2-22-17 - Swap meet, Catamaran, and Manoa Falls

We started the day off at the Swap Meet. We were told it was the best place to buy souvenirs. It was fun at first but the swap meet was around the outside of a foot ball stadium. It wasn't the walk, but that everything just started repeating itself. Matt wasn't the biggest fan, but we went and we got a couple souvenirs. 

After the swap meet, we went to the Makani Catamaran meeting location for our afternoon 1-3pm catamaran voyage. 

I found the front of the boat and sat down. I wanted to see where we were going and to have the breeze in my face. It mostly helped. We say some decent rolling waves, but nothing too big. We were told since there we smaller kids on the voyage the captain was avoiding anything too serious. We did see some sea turtles pretty close to the boat and some people saw whale spouts in the far distance and I mean far distance. Matt thoroughly enjoyed himself and I was glad to get back onto land. 

Video - Ocean waves on the Makani Catamaran

Video - Sea Turtle

After the catamaran trip, we went back to Manoa falls since we missed it while on our mopeds since we didn't have any cash with us then.

We weren't allowed to swim in it, but it was still fun to see how tall it was and be out in the beauty of the island. There were some HUGE Tarzan like trees and Matt, Chelsey, and Hans acted like monkeys on them.

Video - Hans acting like Tarzan

Video - Matt acting like Tarzan

Video - Chelsey acting like Tarzan

After the Manoa Falls, we went back to Waikiki to walk the night life and find a place to eat. We ended up eating at Egg N' Things. Chelsey and I ended up having a hard time eating because we felt like the land was moving like the ocean. I felt pretty sick a couple times being on the land while eating. Definitely a weird sensation!

2-21-17 - Kayaking, Paddling Boarding, Swimming in Waterfalls, and Matsumoto Shave Ice

So this was one of my favorite memory days of Hawaii. I love waterfalls, let alone wanting to be able to swim in one. This was a pretty tame waterfall than what I have seen on other people pictures, but it was pretty nice and fun all together, plus life jackets were provided. 

We swam in a Waimea Valley waterfall and hiked through the gardens. You have to call the morning of to see if swimming is permitted, so I was sure praying and hoping we could. 

Matt was kind enough not to get into the cold water to film me while I did so. I was the first to submerge my body. Hans was second. I can't remember if Chelsey or Matt was next. It took Chelsey forever to come in because the water literally took your breathe away upon entering it. I didn't care and I actually felt really warm and invigorated swimming in the pool and to the falls.  

Videos - swimming to the water fall. 

Video - swimming in the water fall with Hans

Video - Matt's commentary about Abbie and the water fall

After the water fall and morning hike, we had reserved some paddle boards and kayaks for 3 hours on a river that led out into the ocean. We started the 3 hours with a 2 man kayak. It was not as easy as a single person kayak. We had some bickering, complaining, and frustration at the first, but we ended up getting the hang of it and even went out onto the ocean a bit. 

After having a trying, but okay time on the 2 man kayak, every one switched to the paddle boards. Everyone enjoyed them a lot more too. We had been on a paddle board a couple days previous and I couldn't master the balance to stand on a paddle board on the ocean. But the river was a different story. After I got over the fear/dread of falling into the river, I finally stood up on my board. Oh yeah! Abbie was standing on her paddle board. Not on the ocean but on the river. We went down the river to the ocean though. Chelsey, Matt, and Hans had fun in the little bay alcove standing on their paddle boards. I stood on the beach and just took some pictures and videos. 

Video - Abbie paddle boarding - standing up!

Matt was refusing to get off his paddle board threw the shallower water. It took him quite awhile to paddle/scoot through it but he finally did with a double fist pump into the air.

On our way back up stream to return the paddle boards, we found a rope swing. The boys had a fun time testing it out. Hans went first, then Matt and then repeat. Chelsey had her go pro and took video from one angle and I had Matt's camera filming from the other angle. It was a lot of fun. Check out the videos below and pictures too. 

Video - Hans swinging from rope swing into the river (1st attempt)

Video - Matt swinging from rope swing into the river (1st attempt)

Video - Hans swinging from rope swing into the river (2nd attempt)

Video - Matt swinging from rope swing into the river (slow motion!)

After paddle boarding, we went to Matsumoto Shave Ice that we had received so many recommends to try. We were definitely unaware how popular it was. It took us about 45 of standing in line to get some. It was pretty good and they were extremely efficient, just super busy!

Video - Matsumoto Shave Ice

After eating these, we figured we were driving by the Dole Plantation, so we had to get a Dole Whip to see if it tasted any better from the actual location. Oh yes! It was fantastic. 

So we had a lot to eat right, well apparently not enough. We stopped for dinner at a nice Mexican restaurant. We were in a food coma by the time we got home. 

Gotta love being on vacation and not having to worry about kids, work, or time schedules!