TEMPLE, BEACH and DOLE PLANTATION

DAY THREE: Saturday

Today we set out to go to Hanauma Bay but couldn't get in because it was full so we had to change our plans. We decided to go up and around the island to the north side and see the temple. It was a beautiful trip, so scenic. I actually loved this part of Hawaii, it was so beautiful. We passed the Kualoa Ranch that Lost was filmed on and the mountains looked just like the ones in the show. The ocean was beautiful and you could see other islands of rock that were so pretty. The temple was beautiful. I loved seeing it, the only problem was that we were all dressed for Hanauma Bay so we were all in our swimming suits. We were not feeling appropriately dressed for the temple grounds but we went anyways and we were warmly welcomed. We decided to take our picture behind the bushes to hide our immodesty! Haha! We thought we were funny! After the temple we had a fun little picnic and then made our way up and around to the funnest beach. I think that it was the Waimea Bay Beach. It had the hugest waves and as soon as we got there, Grace and Brinley ripped off there clothes and ran to the water. Lyndsie got stung by this funny looking insect and we had to go get the Life Guard to make sure she was going to live. And then we all got into the water and had the best time ever. The waves actually knocked you around like crazy, sweeping you off your feet! We laughed at each other so hard, Kim of course laughed so hard she peed her swimming suit. By the end of the afternoon, all of us were covered completely in sand. I mean handfuls of sand were everywhere you wouldn't want it to be! It took us forever to clean it off and when you thought you had it all taken care of you would find more. The sand was like cornmeal!

We traveled to the Dole Plantation, learned how pineapples grew and froze to death! By the time we made it back to the hotel, we were all exhausted and ready for bed. But we all had yet another fabulous day in Hawaii!

Every day we took a picture of Stockton and Sydnie for Mr. Wilson. For their Geography class, Mr. Wilson wanted them to keep a journal for each day and have a picture of the days events. Here is a picture of Lyndsie applying ice on the insect sting! And below are pictures of Stockton and what we called his Hawaiin tan:

SHOPPING and HIKING

DAY TWO: Friday

I couldn't wait to wake up in Hawaii and open up the curtains and look out and see the ocean and the palm trees and the beach. Since Hawaii is 4 hours behind, I woke up really early and was ready to go running ( I am training for a marathon and it is like a job!) The day was another fabulous one...We started out by going shopping at the International Market and we got business done there fast. We got Sam his shark tooth necklace that he came to Hawaii for! We all got our souvenirs AND when we were going into one of the shops something hit me on top of the head so hard. I stopped fast and asked "What was that?" and then something dropped again beside me and it was bird poop! I started to panic and yelled "IS THERE BIRD POOP IN MY HAIR?" And yes there was and a lot of it. Steve was all concerned and said "Oh wow Lyndsie, you are going to have to go help your mom wash that out of her hair!" I washed it out the best I could in the public restroom and then stunk the rest of the day and placed a nice Hawaiian flower to disguise the discoloration. Bad luck!

We went on a hike to a beautiful waterfall and then came back and got washed up and went to a restaurant where we sat on a deck and was able to listen to an Hawaiian band and watch the sunset out on the ocean. A perfect ending to a great day in Hawaii!

ALOHA!

First of all, I cannot believe that we even went to Hawaii, that we actually did it. But it was the best trip ever. All of us had the best time. We loved it, it was paradise for sure. A trip that we will never forget...not one of us! We hiked, surfed, swam, snorkled, went sight seeing, shopped, boogied boarded, body surfed, laughed, and played, played, played! We loved it...

DAY ONE: Thursday

Day one was the travel day. We got up so early but everyone was ready to go! Steve and Sam had a later flight because of Steve's frequent flyer miles. When we got to Hawaii, it was 11 so we still had the whole day ahead of us. We got settled into our hotel. Everyone went to the beach and then I headed back to the airport to pick up Steve and Sam. We later met everyone and then went for a walk down Waikiki Beach. We met a man with a parrot that let us take pictures with them. I was proud of Lyndsie because birds really freak her out and she was able to hold them. The beach was beautiful. The trees and flowers were beautiful too. After the beach and the walk, we went back to the hotel and got everyone settled and then we went to the grocery store to get some food for breakfast and then went to bed because we had been up for hours and we were exhausted. Hawaii is 4 hours ahead you know!