Laniakea Beach

Ever since we stumbled onto the turtles at Laniakea Beach on Saturday, we talked about going and swimming with them, so that is what we did this morning.

It was a little earlier when we got to the beach today and was not as hot, so there were not as many turtles right up by the beach. It also was a little more choppy and with a little swell.

Still, it did not take very long out in the water snorkeling to find turtles. Because of the sand stirred up by the swell, the photos are a little murky, but. . .




Lauri swam with the turtles while snorkeling with me and Rachel and Cameron.



Once while we were standing about arms length apart talking, a very large turtle decided he was going to swim between us. It was a little startling, especially when he brushed Lauri on the way by!


Rebecca was standing out in the water about waist deep, so we had her take a couple of photos of us. While she was there, a huge turtle swam right up to her and around her and then back down the beach.


After we got out of the water and baked in the sun for just a few minutes, I was afraid we were getting burnt, so we packed up and went up to Matsumoto's in Hale‛iwa for a Shave Ice and then on over to Laie to BYU Hawaii to hit the Bookstore to get shirts.


We had a picnic on the beach at Laie before heading back to the Apartment. We had talked about going to Shark's Cove or Three Tables, but did neither. We all were a little sunburned and worn out.

Turtles!!

Today, while we were on our way to the the PCC, we drove up the North Shore instead of around the other way to Laie. Halfway between Hale'iwa and Waimea Bay, there is a small beach that is right against the road. It is called Laniakea Beach. As we were passing it, I noticed a turtle in the water.

We pulled off and went down onto the beach and there were turtles everywhere! There were in the shallows eating seaweed.

Waimea Bay

Our plan for today was to get up early and head up to Laie and go to the PCC. I tried to get tickets, but waited a little too long and they were sold out, so we had to switch gears. We decided to go to the PCC on Monday and play on the beach today.

We headed to the North Shore via Pali Highway. Of course, the Pali Lookout was the first stop. The wind was howling which made taking a group photo a challenge!



After the lookout, we went to the Valley of the Temples and walked around the grounds.




Feeding the birds!


The temple in Laie is being remodeled so the best we could do is a photo in front of it. It is now gray rather than white. It will be interesting to see what it eventually looks like when done.

Kind of funny to see missionaries breaking into a car. The Director of the Visitor's Center was even getting in on the act!

Waimea Bay was really flat this time. The weather was a little nicer - no rain. Not many people around though so we were able to play in the water. Rachel, Cameron and I swam and snorkeled.





We even managed to get a few photos of fish.

Great Barracuda

Reef Lizardfish

Bandtail Goatfish

We had dinner at our favorite Mexican Restaurant and got some very disturbing news - they are closing! They lost their lease and have decided to throw in the towel. Very, very sad!

Rachel & Cameron in Hawaii

The first week in June was Rachel and Cameron's chance to come over to Honolulu for a week and play. Lauri and Rebecca were here as well.

Of course, they just had to come to my office and decorate it so we could celebrate my birthday (late). They made arrangements to get me out of the office for a few minutes and then surprise me when I came back. It was fun.

They even made me a cake out of Ho Hos.

They wrote with silly string on the wall. Funny thing is, even after cleaning it off and washing the wall, you can still read what they wrote!

I shocked Rebecca by getting her with the string.

Dinner at Teddy's Bigger Burgers.

Walking on the beach at sunset.

Rachel and Cameron spent a lot of time in the water at Waikiki. We even went swimming there a couple of evenings while they were here. It was fun!

Cameron and Rachel both got henna tattoos.


Photo op with a statue at Waikiki.

Overlooking the City from the Punchbowl. Always a good place to reflect.


Of course we got to the Dole Plantation to get Dole Whip and just had to get a few photos there as well.


They enjoyed the day and the evening at the PCC. It is always fun, but so exhausting!



Rachel and Cameron spent a day at the Arizona Memorial and all the other WWII historic sites.


Always a sobering reminder of the price that was paid.