Something to Make You Jealous

Published on January 15, 2006 By Texas Wahine In Life Journals

Is it cold where you are? Snowing? Raining? The grass is yellow and crispy and the trees are bare? Are you lips chapped? Your skin dry?

Well, then you'll love to see some photos from our family outing yesterday, right?

Hehe.

We stuffed our big black backpack with towels and sunscreen and snacks and books and other must-have beach items and headed out to Hanauma Bay.

The bay can be really crowded, so much so that the parking lot is full and no new visitors are allowed in until someone leaves, but we were fortunate. The parking lot had several open spaces, and there wasn't even a line for admission.

Except for the gas it takes to drive to Hanauma Bay, it is an essentially free day of fun in the sun. Parking is a beyond reasonable $1, and Kama'aina can play in the bay for free. We're technically not Kama'aina, but military stationed on the island gets free admission, too. And children are free. Pretty neat.

We had to watch the video...again...because it had been too long since the last time we'd visited, but the kids enjoy the short little movie about the formation of the bay with cautions about snorkeling and not stepping on the reef, harassing the sea turtles, or feeding any fish in the bay. The seating is just carpet-covered bars at about butt-height that you can kind of sit on or lean up against. A girl (early 20s maybe?) in front of us fell off her bar in the middle of the film. That was sincerely great. She wasn't hurt, and it was really funny.

The bay is pretty far down, Adrian estimated it at about a quarter mile. Going downhill is great, it's uphill that's a pain in the ass. Here's a pic of the bay from the walk down:

And here's a picture of an aerial image of part of the island. The bay is (obviously) the little open doo-dad near the bottom left. Pretty neat.

We had a lot of fun. Adrian and the boys played tag for and nearly knocked over an old lady. Adrian and I took turns snorkeling (I know you're really supposed to go with a buddy, but one of us has to stay behind with the kids).

Everytime I snorkel, I always have trouble getting used to it. The water is so shallow for the longest way out into the ocean, but when I stick my head in the water, I always breath like I'm about to be executed. I try so hard to suck in air like it's in short supply. I have to remind myself to calm down. Eventually my breathing will become more normal and I'll feel more confident about exploring. It's weird that I get so freaked out considering that if I really were having trouble breathing all I'd have to do is stand up. Haha.

The water was wave-y yesterday so we didn't go out too far. It's no big deal, really, since many fish will come almost all the way up to the shore. I swam (using the term loosely) out just a small bit and saw all kinds of fish. I saw tons of the white and black striped Convict Tang fish that seem to flourish in the bay. I also saw one that was mostly black with white stripes. And a cool black fish with a rainbow stripe on him. There was a great big scaly fish that was plain off-white. Pretty neat.

Then I saw this HUGE freakin' black fish with big eyes and a scary mouth. And the waves kicked up. And they pushed me toward him. I am scared of fish. I can snorkel so long as I don't come too close to the fish. If I accidentally touched one I might be traumatized for life. So I started pushing myself away from the big black fish, but the waves kept pushing me closer. You can't scream with the snorkel mouthpiece in your mouth. I was able to gargle "Oh no...Oh no...Oh no...Oh no..." over and over again until I made it to shore. I hate fish so much.

One time Adrian got chased by a Puffer fish in the bay. That was funny.

When I got back from snorkeling, Adrian and the boys were eating peanut butter snack bars and they were surrounded by birds. Seriously, surrounded. I handed the snorkeling gear to Adrian and sat down for a snack bar of my own. The birds are very accustomed to people and they will actually eat food right out of your hand. There were a ton of ugly pigeons around and a couple of what Adrian said were Finches. I wanted to feed a Finch.

Damn jerky pigeons were pushy, and they weren't going to let a Finch get anywhere near any food. I gave up and decided to just eat my bar. Bad idea.

One of those pigeons flew at me. Right at me. He tried to steal my peanut butter bar.

OK, I'm not really scared of birds per say, but I don't like having one of them flying close to my face. And I certainly don't like one of them taking my peanut butter bar.

Adrian was out near the water, adjusting the face mask, and saw the would-be pigeon attack. My knight in shining armor came to rescue me from the birds. He shooed them away, and just as he was about to head out for the water again, that pigeon bastard came back by for round two. He still didn't get my peanut butter bar. I ate it fast after that.

There was splashing and playing. Snorkeling and tag. Sand in places where it doesn't belong, and complaints that "he splashed water in my eyes." And there was the part where I stuck my finger in pigeon poop because I thought it was a rock and I planned to sweep it off the beach towel. Ugh. It was a fun day, though.

Not a bad way to spend a January afternoon. Hehe.

Comments (Page 2)

Texas Wahine

on Jan 16, 2006

Moderateman:

I spent the entire weekend shoveling sunshine off my green lawn. Swimming in my olympic size pool, and sweating in the hot tub. whew. It's hard work but somebody gotta help tex.

OK, so I'm jealous. Pools are nice, but hot tubs rock.

ParaTed:

four seasons make life great... at least for me

I do miss the changing of the seasons (especially fall), but I also know that it doesn't take long to get tired of hot or cold weather. I appreciate how temperate it is here.

but yes, you have me GREEN with being able to just hop on down to the warm surf and sand of a Hawaiian beach whenever you and your family are of a mind to.

Hehe. Those lucky folks on the Big Island can go up to the mountains for some snow and then come back down for some fun in the sun all in the same day! And I'm dying to see a black sand beach!

Sounds like your day was one of the beautiful things too many people forget to notice.

I enjoy my family so much, and most days are memorable in one way or another, but I do love Hanauma Bay. My near-future goal is to go on a day when Adrian's off and the kids are in school so we can snorkel together and really share the experience.

MasonM

on Jan 16, 2006

You're in Hawaii and havn't seen a black sand beach???? Wow, that's like the first thing I would wanna see.

dynamaso

on Jan 16, 2006

Tex, our National Parks are supported by my taxes (although I don't have any say in what percentage). I can see why the idea in Hawaii is necessary though, given the large population and the size of the island. By comparison, Australia is huge.

I'd love to visit Australia. It seems so large and diverse, and I know the beaches must be fantastic. I keep seeing ads for a trip to Australia (and 3 in-country flights) for $1000. What a great deal. If I only had the money

If you get yourselves here, you won't have to pay accomodation costs AND you get to stay in one of the best suburbs in Sydney. Toni and I would love the chance to show off our Australia.

I will take some and I will be calling on you to show me how to put them up too. Thanks for the offer.

Texas Wahine

on Jan 16, 2006

Mason:

You're in Hawaii and havn't seen a black sand beach???? Wow, that's like the first thing I would wanna see.

We don't have those here on Oahu. As far as I know, the only place on the islands to see them is the Big Island (island of Hawaii).

I'm really hoping we'll be able to amass the funds to make a trip there before we move. The Big Island has active volcanoes and a lot of other natural wonders that would be incredible to see.

Texas Wahine

on Jan 16, 2006

Maso:

Right...well, I hate to even comment on that because we're (meaning Adrian, haha, since I don't have any income!) lucky enough to not have to pay any state taxes. Hanauma Bay started out as a place where Hawaiian royalty played and fished, and then it was opened to the public, and without much regulation and awareness, it could easily be abused.

If you get yourselves here, you won't have to pay accomodation costs AND you get to stay in one of the best suburbs in Sydney. Toni and I would love the chance to show off our Australia.

Wouldn't I love that! Hahaha, we're so chaotic, though, I think we might drive you and Toni crazy! Hehe. That's such a generous, kind offer, and I really appreciate it. If we're are ever in the position to visit Australia (and I really hope we are sometime!), I'd love to at least meet up with you guys!

(And BTW, if you guys ever visit Oahu, I'd like to do the same for you two...we live on base, but have a nice place with plenty of room)

I will take some and I will be calling on you to show me how to put them up too. Thanks for the offer.

Fantastic! I can't wait to see your pics!

drmiler

on Jan 16, 2006

Can we like...hate you for being there?

jennybean

on Jan 16, 2006

Awesome pics! Gets me excited because in less than 7 weeks we are vacationing in Kauai! It'll be our second time, so we know what to expect and I think that makes us even more excited! I would seriously consider moving there if we could afford it!

You are so funny in your writing...I loved your story about that "pigeon bastard" trying to get your snack! Hehe! Glad you had a nice day with the family.

JillUser

on Jan 16, 2006

we are vacationing in Kauai!

I am sooo jealous! That is my favorite island with the Big Island being a close second. Brad and I went on a belated honeymoon on our second anniversary (too busy building a company to go on one intially) and island hopped. We started out in LA at E3 then flew on to Oahu, the Big Island, Maui then Kauai. We spent the first day on the Big Island on a really cool, secluded white sand beach. We spent the second day driving all over the island because we got so sunburned the first day we couldn't stand to be in the sun (yes, we are big dummies but that sun was intense!).

So much to drink in on all of the islands. I sure hope we go back some day.

Gideon MacLeish

on Jan 16, 2006

Nothing personal toward you, Gideon, but I really hate when people say things like that. We wouldn't tell a dark-skinned person that they should avoid the sun and stay IN more. My family has pale skin. I think my family is beautiful just as they are, and I see no need for us to risk skin cancer just to fit some beauty ideal.

I'm sorry, Tex. My bad. Now that you mention it, I vaguely remember you blogging about it. I only meant it as a lighthearted jab, but I do see how it could be offensive.

Sincerest apologies.

JillUser

on Jan 16, 2006

My family has pale skin. I think my family is beautiful just as they are, and I see no need for us to risk skin cancer just to fit some beauty ideal

That is exactly what got us into trouble on our vacation. We were trying to come back with a tan and got really burnt and could have ruined out trip. I simply don't tan and it always irritates me when people, including my husband, give me grief about how pale I am. Guess what, I might not be tan but I have much younger looking skin than most of my friends my age.

Spc Nobody Special

on Jan 16, 2006

Is it cold where you are? Snowing? Raining?

Yes. Yes, and yes. "Only" down to about 40 today. And my heat's out. Damn your eyes. Looks fun, enjoyed the pics.

dynamaso

on Jan 16, 2006

At least the Hawaiian authorities are doing something to protect their natural assests. Good to hear.

That's such a generous, kind offer, and I really appreciate it.

Hey, its my pleasure. We'd love to meet your wonderful, crazy family. And I doubt very much you'd drive us any crazier than we already are. Besides, chaos is a natural state and should be embraced

If we're are ever in the position to visit Australia (and I really hope we are sometime!), I'd love to at least meet up with you guys!

You're on. Let us know when you're on your way and we'll pick you up at the airport. And when we next come to Hawaii (when? who knows) I would love to come visit you guys.

I will be in touch about the photos too. Incidentally, we thought we might send the boys a birthday card when it gets around to their birthdays. You said they enjoyed receiving the Christmas card so much and it would be nothing for us to do it. Let me know if you like the idea.

Tova7

on Jan 17, 2006

Nice pics Tex.

We love our time in Hawaii when we visit...mostly Maui and Oahu....but love it.....

I can't imagine living there though...I stayed in Guam for some time and thought I would go crazy...the island just wasn't big enough! hehe.

It's raining here today, thank you very much!

Have they got the ferry system started between the islands yet?

Janders

on Jan 22, 2006

Well your article was a sucsess I am soooooooooooooo jelous. Time to grab a swearer. hehehe

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!