Surfing/Lu'au - ing in Honolulu!

We made our way to Honolulu..! We decided to go to the Polynesian Center on our first day - so we drove along the North Shore, saw a surfing competition and saw some pretty different sights than in the Big Island..


Here we are posing with some Polynesian people dressed up.


Of course, they had to pick us out of the crowd to come dance with them on stage.. how embarrassing. Pretty much all we did was walk up and down the stage with the little men.


I finally went surfing!! I have been waiting my whole life for this moment.


Me and my best friend. Of course, the only thing I wanted to get a picture of while I was here - the camera had the flash on. Great.


We met up with John and Cathy, Dave, Riley and Jaden for a night of dinner & entertainment - kind of like an inside Lu'au with dancing .. and all that stuff.


Before we attempted Snorkeling at Hanauma Bay!


Back in Hilo now, we hiked up to Akaka Falls... Huge gorgeous waterfalls!

Kona with the fam!

Finally! Finally.. my family arrived! Finally... I got to see my favorite band! Finally...it's time to take a breather and get some more photos up! 3 cities, 2 islands, 2 weeks - and here the stories to go with!


They graciously came and picked me up in Hilo & I showed them around a little bit before we headed to Kona. Alissa and I posed for a picture in front of the very dry Rainbow Falls here in Hilo - it's been so dry these last few weeks.. so.. no spill!



Here we are out for supper in Kona! We were patiently awaiting the arrival of my other sister, Kelli, in Honolulu the next week - so we could get down to business!



Ok, so one night we went to the "Big Island Grill" for supper. While we were waiting we saw other people getting dessert and it looked so good!! The meal was deelish!! Huge servings. We were so full, so we decided to come back the next day and each order a dessert for our meal. I've never been more satisfied.



Watched the sunset!



Our hotel had a pretty sweet set up. So, since I'm living here - I get a kama aina discount at a lot of touristy things - hotels, rental cars, it is great. Dad was picking on us in the pool so we tried to dunk him. Didn't work so great. I guess he's still stronger. Shoot.




Alissa and I had the day to ourselves in Kona awaiting the concert that night. So, we bought some cinnamon buns, sat on the beach, and watched surfers all day... and found this cool little heart tree - how perfect.. it was Valentine's Day!



Ok.. now.. my favorite part. I really thought it wasn't going to work out - but I made it happen. Mostly because I knew I'd always regret it.. Mostly because I'm in Hawaii.. Mostly because it was Valentine's Day ...and most of all because of my love for the Beach Boys. It was like a dream come true. Even John Stamos (from Full House, and ER) was their special guest. Sigh..it's going to take a lot to top that.

The highlight of the night.. my favorite song:




More to come on Honolulu!

Sorry!

Sorry for my absence for the last week and a half - I haven't had a whole lot of access to computers, and i forgot my cord to download pictures!

But I have been having a blast with my family in Kona and Honolulu! I'll be flying back tonight - school is putting a cramp in my style again - such a pain!! So I hope to get some pictures up and do a little update!

Talk to you soon!

Green Sand.. for real.

Today was quite a substantial day for me. Not only did I experience green sand, but I think I've found the most beautiful place I have ever seen in my life. I'd say that's pretty substantial.

The place is called Green Sands Beach, and it's not called this just for no reason. Actual green sand, no jokes. When you're up close though, it looks gold! I know this is too amazing to be true, but I assure you, I am not pulling your leg, although that would be fun to do, pull your leg. Pictures just do not do it justice I'm afraid , but here is my best shot...



So here it is up close.... and now, are you ready for it.. ? The whole beach..! (on the far side)

OK, once again the picture doesn't do justice.. but its green I promise!


I decided to try to lift it, and just as I thought, it was pretty easy to pick up with my bare fingers. I've been working out.


Can you say wow..? I did.

My camera has a cool setting where you can isolate one color.. so I tried it out!

Christina, Melissa and me


This is me leaping for joy because I get to go in the water!

If, and WHEN, you take a trip to the big island of Hawaii, you absolutely have to visit this beach. It's breathtaking ..! It's totally worth the 2 1/2 mile hike in.. :)

HELP!

OK, So for the second time - I have to violate a social norm. Last time I had to do it for psychology, this time for my sociology class!! They just keep picking on me - and I HATE violating norms... not my thing.

So, I was just wondering if there are any genius ideas out there as to what norm I could violate. Some of the examples we got in class were : standing backwards on an elevator, singing really loud in a restaraunt, etc...

Last time I did this I went into Dairy Queen in Saskatoon and I started cheering on the person making my sundae - all the workers were just staring at me and wondering what in the world I was doing. It was really embarrassing, and that is why I hate doing this project.
Help me!!

Coqui Frogs

No, the sound isn't birds chirping.. its frogs!! These little frogs are the source of most of my sleepless nights.. they never stop croaking!!

When they croak their throats bubble out pretty much twice their size. They are so tiny, but incredibly loud and annoying. I found one of the little guys hopping around my place the other night..

Girl's trip!

On Saturday, me and a bunch of girls from school rented a car and went on a road trip to Kona (about 2 hours away). This is where the resort is, and where my parents are staying when they come on Sunday (yay!).


Here's the group of us!


I just really like this picture - it turned out really cool.



A sea urchin!!


The gorgeous sunset!!


Tip toeing on the rocks..!


Whew.. close one!


The love of Spam continues here.



I got caught in the pouring rain riding home... one of the downsides of a scooter.. ! It was pretty refreshing though.