Hawaii - Oahu and Waikiki

---

After a brilliant month in Brisbane with Kate and Gary the big day had finally arrived. We were all packed and regrettably having to leave the brilliant land of Australia to the paradise of Hawaii. 

The pass 11 months had been amazing and we had seen so much and met so many brilliant people. From the first experience of Australian super camping, to water skiing to the thrill of the great barrier reef we feel we have seen it all! Along the way there has also been some sad sights, the storms of Melbourne and the Brisbane floods have helped us draw a bit more life perspective, but we will hold the memories with us forever! It was a sad time for reflection at the airport but sure we will be re visiting in the future.......... All good things come to an end.

The pain and tribulations of being too tall for planes was getting closer and I was mentally preparing myself for the inevitable screaming child, or small jerk ramming their chair back into my knees! Sure enough this flight didn't disappoint. The flight left at 19:35 on Wednesday and we were due to land at 08:35 on Wednesday? Remembering this from a film I took the opportunity to remember todays horse racing results so we could make some money when we arrive.

Coming into land in Hawaii just proved how brilliant this place would be. Even from the plane it was just stunning lush green covered mountains meeting the bluest of blue seas and just looked brilliant, we knew this was going to be good. After landing and getting finger prints, photos and interrogation sorted we collected the bags and headed to what was to be the worse shuttle transfer ever. We waited 1hr in a queue then finally got on the bus then had to wait 30 mins whilst the driver waited for a mechanic to fix a "small but non dangerous leak" who when they arrived looked about 10 years old and was only armed with WD40, winner!

We checked into the suprisingly green hotel and headed to the beach! With not a cloud in sight it was a beautiful view on Waikiki Beach. The sand was beautiful and the sea was full of surfers, all this was surrounded by green mountains which appeared to hug the sea, it was the most relaxing surroundings we had seen for a long while. We took a stroll up the beach and browsed around the area. After a hard day at the beach we left just after a stunning sunset covered the whole of Waikiki with a orange glow.

The next day we were heading to the popular destination called Diamond Head. The iconic silhouette of Diamond Head State Monument sits along the Honolulu skyline just beyond Waikiki. This 760-foot tuff crater is one of Hawaii's most famous landmarks. Known as Leahi (brow of the tuna) in Hawaiian, the crater was Named Diamond Head by 19th century British sailors who thought they discovered diamonds on the crater's slopes. These "diamonds" were actually shiny calcite crystals that had no value. Sounds good ha? Turns out however they are doing maintenance on the trail so we were unable to make the trip, it was due to be finished when we return so all good.

Plan B was to go to Hanauma Bay, this was known as one of the best snorkelling locations on the island, be it a bit touristy. If this is classed as a tourist place then heaven knows what natural places will be like as this was amazing. You had to sit through an orientation about the reef and how to put on fins but after this was done the fun began. Given the fact we had been to the Great Barrier Reef we had seen a fair amount of tropical fish but this felt different. The fish were as colourful but possible more friendly we often felt like part of the school of fish that seemed to encase us as we swam over the coral. There were some huge (get name of fish) and even some eels that happily went about their business as we watched. The highlight was yet to come as during a walk along the bay we managed to see a Green sea turtle close into the shore. This kept up our turtle to snorkelling ratio of at least 1 turtle every time we put on a mask and snorkel! Just a shame we didn't have an underwater camera as the water was so clear.

After a long day in perfect surroundings we headed home to grab some food and rest for tomorrow when we will leave for the Hawaiian island of Maui.
 

---