Hawaii 2019 - Day 8

This morning we got up to watch the dolphins in the lagoon (what Lola had watched the day before).  They gave a great show, and on the way to the viewing spot we saw an Eel and lots of fish and turtles along the way.  It was pretty exciting.  We talked with the trainer and she gave us the names of the dolphins we swam with as she worked the day before and knew the ones that were in the water the day before!  She also explained about how she had lived on the big island for 2.5 years and never explored the other islands yet.... very interesting, as we have gone to 4 and we don't live here. We had a great chat, and then the boys came to meet us for breakfast.

Can you see the Eel?

the dolphin jumping!

We had breakfast (where AA took a work call right in the middle of his omelet eating... only to find out he is likely traveling the week we get back...)

 We then headed back to the rooms to get ready to head the beach.  We drove to a near by Foodland for some Picnic snacks before heading to Hapuna Beach.  Once at the beach, we sun screened and headed to the sand.  This beach was a national park, so it had lots of parking and easy access for a low price of $5.

The beach is 1/2 mile with crystal clear water... and that is a good thing... you will find out later why.


Once on the water, the boys journeyed way to the right to find some shade on the sand, and where the waves were a little smaller. We had the best beach day and this is why.

1. Boggy Boards:  MBM and Lola saw these 2 old woman boggy boarding, so asked DD to go rent 2 boggy, so he did, they wanted to be just like these old women.  It was so much fun riding the waves.  Next up was B and T to try them out.  T got the hang of it right away.  B eventually understood after getting some help from Lola. DD on the other hand tried for likely an hour and never really got the hang of it, but he had some good wipe outs!

2. Sunglasses:  We were having so much fun in the big waves with the boggy boards, that MBM got a little deep with T, and hit by a wave..... " I LOST MY SUNGLASSES" and not just any sunglasses but prescription ones.  Lola whisked the kids out of the water as one adult to 2 kids in the  big waves wasn't easy, so we had a water break and some sand fun, while the other 3 adults searched.  DD with a snorkel, and the others just looking into the water.  With the current the sand was swirling in the water.  We have no idea how long they searched, but to Lola's surprise, AA pulled them out of the water likely about 30-40 minutes of searching.  How did he find them, and they didn't really move that much in the water.  MBM was sure happy to see again.  We still can't believe that we found them in his big ocean, good thing the water was clear!

3. Snacks: don't forget the snacks.  Glad Lola bought enough to feed the group, as it was exhausting playing in those waves.

4.  Sand: The sand was so soft, and fun to built in.  The kids really enjoyed it, and realized quickly the water comes in and out rapidly, and depending it might get your sand castle or might leave it alone.  At one point B asked Lola if she could protect her castle while she went in the water... um sorry kid, but Lola will take a photo because it will wash away in the waves shortly.

5. Snorkel: DD and AA went snorkeling a little, but not much to see, as there was so much sand at this beach, the fish enjoy the rocks more.  But they saw a few things, and AA found a pair of swim goggles in the bottom of the ocean and picked them up.

We spend the better part of the day at this beach, it was so much fun seeing the kids enjoy the waves of the ocean.  T was pretty sad that we had to leave, but good thing we had awesome dinner plans to get him to leave.  He has asked many times now for a boggy board for Christmas.

Back in the Van, we headed for a little drive to see if we could find a coconut for B (as this is her dream), but the roadside stand was closed for the day when we drove by.  But it did give the kids a chance to have a little nap.

At the hotel, we got ready for another Luau, in our Hawaiian attire.  T couldn't wait for the fire dancers.  At the Luau the line was pretty long and there were a lot of people there, but we got decent seats, and once again enjoyed the food.  This time we heard when the kids could go sit in the front so they could see.  They went without hesitation.  To our surprise they weren't sitting together at the beginning, but later we heard from T that he found B and sat with her half way through.

The show was very good once again, the adults thought it was better that the previous one we say, but maybe that is because we weren't distracted by the kids.

Once the fire dances came one, the kids had to come back and sit with us.  T was talking the whole time telling us about the show, and about the fire dancers. After the show he got a photo with the fire dancer!

We walked back to the hotel, and it was very entertaining, B was showing us her hula moves, and T was being a fire dancer " ha ha" and clapping his fists together.

Kids went to bed, while Lola and AA played Mario Cart waiting for the adults.  At about 10:15, Lola texted the adults in the other room, and never heard a response.  They had fallen asleep, so Lola and AA went to bed too, they were tired.  MBM and DD only woke up at 12:30 am, confused and lost where they were.  Sad we didn't get adult time, but early morning tomorrow.

Lola.

Hawaii 2019 - Day 7

Today we spent the day at the resort.  It was planned that B wanted to see the dolphin in the lagoon,  but she changed her mind, so Lola got up and headed to the lagoon by herself to blog (with better internet) and wait for the show.  The dolphins didn't cooperate very well, but it was still neat, and she got to ask lots of questions to the trainer.  This is a new thing for the dolphins, it took 8 months to get them to go between 2 bridges, and another 8 months to get them into the lagoon.  They aren't used to swimming in such a large, open space like the lagoon.

AA, B and MBM met Lola before breakfast.  AA misread the message Lola sent him and thought she was at the "beach" but instead she was at the "bench", across the lagoon from the beach.  A short walk around the lagoon and they were united.

DD and T were running late and went to get in line at breakfast.  T was upset that they missed the tram but DD motivated him that they could probably run faster than the tram.  And he was right - T ran the entire way to breakfast and DD tried to keep up.  They were both sweaty when they arrived.

After another excellent breakfast, the crew decided it was a good swim day at the pools.  DD wanted to do a small photo shoot for work before hand with AA while the others got started with the slides near the hotel.

 T being a dolphin

After about an hour, it was time to switch pools and walk across the resort to where the "epic slide" was located.  The kids had a great time swimming to and from the slide (under the bridges, "tennis net" according to B and water fall).  They also had a blast diving for rings again - B is getting stronger with her swimming, often only needing to come up for air once before reaching the rings about 30 feet away.

Eventually it was time to make our way to Dolphin Quest where the ladies and T got to meet some dolphins again.  Last time they saw Kona, the dolphin, but she recently had a baby so they got to see Ipo, Nahele and Haukea instead.  They had a great time learning about the dolphins and feeding them fish.

After Dolphin Quest, it was time for showers/baths and some down time in the hotel room.  The kids were promised a couple of games of Mario Kart for their good behaviour. 

Then, it was time for supper at the Italian restaurant again.  This time, the kids were allowed to play with the blocks in the central "games area" with some other kids.  This was a great break for the adults, to let the kids "run free" while the adults were allowed to "adult".  Supper was delicious and then it was back to the hotel room.

Since it was an earlier night (early supper), there was some time to kill so the gang wandered around the hotel and went to the Boat Landing Cantina with hopes of catching a boat ride around the resort.  20 mins turned into 30 with no signs of a boat coming, so the crew "abandoned ship" and took what was left of their drinks back to the hotel room so they could put the kids to bed.

Waiting for the boat

After about an hour, Lola texted MBM checking if they fell asleep.  They did, and hard apparently.  Once everyone was awake, they continued to play MBM's new favourite game on the Switch - Overcooked 2.  Lola really enjoys giving everyone jobs and yelling at them when they aren't doing the right thing in the kitchen - kind of like her mom except her mom doesn't yell...