Hawaii 2010 Update

It’s weird when you take the time to think about how fast time flies, whether you are having fun or not. It was around this time last year that I took the same much-needed vacation to get away from all of the stress, all of the irritation, and all of the pain. It was this time last year that I made the same decision and had the same feeling of release as time passed on the island.

As much of a workaholic that I am, even workaholics need their breaks. The funny thing is, I found myself having to force myself to “detox” on the first day, slapping my own hands every time I looked down at my iPhone and saw a work email. I don’t think it’s common (or normal) to have to force yourself NOT to work when you’re supposed to be completely relaxing on a vacation. Being OCD about the way you handle your responsibilities probably doesn’t help, either. But alas… you are here to relax, Sarah, and for once, NOT work or even worry yourself with work.

So here I am, back on Oahu. I already mentioned Day 1′s adventure. Funny enough, the lights might as well have stayed out for the rest of the night. By the time we got electricity back, we decided we were tired from the flight anyway, and went straight to bed.

Saturday, we had breakfast at a nearby restaurant for some delicious eggs benedict and sweet bread french toast, then it was off to the same part of Shark’s Cove we went to last year. Turns out, it was super low tide… which wasn’t a problem by any means, it was just weird being able to see most of the rocks above water. It was nice not being knocked around by currents this time ’round, that’s for sure. After snorkeling at Shark’s Cove for a while, we grabbed some lunch at a nearby shrimp truck and spent the rest of the afternoon at Sunset Beach, snorkeling and relaxing until the sun came down. Then it was off to buy groceries now that we had a powered refrigerator!

After the sun set, we spent some time swimming in the heated pool before grilling up our dinner. We’re getting a ton of exercise. We also ended up hanging out with a bunch of Marines. Long story.

Sunday was not only my 27th (weird) birthday, but it was also Mother’s Day. I woke up and immediately gave my mother a call, and laughed as she asked me if her present was actually edible. For those wondering, I had a “little” gift sent to her on Friday, despite how much she argued with me NOT to “waste” my money on sending her a gift (but note, she does this every year, and regardless, I am stubborn and send her something anyways, hahaha)…

…that “little” gift being a GIANT fortune cookie that is, yes, edible and also has a “fortune” inside.

After making Mother’s Day calls, Alicia and I headed out to Waimea Valley (again) to do the same hike we did last year for my birthday, and once again, swim through the waterfall. On the way up to the waterfall, we took some shots with our camera equipment. Alicia took some general macro shots, and I mostly played with my newish wide angle lens, polarizers, and a couple of infrared shots… which I discovered are really, REALLY tricky.

After the hike, we went to Haleiwa to eat at Cholo’s (just like last year). Ordered a couple of margaritas. Afterwards, we headed back out to Shark’s Cove, but this time, snorkeled in a completely different area of it than we had ever been to in the past. Holy crap! Why we didn’t go there last year is beyond me… There were a LOT more fish, bigger, and more colorful. We plan to head out there again later this week, only plan to hit it up when it’s earlier and brighter (to prevent us from crashing into rocks… again).

Once we got back to our villa during the night, it was time for our nightly swim in the pool, then more grillin’. After being completely exhausted from getting way more exercise than I’ve ever gotten in a long, long time… I found myself crawling into bed and passing out.

Today, we are taking a day off from any extreme activities. Alicia is sleeping in, then we might hit up Matsumoto’s later for some shaved ice… before returning to our own beach and relaxing there all day. Taking it easy… before we jump back into the craziness tomorrow (starting with SHARK DIVING).