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Published: July 23rd 2009
Video Playlist: 1:
Turtle 23 secs
Turtle Beach
soaking up the sun *I included a video of my newfound love: turtles, on today's blog..check it out.
Caught a 7:50am bus to the North Shore trying to get the most hours as I possibly could out of this day. I'm becoming more bus savvy, and today I was equipped with my book: Harry Potter #1, ipod, and sweater. Time flies with something to read and pretty soon I had come to the first stop on the North Shore: Dole Plantation.
I didn't really have this one on my list as something that was important, but what the heck? I'd passed by it numerous times, why not just stop to check it out. Unfortunately, everything there costs money, so I just wandered around the gigantic store and out in the back garden. Kinda interesting to see how pineapple grows; I never knew it grew out of the ground the way it does. Of course I couldn't leave without first tasting the Dole Whip ice cream, so I forked over the overpriced $4 for the ice cream cone. Mmmm-mmm. It may be expensive, but it sure tastes great! Cold pineapple ice cream for breakfast - I love it!
Caught the next bus
to go by and continued on my way to Turtle Beach; this is my third time at this beach. I've become obsessed with snorkeling with the turtles again, ever since that first experience on the surfboard out in Waikiki. They're just amazing creatures and I wanted to see how it felt to get close to them again. I spent a little time hanging out on the beach, observing the two turtles that were basking in the sun. Today was a busy day for tourists as well and the beach was constantly packed with people. There are a group of volunteers on this beach each day called Malama Na Honu, who make it their duty to protect the turtles and educate the visitors. After watching a couple of oblivious tourists almost step on the turtles (likely thinking they're just giant lava rocks) I can see why this group is so necessary.
After some time in the sun, I put on my snorkel & mask and headed into the water. It's not great water to snorkel in, it's cloudy and murky which makes it difficult to see more than two feet in front of you. I snorkeled around a bit, but
didn't see any turtles, so I took a break for a while, then went back into the water. Sure enough this time a giant green sea turtle suddenly appeared just below me in the shallow water. My heart pulsed so quick and although it's what I was hoping to see, I got pretty scared and tried to kick away quickly. Then I saw another one! It was amazing, for sure. They were close enough to touch (though it's illegal to touch one) and that was good enough for me. I made my way back to the shore where I saw about 5 more feeding in the shallow water. I had accomplished my mission, time to move on down the road to the next beach.
I caught the bus again, this time to Sunset Beach about 4 miles down the road. This beach is long, full of hot sand, and crystal blue water. Here I spent a few hours laying out in the sun and snorkeling in the water. The snorkeling here is completely different. You can see clearly through the water all the way down to the ridges of sand on the bottom, which is pretty relaxing. I could
do this every day!
By 4:30 or so I was ready to catch the bus again. I got off at Shark's Cove and walked to the Foodland grocery store across the street. I was hungry, so I bought a yogurt and a french vanilla cappuccino (from the machine...I love those!). Then I walked down the road and tried to get to the Waimea waterfall, but I was too late and it had already closed. Oh well, I suppose I'll do it next week. I figure I've got at least one more day of travelling to the North Shore before leaving. At this point, I think I'll get up there once more to hike the Waimea falls and hopefully spend the day laying out on Goat's Island near Lai'e. If anyone else has any last minute suggestions for my last North Shore trip, please let me know.
I got back to Waikiki around 8pm, grabbed a few groceries at Walmart since I was in the area, a sub at Subway, then headed back home. I hung out with Tiffany tonight, chatted a bit, and updated my blog on the computer. I was given my third treat of the day
by Tiff around 1:30 in the morning. She had made this beautiful strawberry something...it was a fancy recipe from a magazine. Never one to pass up a dessert, I ate it all. Seriously, for as much activity as I'm doing, this is my downfall. I really need to cut back on the desserts! Not much more excitement here....just eager for tomorrow's hike with Terry. We're going to hike to the top of Mt. Olympus!
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Jennifer Burcham
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Turtles
The turtles actually look kind of cute. Do they come near you or are they not too into people? I don't think I would mind them as long as they weren't chasing me. As a child I had nightmares about animals and reptiles chasing me, so maybe that is my fear of animals, reptiles, and fish? Both times we have been on Ohau I have refused to go to the Dole plantation. First, it isn't someplace I'd like to dump money. Second, it seems too touristy to me. I don't think I am going to tell Jay you went as he will surely tell me we are the only ones who haven't gone! I would have gotten some more of that pie at Ted's - there is none of that over here. It is cocktail time here! Cheers!