Well... we head home in 12 hours... it's kinda sad, but it's been a phenomenal trip! As we were walking a few minutes ago toward the beach, I was commenting on how every single day has been sunny with blue skies... maybe 1 hour of rain over the entire trip... and then a few minutes, doesn't it start to rain! haha! so we're at the mall at the apple store stealing internet!
These last few days on oahu have been amazing... and finally we've done some relaxing. We spent a couple days at the North Shore, came across some Lost scene set locations, ate shrimp at the famous shrimp truck and shave ice! We spent a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, definitely recommend it, the night show is very entertaining!
We hiked from our apartment up to the top of Diamond Head, a volcano crater here, gave a great view of Waikiki. We walked down to Waikiki beach again yesterday... what a change from our very first day on the island there... this time it felt so much more crowded and not nearly as beautiful after we've been at such secluded beaches! We were laughing how we're getting picky about hawaii though... it's still paradise and absolutely beautiful!
I guess that's about for now... no picctures at the moment, but we're excited to be home shortly and share them all (maybe not ALL 900) but an overview, with you! Thanks for joining in our adventure with us! There's so much I didn't get a chance to tell about, but the pictures will say it all in the end! We're excited to see friends and family soon! and be back in Niagara!!!
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Road to Hana and More
We're back on Oahu... our last stop of the trip. It's a little bit sad but really can't complain after our extended vacation, I know!
Back on Maui we knew we wanted to try at least one luau so... we heard that the Old Lahaina Luau was the best the island had to offer! It was pretty cool, we got to see them unearth the pig, eat all kinds of food including raw fish, poi (taro root) and many interesting dishes, and the dancers were phenomenal! Those girls can sure move their hips!!
Our last full day on Maui was spent driving the infamous Road to Hana. It wasn't quite what we expected, we thought it would be narrow roads on the side of the cliff again but in fact it was beautifully lush rainforest and a very windy, twisty road!! There were waterfalls at almost every turn and beautiful views of the ocean. We stopped at several places to see different falls or pools, we tasted sugarcane which was delicious, we stopped for banana bread along the way as well
This last picture is the popular end point, you can go swimming and cliff jumping in several different pools, and climbing behind the waterfalls. It's so beautiful! On our way back we also spent some time at a black sand beach which is really cool!
Then off to Oahu in a VERY small plane!!
Our first day back we spent some more time surfing, or jay did while i was riding the waves in a sea kayak which was super fun! Other than that we've been hanging out with Karsten and some of his friends here and touring more of Oahu. Everyone told me this would be my least favourite island but, when you get out of the city, it's absolutely beautiful! The beaches are super sandy and there's huge green mountains right on the other side of the road... I don't think I can pick a favourite island... they're all so different!
Back on Maui we knew we wanted to try at least one luau so... we heard that the Old Lahaina Luau was the best the island had to offer! It was pretty cool, we got to see them unearth the pig, eat all kinds of food including raw fish, poi (taro root) and many interesting dishes, and the dancers were phenomenal! Those girls can sure move their hips!!
Our last full day on Maui was spent driving the infamous Road to Hana. It wasn't quite what we expected, we thought it would be narrow roads on the side of the cliff again but in fact it was beautifully lush rainforest and a very windy, twisty road!! There were waterfalls at almost every turn and beautiful views of the ocean. We stopped at several places to see different falls or pools, we tasted sugarcane which was delicious, we stopped for banana bread along the way as well
This last picture is the popular end point, you can go swimming and cliff jumping in several different pools, and climbing behind the waterfalls. It's so beautiful! On our way back we also spent some time at a black sand beach which is really cool!
Then off to Oahu in a VERY small plane!!
Our first day back we spent some more time surfing, or jay did while i was riding the waves in a sea kayak which was super fun! Other than that we've been hanging out with Karsten and some of his friends here and touring more of Oahu. Everyone told me this would be my least favourite island but, when you get out of the city, it's absolutely beautiful! The beaches are super sandy and there's huge green mountains right on the other side of the road... I don't think I can pick a favourite island... they're all so different!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Time for Relaxing
Maui has been fantastic, and a bit different that our experiences on the other islands. I don't want to say that we don't appreciate the beauty anymore, but after spending several weeks surrounded by paradise, it stops being the shock it was initially. Our picture taking is definitely decreasing but we're trying to change that!
So the last couple days have been fun as per usual. Saturday Jay and I drove around one of the volcanos on the island. This consisted of about 15 miles of a one lane road with the craziest hairpin turns ever seen. At times we had to back up to allow an oncoming car to pass because there was rock wall on one side and sheer cliff on the other with about 1 foot or less of shoulder and no guard rail!! Kinda scary at some points, but the scenery was breathtaking!
We came across one spot where you hike down and the lava rock forms these pools!! I thought it was a pretty cool place to swim... very calm with the waves crashing on the rocks right next to this little pool! We spent the afternoon relaxing at the beach which is always a great option for a couple hours!
Yesterday was another highlight and something we had to do while on hawaii... go surfing!! Karsten and Carlys our fantastic hosts took us out to rent boards and give us some lessons! It was sooo fun and once you get over the feeling of being unsteady and nervous of the waves crashing at you while you're swimming out, it's such a rush! When you catch a wave and just go flying you just want to try over and over... except for those ones you catch but are leaning too far forward and the nose catches and you do a face plant!! that happened a couple times! Jay did super well, he was standing a bunch of times... I got up to my knees and crouching but not fully up... we'll have to try again! Our arms and shoulders are definitely feeling it today from all the paddling!
The thing that has been different on maui is that we've had time to hang out with friends which has also been the best part! Building relationships, staying up late chatting and getting to know how people really live here! It's been so fun! Karsten and Carlys have spent tons of time with us showing us around, and just spending time!
So the last couple days have been fun as per usual. Saturday Jay and I drove around one of the volcanos on the island. This consisted of about 15 miles of a one lane road with the craziest hairpin turns ever seen. At times we had to back up to allow an oncoming car to pass because there was rock wall on one side and sheer cliff on the other with about 1 foot or less of shoulder and no guard rail!! Kinda scary at some points, but the scenery was breathtaking!
We came across one spot where you hike down and the lava rock forms these pools!! I thought it was a pretty cool place to swim... very calm with the waves crashing on the rocks right next to this little pool! We spent the afternoon relaxing at the beach which is always a great option for a couple hours!
Yesterday was another highlight and something we had to do while on hawaii... go surfing!! Karsten and Carlys our fantastic hosts took us out to rent boards and give us some lessons! It was sooo fun and once you get over the feeling of being unsteady and nervous of the waves crashing at you while you're swimming out, it's such a rush! When you catch a wave and just go flying you just want to try over and over... except for those ones you catch but are leaning too far forward and the nose catches and you do a face plant!! that happened a couple times! Jay did super well, he was standing a bunch of times... I got up to my knees and crouching but not fully up... we'll have to try again! Our arms and shoulders are definitely feeling it today from all the paddling!
The thing that has been different on maui is that we've had time to hang out with friends which has also been the best part! Building relationships, staying up late chatting and getting to know how people really live here! It's been so fun! Karsten and Carlys have spent tons of time with us showing us around, and just spending time!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Pictures of the Past and On to Maui
basking sea turtle... we also swam with some that day!
one of the telescopes on Mauna Kea... VERY cold!
This was a road going through here...
kiluea... the now active volcano
lava pouring into the ocean
It's been a while! But we've enjoyed three fabulous days on Maui! Another fantastic island... with a few more tourists and higher prices than some of the other islands... but absolutely beautiful! As we drove up the mountain on one side, looking out you can see the ocean on both sides of the island!! it's soo cool, and it's great how you can get just about anywhere relatively quickly (30 min drive is considered far!)
The first day was getting acquainted with the upcountry... we visited the UH Maui Agricultural Centre where they grow Protea flowers and have an amazing rose garden. We also stopped by a lavender farm high up on the mountain where it's so much cooler and they just had beautiful gardens to walk around. We finished at the Tedeschi winery where there was free sampling and tour... they make pineapple wine! It's really yummy!
A highlight on this island has definitely been staying with and hanging out with friends... karsten, whom i met on an eye mission in nicaragua, and his roommates carlys and mike. The first night Mike even cooked us up fresh fish he had caught while spear fishing on the reef in molokai! It was our first time eating from a whole fish... head and eyes still there and everything... I even ate some of the fin deep fried. He did three different fish three different ways and it was all delicious!
the next day karsten toured us aorund to some small little towns to look in shops, stopped by a couple beaches, one where we happened to stumble across a monk seal sunbathing! (another animal to check off our list) we ate delicious fish sandwiches at the Paia Fishmarket and ended up in the Iao Valley which is so lush and green with little waterfalls and streams flowing.
Another first that night... sushi! And I liked it... though i definitely need to work on my chopsticks technique!
So yesterday was one of the highlights of our trip! That morning we decided to see if we could book a sailing boat cruise to Lanai, one of the smaller islands. It was expensive, but rated as the best so we had to try it... and it was worth every penny! We departed on the catamaran/sailboat at 10am, they fed us cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, wraps, fresh pineapple juice. Of course I sat on the catamaran part and lucky thing... as we were cruising jay spotted a pod of dolphins!!! so they turned the boat that way and a few minutes later we were surrounded by them... at least 50 and they said that was only a 3rd of the pod, the rest were under water... they swam with us for so long and were literally 3 feet from our dangling toes! it was AMAZING!!!
on the island we had a van tour of the town, snorkelled some more, played in the waves and ate bbq chicken. We also made these great new friends Branda and Luke, we hung out with them for a lot of the day having a blast! They were flying out today so invited us back to their hotel... the four seasons... which was AMAZING! and we went swimming in the pool and drank champagne in their room... and they sent us home with a bottle since they couldn't take it back with them! it was a great day!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Volcanos and Such
I'm a bit disappointed because we're at yet another internet cafe that doesn't allow you to hook up your camera and upload pictures... and we have so many great ones I'd love to show you...
Standing at 14000 foot elevation on Mauna Kea beside the biggest telescopes in the world...
Watching Kiluea... the recently active volcano spewing out sulfur dioxide
Standing (not close enough for my liking) at the viewpoint watching the sky and sulfur turn orange as lava poured into the ocean and shot up like fireworks!
Standing beside a road sign that says "road closed" that is covered almost to the top with lava rock...
The big island is indeed BIG... at least compared to the last one we were on! It's amazing to see how an active volcano has reshaped the land structure here... The Vog... fog from the air pollution the volcano is sending out... clouds the skies of the southwestern half of the island... it's crazy!
Yesterday was our "beach day"... we started with an early morning hike down to this bay that you can only hike into or boat to (next time we'll definitely get the kayaks!) to this spectacular snorelling spot. I thought the snorkelling was cool on oahu... what we saw in the last two days was FAR better. The coral was actually living and those bright colours you see on TV are REAL! it's yellow and red and orange and tons of bright colourful fish feeding on it and swimming in between. Even ankle deep, right up to the rocks there are bright colourful fish, they just stay around your ankles as you wade in!
Our big hope was to see dolphins... and we found out later they were in the bay... just on the other side... and we didn't have kayaks! So that was a bit disappointing...
We continued our journey to the north of the island, stopping at this secluded bay (another bit of a hike in)... where there were tons of SEA TURTLES! a bunch were just basking on the beach, we swam along with one... they're so graceful! and we stumbled on this huge remote estate right on the bay! apparently it's owned by the person who invented the pacemaker... it's immaculate!
We spent the night in Waimea... this country ranch town... very beautful farmland we drove through this morning... lots of cattle and horses and rolling hills... and much cooler up there!
We've had this kind of crazy experience... i think he may be our guardian angel... but jay doesn't think he's cool enough... haha!!
In kauai we went to this church one night and me this guy Andy... he plays the lyre and cello and is apparently a messianic jew... we said hello... seemed nice, kinda hippy-ish... so the next day we're hiking on the kalalau trail and... here comes andy! we stop, say hello, chat a few minutes... move on! Then we go to the Big Island... we stop at this grocery store... and who's peddling his cd's in the parking lot? ANDY!... we didn't chat this time (didn't want to have to buy the cd...) Later that same day... at Two-Step... the snorkel location... there's ANDY! he gave us some snorkel tips and how to avoid sea urchins... next day... we just finished our hike back up from the bay, a truck passes us and a guy yells "Jason"... again... ANDY!... soooo weird! haven't seen him since!
We're off to maui tomorrow morning. The Big Island was a bit of a whirlwind... the next two weeks will be a bit more relaxing... so we hope!
Standing at 14000 foot elevation on Mauna Kea beside the biggest telescopes in the world...
Watching Kiluea... the recently active volcano spewing out sulfur dioxide
Standing (not close enough for my liking) at the viewpoint watching the sky and sulfur turn orange as lava poured into the ocean and shot up like fireworks!
Standing beside a road sign that says "road closed" that is covered almost to the top with lava rock...
The big island is indeed BIG... at least compared to the last one we were on! It's amazing to see how an active volcano has reshaped the land structure here... The Vog... fog from the air pollution the volcano is sending out... clouds the skies of the southwestern half of the island... it's crazy!
Yesterday was our "beach day"... we started with an early morning hike down to this bay that you can only hike into or boat to (next time we'll definitely get the kayaks!) to this spectacular snorelling spot. I thought the snorkelling was cool on oahu... what we saw in the last two days was FAR better. The coral was actually living and those bright colours you see on TV are REAL! it's yellow and red and orange and tons of bright colourful fish feeding on it and swimming in between. Even ankle deep, right up to the rocks there are bright colourful fish, they just stay around your ankles as you wade in!
Our big hope was to see dolphins... and we found out later they were in the bay... just on the other side... and we didn't have kayaks! So that was a bit disappointing...
We continued our journey to the north of the island, stopping at this secluded bay (another bit of a hike in)... where there were tons of SEA TURTLES! a bunch were just basking on the beach, we swam along with one... they're so graceful! and we stumbled on this huge remote estate right on the bay! apparently it's owned by the person who invented the pacemaker... it's immaculate!
We spent the night in Waimea... this country ranch town... very beautful farmland we drove through this morning... lots of cattle and horses and rolling hills... and much cooler up there!
We've had this kind of crazy experience... i think he may be our guardian angel... but jay doesn't think he's cool enough... haha!!
In kauai we went to this church one night and me this guy Andy... he plays the lyre and cello and is apparently a messianic jew... we said hello... seemed nice, kinda hippy-ish... so the next day we're hiking on the kalalau trail and... here comes andy! we stop, say hello, chat a few minutes... move on! Then we go to the Big Island... we stop at this grocery store... and who's peddling his cd's in the parking lot? ANDY!... we didn't chat this time (didn't want to have to buy the cd...) Later that same day... at Two-Step... the snorkel location... there's ANDY! he gave us some snorkel tips and how to avoid sea urchins... next day... we just finished our hike back up from the bay, a truck passes us and a guy yells "Jason"... again... ANDY!... soooo weird! haven't seen him since!
We're off to maui tomorrow morning. The Big Island was a bit of a whirlwind... the next two weeks will be a bit more relaxing... so we hope!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
End of Kauai, Beginning of the Big Island
Sorry we've been out of touch for a few days. We've just been having too much fun!
Our last couple days on Kauai were amazing! More time on the water since we hadn't spent too much time doing that. We rented kayaks one morning and kayaked up this river to a spot where you hike in one mile to this beautiful secluded falls (until all the tour groups got there) but it was another waterfall i could swim in!!
That afternoon we borrowed boogie boards from the Swink's (the people we were staying with) and hit the ocean... SOOO much fun! You just fly when you catch a wave!
Our last day we spent at this beautiful beach on Hanalei Bay... the waves were 8 feet that day and there were tons of surfers out! Very fun to watch! We swam in a slightly calmer area!
Now we're on the big island and my internet minutes are running out... yesterday we went up to Mauna Kea... the highest volcano where all the major telescopes are. We saw the sunset and did some stargazing... it's incredible to be standing above the clouds!
We're off to camp on another volcano tonight and, if we're lucky, maybe see some real lava!
We'll be in touch! Love hearing from you!
Our last couple days on Kauai were amazing! More time on the water since we hadn't spent too much time doing that. We rented kayaks one morning and kayaked up this river to a spot where you hike in one mile to this beautiful secluded falls (until all the tour groups got there) but it was another waterfall i could swim in!!
That afternoon we borrowed boogie boards from the Swink's (the people we were staying with) and hit the ocean... SOOO much fun! You just fly when you catch a wave!
Our last day we spent at this beautiful beach on Hanalei Bay... the waves were 8 feet that day and there were tons of surfers out! Very fun to watch! We swam in a slightly calmer area!
Now we're on the big island and my internet minutes are running out... yesterday we went up to Mauna Kea... the highest volcano where all the major telescopes are. We saw the sunset and did some stargazing... it's incredible to be standing above the clouds!
We're off to camp on another volcano tonight and, if we're lucky, maybe see some real lava!
We'll be in touch! Love hearing from you!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
People Along the Way
Jay and I were chatting as we were driving down the canyon from our campsite about what some of the highlights of the trip have been so far. Of course swimming in waterfalls is high on my list! haha! but one of the main things I've loved about this trip, is meeting all kinds of fantastic people. I wish i had more pictures to go with the names.
So... at the airport as we were waiting to get on the plane to come to Kauai, a gentleman sat down beside me, Pete. I started chatting with him, and it turns out he's from texas but moved to kauai 8 months ago, and runs a car rental business. We had already booked a car, but he gave us all kinds of tips and wrote up a map of all the places to check out. He even asked us if we do any church stuff and recommended a church to visit if we were interested. Then, as we arrived in kauai, at the airport there, he told us we should come stay at his place. His daughter left for texas yesterday and his wife today so... for these last two nights we've been invited into someone's home!! We met his wife before she left today, and they're just the kindest people! What hospitality, to welcome strangers into their home. And we've been invited over to his nephew's tonight for steak!! It's really an example of the type of person I'd like to be!
We met a couple guys in our campground, just hung out chatting with them one evening about hikes and things we'd seen or experienced. It's great just to chat.
Yesterday night at sunset we went to a lookout point which is spectacular!! And at the same time a professional photographer, dennis frates (www.fratesphoto.com) was up there to catch the moment. He was taking gorgeous photos, showing us as he went on his digital. We even got to talking lenses... polarizers and neutral density filters since i know a little bit about those in my profession! He even offered to send us a print from the evening if we emailed him!!
This morning we went for our last couple of hikes on Kauai. There was a police officer sitting at the trailhead/lookout when we left. He was still there when we came back and he started chatting with us... his nickname is "Bully" but he's really the friendliest person ever! In the Kalalau valley, many people live there illegally because it's so beautiful. They've rerouted water streams and made gardens, he was telling us that once they even found a "library" in a cave with 500 books! and of course their own marijuana grow-op. Just out in the wilderness, no houses, no electricity, no running water... so every now and then they do raids and many people have outstanding warrents and go hide in the "hills". He was giving us all the info of how they snuck in by boat really early this morning and were out to try and capture some people!! It was really fascinating!!
Well, we're off to get some steak and meet some more people!
So... at the airport as we were waiting to get on the plane to come to Kauai, a gentleman sat down beside me, Pete. I started chatting with him, and it turns out he's from texas but moved to kauai 8 months ago, and runs a car rental business. We had already booked a car, but he gave us all kinds of tips and wrote up a map of all the places to check out. He even asked us if we do any church stuff and recommended a church to visit if we were interested. Then, as we arrived in kauai, at the airport there, he told us we should come stay at his place. His daughter left for texas yesterday and his wife today so... for these last two nights we've been invited into someone's home!! We met his wife before she left today, and they're just the kindest people! What hospitality, to welcome strangers into their home. And we've been invited over to his nephew's tonight for steak!! It's really an example of the type of person I'd like to be!
We met a couple guys in our campground, just hung out chatting with them one evening about hikes and things we'd seen or experienced. It's great just to chat.
Yesterday night at sunset we went to a lookout point which is spectacular!! And at the same time a professional photographer, dennis frates (www.fratesphoto.com) was up there to catch the moment. He was taking gorgeous photos, showing us as he went on his digital. We even got to talking lenses... polarizers and neutral density filters since i know a little bit about those in my profession! He even offered to send us a print from the evening if we emailed him!!
This morning we went for our last couple of hikes on Kauai. There was a police officer sitting at the trailhead/lookout when we left. He was still there when we came back and he started chatting with us... his nickname is "Bully" but he's really the friendliest person ever! In the Kalalau valley, many people live there illegally because it's so beautiful. They've rerouted water streams and made gardens, he was telling us that once they even found a "library" in a cave with 500 books! and of course their own marijuana grow-op. Just out in the wilderness, no houses, no electricity, no running water... so every now and then they do raids and many people have outstanding warrents and go hide in the "hills". He was giving us all the info of how they snuck in by boat really early this morning and were out to try and capture some people!! It was really fascinating!!
Well, we're off to get some steak and meet some more people!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)