We got a bit of sleep in time today as Ecky had a helicopter tour first thing in the morning and Brian had a job interview. After a late breakfast we headed to the dive shop to get full tanks for a shore dive. Our plan was to head up north this time instead of down south. As we were driving we heard that there were wind warnings for the north and mountain regions of the island so asked the experts at the dive shop if heading north was wise. They said no...that when the winds are strong it can get pretty tough to shore dive up north...so we recalculated and headed back to a more sheltered site near the marina. We had seen dolphins there several times when heading out on the boat so were hopeful that we could see them from in the water this time.
The surf was rolling in when we got there but we were not to be deterred...we suited up in all of our gear and trekked over what seemed like a mile of rough mounds of lava rocks...and finally ended up on the beach. Hot sweaty and puffing by this point we were all happy to get in the water. While it was cooler in the water it was a bit exciting trying to get masks on...fins on and juggle camera gear! Wade seemed to have no trouble with his fins and mask and was soon through the big waves and floating on the swells in comfort. I was struggling...luckily Monica came to help me and held my camera as I was trying to wrestle into my fins. After consuming my daily limit of salt water I decided that it may just be best if I sit this one out. I told Monica thanks but I'd head back to shore...this was feeling more like work than fun and I didn't want to end up in a dangerous situation exhausted! Monica agreed and I held her camera as she got herself ready...about this time we both noticed Ecky was struggling a bit too...he had broken a fin strap! I quickly unclipped one of mine and Monica swapped it for the broken one...crisis averted :-). Soon Monica and Ecky were heading out to join Wade and Dave in the deep water and I dragged my waterlogged butt and gear up onto the beach.
I waited patiently on shore...trying to hide from the sun...and the chatty locals who all seemed very friendly...and was entertained by a local who was very talented on his boogie board riding the waves. Soon I saw heads pop up in the waves and zipped my wetsuit back up so I could wade in and help the divers out of the water. There were a few scary moments as I watched the waves push the boys a little closer to the lava rocks on the shore than I would have like....especially after having one of the locals tell me he had just pulled a few divers off those rocks when they got too close and were slammed into them! But soon the boys navigated their way between the rocks and we got everyone back on land safely even if they were a little tired :-).
Next item on the agenda for the day was a Luau! What trip to Hawaii would be complete without a Luau? We had booked in at the King Kamehameha resort as we'd heard their Luau was the best around and hadn't been to impressed by what we had seen of the one at our place. Got cleaned up and headed over to check it out. The food was really great...lots of choices and most of it was delicious. I don't think Wade will ever try Poi again though LOL. The entertainment was good...a mix of humour, dance and some education too...who new there were so many steps involved in getting the milk out of a coconut LOL.
The surf was rolling in when we got there but we were not to be deterred...we suited up in all of our gear and trekked over what seemed like a mile of rough mounds of lava rocks...and finally ended up on the beach. Hot sweaty and puffing by this point we were all happy to get in the water. While it was cooler in the water it was a bit exciting trying to get masks on...fins on and juggle camera gear! Wade seemed to have no trouble with his fins and mask and was soon through the big waves and floating on the swells in comfort. I was struggling...luckily Monica came to help me and held my camera as I was trying to wrestle into my fins. After consuming my daily limit of salt water I decided that it may just be best if I sit this one out. I told Monica thanks but I'd head back to shore...this was feeling more like work than fun and I didn't want to end up in a dangerous situation exhausted! Monica agreed and I held her camera as she got herself ready...about this time we both noticed Ecky was struggling a bit too...he had broken a fin strap! I quickly unclipped one of mine and Monica swapped it for the broken one...crisis averted :-). Soon Monica and Ecky were heading out to join Wade and Dave in the deep water and I dragged my waterlogged butt and gear up onto the beach.
I waited patiently on shore...trying to hide from the sun...and the chatty locals who all seemed very friendly...and was entertained by a local who was very talented on his boogie board riding the waves. Soon I saw heads pop up in the waves and zipped my wetsuit back up so I could wade in and help the divers out of the water. There were a few scary moments as I watched the waves push the boys a little closer to the lava rocks on the shore than I would have like....especially after having one of the locals tell me he had just pulled a few divers off those rocks when they got too close and were slammed into them! But soon the boys navigated their way between the rocks and we got everyone back on land safely even if they were a little tired :-).
Next item on the agenda for the day was a Luau! What trip to Hawaii would be complete without a Luau? We had booked in at the King Kamehameha resort as we'd heard their Luau was the best around and hadn't been to impressed by what we had seen of the one at our place. Got cleaned up and headed over to check it out. The food was really great...lots of choices and most of it was delicious. I don't think Wade will ever try Poi again though LOL. The entertainment was good...a mix of humour, dance and some education too...who new there were so many steps involved in getting the milk out of a coconut LOL.
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