venture out.  Jaden wanted to go to the Hilton Hawaiian pool, which was fine with me.  After an impromptu visit to Taco Bell and Waiola Shave Ice, we arrived there about 5 pm.  I didn't even want to bring my bathing suit, so I brought my iPad and a new book instead.  I laid in the shade (gasp!) while Jaden happily frolicked in the water. Every Friday night, the Hilton puts on a firework show at the beach on their property.  I didn't really care one way or the other if we saw them because it was JUST the Fourth of July the previous night, but Jaden begged enough for me to say whatever, fine.  Sidebar, Jaden and I have seen the Hilton fireworks many times before.  They're easy to see if you're sitting outside a restaurant, walking on the beach, etc.  But this night was different! I watched them from the beach about 50 yards away from where they were shooting them off and Jaden watched from the lagoon.  It was so amazing (and loud)!  Below are some pictures of the evening...

Sunset over the lagoon

Better than July 4th!

Saturday wasn't much different from Friday.  We got out of our pajamas by 4 pm for the sole purpose of heading to the movies.  We saw Despicable Me 2 (I didn't choose it).  It was ok, but I liked Monsters University much better.  I have been in "reflection" mode for the last few days.  As a mother, the law requires us to be around our children a good majority of the time.  For the most part, in Texas, I follow that law, but there are a few times each week that Jaden and I have some distance and space.  Well, the complete opposite is true here!  We have no distance or space!!!  Let's place bets on which one of us will go crazy first...  We walk together, shop together, complain together, swim together, find bus routes together, eat together, and sleep together.  We are getting A LOT of bonding time.  Unless I am on the phone, my sole conversation partner is an eight year old.  I'm not complaining (or at least, not trying to complain) but I'm trying to cherish it as much as possible because I doubt he'll spend a summer with me in Hawaii when he's 18.  For the record, he did hold my hand during most of the movie  :)

Today, we re-entered civilization by going to our Caribbean beach, aka Kailua Beach.  I navigated three bus transfers to get here!  The sand is powder and the water is turquoise.  Kailua Beach is on the windward side of the island, but there was no wind today!  The water was also unusually warm so Jaden and I swam a lot (together!) and played frisbee.  He also worked on his strengthening his upper body.

reverse boogie boarding? 

look how white his feet are!  

Aloha!

Independence Day!

Happy Fourth of July all!  Remember how in some of my posts I have shown you pictures of beaches that were practically deserted on a week day?  Well, yesterday was NOT one of them!  Waikiki beach was the most packed I have ever seen it.  It seemed like people started setting up on Monday for all the holiday festivities.

only a tiny portion of the masses

Groups of people were barbecuing, swimming, surfing, playing volleyball, horseshoes, washers, cards, etc.  I took a picture of one family's barbecue.  I think they were going with a luau theme this year.

Poor Wilbur

The ocean was just as crowded as the sand was, it seemed.  The annual "Flotilla" was happening off in the distance.  Hundreds of people were either on surfboards, paddle boards, boogie boards, kayaks, or rafts and they float the ocean.  I saw so many unique kinds of floatation devices, but this was the most original one I saw, by far  :)

Jaden and I did not participate in the flotilla or the luau, but we did have a lot of fun.  I read a book and took a couple of naps while he swam, body surfed, boogie boarded, and played with kids.  We were there from 10 am - 9 pm and we had a perfect spot to watch the fireworks at night.  Below are some random photos that I took of yesterday.  

We were so exhausted when we got home last night and I'm still feeling wiped out today.  We both decided it might be an "inside" day.  When I woke up this morning, I saw this little guy on our wall.  Guess he decided it would be an inside day, too!

Off to take a nap!  Aloha!

Makai...

is a Hawaiian word meaning "on the seaside, towards the sea, in the direction of the sea".  That is where we have been.  For the past four days.  We have stayed local and have spent hours upon hours here.

My tan is worthy of Hawaii by now and Jaden has probably caught a thousand waves.  I got him fins to wear while he boogie boards, which helps him catch waves and ride them faster.  He's been on his board so much, this is what it looks like...

duct tape, fancy huh?

On Sunday, I met a few people that were setting up a volleyball court and they invited us to play.  I was getting bored in my chair so I agreed to join them.  They play every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday.  I was thinking they all have rich husbands so they must not have to work :)  All of them are from different parts of the world and have moved to Hawaii within the past year.  One lady has a twelve year old son, so Jaden bonded with him.  Below are a few pictures I got of Jaden playing.  

I think I'll try to use this as a FLEX day

Every day we have stayed until sundown.  Jaden would alternate between volleyball and swimming.  I was also able to capture some great views of the sunset off the Waianae Mountain Range.

running into the water to cool off

A local man meditating on the beach.  His chi must be in complete balance! 

sunset boogie boarding

going, going

gone