North Shore, Haleiwa, Oahu, HI

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One note about staying in a house on the North Shore...after day 3, you stop pointing out turtles swimming out front because they are so abundant! Day 7 found us at the Wet n Wild Hawaii waterpark with the kids. By 1pm we were finished and headed back to the North Shore where we changed out of wet clothing into dry and headed back to Waikiki for an afternoon of shopping. A surf warning was out on Waikiki beach the the surfers were abundant in numbers. After shopping and a stroll we headed to Tiki's Grill for a delicious dinner and cocktails. The tourism numbers are significantly lower than they were when we were here twice in 2009. Perhaps the Japan earthquake is a contributing factor?

Day 8 we headed to Kailua early in the morning and picked up 2 Stand Up Paddle boards to rent for 3 days. There are closer surf shops (such as Halewia Surf-n-sea) but Kailua had the best deal for renting a SUP or surf board. In the late morning/early afternoon we swam in the ocean and used the SUP boards, albeit very windy and more waves than usual. After dinner, we took the kids and SUP boards to the calmer Anahulu stream in Haleiwa and the kids took a jaunt up the stream with the SUP boards while me good friend Brian and I had ice cream at 'Scoop of Paradise'. As we waited for the kids to come down stream, Brian and I watched a large number of turtles heading upstream near sunset. Amazing site to stare straight down from the bridge as these gentle giants pass beneath!

Next time we come to Hawaii, we must stay at an island that has neither Ted's bakery or Scoop of Paradise or my waistline will suffer!

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