Tenth Anniversary Trip Part 2

On Wednesday - Jan 5th we were planning to fly to the big island of Hawaii but missed our morning flight due to a couple delays. We rebooked for an evening flight and then decided to hit Hanauma bay for some snorkeling. The parking lot was full but we were undeterred and hiked up the road to walk in. We were able to see many kinds of fish and I felt much more comfortable this time with breathing and such. It is a bit of a challenge when the waves move you around! We were able to get pictures underwater but haven't developed them yet. I got pretty cold after a bit and so we didn't stay for a long time, just a few hours. I wish it were a touch warmer!
Here is a pic of the coast line


And here is Hanauma Bay





After that we quickly went to the hike we had found on Sunday. We knew we were short on time so we moved quickly. We got to the end where there was a neat little waterfall and then ran most of the way back down.








We zipped to the airport and flew to the big island, found a hotel, grabbed some dinner at a local hangout and went then went to bed!

Thursday - Jan 6, we checked out of our hotel . . .






and headed for Volcanoes National Park.
We hit the visitor's center, steam vents (ground water heated by lava is turned into steam), Kilauea caldera & crater overlook, and the Jagger Museum.






Then we saw Thurston Lava Tube, which is where lava used to flow underground. We were able to see the levels of flow as the tube slowly drained out. The hike to the tube was in a rainforest area. Very cool!


We then took the chain of craters road where there is lots of previous lava flow and smaller craters. At the end of the road, lava actually had flowed across the road and that was the end of the road, literally.








We grabbed some lunch and then headed down to see current lava flow. The viewing area is always changing depending on where the lava is currently surfacing. During the day the most we could see was sort of a flame behind the lava rock. During the night visibilty can be better but our flight left around 6. We drove around a bit and explored our options. We decided to change our flight (at the airport) to a later time so that we could see the flow at night. We were able to do so but really had to punch the clock. We zipped back to the flow. We were able to see some red glow but ultimately were somewhat disappointed. I guess, you win some, you lose some. We raced back to the airport and returned the rental car with not a minute to spare! We made our flight and flew back to Oahu. We sure seem to race to the airport a lot! We also were a bit tired of paying here and there for changes in flights and other unexpected fees!
Here are a few more pics of the day.
Nene (Hawaiian goose)

There is a neat story behind the tree with flowers that is growing out of the rock.



New coconut trees



Matt in front of lava flow area.



Black sand beach area





Random Donkey


Beckie in front of lava flow area


Pretty flowers



Friday, Jan 7th was our last day in Hawaii. We woke up early and headed for the North side of Oahu again. We rented body (boogie) boards and found a beach where we could play in the water. We enjoyed our time and the water seemed warmer to me as well. The waves were a bit tumultuous. Matt was a bit more adventurous, I didn't go out much past my waist but I was where the waves were breaking and so there was plenty of action. Matt was crunched on one particular wave but could still feel and move his toes and after a rest went back out without his board for a bit longer. I enjoyed some time on the beach and then we changed and returned our boards.



After we changed we checked out Waimea a bit more . . .




We didn't have time to check out the hikes or park because of time.
Then headed to the Polynesian Cultural Center to check out a few things we missed the first time.



We then headed to the Waikiki shopping area to pick up a few souveniers for the kids and then we headed to the airport. Our flight left around 9:45 PM. I got a little sleep on the flight to San Francisco and Matt slept the whole way. When we landed, Matt didn't feel so well and headed to the plane bathroom but before he could toss his cookies, passed out at the back of the airplane. All the passengers just looked at him and I looked back because I heard the thud. There was Matt on the floor! I got to him and asked if he was ok. He mumbled yes. Did he need to throw up? No. The stewardesses got him some oxygen while he recovered and I just prayed that he was ok since I didn't know if something in his back was injured. He was able to walk off the plane (no paramedics needed, fortunately.) They wheeled him to the next gate where we awaited our next flight. Lack of sleep and a scare like that is not good for the nerves! I was emotional for a while but not embarrasing to be with or anything. We caught our next flight a few hours later to Seattle, and then from there we flew to St. Louis. We arrived home around 6PM Saturday evening. We were greeted by our 3 cuties, a clean (decorated for our anniversary) home, and the best mother and father in law in the world! Matt's parents are absolute gems! They read to the kids, did puzzles, played all kinds of games, and took such good care of the kids in every way! Our kids were very spoiled to have so much one on one time with Grandpa and Grandma! I was so happy to be home! What an anniversary! Aren't I the luckiest girl in the world?