Hawaii

At the end of February, Roy and I flew to Oahu to enjoy some sun and sand instead of rain. Rather than stay in the resort area, we bought a tent, a big blow up mattress, and a small grill and headed north to Malaekahana campground on the island's windward side. What a great campground! Unlike most of the campgrounds on the island, this campground was private, so we didn't have to worry about our things getting stolen or our car getting broken into. We had a nice, protected spot just steps from the mile-long white sand beach, complete with picnic table and pet cats and chickens. Contrary to what we are taught as children, roosters do not crow with the sun. They crow in the middle of the night. Repeatedly. And, they travel in large groups.

Every morning, I would get up with the first light, walk along the beach, and watch the sun rise. Every day, it was different. We had no agenda, so it really was a relaxing vacation. We visited Hale'iwa, the big surfing beaches, the leeward side of the island, and lots of little shops. We snorkled at Hanauma bay, kayaked in Kailua bay (where I lost the keys to the rental car), hiked to a waterfall, and also to the top of a ridge. I realized after several days of this that I brought way too many clothes for the beach lifestyle.

For our last night, we headed to Waikiki and an actual hotel. On the way there, we stopped at a great Saturday market and pigged out. Then, loaded with fried food, we headed off to climb Diamond head with all of the other tourists. I must say, it felt so weird to be cooped up inside a hotel after so much outdoors time. Also weird to hang out by the pool instead of on the beach.

The last morning, I climbed up to an overlook above a lighthouse with a friend who was in Oahu with her family. We got up VERY early so we could drive out there and watch the sunrise during the hike. We timed it perfectly. When we started, people were wearing headlamps. By the time we got up to the overlook, the sun was just about to rise. It was amazing. Views all around of the mountains, the bays, the islands, and the ocean. We could see at least 2 of the other islands. We also watched a number of whales coming around the point, some very close. And, we saw 2 different whales breaching, one multiple times. Not a bad way to spend our last morning in paradise.