To the Beach!

Our 2nd full day in Hawaii had to be a beach day. We wanted to do some snorkeling and Meg just wanted to get out there and see it. We decided to try Carlsmith beach first for the chance of seeing some sea turtles. 

I got up and made some macadamia nut pancakes with ginger and pineapple compote (from the garden!) 

Then we were pretty much ready to head out. 

Except that I wanted a shower and especially wanted to try out this ginger shampoo thing I had seen on Instagram. 

Behold my important experiment for the day. 

This worked quite well. 

My hair felt very clean and light. No residue and a slight smell of ginger. 

I used the outdoor shower and looked out at the garden and boy that tropical sun hits where the sun don’t normally shine. 

Hahaha

It was fun. 

More garden pics from the morning. 

This is an invasive and dangerous (especially to dogs) cane toad.

Then it was off to the beach. Kiernan had a down day. 

We borrowed some snorkeling gear and went out into the briny blue. 

The water was so clear and there was this great temperature variation. The water from the springs was cold and the ocean water was much warmer. 

I hate cold water but the Hawaiian sun is so warm that I could easily go into the ocean. I always want to go in but can’t stay because of the temperature. 

I’m sooo happy to be where I want without the struggle. 

This was also the first time since my new tattoo that I’ve been able to soak. 

Yay!

Megan was just so in her element. 

I’ve got a billion pictures of her here. 

Speaking of pictures, these are from my phone. Completely unprotected iPhone in and under the water. 

Then we headed out to the car and drove out to a Japanese garden. 

You all, this is the parking lot! 

It’s crazy beautiful here. 

This garden was a little flooded and I got to use my Japanese to comprehend a woman absolutely refuse to get her feet wet. 

Behold my photo editing prowess. 

Note the lack of jeep passing this Torii gate. 

Observe the wonder of me crossing this bridge without 5 other folk. 

On the other side we have Megan’s magnificent photo of a tree. 

Then we went home and got dressed up for an early anniversary supper for Dad and Mary. 

We ate at Pineapples. 

They have drinks in pineapples. 

Also elote tater tot tacos. 

After that we did a short trip to Rainbow falls. 

Kiernan wasn’t feeling tip top so it was straight back to the house from there. I crashed hard and completely failed to run some errands thereafter. 

In Hawaii offerings at sacred spaces are ubiquitous and beautiful. 

Here’s one I saw at the falls.