When we found out that we were going to be taking a trip to Hawaii we started doing research on places we wanted to go and see. We were told that one of the best places to snorkel on Oahu was Hanauma Bay. After checking it out online with its clear blue water and tons of different sea life we agreed this was one thing that definitely had to fit into the schedule. Sunday morning after all the wedding bliss we got up and headed to the bay with mom and grandma and grandpa. I had to take some shots of the scenery while we drove. Everything here is so bright and colorful, green and so beautiful. 
Everyday they open the bay at around 6am and accept people in until the parking lot is full then they close it to keep the crowd size moderated. We didn't get there until 9am and were holding our breath that by some chance this super popular snorkeling sight would have less visitors on this particular day. As we drove up a man stood by the entrance holding a sign saying "Lot Full" it was closed and they weren't letting people in. After driving over an hour to get there and having the kids all jazzed up we were really discouraged. We pulled over and talked about a plan. We decided that we would go back and see if we could drop people off and let us walk in and see if they would allow us. After five minutes or so we headed back up the road to our surprise to see that the sign had changed to "Open" "Hurry Deke" Kimbre and I practically yelled at him as we turned in. Knowing that once the few coveted spaces were taken it would be closed again. Excitedly we screened up and headed down into the bay. Now you know how sometimes you get excited about something because it looks really cool or fun but then you get there and it is sort of a let down? As we headed down towards the beach this was our view:
It was gorgeous! Just like the pictures online clear bright blue water with tons of coral reef and tons of fish. The preserve requires you to watch a quick movie on taking care of the reef and the fish. We learned that there were eels, jellyfish, turtles and all sorts of creatures on the reef. Also found out that touching a turtle was an offense that could be fined $10,000. We found a nice shady spot under some palms and set up camp getting everyone masked up to hit the water.
Hunter was having so much fun learning to use his snorkel. Having the water so clear made it so easy to see fish and crabs and even just investigate the coral. Grandpa floated around on his boogie board and Grandma tried her hand at snorkeling as well. Ave who amazingly was not a huge fan of this was content to sit on the beach, play in the sand and let the waves hit her as they came in. 
She made this picture of me in the sand. Pretty close eh.
The kids stayed and played on the beach and Deke and I ventured out into the deeper water with Kendon and Kimbre. It was amazing. Sharks cove was really fun but a lot rockier and there was not half as many fish. I couldn't believe all the fish, lots of schools. The coral was pretty sharp and occasionally the tide would shift you into the rocks. I cut up my left leg multiple times pretty good which of course frieked me out because then I was bleeding in the water and scared of sharks. Why we had been watching episodes of Discovery channels Shark Week at night is beyond me :) It was really fun to go out past the buoys where all of a sudden it drops of like a shelf and goes really deep. Kimbre and Kendon headed one way and Deke and I branched off on our own. It is amazing how quiet when it is just the two of you surrounded by all this water and how vast it is. It's enormity was actually kind of scary to me because you realize how far out you are and all the different predatory creatures that could be around. Suddenly thoughts of just how slow of a swimmer I am and how quickly somethings could attack was a little unnerving in all honesty. However it was beautiful and really really really fun as long as I didn't dwell on all the possible unknowns around me. Getting to snorkel around in the water in the beautiful place with just Deke was so romantic. Not gonna lie it made me wish that we had a secluded beach somewhere we could snuggle up :) As we headed back to shore Deke started excitedly tapping me, I looked down and there was a sea turtle!!!! It was so cool!!! It was not bothered by us at all as we swam literally right along side it. Watching it glide through the water was amazing!! All of a sudden the thought popped into my head, "How are they going to be able to know that I touched this turtle way out here. What do they have underwater cameras everywhere or something?" Yes I admit my disobedience I definitely did touch it. It felt so cool. I was so glad we had underwater cameras and could take pictures of it. I can't wait to get them developed and see if any of the pictures of it turned out. We swam with it until we were both to tired to continue. I wished that I could find superhuman strength and continue to follow it and see where it was going. It felt like a moment that you only movie and book characters get to have. 
By the way I have no idea what is going on here but it is great...
Hunter and Emma seemed to be having some sibling bonding that day. Hunter had a lot of fun playing in the sand with her and building all sorts of castles. At first she didn't like the sand but once she warmed up she was hooked. Deke and I thought she might be afraid of the water but she absolutely loved it. We had to watch her like a hawk because she kept running full speed for the water, loving it when the waves would come in a douse her. Then she would run back up the beach smiling, giggling and pointing at the ocean. 
When we headed to the grass for a bite to eat before we left she was still attached to his side. It was really sweet. We spent the whole day there, snorkeling, playing in the sand, eating, resting, listening to the waves, the kids giggling and splashing and taking in all the colors. It was the perfect beach day.
No comments:
Post a Comment