Lovely Lanikai

Last day on the island we thought we would take a drive to Lanikai.  This is about an hour drive east of the North Shore.  Jeep packed up and off we headed.
The scenery along the way was stunning- the huge Pali on your right and the stunning ocean on your left.
Arriving in Kailua we headed straight for the beach.  We arrived to a pretty busy beach- but no parking problems and pretty soon we were lying on a little hill overlooking the blue ocean.  From the little river that flows into the ocean, a ton of kayakers were getting ready for the trip out to the little island off shore.  It looks like a fun activity- next time!
The sand here is so soft and the water so blue, it is a little slice of heaven- really it is.  We all went for a dip in the ocean and stayed for a long while- nice gentle waves and soft sand under feet- awesome.
At lunch time we packed up and headed to the town of Kailua for some lunch and a little shopping.  We had some salads and cruised some of the stores in the strip mall we had stopped at- nice little eclectic mix of stores.  Then we were off back home.  The traffic was a little crazy out of town- rush hour I guess?  Then the drive back a little slow- one lane highways can be challenging.  I wanted to stop at this orchid farm on the way home so we found it and got out to have a look- beautiful plants, just too many to choose from and too large to bring back home.  Last stop on the way home was Fine Ass Chocolates and coffee.  We bought some yummy chocs and had some not great coffee- then we were home bound for reals!
Monday night Ayeesha made some pasta for dinner and then we hung out before packing to leave early the next morning.  So sad to go after such a lovely time.  We will be back soon.

Heaven on Sunday

Sunday - yes another gorgeous day! After the family got home from Church and Anne had washed her car- we headed to the beach. A little further east than previous we went to Malaekahana beach. We had to stop for poke along the way (it was soooo good- I'm learning to love this tuna poke!) We arrived at the beautiful beach, found some shade and then the girls hit the waves. What a great beach for body surfing- so much fun. The water was perfect and the beach smooth with no rocks on the feet. Momo had a nap with mom in the shade- I caught up on some reading and Frank some zzzz's. A perfect little slice of heaven on a Sunday.

After a few hours we decided to head to Kahuku farms for lunch. They served the most delish veggies sandwiches and smoothies. The girls had foccacci pizza and smoothies- so good. We took a walk around the farm after and saw too many types of trees and plants to remember- what a great location for an organic farm.

Then back at the house and relaxing done, Frank and I headed out on the bikes. We needed chicken for dinner so we headed along the beach path to Foodland. A stunning sunset was at the end of our ride. We watched the sun sink and then headed home on the bikes- chicken in the basket.

We bbq'd chicken, with potatoes and salad for a great end to a good day.

Another stunning beach

Glider fun

Saturday we slept in a little, then with cup of coffee in hand headed to the beach for a little coffee, sun, sand and waves.  Then we packed everyone up and in Haleiwa for breakfast at the breakers cafe.  The girls all had pancakes, while eggs bennies seemed the fashion at our table.  After that wonderful feast, we walked around town a little and got some shopping in (what holiday is complete without shopping:)
 The girls when back to the house with Wes and Ayessha as they had a party to attend at 2pm.  Frank and I shopped a little more and then went back to the house.
Later Anne and I headed to the glider port for an afternoon in the sky.  The gliders are a little ways past town- never been to this part on the island- loved it.  Arriving I was hurtled into a glider and before I knew it i was up at 2000ft above the land. WOW!!!  what a stunning, amazing, gorgeous view.  The glider caught some lifts and we stayed up for quite some time.  Then the ups and downs started setting off my motion sickness and down we had to come.  But what an incredible treat - so lucky!!

Afterwards we headed back to the house- what to do for dinner?  They rest of the house had eaten at the party and Frank even got a plate of leftovers.  So we all took a walk to Ted's and Anne and I had a large meal while the rest had some snacks and dessert.
Another amazing day was over and we were exhausted.

Friday in Paradise

Friday we woke up to another gorgeous sunny day- ahh what to do- lets go to the beach!  We packed up ourselves and headed over to a beach that Ayessha said would be nice and calm- Kawela Bay!  we parked a the fruit stands and headed in- a huge banyon tree was a few feet in from the road. We walked to the amazing beach and marked our spot in the sand.  Wow!  the beach and water- stunning.  we layer around and then went into the water- we spent maybe and hour just soaking up the waves.   We saw some huge army planes landing too- they were very large.
After a few amazing, relaxing hours we went into Haleiwa in search of lunch.  Frank and I settled on fish tacos and the girls a hole hotdog- yummy!  Then we were back at the house to see the girls home from school.
Later we had to wait for Anne and Wes to get home as they had spent the day in Honolulu- they took too long so we headed into Haleiwa for Thai food dinner- they eventually caught up with us.
Wes and Ayessha took the girls all home for movies and Chocolate Haupia Cream Pie.  We went with Anne to Jameson's to meet her pilot friends for drinks!  Another day in paradise.

Oahu- Mini break

We had decided that November is an all round bad weather month and we were dying to see the new Hawaiian baby- what to do?  Book 6 days on the gorgeous island of Oahu.
Wednesday Nov 5 we booked out a little early and were YVR bound for our 5:40pm flight (this was supposed to be a 2:35 flight- thanks Air Canada!!)
Onboard we settled in for the 6 hour flight- in flight movie was "hotel Budapest"-  eh!
At 9:50pm Hawaii time we landed- boarded the shuttle bus (not before breathing in that tropical awesomeness!)  at the Thrifty we upgraded to a Jeep- woohoo.  Then off we went North Shore here we come- oh wait wrong way- lets try that again- H1 and North Shore here we come.  Nope lets sit in traffic for an hour first (construction of course!)  Nearing midnight we arrived- lucky Ayessha had waited up for us.  To the apartment and straight to bed- travelling takes it out of a person:)

Thursday we woke early- well the girls did- they wanted to eat breakkie with Cece and Ellie before they headed to school.  We were all up early and with Ted's Bakery coffee in hand we had a relaxing start to the day.  Once the girls were off to school we got ready and dressed for the BEACH!!
First stop was the food truck at Sharks' Cove- breakfast platters and we were ready for the sun and sand. The waves were a little rough at the cove- but nothing the girls and Frank couldn't handle.  They spent a few hours in the water - I spent a few hours in the sun- life is good.

Back at the house- we chilled and then when the girls got back from school- we all got in the minivan (baby on my lap- that's how we roll on the North Shore!)  and off to Waimea.  We toured the wonderful farmers market- had some fast snacks (poke and spam musubi- spam sushi!)  after a lovely amble we decided to head up to the falls.  The walk was so beautiful, flowers and plants if so many colours and varieties - too much to take in.  But when we got to the falls they were shut down for the the day so the girls couldn't swim.  We walked back and home.  The girls all chilled and we were exhausted from a day of sun.  Early to bed as tomorrow is another day.

Good Bye Pacific Ocean!

Tuesday we were up early, packed and down for our last buffet breakfast :(  We checked out at 11, but our bus wasn't due until 2pm.  We took a long stroll down the amazing beach, sucking back the ocean smell and letting the sand squish between our toes.  We walked all the way up to the river, there were a lot of little boats there - waiting to take people up the river into the mangroves- wish we had, had time to do that! (next time!)  Then we ambled back in to town, had a subway lunch and waited for the bus. It  arrived as always on time. Our 5 hour trek to San Jose had begun.  Thank goodness for audio books and music.  It was a long winding road- going through many mountain passes and passing by many pineapple and banana trucks. We arrived at around 7 at night at the Adventure Inn!  The room was huge and a little stark- not that we were staying long.  The hotel had a restaurant thank goodness as we were staving by this time and had not really had any stops on the way other than a bus change over! We had a mediocre dinner and then to bed, as we had to be up at 4am for our 7am flight home!

 We were a little concerned about the connections home as we had 2 stops- first stop Atlanta and then on to St Paul; we had originally booked it coming home through LA, but the flight were changed a few days before we had left. Our St Paul connection was only 45 mins- yikes.  Thankfully, as we were flying Delta al the way - we were fine and made all the flights.  Flying into Atlanta and St Paul though was crazy - as there was snow on the ground, they sure have had a hard winter.

So many different landscapes in this small country.

On the long bus ride.

Snow in St Paul!

Waiting for the bus!

So hot!

Monday March 24th, we headed in to town for a little bit of shopping.  It was so hot , and we didn’t let too long before we had to find some relief at the pool.  Our first stop in town was at the grocery store for some cold drinks.  Then we ambled around, bought some souvenirs - t-shirts for the girls and some knick knacks for all.  Frank got a hat and other treats.  We really didn't last too long as it was so hot!  This is a pretty neat laid back town, enough stores and restaurants for variety, but not too big and touristy. Back at the pool and some beach time- this is really the life! Another wonderfully lazy day. We had a later diner - deciding on one of the more expensive places in town, an Argentine grill called Patagonia.  The meal was not too bad- expensive (roughly $100) but not bad, the dessert was delish.  Our last night in Tamarindo- we will come back one day!