Day Three – Diamonds are Forever

Carol suggested that we start the day at Hanuana Bay before the big busses drop people in the afternoon. It was a good thing we followed her advice. We were arriving around 8:30 and there was a line of cars waiting to get in. We had to watch a mandatory video on how not to walk on the rocks. It was apparent from the beginning that it was going to be crowded. Many a time, I would be bumping into people as I swam around the coral. I found a channel that led out into the deeper water. There were not many people out in this area. I liked it the best, but there were not many fish out here. Once back into the protected area, I was again surrounded by many people. Some girl dove down and was not paying attention and head-butted me in the groin. Another teen girl must not have liked how I was stopped and taking a picture of some fish. She reached out and touched my leg and acted like I was in her way. Although the fish were beautiful and the few pieces of coral were nice, I was ready to hang it up for the day. Besides, I suspected I was getting sun-burned on my back and head.

Back at the towel, we met a boy from Russia. He told us several times how the Russians had beat some enemy and even told the story of how the Russians beat the US in some battle. I wanted to remind him that we won the cold War.

Hanauma Bay was very beautiful. On the walk down into the crater that formed the bay, you could see beautify blue water and a protected reef. But there were probably a thousand or more people tightly packed into this area. I would recommend it because it is so beautiful. The crowds were the only thing that would keep me from going back.

Our next stop was the Diamond Head crater hike. I always thought that the name came from the shape. In fact, the first European’s to climb the mountain found crystals and thought they were diamonds. We were about to make an accent on the summit, but were stopped by the magical forces of the shaved ice truck. I had to have one before we started.

It was hot and the sun was on us for the entire hike. It was not really steep, but it felt like it. As it got steeper, the trail turned into switchbacks. Kim was starting to slow. She had not been sleeping well since we arrived and with the heat, she was getting tired. I motivated her by pointing out some of the people coming down made it. There were several old people, a pregnant lady, …. Towards the top, there were several stairways. It was good to get to the top. The views of Honolulu and Waikiki were nice.

On the ride back home, we stopped at Holona Blowhole. I think we stopped at the right time. It was putting on a good show.

Tonight we decided to try Korean cuisine. They brought out some cabbage soup and then a bunch of appetizers. The only one I recognized was Kim-Chi. Kim wanted the shrimp Tempura and I ordered dumplings. Ever since the trip to China, I have loved them.