Humpbacks in Love

I promised whale pictures. It took patience. I saw one splash out of the water periodically, but every time I grabbed my camera, she disappeared. Finally two decided to dance. They were totally in love as not one of them felt the need to thrust themselves out of the water completely. They were content to just be close to one another.

Another amazing day at a new beach: Hapuna. The most beautiful beach in N. America, apparently. We did some serious boogie boarding and some serious snorkeling. I LOVE boogie boarding! It is amazingly good fun. And Theresa and Joop and Kyran led Mist and I out on a very long snorkel in the ocean--in deep water--no where to rest one's weary flippers. The closest shore was shear rock, no beach. I felt triumphant that I was able to snorkel so far. T and Joop continued on even farther, into a bay. But being a relatively new snorkeler, I headed back to shore with Mist and Kyr.

Pip so wanted to boogie board--so I helped her. All was fun and games until a big wave capsized her sideways and she rolled off and under the surf. I decided perhaps she is still a little too young to boogie board. Tabs isn't that keen on snorkeling--when she actually sees fish she becomes afraid that they'll attack. However, she spent alot of time out, playing the the waves.

Theresa had our family back to Morning Fire Ranch for a most delicious Hawaiian meal. SO good: Hawaiian chicken, rice, papaya salad, green beans and oranges. Tabs got burnt yesterday despite sunscreen and I broke out in a horrible blotchy, itchy rash all over my body. I think I got too much sun--a type of allergic reaction to the intense heat. The afternoon heat is intolerable for us fair skinned orchids.

We are supposed to go to another amazing beach this morning. I am definitely sitting under the umbrella all day when I'm not snorkeling. And poor Tabs cheeks and nose are the worst--I don't even want her in the sun today. But this is Hawaii--we want to be in the ocean all day. What to do?

Anaeho'omalu Bay

  

We have arrived at our new condo--very spacious with two bedrooms. We walked and walked last evening until we found this bay, "A-Bay." The lovely honu was resting on the shore. Today we are heading up the mountain to visit T and family. We are all going to Hilo market, a volcano park and snorkeling in a few natural pools. Hopefully the bush fire is out. Yesterday there was no route up to T's place as the fire blocked the road.

I had the best snorkel yesterday. I swam with a beautiful sea turtle and saw this strange fish: chartreuse green, about three feet long, thin like a snake with a long needle nose and a long thin spike of a tail. I also saw so many big, fat dog-face polka-dot fish.

The wind seems calmer today. It has been unusually windy on the big island these past few weeks. Saw more whales jumping too--the humpbacks are having babies and mating again. And saw my first mongoose darting about the resort grounds. The dreadful Euro/Americans brought them over to kill all the island's snakes. They did it. No snakes left . And now the island is overrun with Mongooses(sp?) and very few birds as the mongeese (sp?) eat their eggs.

Turtle Time

Another day of snorkeling. I swam with two giant honu (sea turtles). The snorkeling is incredible. I keep wanting to venture further and further off the coast. But I keep in mind how many snorkelers have been swept out to sea. We had supper last night at the outdoor, ocean front restaurant. It was nearly empty. The wind was really blowing, so it kept many away. The girls and I hiked along the shore line yesterday. It was sooo hot. We visited a few of the traditional fish ponds. The Hawaiians made fish ponds along the shore line of all the islands. That way, baby fish would swim in, eat and grow and become too big to swim out again--the ponds were their 'kitchens' in pre-contact times. No whales yesterday--but the ocean was really choppy.
Today is our last day at the Fairmont Orchid--then we move to Waikoloa condos. We are ready for the condo experience. It will be nice to have our own kitchen. And the condos are right near "A" beach--which is supposed to be a great beach.

Whales, Sea Turtles and Eels

Sunset last night followed by pics of us in our lagoon and the pic above is the Fairmont.
We spent an amazing day snorkeling. Our crew saw so many brightly coloured fish, sea turtles and an eel. Most spectacularly, a few giant whales kept leaping from the water just off the beach. One in particular was very frisky and threw herself out of the water repeatedly. Of course, that was during the time the camera was back in the room. Not to worry, whales seem to be plentiful here in Hawaii, so I shall get some pics soon. Pippi has really taken to Hawaii--she LOVES the ocean. Mist and Tabs are expert snorkelers now. Kyran is fearless--charging deep into the ocean to find sea turtles. Snorkeling is hard work--my neck gets sore from looking around underwater so much. The Fairmont is dreamy. The sunsets dramatically at 6PM and then all the torches are lit on the Fairmont grounds. Very luxurious. We had supper by the ocean in the outdoor, sand bottomed restaurant listening to Hawaiian guitar and song. The sea turtles sleep on the shore just beside the restaurant. We counted four large turtle backs. Thankfully, they are a protected species and no one is allowed to touch or interact with them. Then we walked over to the sand-bottomed hot tub and soaked our feet as we sat on the grassy edge.
Yes, Hawaii is paradise, almost surreally so.
When our flight was circling the islands ready to land on Tuesday, it was windy and the ocean very choppy--dotted with white caps. I couldn't help noticing how small the islands are. And how they all come to a volcanic point in the middle.  Being in Hawaii one really feels that one is off, isolated in the middle of the South Pacific. It is an eery feeling--all that I know is so far away across an ocean of water. We are here, on a small volcanic island, separate from the rest of civilization. It is a cool feeling, I've never felt that before on my travels.
More snorkeling today.