Hawaii 2014 (Day 4 of 19): Oahu - Hanauma Bay, Diamond Head, Manoa Falls

Up and out for some early morning snorkeling

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Hanauma Bay

Beautiful

We were so mesmerized by the views of the bay from above. When we finally decided to head down to the beach an official looking guy abruptly strung some ropes and told us we had to buy tickets. We didn't know that if you get in by 7 then you don't have to pay. We were there for a while looking, gathering our stuff, going to the bathroom, etc. We saw the guy standing around and he never said anything to us about making sure we get in by 7. Luckily when I went to the ticket counter the lady heard what had happened to us, slipped us 4 tickets, and said there was no charge.

Wow!

Cats and Mongooses

So beautiful. Like glass.

You can't really swim unimpeded across the bay because it's so shallow. You end up getting stuck in the coral labyrinths. It's better to get in at a sandy entry point, explore the surrounding coral, and then get out and walk to another entry point.

Then the crowds started rolling in. Get there early.

Using my new underwater camera case for the first time. I couldn't really see anything in the viewfinder so I was just shooting and hoping.

Humuhumu nukunuku apua'a

Polarized view through my sunglasses

One of those places you can't bring yourself to walk away from

On the move

Diamond Head

It's touristy so it can get crowded and it gets hot, but we enjoyed the hike and the views were fantastic. It's a shame it closes so early -  it would be really nice at sunset without the heat and the crowds. It opens really early, but we were snorkeling. I hate making compromised choices. Cloning and\or time travel would solve most of my problems in life.

Helen and I kept our rash guard shirts from snorkeling on to keep from getting sunburned, but in retrospect wished we had taken them off because they're not the most comfortable thing in the heat

Important to look fashionable - even when hiking

Cooling off with some shave ice and really fresh pineapple slices

Rainbow Drive-In

I love places like this. I'm sure the food at the resort, or Bubba Gump, or Cheeseburgers in Paradise is good, but I never walk away from those places feeling I got a good value and it usually feels staged and unauthentic (can I start you off with some calamari or cheese fries?)

It seemed like we were always passing Leonard's and you can't pass Leonard's without getting something

Driving into the hills of Manoa

Parking and mosquito repellent for Manoa Falls hike

Looks like a bear rearing up on his hind legs

It was getting late. We only saw a few other people on the trail. I was reading a review where someone said the day they were there that Obama was hiking the trail with his daughters.

Looking for some cocoa puffs but they were sold out

Derek couldn't get Teddy's out of his mind and lobbied to stop on the way home