Day 3 in Paridise

We hiked to the top of Diamond Head

 On our way to the top.

We had to climb lots of stairs to get to the top.

View from the top.

Looking over Honolulu

Looking back into the volcano crater.

After our hot hike we needed something nice and cold to cool us down. YUM!

Next we headed up the coast to the Blow Hole. This area along the coast was BEAUTIFUL!!! We could have sat all day and watched the waves crash against the rocks.

Next we drove to Kailua. We had lunch at a pizza shop and then rented a double kayak. I was very nervous at first. I knew that I wasn't very strong or good at paddling. What if the waves started to take us out sea. Once we looked at where we put in our kayak, I decided that we would be okay.

We were told to paddle out to the island that we could see, but  told that past that the current would get a little stronger.

Here is Doug taking that kayak back to the place we rented it from.

We survived and had a great time!

The last thing we did was walk along Waikiki Beach. It was so peaceful to walk along the beach and put our feet in the ocean.

Day 3 was such a great day. We packed as much as we possible could into the day.

Day 2 of Paradise

On the second day we didn't wake up quite as early. We called the boys and went to eat at McDonald's. We left for the day by 7:00 am.

We drove up the North East side of the island. We stopped at Kualoa Regional Park. We looked at Chinamans hat and watched the sun come up. It was a little windy, but beautiful!

We walked along the beach and found sea shells to take home to the boys.

We drove up to Laie to see the temple. It was General Conference weekend, so the temple was closed on Saturday. We went to the visitor center and walked around the grounds. It was so peaceful.

Next we went to Kualoa Ranch for our Jeep ride. This is the place where many movies have been made. Jurassic Park and the TV show Lost was filmed here.

Doug was worried that I was going to get us kicked out for picking a flower to put in my hair. Luckily no one noticed, so we were safe:)

This is the jeep that we rode in. It was a little bumpy, but fun to go up the mountain.

Chinaman's Hat in the distance.

On our way up the mountain.

Bonnie enjoying the ride.

The area that the TV show Lost was taped

The top of where we went...BEAUTIFUL!

Our tour guide

Next, we found a place across the street from Pounders Beach and bought fresh pineapple from a little old man. He cut it up with a machete and put it in a grocery bag. We drove across the street and ate our pineapple and enjoyed the beautiful beach.

Our last thing of the day was the Polynesian Cultural Center

When we bought our tickets, we made a mistake and bought the VIP tickets. We had a collage student that took us around to each thing and we had special seating at the events as well. There were people that had been waiting for a while to see this show and we walked in and got front row seating. Doug and I felt a little strange walking in front of others to get the front row.

Our favorite village was Tonga. This guy was HILARIOUS!

The Tongans climbing the coconut tree. 

On the left, Doug trying to make fire. On the right, our guide also trying to make fire.

We were taught how to weave leaves together and make to fish kissing.

Our boat ride to the Luau, our dinner.

Our guide, cousin Mike...his real name we too difficult to pronounce, so he asked us to call him cousin Mike. I wonder if he got to change his name each day?

The Luau

We enjoyed our dinner and then attended the night show. I loved the PCC. It was one of the few things I remember from when I went. It was great!