"You're Gonna do What?"

Today we went Parasailing with Xtreme Parasailing down the road from our apartment at Kewalo Basin.  We decided to go big or go home and chose the highest parasail at 1000 ft.  As the first group was lifted we said they were pretty high, the captain informed us they were only at 500 ft and that we were going the highest today.

Strapped in lifting off

Leaving the boat

Beginning our flight

We are those little dots in the distance

At the end of the rope with a plane flying over

Pulled in with Jamal giving us a peace sign

Lowering for our dunk

Fully submerged

Lifting out of the water

Seat backs and tray tables are in their upright and locked position

Touchdown

These are the Friday night fireworks by the Hilton Hawaiian Village.  With our apartment just down the block I decided to try and take some pictures for Heidi from the balcony.  The view was partially blocked by the Prince, but still one of the best seats.  The fireworks were extremely loud echoing off the hotels in Waikiki.  

Beginning of the show

Heidi's Favorite

Finale

Finale

Tonight was Heidi's last night of work.  We have two more days to enjoy our time in Hawaii and we will make the best of it.  We will definitely miss paradise.

"Under the sea, under the sea. Darling it's better down where it's wetter, take it from me."

Today we explored Hanauma Bay.  As most places, it is suggested that you go early to avoid crowds.  The visit starts with a video about Hanauma Bay history and then goes over some safety points.  After the video we made our way down to the bay.  The sand was white and soft but it was hard to find a spot at first because the crowds were already gathering.  We collected our snorkeling gear and hopped in the water.  Immediately we saw several fish.  There were several areas of coral in rather shallow water so we floated precariously on our stomachs while avoiding touching the coral.  The water wasn't quite as clear as at Captain Cook but there were many fish that would swim right next to you.  The pictures below show a few of them but as usual the fish were much more colorful in real life.

Pat Snorkeling

Picasso Triggerfish

Yellowfin Surgeonfish

Sailfin Tang

Here is a video we taped of a few fish and some coral.  You get a small glimpse of us too. 

Orangespine Unicornfish, numerous convict tang

Redlip Parrotfish (female)

Redlip Parrotfish (female)

Threadfin Butterfly fish

Orangespine Unicornfish

Whitespotted Surgeonfish

Whitespotted Surgeonfish

Bluestrip Snapper

The reef is very shallow and you just float over  it

Post Snorkeling

View of the bay

After Hanauma Bay we drove home for me to take a pre-work nap.  It was then off to work while Pat tried to get our apartment organized for our departure in only 3 days!!!

So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Goodbye

This morning we took on Diamond Head.  We read it gets really hot and crowded so we got there early.  It was a nice hike, much shorter than we expected.  There were a couple tall staircases, pictured below, they were not Pat's favorite part but at least we all got a work out. :)  We forgot to get pictures of the staircases, but we found these on google.  At the top we enjoyed views of the coast on one side and Diamond Head Crater on the other.  At the bottom of the crater after the hike, we shared some refreshing shave ice.

Google picture of the first staircase

Google picture of the second staircase

Honolulu

Diamond Head Crater

For lunch we enjoyed some fresh fish at Niko's Fish Market.  One of my attendings at Queens recommended it.  We then went home and played a few final games of Spades.  

After they were all packed, we took Christina and Jaron to the airport.   We bid them farewell and then met up with Whitney Guzman, formerly Lagergren, a long time family friend of Patrick's.  We had an awesome dinner at The Grove in Kailua.  Whitney is pregnant with twins and looked so cute!  It was hard to believe she is 24 weeks along.  Unfortunately we forgot to get a Titusville reunion picture at dinner!

The Geriatric Hula

Today we started our day at Iolani Palace.  Christina's friend, Rebecca, who lives in Hawaii, met up with us.  We did an audio tour of the palace and learned some history of Hawaii.  There aren't too many artifacts in the palace because after the annexation of Hawaii most of the items were sold.  They are making an attempt to locate the items.

The palace had a beautiful Koa Wood Staircase and a copper stove, which were my favorite parts of the palace.  You aren't allowed to take pictures inside though. :(

Iolani Palace

Iolani Palace Gazebo built for the Coronation of King Kalakaua

Iolani Palace Seal

Kamehameha Statue, appears in original and new Hawaii Five-O credits

Kamehameha Statue, Old Judiciary Building

We ended our day at a free hula show.  It is put on by the Hyatt and performed right on the beach.  It was very relaxing.  The show had two sets of hula dancers.  The first was a group of 4 older woman, probably at least in their 60s, and the second was a younger girl who danced by herself and did examples of the different types of hula.  I guess if you want a group of young hula girls rather than a geriatric hula you should at least fork out a few bucks. ;-) Luckily we already watched another Hula at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Waikiki Hulu Show Sunset

Waikiki Hulu Show

After a dinner at Tiki bar across the street from the beach we headed home for more rousing games of Spades!