Day 14 - Captain Andy's Catamaran Sail and Snorkel...and other random things

My alarm went off at 5:30 AM today...hit snooze and then got up at 5:40 AM.  Ugh, but I got to go on a Catamaran Sail and Snorkel to the Na Pali Coast. You can only get there by hiking in (a 9/10 difficulty rating...not for me!), by air (too expensive!), or by boat.  

I guess they don't see single parties much.  I think that I freaked them out a bit.  They did not know what to do with me...especially when we went snorkeling.  I did not have a snorkeling "buddy", so someone on the boat kept a watch on me.  I apparently was not with a lot of fish.  I was the first one in the water and the last one out.  The snorkeling was OK.  I have definitely seen better. BUT, I saw a humuhumunukunukuapua'a (Hawaiian State fish) and a Green Sea Turtle. On the way out we saw a couple of spinner dolphins, but on the way back in, we saw quite a few.  None of them spun for us, but some were playing.  They are so cute and little and have such a long snout.  We also saw a couple of rays splashing around at the surface of the water...mating? fighting? a bit of both?  The captain and the crew said that they had never seen that before. 

On the way back, I decided to stop down at the Nawiliwili Beach area. I did a little tourist shopping/looking and then headed back towards the hotel. 

I have seen the signs for Lydgate beach Park for years, so I decided to stop there to check it out.  At first, I found the little scary camping area.  I hightailed it out of there.  Then I found the nice part of the park.  It is a pretty beach.  There were quite a few people there. 

After a shower, I ventured out to the restaurant Verde.  Yelp recommended.  It was good.  I got the blackened Mahi mahi and shrimp as recommended by the waiter.  They were both good, but the blackened Mahi mahi taco was better!  

I finally got my Margarita...and it was only $3! I think it is the cheapest thing that I have bought in Hawaii!  They were having a special, so I went for it. I had to take a picture of the Chips and Salsa.  You got the first one free.  Being a Texas, you plow through chips and salsa.  It is a good thing that they were quick with their service because I was chomping down on those chips and salsa.  This is definitely a place that I would go back to.

Afterwards, I went to the Coconut Marketplace and walked around a bit.  I really wanted ice cream from Lappert's.  Really yummy ice cream.  Dark Chocolate Macadamia Nut.  Yummy!

Day 13 - The trip ends and my vacation begins!

I had a lot of plans for today, but my body had other plans.  I went to go check out the place were my Cruise/Snorkel leaves tomorrow.  My check in is at 7:15 AM...if that is not bad enough, it is about an hour drive.  My alarm is set to EARLY!

I also went by Walmart.  I bought a film underwater camera.  I am going to have to be careful.  I am used to a digital, take as many pictures as you want, camera.  And then I have to go send it off to get it processed.  Oh well.  Time to start researching new cameras.

So, what else did I do today...eat and sleep seem to be about it.

I ate at Bubba's Burgers. It was pretty good.  It had a great view of the beach across the way.  They had an article with Robert Downey Jr. after Tropic Thunder came out that said that one of the redeeming qualities of the movie was that he got to eat at Bubba's Burgers every day.  The beach across the way is where they filmed some of the movie.

My cheep hotel is not bad.  If they would update and get an air conditioner, things would be a lot better! The room is fine.  You get what you pay for.  But the view is fantastic!

I got in, took a nap, got up, got something to eat and came back.  The wifi was working until a moment ago, so I guess I will not watch a movie and I will hit the PUBLISH button tomorrow.

Mermaids...yummy. 

A view from the back of the hotel.

Hopefully the sleep will do me good tonight and I will wake up refreshed and ready to go :-)

Day 12 - Blowhole, Natioal Botanical Gardens, Waimea Canyon, Kokee, Kalalau Valley

Our final full day has come.  A quick stop at the Trash Conglomerate (I got gas in stead), the blowhole, and the front of the National Botanical Gardens (which I will be touring in a couple of days!)

We get to go and see the Waimea Canyon. It is considered the Grand Canyon of the Pacific. 

Dr. K talked about how it was formed and then we look at a monument that is in the National Park.  It was "snuck" in as a monument, but it really is a memorial. 

A quick stop at the Kokee Museum. 

And the most beautiful view in Hawaii! This is the Kalalu Valley.  I will get to see it from a boat in 2 days. One of "my" days, I will be going on a boat and snorkel.  I am so excited!

The trail down to the Alakai Swamp was a little muddy. 

On the way down the mountain, we stopped at the Iliau Loop to see the final of the Silversword Alliance. 

Another beautiful view of Waimea Canyon. 

Back to the hotel for Pizza and a shower!

Day 11 - Limahuli National Botanical Gardens

Today we went to the Limahuli National Botanical Gardens.  This is a special place because we have done a service project every year.  The Hale (house) is this picture was our service project 2 years ago.  We helped collect rocks on the beach (walked in between Julia Robert's house and Bette Midler's House to get to the beach). This year, like last year (I missed the hike last year due to an injury...see last year's Activity Day story), the students and professors went into the forest, weeded, and planted some plants.  Over 1/2 of the plants that we plated were endangered species.  Very cool.

This is Merlin, he is telling us about the endangered plants that we were planting.  Uncle Muku 2 years ago (and Merlin here) told us about the ritual where Hawaiians would hike up a sacred mountain, light this plant, and throw it into the wind.  It would sparkle and the wind would take it out at least a mile.  People would try to catch it and would brand themselves with it.  They are hoping that they can get enough of these plants back into the "wild" that they can begin the tradition again.  

Walking into the forest with our plants.

Still walking...

Shelf Fungi on the way out.  Really pretty.

We stopped at a river for lunch.  Some of the students got in the river just down from me.  This was an easier access.  The cold water on my feet felt WONDERFUL! 

Once we were done, we hiked up a hill to see a plant.  Oh my.  Another plant. But this is a highly endangered plant in the wild.  Like ONE in the wild. This is the view from the hill of the gardens. 

I earned a BIG ice cream.  So yummy!

Day 10 - Anini Reef and Kilauea Lighthouse

One of my favorite days on the trip. Reef critter collection at Anini Reef, Snorkeling (where we saw a sea turtle and my underwater camera died), and Birds at the Kilauea Lighthouse!

Anini Reef... A view from lunch. 

Kilauea Lighthouse...where we saw a Hawaiian Monk Seal. They are critically endangered.  

 

And a quick stop at Banana Joe's for a pineapple ice cream. 

Day 9 - Activity Day

This is the day that we let the students chose their activities. Some went kayaking to a secret waterfall, some went to the beach, some hiked Sleeping Giant, and some went to a Luau.

I was the shuttle, but I got some time in this beautiful beach. 

For dinner, we went to a place called Tiki Man Pizza. Pretty good pizza, live music, and nice ambiance. 

Day 8 - On to Kauai!

To Kauai!  I am very excited to be in Kauai.  I love the vibe and I definitely love the condo that we stay in.  Very nice and homey.  We got to Plantation Hale and got in our rooms, had lunch, and did some grocery store runs.

Students took a Hawaiian National History Test today.

Early-ish to bed.  Sleep in a bit tomorrow!!!!!