Day 5: Swim with sharks, North point of the island, and gliders!

We started the day bright and early loading up at the pier at 5:30 am...yes, am.  We boarded a boat that took us a couple of miles off shore then dropped a cage in the water.

As soon as we arrived at a specific bouy we had some visitors!  I guess the fishermen have fed the sharks in the area, so any time they hear a boat coming, they think it's dinner time.

 There were quite a  few of them, and some were pretty big...probably 12 or 15 feet long!

 They dropped a cage into the water and sent in some divers with masks and snorkels.  They had about 20 minutes to hang out with the sharks!

 We were pretty excited for our turn!  I was surprised at how close they would come to the cage and how many there were!! I counted 15, but it was hard to see them all because they were all around us!  They seemed to be curious and came close to where we were.  I made sure to keep my tasty hands and feet inside the cage, but Dale really wanted a chance to touch one! He stretched out with his hands and feet as far as he could go to get a touch!

 We survived...a little cold and wet, but so much fun!

 A view of the next group visiting the sharks with the North Shore behind them.  It was SUPER fun! I would do it again!

 Once we dried off and grabbed a bite to eat at 7-11 (Musubi) we headed to the northernmost point of the island.  We were told there were seals that lived out on the rocks and that it was an Albatross preserve.

We drove down a road not fit for traffic other than a 4X4 in our little rental car and ended up at the entrance to the preserve.

 After a nice hike, we found the very end of the island! It's suppose to be a very spiritual place, the place where your spirit leaves the island when you die.  

 Didn't see any Albatross or seals... but the wind was ferocious and we could look down both sides (North and West) of the island! Pretty cool!

There was a pretty cool tower at the edge we just had to climb up to get a better look.  It was a little scary...the wind was trying to blow us off!

On our way back from seeing the point of the island we were talking about going for a hike.  We had heard about a good one near the air field so we stopped to get directions and decided to go for a glider ride instead!  It was AWESOME!

We went in separate planes....I just wanted a tour and Dale wanted to do some acrobatics and learn to fly himself.

My cool little glider.

 Dale talking to the guys.  Turns out he went with someone else, but he got some instruction from these guys first!

 Ready or not...

 The pilot, Tall Don. He was in interesting guy.  I had a great time and he showed me the whole island!  We paid for a 20 minute ride.  After an hour I was wondering if he was ever going to bring me down!! He was having such a good time he didn't want to land!  If you ever go to Oahu, find Tall Don!

 I was the best way to see the island!

 I even got a pretty good picture of Dale flying his plane!

 Another one

 It was breathtaking!

 Dale landed just a few minutes after I did.

I think Dale's ride was pretty exciting!  He was able to fly the glider and did some fancy maneuvering.   We loved it!

Day 3: Shark's Cove, Polynesian Cultural Center

We got up early in the morning and headed out with our scuba gear to visit Shark's cove.  We had heard it was a great place and it did not disappoint!  When we arrived it was raining and we were the only ones there.  We enjoyed the place by ourselves for most of the morning! (We didn't take any pictures here! Dumb! But this is what it looks like.)

Later that afternoon we met up with Alison and she got us some good deals on tickets to the PCC.  We enjoyed learning about the different cultures, ate some really great food, then enjoyed the evening program.

Day 2: Poli Point, Hanama Bay, Dole Pineapple Plantation

Bright and early we headed out around the windward side of the island in search of Poli Point.  This was a pass between mountains where natives would cross on foot. It was a treacherous place.  It is also the site of a dramatic end to a war which ended with king Kamehameha uniting the islands.

On the way we found the state bird of Hawaii-the chicken! They are everywhere!!!

Looking down onto the shores of Waikiki

I was holding on for dear life hoping not to be blown away by the wind! It was so strong!

 The old trail (that eventually became a well-traveled road)

 It was awesome to be following a trail through the jungle. The trees were so big. It was a little eerie as we got farther and farther from the parking lot.

  Once we got back, the parking lot attendant told us of a way to get up on the mountain and overlook the valley, it was a narrow opening in the bamboo.

 and a hike uphill through the forest.

 Then across a narrow ridge going up the side of the mountain.  The trail was only a foot wide with steep drop-offs on both sides! The wind was blowing fiercely and it was a little scary!

Looking down on Honolulu in the distance.

 There were some pretty treacherous places to scramble up, but we made it no problem!

Need more photos,

Need to add video links

After a treacherous hike, we headed to Hanauma Bay for some snorkeling! (again, we didn't take any pictures...but you get the idea...)

 There were a lot of fish, and a lot of people.  It's changed since I was here years ago. It's more commercialized, a bigger tourist draw, but still a great place to visit!

We swung by the plantation on our way home and ate some yummy pineapple ice cream!

Yep, Pineapple.

After a glorious week, we had to come home.  I think we both would have chosen to stay longer if not for kids and work. Here are some of our adventures...

Hawaii Day 1: Arrive on island, drive the coast!

Just off the plane we got our rental car and headed straight to the beach! We wanted a glimpse of the ocean before we did anything else!

 Then to the nearest mountain (of course) to take in the sights.  This overlooks Diamond head Crater and Waikiki

 Dale found a mountain to scale-Tarzan style!

 Then a drive around the island to the windward side and the small town of Hau'ula to our little cottage on the ocean.

It was literally on the ocean...just feet from the breaking waves.  We often had to close our bedroom windows so we wouldn't get soaked!

The sound of the ocean at night lulled us to sleep.

The view out the bedroom window.

 Kitchen

 Living area

 Bathroom and closet

 Dining table

 Sea wall in front of the cottage. There was another larger house just next to us.

 A view from the other side of the bay. Straight ahead you can see the two windows.

 A little piece of heaven!