Hanauma Bay

 Hanauma Bay

 When I first arrived in Hawaii, this was one of the top things Julius had planned for us to do for my first day but it just so happened that the day we wanted to go the preserve was closed and i have been wanting to go ever since and yesterday was the day we went! Before you're allowed to go and swim/snorkel in the bay you watch a film explaining the do's and don'ts of the reef and what you can expect to see. It was very educational and interesting to me, but mostly I was just hoping I would get to see a sea turtle.

As put on our gear and began our swim out the reef it was incredible how the temperature of the ocean would change drastically and I found myself trying to stay in the warm spots as often as possible. The reef was so close to the shore and because we were in shallow water swimming above it took some getting use to {mainly because I wanted to make sure I followed the videos rules and not come in contact with the reef} but as I became more comfortable the easier to navigate.

We've been snorkeling a few other places around the world but by far hanauma bay as been my favorite and also has had the best variety of fish and other reef life...not to mention the clear water. There were plenty of school's to follow and also some biggin's that would sneak attack every once in a while. But the bullethead parrot fish, oh man he was HUGE. He was so big that I could hear him bite of a piece of reef and chew it...so very entertaining and loud. Some of the fish seemed to be as interested in me as I was in them and would come a pretty close to me check me out, get bored and swim off. I was impressed with how non-skittish all of the creatures were and it was great to be apart of their wold for a bit. 

On my way back tot he shore there was reef on one side and open water with just sand {no reef around} and out of one of the reef canals came....a turtle! It was truly amazing and immediately I turned around and followed the little guy where ever his little heart was going to take him,  I was committed. He was just moving along chill as could be not even caring I was following him. It was amazing!! I wish I had had an underwater camera so that I could have pictures of my little friend.

One of the best day's on the island so far.

^^^a little excited about my turtle stamp^^^

^^^& this was how the rest of the day was spent^^^

Dudes

Turtles.

 I'm a little bit obsessed with these little dudes. This past week I was able to see the "dudes" in action {finding nemo has forever changed the name of turtles for me} swimming around playing in the waves. After watching the dudes for the afternoon I am convinced that they were enjoying playing in the waves. There didn't seem have any other agenda except for curling and crashing with every wave. They were fascinating. Beautiful. Graceful. & Wise. I am more in love than ever before.

^^^the little shadow is a dude^^^

i did it

i surfed today.

it was pretty spectaular.

I've been pretty hesistant to go surfing 1. fear of drowning 2. under tow sucking me out to the big deep blue.

For some reason today was just the day I through caution to the wind grabbed a board and said I'm doin' this thing.

White plains has some awesome rows of sets. And having my surfing guide/instructor/hubs out there made it that much better and he was able to give me the little boost of confidence that I needed. So I stood up twice. It is such a neat feeling to be pushed by the wave...I can't explain it but its great a feeling.

Things I learned...
surfing is hard
paddling sucks
i didn't die
adrenaline rush
floating on a surf board is awesome
i'm impatient while waiting for the "perfect wave"
my husband is awesome
and.....
i can (kinda) surf

I got up twice. The first time I think I was just in shock that I was actually riding a wave and then realized...shoot, I need to stand up. So I popped up...didn't know what to do and the jumped off {rookie mistake}. Surfing is lots of fun and I am so happy I just did it. I think with more practice hopefully Ill be able to really get the hang of it....{probably not, but a girl can wish}.

Ko'Olina

I have been told how great Ko'Olina is and how beautiful and peaceful it is there, but it went above and beyond my expectations and that seems to be the case with most new places I visit here in Oahu. Anyway, after I got done with the gym I decided instead of heading home I would check out the lagoon's at Ko'Olina. It was a quick drive down to the shore with the windows down and the smell of the ocean air filling up the truck. Ko'Olina delivered...big time! I practically jumped out of the truck just excited to explore a little. After walking around for a bit I found a little spot along the rocks, sat down and put my earphones in and listened to general conference. {side bar: Best place ever to listen to conference by the way!} The peace and serenity engulfed my body and the the little bubble that surrounded me with thoughts of this beauty of earth and that it has been created for us. I felt such gratitude to be there. The waves that would roll and come crashing against the rock came in perfect harmony with the one speaker who spoke on having a sure foundation. I also felt that it wasn't a coincidence that I had ended up in Ko'Olina today and to listen to conference. One speakers talk allowed for perfect imagery as  foundation of the shore line was being thrashed with each coming wave. The primary song kept coming to mind along with thoughts about our foundations being sure and unwavering...

"

And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock."

Life is a lot like the ocean. It comes in sets. At times it seems overwhelming with each toppling wave after another, but as it soon as seems to be just to much to bear the set lets up and the ocean is calm for just a couple moments.

^^^this little guy has seen better days^^^

Waimea Bay

Julius and I spent the day at Waimea Bay up on the North Shore. The weather was overcast with a light sprinkle of rain every now and then. Honestly, the North Shore makes up for Oahu. Big Time. It's basically the island's saving grace. When I was picturing Oahu I pictured a quaint ocean front surfer's paradise, scatted with hole in the wall surf-n-turf restaurants in their original dilapidated charm filled state...Boy, was I wrong. Thank goodness for Haleiwa and the North Shore they definitely picked up the slack from Waikiki and Honolulu and gave me exactly what I was hoping for and had pictured. If only we lived up there. 

Waimea is just so chill. The bay parking lot was full that day and we ended up having to park in the Waimea Falls parking lot (which hopefully we get a chance to see sometime soon). The waves were intense and I was just wanting to observe and watch all the boogie boarders get tossed and turned in the shore break. Julius was riding and loving the waves so much that he attempted multiple times at "encouraging" me to come into the water. I went reluctantly. Unfortunately I'm not a little mermaid who can just dive in  head first to waves much taller than I am and a shore break that is crashing literally straight down on the shore line. I try to be brave but the ocean makes me a little nervous...and to be honest rip-tides scare the living day lights out of me.

I did muster up some courage after one of the sets were over to go and ride some of the little "baby" waves as julius calls them. I did enjoy it...Julius was very patient with me and allowing me to freakout a little when I would see a wave about ready to crest, and my immediate reaction would be, "babe!! it's going to get us!!" So after my short session I decided to jump out of the water and take some pictures of my swimmer dude riding the waves. I think I got some good ones. He was definitely pleased with the outcome.

 ^^^favorite^^^

 ^^^if you look closely you can see people getting tossed^^^

 ^^^deciding whether or not I would go out again...um, maybe next time^^^

 ^^^it was a good day^^^