Morning Culture, Afternoon Beach

The kids woke up, and Aunty Tracy took them to the bakery to get malasadas, a fat Portugese donut that was covered in sugar.  They commented that those bombs could cause diabetes, but they issued nary a complaint, and ate every last particle, sugar and all.

We were faced with a bit of indecision, and for Rebecca a dilemma: no plan.  We had originally planned to go to the Big Island today, but circumstances and time constraints dictated otherwise.

Our plan was finally formulated to go to Kuoloa Ranch, then Kanehoe Bay for snorkeling.  The kids rallied for a “relaxation day” to sit around the house.  Vetoed by the Exectutive Branch of the family.

Kuoloa Ranch is on the windward side towards Turtle Bay.  We made the transit over Pali Pass, and went to the Ranch which was once the land that the Hawaiian Royalty used to train their warriors.

It is the site of many movie settings, and we took the Jungle tour.  In the gift shop, the kids bought ukuleles as souvenirs, and we set off for the jungle tour in a type of 4X4 that had a killer low gear, climbing us up steep inclines to see the spectacular views of the windward side, and the island of Molokai in the hazy distance.

We got a dose of Hawaiian history, as all of our acquaintances (and tour guides) are well briefed in the culture and history of their wonderful archipelago islands.

After an hour tour, we got back into the Pilot, and headed to K-bay.  I once again, apprehensively braved the military security gate, and we met Jed for a great family beach spot.

The spot was accessible through base housing, which Rebecca likened to a modern Canal Zone. The homes were directly on the ocean.  We picked a beautiful spot on a sandy part of a rock lined shore, which was wind protected, had snorkeling access into a calm lagoon, cliffs for the boys to climb on, and some trade wind surf down the way.  A truly perfect beach spot. 

It reflected the pattern our days have been conducted:  cultural activity in the morning, and beach activity in the afternoon.

Arriving back home in Kahala, Tracy had a great spaghetti dinner ready for us weary island travel adventurers!!!