We made a few stops on this afternoons excursions - First stop Makapu'u beach. The waves were breaking a lot further out than we had ever seen before, and there was a 4 ft drop in the beach, which we had also never seen before. The lifeguard came down to warn us of the surf conditions.

We left about 30 minutes later and headed to Sandy Beach. We enjoyed some food from the Wahoo's Taco truck, before lugging all of our stuff to the beach. When we got there the lifeguard came out and warned us of high surf. Tony decided he wanted to live today, so we left here as well. 

The lifeguard told us to check out Sherwood beach, which we hadn't been to before... so we made the drive to Waimanaloa Bay Park, which is where Sherwood beach is. 

This place was gorgeous - long beach, with calm surf and gorgeous views!

Perfect Blue Water

Manana Island or Rabbit Island 

From www.hawaiiweb.com "Manana Island is located on the Windward side of O'ahu, north of Makapu'u Point. The shape of the island actually resembles a rabbit but it was named Rabbit Island because rabbits actually live there after a rancher released the animals there. Today the island serves as a seabird sanctuary."

 Mokulua Islands - North and South. These 2 islands are also used as bird sanctuaries. 

From www.hawaiioirc.org "Mokulua translates as ‘two islands’ and is, indeed, made up of two volcanic islets; Moku Nui or North Mokulua and Moku Iki or South Mokulua. Together, they total 24 acres in size and reach elevations of 225 and 150 feet, respectively. They are located approximately 3/4 of a mile offshore from Lanikai. Both are remnants of the dike core of the Kailua Volcano, overlain by lava from subsequent Koolau eruptions. North Mokulua has two peaks and is the larger of the islets. It is separated from South Mokulua, which has only one peak, by a shallow channel 200 feet wide. Both islets have steep slopes, cliffs, and rocky shores. The sandy west beach of North Mokulua, however, is suitable for landing in good weather and is the destination of thousands of kayakers and other visitors coming across from Kailua each year."

 Tony and I with Rabbit Island in the background

Trying to take a good picture with these two is impossible

The boys are out surfing in Waikiki. They took the waterproof camera with them, so hopefully there will be more pics to come tonight!

Lawrence's Visit Part 1

LET'S GO RAVENS!!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend so far. On Thursday, when Tony and Lawrence got to the apartment from the airport, everyone was hungry! We decided to go across the street to Round Table Pizza, for some Happy Hour pizzas and nachos! Afterwards we walked down to the beach to check out the waves which were no where to be found! We continued our walk down the beach and stopped at Rum Fire to watch the sunset.

 

 

 

 

Tony was looking for the green flash again - he thinks he saw it, but no one else did!  Afterward we went home and rested before dinner.

For dinner, the three of us and Chris went to Doraku Sushi for a raw fish feast! Everything was delicious as always! We were all exhausted and went home to play some Tiger Woods '09 and call it a night!

The next morning we planned on going to Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling. When we arrived the parking lot was full, so we continued down the road to Sandy Beach, where we sunbathed for a few hours.

 

The weather was perfect, and the water had a nice shore break. Tony and Lawrence body surfed a little, but relaxed in Tony's custom-made sand chairs for the majority of the time. At 2pm we packed it up to try Hanauma Bay again.

As we pulled up they were picking up the cones and parking lot full signs! Perfect timing. Tony and I really need to get our IDs changed over to Hawaii because we can get in free at Hanauma Bay! While Lawrence was watching the video on protecting the reef (required once a year), Tony and I set up camp on the beach. As we were laying out our beach blanket Tony heard a funny sound, and realized his brand new bathing suit and split down the leg!!

The rest of the afternoon he walked with his legs very very close together!!! I wasn't feeling 100% so I laid out in the sun, and the guys got in the water for some snorkeling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Can you see that adorable thing heading their way?

Yep, its a Sea Turtle!!

 

 

 

Lawrence and the Turtle

 

 Lawrence got a video of Tony swimming with the Sea Turtle...

Last night, we went to dinner at Tanaka of Tokyo for some yummy tepanyaki!! Always a treat!

 

Today, Tony and Lawrence went to the beach and relaxed in the lagoon on the rafts. I went on an interview at a restaurant down the street. We all reconvened at the apartment for the Ravens Game which we are still watching now. The Ravens need to get their heads in the game!

Tomorrow we are going to the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club, near Koko Head. As always, pictures to come!! What do I wear to a golf tournament???

xoxo

Aloha! I know it has been over a week since our last post and we are very sorry!

Last Saturday we went to Sandy Beach with Russell and John Michael. Sandy Beach is down the street from Makapu'u Beach. It is a larger beach, with gorgeous views. Unfortunately, being closer to mountains, it rains more and our day was cut short with an afternoon rain.

 The drive to Sandy Beach (Koko Head)

Gorgeous blue water

With a Shore Break - no swimming signs were posted - but that didn't stop anyone from Bodyboarding and Bodysurfing. There was even a Skimboarding contest down the beach.

Look at that sexy back!

After the beach we went home and showered - and then headed over to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch the UFC fight with Russell, Russell's Dad, John Michael and Katlyn.

We ordered chicken wings with Hot Sauce - but I think we got the EXTRA hot sauce - because after only one wing, I felt ill for the rest of the night - which carried into the next day.

I am so happy because today I got to video chat with my gorgeous niece and handsome nephews. Jordyn serenaded me and Corey & Brady made me laugh as usual. All three promised to do something very important for me tomorrow when they get to Grandy's and Poppy's for Thanksgiving Dinner. I hope I get to video chat with everyone at their dinner tomorrow night, if you can peel me out of the kitchen!

Today I have been working hard to finish up the apartment so it is ready for our Thanksgiving feast. We will miss all of our friends and family this week and we hope you have a wonderful holiday! We have a lot to be thankful for this year - and couldn't be happier in beautiful Waikiki - unless our friends and family were to fly out and surprise us (give me some warning so I can get more turkey)!

The apartment is only missing a few more things until it is officially complete - a desk for the computer (currently on the dresser), a coffee table or ottoman, and some storage for our lanai (the patio). Tonight we are going out to dinner somewhere - and hopefully to Best Buy to look for new speaker stands that are tall and skinny to fit behind the sofa.

Tony is going surfing tomorrow morning, and I will be in the kitchen all day.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from Waikiki to the Mainland!

XOXO