The rest of the story.....

The day we flew into Honolulu from Phoenix which was on January 1st, my good friend, Paige, from Heidelberg High School (Germany), was vacationing with her family. It was all by chance that we contacted each other right before our trips and found out that she would be in Honolulu while Jesse and I had our 6 hour lay-over at the Honolulu Airport. So, her gracious father picked us up and took us back to Waikiki Beach and we had our first Hawaiian Experience. I was so excited to see Paige and spend time with her since we hadn't seen each other in 5 years that I hardly enjoyed the beach. I'd have time for that later on in the week.
She has lived in Germany for the past 7 years and teaches for the DODDS (Department of Defense Dependent Schools). I had forgotten how much energy and humor she still had after all these years. Her twin sister, Courtney, wasn't able to make it on the trip, but I hope I can add her to the Blogspot in May after we visit with her in San Diego. There are some friends that are true and they are the same ones that you will never forget.

I can't compete with Jesse's amazing writing skills and story telling but I wanted to add a few more things to the Hawaiian Adventure.
After we arrived at the Kalalau Beach I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Well, I hope it's once in my lifetime because I really don't wish to experience it again. As Jesse mentioned in his portion of the blogspot below, people (mainly MALES) were constantly walking around in the NUDE. I have never seen so many different naked men in my life all in a matter of a few hours as I did on the first day at Kalalau. Jesse failed to mention that he also got so comfortable one evening that he took a dip in the ocean without his normal swim gear on.
Don't worry, the next picture is safe to look at. He was swimming in the rough water. I was pretty scared because the current was so strong.

Hawaii was a near perfect experience although I have to be honest: roosters roamed all over Kauai and parts of Oahu. We got our early morning wake up calls around 3am from the crowing. At our last campsite in Oahu, Jesse chased the hens and roosters that were roosting near our tent with a stick until they finally decided to leave our camping area. You have no idea how hilarious he looked as other campers looked on.

One day while visiting the North Shore of Oahu, we stumbled upon a local surfing competition in memory of the famous surfer named Eddie Akiu. This was at the Banzai Pipeline. The waves were hitting about 20 feet (the swells were much higher). You can see a professional photographer in the foreground.

On our way from the North Shore back to Honolulu the day before our departure, we stopped at the famous Hanauma Bay. This bay used to be a volcano crater that later filled with water. The dark areas in the water are coral reef. We snorkeled for an hour or so. The fish were colorful in neons and bright yellows, oranges and reds. It was surreal.

Our last few hours in Hawaii were spent climbing Diamond Head trail (something like 500 stairs included) to get a beautiful view of Waikiki. Our last night in the hotel was spent on the beach somewhere in one of those white towers.

It was an adventure we cherish.
We are ready to face new challenges in 2008 but we hope that
when we are faced with enormous trials this year, we can look back
at all the wonderful things we have seen here and be thankful.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!