VIDEO OF OUR DAY AT NORTH SHORE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f83qc3fr-kw
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So after getting mostly settled in, the excitement began! On
the last day we had our rental car in our possession, we decided to drive to the
famous Haleiwa at North Shore! It was amazing! We got there and drove to a
little scenic spot, got out, and walked around the beach/rocky areas of the
shore. The water and waves are unlike anything you have seen before! To
experience this first hand is incredible! Of course we snapped some pictures,
walked in the water, marveled at the crabs, climbed trees, and just had some
relaxing fun!
On many different occasions, including this one, I had
thoughts occur to me about how lucky we are. I don’t mean this offensive in any
way to parents out there, but I think it’s really great that we don’t have kids
right now. This trip and outings like these would probably be 10 times more
difficult with kids, especially young ones. Not impossible, just a lot harder.
My reason being is that with kids you have to account for your things PLUS all
of their things, (snacks, water, sunscreen, extra clothes, diapers, wipes,
etc). That’s a load! And the attitude/behavior of children could change the
whole trip too. One kid didn’t have their nap so they’re cranky, one tripped on
a rock and needs a band aid and is crying, the baby is crying because their hot
or hungry…the list goes on. As adults, we can plan things out accordingly
(usually). We think, “Hmm, this may be a long drive, I should go to the
bathroom before we go”. Meanwhile (most) little toddlers don’t understand this concept
and when you are out in the middle of nowhere in the car, you hear, “Mommy I
have to go potty”, and it becomes a hassle for everyone! Kudos to all the super
moms out there who take their kids lots of places and make it enjoying for the
whole family (Mary Mecham)! But, I’m just glad Brad and I don’t have to deal
with that right now. We can just spontaneously get up and go places (when we
have time of course). We do want kids eventually, but as of now, we are A-Okay!
So after our beach walk, we went to the Haleiwa Marketplace
for lunch. We went to a restaurant called “Breaker’s” for lunch; I got some
coconut shrimp and Brad got “Breaker’s Cakers”-which are crab cakes. Both were
so delicious! We also walked around the marketplace in search for sunglasses
for Brad, which we found. We wanted Koa wood ones, but realized how expensive
they are, ($160), and decided against it. Brad also got snorkeling gear and I
got a rash guard.
See, Brad and I have similarities, but we also have
differences. We both like many sports. But I especially love tennis, and Brad
loves disc golf. So, we support each other in our tournaments, but don’t
necessarily take it upon ourselves to play the other sport with them. It’s
like, “Me” time. Same goes for our beach hobbies. I learned how to surf, which
I loved! (and I will talk about here in a minute), and Brad likes snorkeling.
So, when we aren’t together, those will be our hobbies while we are here!
We also tried real
Hawaiian shaved ice which was marvelous! So nice and refreshing on a hot
afternoon!
On our way back into town, we stopped at the Dole Pineapple
Plantation, where they grown tons of pineapples, and have a lot of tourist
activities to do. We didn’t go into the maze or ride the train, but we walked
around the gardens, and watch a cool pineapple demonstration where a lady
taught us how to grow, pick out, cut, and eat your own pineapples! So, we did
the free stuff. Which was still really cool!
Then we drove back home, returned the rental car to the airport, and
rode the bus home.
SO…SURFING! The next morning we got up around 7:00 and went
to the beach for me to have surfing lessons! I had a lesson from a guy named
Clay-Hawaiian born & raised and super nice! For an older guy, he sure can
cut through those waves fast! We talked and practiced on the beach for a bit,
then went out and tried the real waves! It is definitely a lot harder than it
looks, but after a couple tries and wipe outs, I got up and stayed up! The
feeling is incredible! (You can just see from the look on my face). You want to
stay up forever! But of course, it has to end sometime, and your arms get so
tired!
So overall, the experience was amazing! I want to continue
to learn because my lesson was of course on a huge long board. The shorter
board you go, the harder it is. I went out later that day in search for a used
surf board and found a local shop called RV’S, where I found a 9.0 ft board,
bought it, and walked it the mile home. Yes it’s big and bulky and hard to
carry. Plus I am a beginner and still have little clue as to what I am doing.
But I am determined!
The next morning I woke up early, grabbed my board and made
the trek to the beach. First time surfing with the short board didn’t go too
well, but I wasn’t expecting much anyways. I got up on my knees a couple times,
but never made it through to all the way standing up. It can get frustrating,
especially if you are looking out at all the pros who are so swift and can get
up easily. It makes you feel like a dork because you haven’t caught a single
wave the whole time. But you just have to tell yourself to keep trying! They
were beginners once too! Everyone has to start somewhere. It was also pretty
crowded and I didn’t want to get in people’s way. After an hour of lots of
paddling and no waves, I made the swim of shame back to the beach, only to be
comforted by words of encouragement from other nice surfer guys who run the
stands. J I
am going to keep trying and make this work!
Also, Brad started his internship that day as well. He will
stay working in the office in Waikiki for a couple weeks, then he will have to
fly out each week to Lanai to work on a private resort. He’s part of the crew
that’s working on the resort’s pool! How cool is that? He likes his co-workers
and says he’s excited!
Here's the video of our day at North Shore!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f83qc3fr-kw
Anyways, stay tuned for more blogs and videos!
