Hawaii - Part 3

 Amanda has the maps and we got the car with Hawaiian plates

 And we drive straight to the only brewery

 Sweet view and some great beer.  We love 3 hour happy hours with $3 pints.

 Dog the Bounty Hunter

 We asked the bartender where we should go for a hike.  She said we should hike a mile to the lighthouse.  It rained, it poured and we hiked. "no rain no rainbows"

 Yoga - sun salutation.

 We had planned on camping our way across Oahu.  We found out we had to get a permit from the state.  so we went to the Federal Building and got a permit.  However, to deter the homeless on the beach there is no camping on Wednesday and Thursday.  So we headed to the campsite for Tuesday a little defeated.  Once we got there the place was on the beach but it was a dump, trash everywhere, and 10 homeless folks sleeping in the bathroom.  We decided then and there this was not for us and we were on vacation. so we checked online and the only place was Turtle Bay Golf Resort.  It was $400 a night.  Amanda called them and they gave us a room for $169.  I will dream of sleeping on that many thread count sheets for the rest of my life.

 View from our room.

 Amanda meditating in the few rays of sun, with a beer...pure bliss.

 So, the only place the owner of our company suggested to check out was the Polynesian Cultural Center.  It was a really cool spot.  However it is owned by the Mormon Church (which our boss is affiliated with).  Despite feeling cheated into this experience and paying $50 each, it was super cool that the church supports the preservation of all the cultures of the pacific.

 We also booked our spot to come back to the center in the evening for dinner and a show.  Both of which were great.  I have never eaten more glorious pork and bountiful amounts of fruit.

 We headed over to Giovanni's food truck for garlic shrimp and coconut juice.

 The waves on the North Shore were "the biggest of the year"  35 foot waves.

The next day we got up and went snorkeling.  We saw a bunch of tropical fish, eels and turtles.  

 Asking the bartender where to hike to waterfall.  She was from Boston, and served up Scooby Snacks (Midori, Malibu, Pineapple Juice and Cream)

 We came across the Dole Pineapple Plantation

 Lei

 Welcome to the Jungle

 Bamboo

Rainbow Tree

 1.5 miles later we made it to the waterfall

 What a great trip.  We'll be dreaming of these shores until winter is over.