Weekend Ocean Swells

Weekend of downs and ups.

Friday night I ventured down Kalakaua Avenue and people watched for awhile. Wasn't in the mood to try any of the tourists bars (mostly because I had too much "fun" Thursday night). I walked back down Waikiki beach. Most of the resort hotels have some sort of bar/nightclub (aka Disco).

Cool walking on the beach at night.....sad doing it by yourself.

Saturday morning when I got up, I was thinking; what was the most comfortable thing I wore when I went to Fiji. Swimtrunks......everyday. Currently have those on and feeling relaxed (well actually right this minute kinda cold in this air conditioned internet caffe).

Saturday I drove up to the North Shore. I stopped at Tropical Farms to get some free Macamadamia nut samples. My favorite, coffee roasted Macamadamia. I also stopped at Sunset Beach and watched the surfers for awhile. Finally, made it to Waimea Bay Beach. I'm going back there! While I was there, it was slack tide so no really big waves, but still impressive. Lots of people bodysurfing and cute girls on the beach tanning themselves. Never realized what bodysurfing was till Saturday. Have to get back in the pool and remember how to swim so I can get out in that ocean.

Saturday afternoon/night went to a farewell party for someone at work. Learned what the proper island greetings are. For men its the old grab thumb with extended hand, pullback through knuckles, close hand, hit knuckles secret handshake (for the less polite hello). Women its a hug with cheek smooch.

Found out a few people live in the same building, went out with a few of them for shots in the basement sports bar....last call was 2AM (what's up with that, lots of places are 3-4AM here from what I've heard.....I haven't been able to last that long any single night).

Today, drove up to the North Shore again. Drove out toward Ka'ena point (you need a 4x to actually get to the point, see link....a Chevy Cavalier doesn't qualify, even if it is a rental car). Ka'ena point is the northwestern point.

On the way I stopped at the Dole Plantation.....home of the world's largest maze. Pineapples anyone??

One of the beaches had a sign for "Hawaiian Championship Surfing Contest". Naturally I stopped at the beach to watch the surfers and work on turning this pale skin to a darker tone. I don't know the name of the beach (probably ends with ua), but Dillingham Airfield is nearby. At the airfield there is an adjacent parachuter drop zone and the airfield is a glider port.

Random thoughts for the day:

1. Japanese tourists are funny. Either they are very serious/reserved or extra-over-the-top animated about....I don't know what about cause I can't understand what their saying. There is no middle ground.
2. Japanese tourists either arrive by tour charter bus or limousine...including regular stretch, SUV (ford or chevy) stretch, or by far the most outrageous, hummer stretch.
3. Feeling my back just now, I noticed I've got sand caked all over the base of my back (and probably in my trunks). Someone probably ought to shower.

Making some phone calls on the way back from the North Shore today, thinking I'm starting to talk with that infamous mainlander turned Hawaiian surfer "dude" accent......

Unless I find time tommorrow night, this will be my last post on the island, I fly out for the mainland Tuesday afternoon, arriving late Tuesday night. See those of you that I see in the "mild" Pacific Northwest winter, dude....Aloha